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Vatican City Railway Station

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Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)

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The Vatican City Railway Station, officially known as Stazione di Città del Vaticano, serves as the terminus for the world's shortest national railway system. Its construction was mandated by the Lateran Treaty of 1929, which established the sovereignty of Vatican City and required a connection to the Italian rail network. Designed by architect Giuseppe Momo, the station building was constructed between 1929 and 1933 using white Carrara marble, giving it a neoclassical elegance. While originally intended for papal travel and high-level diplomatic receptions, for much of its history, it was primarily utilized for freight logistics. A significant shift occurred in 2015 when Pope Francis opened the station to the public for tourism. Since then, a special weekly train departs every Saturday, transporting visitors directly to the Papal Villas in Castel Gandolfo. The tracks enter the Vatican through a monumental bronze gate in the city walls, which is opened only for scheduled train movements.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C781014182326262117128
Rain mm7377695657342626708211492

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
Vatican City Railway Station is a working passenger station, accessible during train operating hours. The waiting hall and platform are open to the public, but track access is restricted to travelers.
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Typical hours
The station is typically open from about 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, depending on train schedules. On Sundays and holidays, service may be reduced - check departure times in advance.
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Photography
Photography is allowed in the station hall and on the platform as long as you do not disrupt operations. Avoid flash and follow safety instructions - a tripod usually requires permission.
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Time needed
A brief visit to the station takes about 10-15 minutes. If you explore the surroundings and take photos, allow 30 minutes.
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Combine with
The station is a short walk from the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Square. Combine your visit with a stroll through Vatican City and take advantage of this unique rail link to Italy.
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Getting there
The station is a five-minute walk from St. Peter's Square along Via della Stazione Vaticana. Alternatively, take a train from Roma San Pietro to the Vatican border and walk the rest.
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Insider tip
Use the Vatican Railway Station for a unique arrival or departure - the train runs right to the border. Come early in the morning to have the station almost to yourself and enjoy the quiet of the world's smallest station.

Geography

Population
829 (2026)
Coordinates
41.90100, 12.45100

Facts

  • The station was officially inaugurated on September 23, 1934.
  • The total track length within Vatican City is only about 300 meters.
  • The station building is clad in prestigious white Carrara marble.
  • A massive sliding bronze gate secures the railway entrance in the wall.
  • There is no regular daily scheduled passenger service at this station.
  • Tourist trains to Castel Gandolfo began operating in 2015.

Explore nearby

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FlaminioFlaminio3 km · NEExplore →
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Route planner — Car & Motorhome

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Sights in the town Vatican City Railway Station (10)

Saint Stephen of the Ethiopians⛪ church

Church of the Vatican City, dedicated to Saint Stephen, with Coptic tradition.

St Mary's Church

Church building in Vatican City, dedicated to Saint Mary.

Vatican Hill

Hill in Rome that is the location of St. Peter's Basilica, core of Vatican City.

Cupola di San Pietro

Dome of St. Peter's Basilica, designed by Michelangelo, offering views over Rome.

♿

Sacristy🏛 museum

Sacristy of St. Peter's Basilica, housing liturgical vestments and sacred vessels.

Dome of Saint Peter

Dome of St. Peter's Basilica, designed by Michelangelo, offering views over Rome.

Saint Peter's Basilica

Papal basilica in Vatican City, burial site of popes, the largest Christian church.

Lourdes Grotto

Replica of the Grotto of Lourdes in Vatican City, a place of prayer.

St John's Tower🗼 tower

Building in Vatican City, a tower of unknown purpose.

Porta Pertusa

City gate in Rome, part of the Vatican walls.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can I travel to the Vatican by train?
Regular passenger trains do not run to the Vatican; the station is used mostly for special occasions.
Are there tourist trains from this station?
Yes, there is a special tourist train to Castel Gandolfo on certain Saturdays.
How long is the railway network in the Vatican?
It is the shortest national railway network in the world, with a length of about 300 meters.
What is the station used for today?
Parts of the building now house the Vatican department store (Annona) and the post office.
When was the station opened?
The station was put into operation in 1934 under Pope Pius XI.
Vatican City Railway Station: where is it located?
Vatican City Railway Station is located in Vatican.
Vatican City Railway Station: what is there to see?
Highlights include Saint Stephen of the Ethiopians, St Mary's Church, Vatican Hill.
Vatican City Railway Station: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
Vatican City Railway Station: why is it worth visiting?
The Vatican City Railway Station, officially known as Stazione di Città del Vaticano, serves as the terminus for the world's shortest national railway system.
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History & landmarks

Bunker Access — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Bunker Access
A secured access point to underground structures within the Vatican walls.
Fountain of the Galley — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Fountain of the Galley
A decorative fountain in the Vatican Gardens evocative of maritime themes.
Vatican City Heliport — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Vatican City Heliport
The heliport is located at the westernmost tip of the state.
Vatican Railway Embankment — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Vatican Railway Embankment
An artificial railway embankment in the southern part of the Vatican, connecting the station to the Italian rail network.
Heliport Terrace Level — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Heliport Terrace Level
The artificially leveled plateau on which the Vatican Heliport is located.
Mosaic Studio Slope — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Mosaic Studio Slope
A steep topographic section behind St.
Papal Crest Flowerbed — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Papal Crest Flowerbed
An elaborately designed flowerbed in front of the Governor's Palace representing the crest of the current Pope using living plants.
Vatican Hill South Edge — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Vatican Hill South Edge
The topographic boundary of the hill in the south, where the terrain slopes down to the station and Via Aurelia.

Nature

Vatican Mediterranean Maquis — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Vatican Mediterranean Maquis
An area within the gardens preserved to showcase the typical shrubland of the Lazio region.
Southern Garden Knoll — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Southern Garden Knoll
A small elevation in the southern part of the Vatican Gardens.
Lebanon Cedars Slope — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Lebanon Cedars Slope
Magnificent specimens of Lebanon Cedars perched on the slopes of the hill.
Central Garden Ridge — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Central Garden Ridge
The raised ridge that runs through the center of the gardens.

More places

San Carlo Palace — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
San Carlo Palace
A significant residential building within the Vatican, serving as a residence for clerics and officials of the Roman Curia.
Governatorato Palace — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Governatorato Palace
The administrative center of Vatican City, housing the government of the state.
Church of Santa Maria della Pietà — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Church of Santa Maria della Pietà
The national church for the German-speaking population in the Vatican, located directly adjacent to the Campo Santo Teutonico.
Tower of San Giovanni — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Tower of San Giovanni
A massive tower in the Vatican Gardens, part of the medieval fortifications.
Canons&#39; Palace — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Canons' Palace
This monumental residential complex houses the canons of St.
Palace of the Sacristy — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Palace of the Sacristy
This massive building houses the sacristy of St.
Archpriest&#39;s Palace — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
Archpriest's Palace
This building serves as the official residence of the Cardinal Archpriest of the Vatican Basilica.
St. Peter&#39;s Basilica — Vatican City Railway Station (Vatican)
St. Peter's Basilica
The world's largest church, built over the burial site of St.