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If you've already seen St. Peter's Basilica — which is free and open on its own — or simply want a shorter, more focused visit, several Vatican tours cover only the Museums and Sistine Chapel without the Basilica add-on.
Since the Basilica is free to visit independently, a Museums-only tour makes sense if you'd rather see it at your own pace afterward, or if you're short on time and a combined tour would mean rushing both.
The Sistine Chapel is included either way — it's part of the Museums route, not the Basilica — so skipping the Basilica portion doesn't mean skipping the tour's main draw, just the walk to St. Peter's Square afterward.
Usually because they've already seen the Basilica on its own — it's free and open independently — or want a shorter, more focused visit to just the Museums and Sistine Chapel.
Yes, often by 45–60 minutes, since the Basilica visit and the walk between the two sites make up a meaningful chunk of the combined-tour itinerary.
Yes — it's free to enter independently, so many visitors do the Museums-only tour first, then walk to the Basilica separately at their own pace.
Usually somewhat, since it covers less ground and time — though the difference is smaller than the time saved, since the guide's rate is the main cost either way.
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