How To Skip The Line At The Colosseum
Looking for the easiest ways to skip the line at the colosseum? You’ve come to the right place! This guide offers ALL the options to avoid the Colosseum line.
The Colosseum once known as the Flavian Amphitheater, is Rome’s most iconic monument and Italy’s most popular tourist attraction. With over 7 million visitors per year, waiting times to enter the stadium on busy days can exceed two to three hours. It’s not unusual for the Colosseum ticket line to circle around the building, even going past the Arch of Constantine.
It’s no wonder a popular question asked on The Roman Food Tour is ‘how to skip the line at the Colosseum.’ So without further ado, here are the options to save time and gain priority access to the Colosseum.
Watch our video on how to visit the Colosseum
Table of contents
- Avoid the Colosseum line and the crowds, by arriving before 8:15 a.m.
- Buy Colosseum tickets from the Roman Forum or Palentine Hill
- Buy skip the line tickets from the official Colosseum website
- Join a skip the line Colosseum guided tour
- Use a Roma Pass or Omnia Card to skip the Colosseum line
- The Colosseum opening times
See our post for the best restaurants and places to eat near the Colosseum.
The Colosseum security line
Part of the line at the Colosseum is not for tickets, but instead a compulsory security check. The security check involves passing through a metal detector, which prohibits large bags and sharp objects.
Should you need to store luggage during your Colosseum visit, Stow Your Bags – Luggage Storage- Colosseum is located a 5 minute walk from the Colosseum on Via del Colosseo, 2.
1. Avoid the Colosseum line and the crowds by arriving before 8:15 a.m
The easiest way to skip the Colosseum line, is to arrive first thing in the morning before it opens.
Arriving before 8:15 a.m would avoid the Colosseum line and the security line. .
You will also be able to enjoy the colosseum and take better photographs of the structure without the crowds. Read on to learn about the Colosseum ticket price and accessibility options.
2. Buy Colosseum tickets from the Roman Forum or Palentine Hill
The Colosseum ticket is a three-way combined ticket costing €16, allowing access to the Roman Forum and the Palentine Hill.
Most people do not realize this, hence they join the line at the Colosseum. However the Roman Forum and the Palentine Hill ticket offices, have much shorter waiting lines.
The ticket is valid for 24-hours, allowing you to visit the Colosseum one day, then the Roman Forum and Palentine Hill another day.
This regular ticket allows access to the first and second floors only, but not the Colosseum arena, underground level, third or fourth floors.
Here is a birds eye view map of the Colosseum and Ancient Rome.
3. Buy skip the line tickets from the official Colosseum website.
If you know the day and time you wish to visit the Colosseum, you can purchase skip the line tickets on the Colosseum website.
This is usually the quickest way to visit the Colosseum, unless you arrive early in the morning.
The official Colosseum website is called CoopCulture. It has instructions in Engish on their website for ticket purchasing.
Online Colosseum ticket price and procedure
The price of the Ordinary ticket is € 16,00 + a € 2 booking fee. (There are also options to purchase group tickets, Colosseum underground tickets, audio and video guides)
Once you have purchased your ticket, you will be e-mailed a voucher which you will need to print out
Upon arriving at the Colosseum, enter through the ‘Visitors with Reservations’ line, then scan the barcode on you voucher at the turnstile.
If you are unable to print it, walk past the line and go to the front desk for pre-purchased tickets.
4. Join a skip the line Colosseum guided tour
Joining a skip the line guided tour of the Colosseum, is an ideal way to save time and bring the monument to life.
Hear stories of gladiatorial battles, naval battles and fights between men and wild animals, for the entertainment of Roman emperors
Choose between a variety of Colosseum tours which include skip the line tickets.
There is a separate entrance to the Colosseum, where tours with groups reservations can enter with priory access.
Colosseum guided tours differ in price, duration and group size.
Some provide access to restricted areas including the Colosseum underground, arena Floor, third and fourth levels.
5. Use a Roma Pass or Omnia Card to avoid the Colosseum line
The Roma Pass is a 3-day pass to monuments and museums in Rome. It allows 2 free entrances followed by discounted entrances thereafter, as well as free public transport.
A bonus to the Roma Pass is that it acts as a ticket, therefore it allows you to skip the line at the Colosseum.
The Roma Pass can be purchased on the official Roma Pass website.
Alternatively if you are in Rome, you can purchase the Roma Pass at museums, tourist information kiosks and at the metro stations.
The Omnia Card is more expensive than the Roma Pass. It offers the possibility to enter the Vatican Museum, as well as the hop-on hop-off touristic bus.
The duration for the Omnia Pass is 72 hours. See the official website for purchasing and collection options.
The Colosseum opening times
January 2 – Febrauary 15: 8.30 a.m – 3.30 p.m
February 16 – March 15: 8.30 a.m – 5.00 p.m
March 16 – March 28: 8.30 a.m – 5.30 p.m
March 29 – August 31: 8.30 a.m – 7.15 p.m
September 1 – September 30: 8.30 a.m – 7.00 p.m
October 1 – October 31: 8.30 a.m – 6.30 p.m
Novomber 1 – December 31: 8.30 a.m – 4.30 p.m
* The last admission is 1 hour before close
The Colosseum Maximum Capacity
For security reasons, a maximum of 3000 people are allowed inside the Colosseum at a time.
If the colosseum is at full capacity (which generally only happens in the middle of the day in the peak season), you will need to wait for people to exit regardless if you have tickets or not.
Colosseum closest metro station
The closest metro stop to the Colosseum is called Colosseo (Line B / Blue line). It is directly outside the Colosseum.
Something humorous I heard while tour guiding at the Colosseum, was from a tourist who gleefully said “Oh perfect, they built the Colosseum right outside the metro station”.
The Colosseum is free on the 1st Sunday of the month
The Colosseum is free only the 1st sunday of each month, however it is extremely crowded with long waiting lines.
Conclusion
Let me know in the comments section your Colosseum experiences, or tips to add to this blog.
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