Official tickets sold out? What still works.
Five sights where the official tickets run out. Each guide starts with the official site, then the official options people miss, then tours and resold tickets with entry included.
Athens, GreeceAcropolis tickets sold out? What still worksEvery Acropolis ticket is for a one-hour slot, and the morning slots go first, even in low season. What to try when yours is gone, and the one claim to ignore.
San Francisco, United StatesAlcatraz tickets sold out? What still worksOne ferry company, sales up to 90 days ahead and same-day tickets that rarely exist. What to try when Alcatraz shows TICKETS NOT AVAILABLE, starting with the night tour and approved resellers' packages.
Granada, SpainAlhambra tickets sold out? What still worksThe official shop is the only guaranteed seller, and it can release more tickets after a day shows none. What to try, in order, when your date is gone.
Amsterdam, NetherlandsAnne Frank House tickets sold out? What still worksOne seller, a weekly release six weeks ahead and no tickets at the door. What to try when the Anne Frank House shows no slots, starting with the ticket that includes the introductory programme.
Grindavík, IcelandBlue Lagoon tickets sold out? What still worksPre-booking is essential, every ticket has an arrival time, and the volcano next door still has a say. What to try when the Blue Lagoon shows your date sold out, starting with the eruption status and the cancellations that free up the day before.
Rome, ItalyBorghese Gallery tickets sold out? What still worksBooking is compulsory for everyone and each hourly slot takes 180 people. What to try when the Borghese shows no dates, from last-minute tickets at the desk to the membership card.
Downtown Dubai, United Arab EmiratesBurj Khalifa tickets sold out? What still worksEvery ticket has a time, and peak slots around sunset can sell out days ahead. What to try when At the Top shows your time sold out, starting with an earlier slot that still catches the light.
Málaga, SpainCaminito del Rey tickets sold out? What still worksTickets are released in blocks months ahead and the €10 general entry goes first. What to try when your date is gone, starting with the official guided visit.
Göreme, TürkiyeCappadocia balloon flights sold out? What still worksA fixed number of take-off slots each morning, and weather that grounds every balloon on about two days in five. What to try when Cappadocia's balloon companies say they are full, starting with a spare morning.
Rome, ItalyColosseum tickets sold out? What still worksOfficial tickets open 30 days ahead, carry your name and lock you to a time slot. What to try when they are gone, from free Sundays to tours with entry.
Edinburgh, Scotland, United KingdomEdinburgh Castle tickets sold out? What still worksTimed slots with strict capacity, and no tickets at the gate once the online shop is full. What to try when Edinburgh Castle shows your date sold out, starting with the Flexi ticket and the official guided tour.
Paris, FranceEiffel Tower summit tickets sold out? What still worksLift tickets go on sale 60 days ahead and the top fills first. What to try when the summit shows no dates, starting with the stairs ticket office at the foot of the tower.
Mitaka, Tokyo, JapanGhibli Museum tickets sold out? What still worksAdvance reservation only, a monthly release on the 10th and nothing sold at the door. What to try when the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka shows no dates, starting with the release on the 10th of each month.
Milan, ItalyLast Supper tickets sold out? What still worksFifteen minutes, 40 people at a time, tickets released in batches and a name on every one. What to try when Leonardo's Last Supper shows no dates, starting with the Wednesday release.
Paris, FranceLouvre tickets sold out? What still worksA daily cap, timed slots and named tickets, with booking compulsory for everyone in busy weeks. What to try when the Louvre shows no slots, starting with the late openings.
Cusco region, PeruMachu Picchu tickets sold out? What still worksA daily cap of 4,500 or 5,600, split by circuit and hour, and only 400 places a day on Huayna Picchu. What to try when your circuit shows AGOTADO, starting with the 1,000 tickets sold in person in Machupicchu Pueblo.
Schwangau, GermanyNeuschwanstein tickets sold out? What still worksGuided tours only, 35 people each, at a fixed time, and nothing sold at the castle. What to try when Neuschwanstein shows no tours, starting with the Ticket Center queue at 8:00.
Versailles, FranceVersailles tickets sold out? What still worksOne ticket with a half-hour Palace slot for everyone, and the morning slots go first. What to try when Versailles shows nothing before lunch, starting with the palace's own late-entry Passport.
Paris, FranceParis Catacombs tickets sold out? What still worksTickets go on sale only seven days ahead, nobody pays at the door and 200 people fit underground. What to try when the Catacombs show no slots, starting with the timing of the release.
Barcelona, SpainPark Güell tickets sold out? What still worksPark Güell tickets are sold online only, in half-hour slots of 700 people, and the next day or two often goes. What still works, from the official guided tour to the combined tickets.
Sintra, PortugalPena Palace tickets sold out? What still worksThe park never sells out; the palace has half-hour slots with no tolerance for latecomers. What to try when Pena shows no morning slots, starting with the operator's own upgraded visits.
Lika-Senj, CroatiaPlitvice Lakes tickets sold out? What still worksOnline tickets are tied to one entrance and one time window, and the summer price drops late in the day. What to try when your slot is gone.
Campania, ItalyPompeii tickets sold out? What still worksPompeii lets in 20,000 people a day, in two time slots, on tickets that carry your name. When your slot is gone, here is what the park's own rules still leave open.
Seville, SpainReal Alcázar tickets sold out? What still works in SevilleThe official FAQ says there is no waiting list and no other channel, but the box office keeps a small quota for every slot. How to use it, and what else works.
Barcelona, SpainSagrada Família tickets sold out? What still worksTickets open about two months ahead, are sold online only and carry your name. What to try when your date is gone, and the reseller rule to read first.
Paris, FranceSainte-Chapelle tickets sold out? What still worksEvery visitor needs a 30-minute slot, museum pass holders included, and school holidays fill the calendar. What to try when the Sainte-Chapelle shows no dates, from free Sundays to guided tours.
City of London, United KingdomSky Garden tickets sold out? What still worksFree tickets, released every Monday morning for three weeks ahead, and gone fast. What to try when the Sky Garden shows no free slots, starting with the sunrise ticket and a table in one of its restaurants.
New York, United StatesStatue of Liberty crown sold out? What still worksNamed tickets, four per household, one booking every six months and a few months' release ahead. What to try when the crown shows no dates, starting with the other departure point and the pedestal.
Wiltshire, United KingdomStonehenge tickets sold out? What still worksDay tickets to Stonehenge almost never run out. Time inside the stone circle does. What to try when the Stone Circle Experience shows no dates, and when to just buy on the day.
Toyosu, Tokyo, JapanteamLab Planets tickets sold out? What still worksTimed tickets only, nothing sold at the door and three official agencies. What to try when teamLab Planets in Toyosu shows your slot sold out, starting with the Premium Pass and the slots other people give up.
Florence, ItalyUffizi tickets sold out? What still worksUffizi time slots are limited and every ticket carries your name, but weekdays still leave a door open. What to try when your slot is gone, from walk-up to the Vasari Corridor.
Amsterdam, NetherlandsVan Gogh Museum tickets sold out? What still worksOnline only, a start time for every visitor and nothing sold at the door. What to try when the Van Gogh Museum shows no slots, starting with the museum's own list of official resellers.
Vatican CityVatican Museums tickets sold out? What still worksTimed, named tickets that sell out weeks ahead, and one official shop. What to try when the Sistine Chapel shows no dates, starting with the museum's own guided tours.