Colosseum Ticket Guide
Colosseum Ticket Guide
The Colosseum, the biggest amphitheater ever built, located in the heart of Rome’s historic center, is a must see attraction of Rome. This guide provides you everything you need to know about Colosseum tickets, from where to by them, what they include, choosing your ticket options, to the best way to get skip the line access.
Where to buy your Colosseum tickets?
You can buy your tickets online or at the Colosseum ticket office.
We recommend buying your ticket online and in advance. You will be charged a small booking fee, but your advance purchase ticket will allow you to skip the notoriously long line at the ticket office. It will also guarantee your entry into the Colosseum on the day and time you wish to visit. For safety reasons, the number of visitors allowed in the Colosseum is limited to 3,000 visitors at any one time. This results in tickets selling out fast especially in high season.
A little insider tip: if you didn’t buy a ticket in advance and find a long line at the Colosseum ticket office, you could try buying your ticket at the Roman Forum or Palatine Hill ticket office where the lines are generally shorter. Alternatively, go to the Colosseum early in the morning or 1-2 hours before it closes as it is much less busy at this time.
At the moment, because of covid-19, tickets can be only purchased online. The ticket offices are temporarily closed.
What to see at the Colosseum
Before buying your ticket you should decide which areas of the Colosseum you want to visit. The Colosseum is divided into four main areas: the Colosseum’s first and second tiers, the Arena, the Underground and the Belvedere. Unfortunately, there is no ticket which provides access to all of these and some areas, the Colosseum Underground and the Belvedere, can only be visited with a tour guide.
The main areas of the Colosseum:
Underground (aka Hypogeum): This is a vast network of rooms, chambers, prison cells and tunnels where historians believe the gladiators, animals and slaves were held in preparation for public events. The Colosseum Underground is only accessible if you purchase a guide tour.
Arena Floor: This is where the fights and events took place in order to entertain the Emperor and the citizens of Rome. Mostly, the Arena was used for gladiators to fight exotic animals such as lions and tigers, but on occasions the Arena was flooded to hold simulated sea battles. To visit the Arena floor you need to buy the Arena floor ticket. This ticket gives you access to the Arena floor as well as the first and second tier of the Colosseum.
First and Second Tier: This is where affluent spectators were seated. The first tier was reserved for the Emperor and Senators while the second tier was where the upper class citizens sat. The first and second tier are accessible with the standard Colosseum skip the line ticket.
The Belvedere: The third, fourth and fifth tiers were where the commoners and poor people were seated. The third tier was reserved for the middle class, the fourth was home to a vibrant marketplace, while the fifth was accessible to the poorest citizens of Rome. There is currently no ticket option which grants access to the Belvedere sections. To visit it you must book a tour.
Colosseum Ticket Options
As mentioned above, depending on what you want to see, you will need to buy a specific ticket or guided tour. The table below compares the most popular ticket options for the Colosseum and what they include.
The table does not include the Colosseum Underground and Belvedere as they cannot be accessed with a ticket.
| Ticket Options: | Skip the Line Access | Colosseum*, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill | Arena Floor | Audio Guide | Video Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Skip the Line Ticket | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Skip the Line Ticket + Arena Floor Access | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Last Minute Ticket | yes | yes | no | yes | no |
| Skip the Line Ticket with Videoguide | yes | yes | no | no | yes |
*Access to the 1st & 2nd tier of the Colosseum
Please bear in mind that this is not a comprehensive list. We have provided a summary of the key differences for the purpose of comparison, the ticket options may include additional value adds.
A few more notes about Colosseum Tickets
- The admission ticket to the Colosseum also includes access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
- The Audio and Video Guide are only for the Colosseum, not for the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
- The tickets we list are all smartphone tickets, conveniently available on your mobile device without the necessity to print.
- Entry time slots - since Colosseum limits the number of visitors to 3,000 at a given time, you need to select your desired entry time slot when you buy your ticket. You need to be on time - if you show up late you will not be allowed in and will need to buy a new ticket. You should aim to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled entry time.
- A skip the line ticket allows you to skip the line at the ticket office, but it wont allow you to skip the line at the security check.
- Once inside the Colosseum you can stay as long as you want.
- Make sure to bring your ID as the Colosseum staff will ask you for this.
Visiting the Colosseum with a Rome City Pass
A Rome city pass is a convenient way to visit the Colosseum as well as other attractions. There are a number of different city passes available, the most popular being the Roma Pass and the Omnia Vatican & Rome Card. Both of these provide skip the line access to the Colosseum.
Roma Pass: with this pass you can choose between the 48 hours and 72 hour option. With the 48 hour option will have free entry to the first museum or archaeological site you visit and reduced rates thereafter. In addition, it provides unlimited public transport, as well as discounts to events, exhibitions and other tourist services. Instead of the 48 hour option you can opt for the 72 hour option which is valid for an extra day and provides free entry to two museums or archaeological sites.
Omnia Vatican & Rome Card: includes the 72 hour Roma pass, but also includes free entry to the Vatican Museums (home to the Sistine Chapel) and to St. Peter’s Basilica. A free Hop-on Hop-off Rome bus pass is also included, providing a convenient and informative way to get around the city. Overall the Omnia Vatican & Rome Card is one of the best Colosseum & Vatican combo tickets available.
How to visit the Colosseum with a Rome City Pass?
Since the Colosseum limits the number of visitors, you will need to book your Colosseum visit in advance. It is highly recommended to book as far in advance as possible in order to guarantee entry. The reservation process is quite easy and is the same for both the Roma pass and Omnia pass holders.
There are three possible ways to reserve your entry with the cards:
- Online on the official website. The reservation will cost 2 euro.
- Calling the call center at 0639967575. Also this will cost a 2 euro reservation fee.
- At the Roman Forum - Palatine ticket offices. This can be done only on the day of the visit. This is free but you might not find.
Discounted Tickets for the Colosseum
Discounted tickets are available for students, children, and people with a disability. There are a few criteria that need to be satisfied as follows:
Student Tickets: EU citizens between the age of 18 and 25 get a 2 euro discount. To receive this discount a valid student ID must be provided.
Children Tickets: children under the age of 18 can enter the Colosseum for free if accompanied by an adult with a ticket. ID is required and a 2 euro fee is applicable for skip the line access.
Disbaled Ticket: people with a disability, together with a caregiver or companion, are eligible for free access. A valid medical certification of disability is required.