Avoiding the lines at the Colosseum can improve your trip by saving time and facilitating a more seamless entrance. You can avoid lengthy lines and appreciate this famous site to the fullest by employing techniques such as:
- Buying skip-the-line tickets
- Opting for guided tours
- Visiting during off-peak hours, and
- Picking the correct entrance
Your Ticket to Speedy Entry
1. Basic Colosseum Entry Ticket
Enjoy priority access to your experience of ancient Rome and avoid standing in line. Explore the marvels of the Colosseum, the epitome of Roman architecture.
Admire the expansive views of the room from the renowned Emperor’s Palace. With the helpful commentary of your audio guide, discover everything there is to know about Roman history. Visit the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Colosseum all day.
- Assistance at the meeting point
- Audio guide app in German and English
- Colosseum priority entry
- Arena Floor access (if option selected)Entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
- Adult (18 to 99 years) Ticket: €44
- Child (3 to 17 years) Ticket: €40
- Infant (Up to 2 years) Ticket: Free
This ticket is non-refundable.
2. Guided Tour of Colosseum
Use the designated group entrance to access the Colosseum. Then, take a 360-degree panoramic viewpoint of the monument, much like the gladiators did.
Explore the Forum and tour the Forum Magnum, one of the most significant ancient Roman government structures. Ascend Palatine Hill, one of Rome’s seven hills. Admire the perspective of the Circus Maximus.
- Tour guide in French, English, German, Italian, and Spanish
- Headsets to hear the guide clearly
- Entry to Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill admission fees
- The ticket accommodates small groups
- Access to Skip-the-line entrance
- Adult (18 to 99 years) Ticket: €54
- Child (5 to 17 years) Ticket: €39
- Infant (Up to 4 years) Ticket: €3
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a 50% refund.
3. Priority Access to Colosseum
Take a unique walking tour of Rome’s most famous attractions, including the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, the Colosseum, and its arena floor, with a guide. Stroll around Palatine Hill, which was inhabited by the wealthy and influential under the Republic.
Enter the arena floor via the gladiators’ gate and look down into the dungeons from the arena, where the gladiators had trained and where the wild beasts were housed.
- Guide in German, English, Spanish, French, and Italian
- Priority entry to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
- Access to the Colosseum Arena Floor (Gladiator Entrance)Headsets to hear the tour guide clearly
- Skip the line through a separate entrance
- Adult (18 to 99 years) Ticket: €85
- Child (3 to 17 years) Ticket: €79
- Infant (Up to 2 years) Ticket: €16
This ticket is non-refundable.
Best Time to Skip the Lines at the Colosseum
Find out when to avoid the lineups for a more seamless, pleasurable experience, including early mornings, weekdays, and late afternoons.
Early Morning
The Colosseum opens at 8.30 am, and the lines are shorter in the early morning. To be among the first to enter, arrive at least 30 minutes before the doors open. This will provide you with plenty of time to clear security and get inside before the masses gather.
Weekdays
The Colosseum is less busy on weekdays than on weekends. To escape the weekend rush, book your visit on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
Late afternoon
The crowds begin to thin out near the closing hour of 7.15 pm. While you won’t have as much time to tour the Colosseum, it’s a decent alternative if you’re pressed for time or don’t enjoy early mornings.
Know Which Entrance to Choose?
To bypass the line at the Colosseum, use the entrances designated for fast-track, skip-the-line, or guided tour tickets. Here’s how to get the most out of these options:
Individual Visitors’ Gate (Sperone Valadier Entrance)
This entrance is reserved for those who have pre-purchased skip-the-line tickets.
It is situated on the side facing the Roman Forum, near the Arch of Constantine.
Waiting Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour without a skip-the-line ticket and 10 to 20 minutes with Skip-the-Line Tickets.
Suggested Ticket: Colosseum Entry Ticket
Group Entrance (Porta Metropolitana)
This entrance, located on the north side of the Colosseum, is reserved for groups on pre-booked tours conducted by professional guides.
If you have a skip-the-line ticket as part of a guided tour, you will most likely utilize this entrance.
Waiting Time: Less than 10 minutes.
Suggested Ticket: Colosseum Small-Group Ticket
Stern Entrance (Special Entrance)
This entry is reserved exclusively for those with special tickets, such as guided tours, arena floor access, or underground excursions.
It allows faster admission and frequently skips the large lines at the main gate.
Waiting Time: Less than 10 minutes.
Suggested Ticket: Colosseum VIP Access with Guide
Note: Security checks will take 10 to 20 minutes at all the entrances.
Vacatis Tips to Skip the Lines at the Colosseum
Visiting the Colosseum will be much easier and faster if you follow these practical strategies to avoid the lineups.
- Skip-the-line tickets allow you to skip the main admission line, saving you valuable time.
- Many guided tours provide skip-the-line admission as part of the package.
- Weekdays are often less congested than weekends. If you have time, try to visit on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
- The Colosseum is also less busy in the shoulder seasons, such as March, April, May, September, October, and November, than during the prime summer months.
- Even with skip-the-line tickets, plan to get to the Colosseum at least 30 minutes before opening (8.30 am) to pass security.
- Choose the Roma Pass if you want to visit numerous sites and include skip-the-line entry to the Colosseum and other attractions.
Contents
FAQs
What is the best way to skip the lines at the Colosseum?
The best ways to avoid the queues are to buy tickets in advance, choose guided tours, or purchase special access tickets that grant priority entry.
What should I do if I encounter long lines despite having a skip-the-line ticket?
Although skip-the-line tickets shorten lines, you may still have to wait a bit. Look for an entry designated to bypass the line. Ask the staff if you are confused about wait times or where to stand for your ticket.
Can I upgrade my regular ticket to a skip-the-line ticket?
It is impossible to upgrade a standard ticket to skip the line access at the Colosseum while on the premises. The availability of tickets is closely monitored. Consider buying a separate skip-the-line ticket online in advance for quicker admission.
Is there a difference between fast-track and skip-the-line tickets?
Both should ideally swiftly move you to the front of the line. Still, skip-the-line may provide a whole other entry, and fast track may entail a shortened line inside the main line.
What are the benefits of special access tickets?
Colosseum special access tickets are priority entry, allowing you to avoid the long lineups for regular admission. They grant special access to off-limits areas, such as the hypogeum and the arena floor.
Are skip-the-line tickets more expensive than regular tickets?
Indeed, because skipping the line offers more convenience than standing in line, skip-the-line tickets are usually more costly.