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How to skip-the-line at Doge's Palace

Quick overview

Doge’s Palace is one of Venice’s busiest paid sights. On busy days, same-day ticket buyers typically face around 30–60 minutes at the ticket office and, at peak midday in high season, surveys show that can stretch to roughly 70–110 minutes, plus about 10–20 minutes more at security. All visitors must clear the same security checkpoint, so skip-the-line options mainly cut the ticket-purchase wait and reduce the risk of sold-out slots.

  • Direct skip-the-line tickets (From €30): Book a timed palace ticket online, skip the on-site ticket office and walk straight to the entrance and security queue. Best default for first-time visitors who want the full public route at the lowest price.
  • Skip-the-line tickets with audio guide (From €30–40): Timed fast-track entry bundled with a downloadable audio guide and often access to Correr and other St Mark’s museums. Good if you want more context than panels provide while still exploring independently.****
  • Skip-the-line guided palace tours (From €56+): Small-group tours using reserved group entry and a fixed 1.25–1.5 hour route through the great halls, prisons and the Bridge of Sighs. Ideal if you value explanation, a set pace and smoother entry over total flexibility.
  • Skip-the-line palace + basilica combos (From €67+): Guided combinations that cover Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica in one block, with priority entry lines at both. Designed for short stays and cruise days where you need to see the main highlights with minimal DIY logistics.
  • Museum pass and transport combos (From €40–65): Venice Museum Pass products that include fast-track Doge’s Palace entry plus multiple civic museums and often ACTV water bus passes. Only really worth it if you plan 3–4+ museums or expect to rely heavily on vaporetto.

See all your options to skip the queues at Doge's Palace ↓

What does skip-the-line really mean for the Doge’s Palace?

Skip-the-line tickets to the Doge’s Palace let you bypass the long queue at the ticket office and enter through a faster, dedicated line. However, you’ll still go through standard security checks, which are mandatory for all visitors. These tickets help you save 30 minutes to 2 hours in peak season and let you explore the palace at your own pace or with a guide.

How long are the queues at the Doge’s Palace entrance?

The Doge’s Palace attracts roughly around 3,500 visitors a day, making queues a regular part of the experience.

  • From April to October, wait times can stretch from 45 to 120 minutes, with the longest delays between 10am and 1pm, when cruise passengers and tour groups arrive in large numbers. 
  • Even during the off-season, lines of 20–40 minutes are typical on weekends and late mornings. 

These queues start forming at the main courtyard entrance and often spill into St. Mark’s Square, creating bottlenecks near the ticket counters and slowing down entry for everyone, particularly during the midday heat.

Type of queues at the Doge's Palace

Entry to the Palace is through Porta del Frumento (Grain Gateway), located in the Piazzetta, San Marco 1 , 30124 Venezia VE, Italy.

Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica on Absolute Venice Walking Tour.

Ticketing queue

Location: Outside Porta del Frumento, under the colonnade facing Riva degli Schiavoni

Who it’s for: Visitors purchasing tickets on the spot

Average wait time: Up to 45–90 minutes during peak season, shorter (20–40 minutes) off-peak

Skip-the-line? Can be bypassed with pre-booked tickets

Doge's Palace exterior with ornate Gothic architecture in Venice, Italy.

Ticket redemption queue

Location: Just inside Porta del Frumento, in the main courtyard near ticket scanning kiosks

Who it’s for: Visitors with advance (online) tickets needing validation

Average wait time: Short, typically 5–25 minutes, even at peak hours

Skip-the-line?  Yes – significantly faster than the walk-up queue

Doge's Palace interior with ornate ceilings, part of Venice 3 Museum Pass tour.

Security check queue

Location: Immediately after ticket validation, just beyond the main entrance inside the courtyard

Who it’s for: All visitors

Average wait time: 10–20 mins (peak), 5–10 mins (off‑peak)

Skip-the-line?  No – mandatory for everyone

Doge's Palace interior showcasing ornate ceilings and intricate art details in Venice, Italy.

Guided tour queue

Location: At a designated check-in point near Porta della Carta (the ornate ceremonial gateway next to the main entrance)

Who it’s for: Guests on guided tours

Average wait time: 3–10 mins—significantly faster than general lines

Skip-the-Line?  Yes – priority scanning and escorted entry

Skip the wait: Your fastest way into Doge’s Palace

During peak hours, lines at the Doge’s Palace can stretch over an hour. A skip-the-line ticket lets you bypass the general admission queue and head straight to the security check. Most visitors are inside within 15–30 minutes, even during peak hours—no waiting, no sun, no stress.

Staircase of the Doge Palace in Venice with ornate marble steps and intricate ceiling details.
Get fast-track entry

All your options to skip the queues at Doge’s Palace

Long lines are a given at the Doge’s Palace but with a little planning, you don’t have to be stuck in them. Here’s how to get in faster.

Doge's Palace entrance in Piazza San Marco, Venice, showcasing Gothic architecture.

1. Book skip-the-line tickets online

Pre-booked tickets let you use a priority entrance line, with a typical wait of 5–25 minutes during peak hours. You can enter at your selected time without joining the main ticket queue.

Check skip-the-line tickets
Doge's Palace exterior with Gothic arches and ornate facade in Venice, Italy.

2. Choose a guided tour

All guided tours to Doge’s Palace offer priority access through a separate group entrance. A local expert will also enrich your visit with the palace’s political history and unheard stories.

Find guided tours
Courtyard view of Doge's Palace with tourists exploring in Venice, Italy.

3. Get a full Venice experience

You can get a complete Venice experience along with fast-track access to Doge's Palace, Museo Correr and other St. Mark’s Square museums—all on a single ticket. It’s the easiest way to explore multiple landmarks without waiting in line at each site.

Explore Venice in a day
Doge's Palace courtyard with tourists, Venice, near Correr Museum.

4. Time your visit smartly

To avoid peak crowds, arrive by 8:45am to be among the first inside when the Palace opens at 9am, or visit after 4pm when tour groups begin to leave. Steer clear of weekends, public holidays (like April 25, June 2, and Ferragosto), and Tuesdays, which see higher traffic due to Monday museum closures.

Plan your visit

What are customers saying?

Loved by 47 million+
Alessia Lopizzo

Alessia

Jan 2026
5/5
I liked the grandeur and grandeur of the ducal castle, the thousands of paintings and the history present inside each of its rooms.
Donata Calini

Donata

Jan 2026
5/5
Immediate entry, good audio guide. Tip: put your story at the end of the guide.
Darin Lazarov

Darin

Jan 2026
5/5
The experience was amazing, I definetelly recommend this trip. Lovely atmosphere.
Schwabe Johannes Sebastian

Schwabe

Jan 2026
3/5
Der Hieronymus Bosch hat mich überrascht und war spektakulär
Vanessa Aiello

Vanessa

Jan 2026
5/5
Exciting moment, history, beauty and culture!
SIMONE RIZZO

Simone

Jan 2026
5/5
Useful for speeding up entry to the building.
Nicola Bertozzi

Nicola

Jan 2026
4/5
We skipped a long line
LEONID BORIN

Leonid

Dec 2025
5/5
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review-image
Visiting the Doge’s Palace was an experience that genuinely exceeded expectations. What struck me most was how seamlessly the site brings Venice's rich and complicated history to life — not in a distant, abstract way, but vividly, through its art, architecture, and the weight of the events that took place within those walls. The rooms are breathtaking in both size and detail. Walking through the palace feels like moving through a timeline — from the grandeur of the halls where Venice governed an empire, to the armory filled with relics of a military that once projected power across Europe and into the Middle East. Each chamber is layered with meaning, adorned with paintings that aren’t just decorative, but stories — political messages, victories, diplomatic relationships, and cautionary tales all embedded in brushstrokes. The art itself is stunning — ceilings covered in gold, massive canvases that dominate entire walls, portraits of Doges and statesmen who shaped centuries of policy and trade. It’s impossible not to feel small standing in a room where decisions were made that impacted countries far beyond Italy. The palace makes clear that Venice wasn’t just a beautiful city on the water — it was a powerhouse that influenced European politics, Middle Eastern commerce, and the entire Mediterranean region. What also adds to the emotional impact is the contrast inside: incredible wealth and power on one side, and — across the Bridge of Sighs — the cold prison cells where fate was sealed for many. This physical contrast between glory and consequence makes the visit especially memorable.

Compare your Doge's Palace ticket options

Ticket typeAvg wait timeQueues skippedIncludesPrice fromBook

Skip-the-line ticket

5-20 minutes

✅ Ticketing queue

Skip-the-ticket queue + Access to the San Marco Museums & Library (optional) + Audio guide and Guidebook (optional)

€30Book now

Guided tour

3-10 minutes

✅ Ticketing queue

Guided tour of Doge’s Palace with fast-track access + Access to the San Marco Museums & Library (optional) + Access to Doge’s Palace prison complex (optional)

€56Book now

Venice tours

3-10 minutes

✅ Ticketing queue

Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica Guided tour + Access to San Marco Museums & Library (option) + Venice walking tour

€135Book now

Frequently asked questions about Doge's Palace skip-the-line tickets

What does skip-the-line actually mean?

It means you get to bypass the long line at the ticket counter and head straight to the entry checkpoint with a pre-booked ticket.

Do I still need to go through the security?

Yes. All visitors must pass through a security check before entering. Skip-the-line tickets help you avoid the ticket line, not the security screening.

How much time can I save with skip-the-line tickets?

You can save 30–60 minutes on average, sometimes during peak season you can save around 2 hours. With skip-the-line tickets, entry typically takes under 30 minutes.

Can I use skip-the-line tickets for multiple entries to the Doge's Palace on the same day?

It depends on availability. During busy seasons, these tickets often sell out days in advance. It’s best to book ahead online

Do skip-the-line tickets include access to the Bridge of Sighs?

Yes. Standard Doge’s Palace skip-the-line tickets include access to the Bridge of Sighs, prison cells, and all public rooms of the palace.

Are audio guides included with my Doge's Palace skip the line tickets?

You can upgrade your standard skip-the-line tickets to include an audio guide.

Is a guided tour better than a regular skip-the-line ticket?

All guided tours to the Doge's palace offer both, skip the line access along with an expert guide who shares the palace's history and artistic legacy in an engaging and interactive session.

Is there a limit to how many skip-the-line tickets are available each day?

Yes, there is typically a limited number of skip-the-line tickets available each day to manage crowd control and ensure a pleasant visit for all guests. Hence, the smart choice is to plan and book ahead.

Can I enter the Palace at any time with a skip-the-line ticket?

No. You must choose a time slot when booking and arrive close to that time to ensure entry.

Are there specific entrances for skip-the-line ticket holders?

Yes, there’s a reserved line near Porta del Frumento. It’s clearly marked, and staff will guide you when you arrive.

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