You didn’t fly all the way to Rome to see the Colosseum from the outside.
This is the one attraction in Rome that you will never regret waiting in line for — or skipping the line for (we’ll get to that later). It’s the largest amphitheater ever built. It’s an engineering marvel. It’s a bloodsoaked monument to ancient Rome.
The Flavian Amphitheater is by far the best of Rome’s well-known landmarks — so here’s what you need to know when visiting the Colosseum.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Rome, Italy
Why is the Colosseum a tourist attraction?
The Colosseum was always a tourist attraction long before it went into ruin. Around 50,000 Roman citizens onced filled the space with bloodlust, cheering as gladiators, animals, and more fought for rowdy fans. The Colosseum may have also held Christian executions before — ironically — becoming a church in medieval times. Today, the Colosseum welcomes millions of annual visitors.
🚂 Trainline Trivia: When was the Colosseum built? The Colosseum in Rome was built between roughly 70 and 82 AD. Yes, the ancient Romans built this hulking structure faster than some towns can patch their potholes.
How do you get to the Colosseum?
If you’re roaming Rome on foot, you could walk out of the Colosseum onto Via dei Fori Imperiali, which turns into Via del Corso, and walk all the way to the Piazza del Popolo without making a right angle turn. If you need a lift, a taxi will do the trick for a price. However, we always suggest the metro because the Colosseo metro stop is right beside the amphitheater.
Where is the Colosseum?
Rome is a city of landmarks and the Colosseum is one point of a triangle linked with Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. The Colosseum is surrounded by bus, transit, and metro stops. As one of the top attractions in Rome, you should have no trouble finding it as a first-timer.
Are tourists allowed inside the Colosseum?
You bet your galea they are. General Colosseum ticket holders can visit the first and second floors. VIP Colosseum tickets grant access to the Underground Level and Arena Floor. Colosseum tours are available, but you won’t regret the basic ticket experience because it is such an incredible sight to see even without additional context.
How do I get from Rome Termini to the Colosseum?
The Colosseo metro station serves the iconic amphitheater, making it easy to access from the metro at Roma Termini train station. From your Roma Termini arrival platform, leave the train platforms and go to the Termini metro station. Take the B or B1 line toward Laurentina and get off at the Colosseo stop.
Image Credit: Getty Images, stock_colors. Image Location: Rome, Italy
How long is the wait for the Colosseum?
You are one of the 11,000 people visiting the Colosseum each day, which is why every local and first-time Rome Colosseum tourist will tell you to buy your ticket in advance. Queues can take hours just to get the ticket. Getting your ticket in advance is the best way to cut the wait down to mere minutes. You will need to pass through a security check with a ticket, so arrive an extra 15 minutes before your reservation time.
🚆 Trainline Tip: You can get Colosseum tickets that also include admission to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Alternatively, you can wait in line at Palatine Hill — which has far fewer tourists — purchase tickets, then skip the long line to get into the Colosseum.
Can you enter the Colosseum without booking?
Yes. The Colosseum offers optional “reserve now, pay later” bookings and advance ticket purchases. You can either skip these processes and purchase Colosseum tickets directly from the ticket office, or you can hop in the queue on a free admission day.
How do you skip the Colosseum line?
There are a few ways to purchase Colosseum skip the line tickets. The most straightforward way is purchasing Colosseum tickets through the official website. You can also purchase them from a third-party reseller, like a company that gives small group guided tours.
How much does it cost to visit the Colosseum in Rome?
Colosseum tickets will range in price depending on which ticket you want and where you buy it. On the official website, Colosseum tickets cost €16 (about $17) to get into the first and second levels, plus entrance into the Colosseum Museum, Roman Forum and Museum, and Palatine Hill.
🚆 Trainline Tip: The Colosseum isn’t the only company with a handy-dandy ticket app. Download the Trainline app to purchase train tickets to Rome in advance.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Juan Silva. Image Location: Rome, Italy
When is the Colosseum free?
The Colosseum is usually free on the first Sunday of each month. Unfortunately, you can’t call ahead for free Colosseum tickets — they’re available on a first come, first served basis. Yes, being able to see one of ancient Rome’s greatest sites for free is an absolute steal, but beware: you aren’t the only traveler who wants free admission, so expect even larger crowds than normal.
What is the best day to visit the Colosseum?
The best day to visit the Colosseum for free is the first Sunday of every month. It is difficult to predict what day the amount of tourists visiting the Colosseum will be the lowest; weekdays are lighter on the lines than weekends, but there are still thousands of visitors either way. We suggest arriving early in the morning so you can be one of the first to enter.
How long should you spend at the Colosseum in Rome?
History buffs should spend two hours roaming around the Colosseum. If you’re just here for the photo op, an hour should do you justice. Since your ticket includes Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, plan for a good 3 to 4 hours at least to see all three sites.
Is it better to go to the Colosseum in the morning or afternoon?
Your best bet is to visit the Colosseum in the morning if you want to avoid hordes of tourists. There are still droves of tourists and that group will only grow as the sun rises in the sky. Late afternoon is another lighter time to visit, but remember: they only admit Colosseum ticket holders up until one hour before the site closes.
How much should I pay for the Colosseum tour?
Official group tours in the Colosseum start around €32 per person which includes the Underground Levels and Arena visits (compare that to the non-tour Colosseum tickets starting at €18 per person that do not allow access to those two areas). Unofficial Colosseum tours will range in price and, obviously, there are some scammers out there that will overcharge every Colosseum tourist they can get their hands on.
Paying for Colosseum skip the line tickets via a group tour is one of the most economical, especially when purchasing through well-known and respected travel sites. Unless you’ve got Spartacus himself giving you a tour, we wouldn’t pay much more than €40 or so per person for the works.
🚆 Trainline Tip: Check out more of our ultimate guides for your travels in Rome and beyond:
- 6 of the best areas to stay in Rome
- The best time to go to Rome
- Everything you need to know about Vatican City (and how to get there by train)
- To roam from Rome: the best day trips by train from Italy's Eternal City
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Rome, Italy
