Do you want to know the best way to get your Colosseum tickets? Find out the price for each ticket type, how to skip the line, who is eligible for discounts, special combos including other attractions and more!
On this page, you will find a comprehensive guide to getting tickets for the Colosseum.
Don’t feel like reading ahead? Check our full catalog of Colosseum tickets and tours.
How much do Colosseum tickets cost?
It depends. Colosseum tickets have different prices depending on how many areas you want to visit. You can also book tickets with or without a guided tour. Free and reduced prices are available for eligible visitors.
All ticket types include access to the Colosseum, while others allow you to visit areas not open to the general public, such as the Arena, the Underground or the Belvedere.
Tickets can almost only be bought online, as there are only two ticket offices on-site where you can buy individual tickets: at Piazza del Colosseo and Largo della Salara Vecchia. However, these have long queues and once the tickets are sold out you will have no chance of getting an admission ticket.
If you prefer not to queue up, or want to buy multiple tickets, it is best to book your Colosseum tickets online. This is all the more convenient and you can purchase them in advance.
Read below for more information on each type of Colosseum ticket to help decide which is best for you.
If you already know which Colosseum ticket you want, head to TourScanner to book your tickets now.
1. Standard Colosseum Ticket
Standard tickets to the Colosseum include 1-day access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The Gladiator Arena and Underground areas are not included.
- Standard Colosseum ticket price: €18
- Reduced Colosseum ticket price for EU citizens under 25 (included until the day after their 25th birthday): €4
- All EU citizens under 18 and people with disabilities plus one companion have free admission.
You can book tickets online on the official website or through third-party ticket providers, which is the best place for Colosseum last-minute tickets and for bundling a guided tour with your entry ticket.
You can also buy this ticket on-site but only while supplies last and you have to queue at the box office. Also note that ticket offices only sell individual Colosseum tickets.
The standard Colosseum ticket includes access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The ticket is valid for 24 hours, but you only have a single entry to each site.
In other words, once you leave the Colosseum, you can’t return, even if 24 hours haven’t passed yet. Each Colosseum ticket is limited to a certain day and time, which you must choose when you book your ticket.
You also have the option to book an audio guide for €5 or rent an iPad for an additional €6.
2. Full Experience Colosseum Ticket: Gladiator Arena
The Arena of the Colosseum is not open to the general public. Entry to the Gladiator Arena is only available with Full Experience tickets or as part of a guided tour.
The Full Experience Colosseum Ticket includes everything in the standard ticket, plus access to the Arena and Underground areas and four additional sites of the Roman Forum not included in the standard Colosseum ticket.
In the Roman Forum, you will also have access to the Oratorio dei Quaranta Martyrs, Palatine Museum, Schola Praeconum and the exterior of the House of Augustus.
- Full Experience Colosseum ticket price: €24
- Reduced ticket price for EU citizens under 25 (included until the day after their 25th birthday): €4
- All EU citizens under 18 and people with disabilities plus one companion have free admission.
If you visit as part of a tour, the guide will take you to a different side of the amphitheater to follow in the footsteps of the gladiators who once walked through this very entrance nearly 2,000 years ago.
The arena can also be visited through a guided tour, which includes the ticket and guide. The tours generally include the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill as well.
3. Full Experience Colosseum Ticket: Underground Chambers
The Full Experience Colosseum Ticket also includes access to the Colosseum’s underground areas, which only opened in 2021. This is where gladiators and exotic animals once waited before entering the arena through hidden trap doors.
Entry to the Underground Chambers is only available with Full Experience tickets or as part of a guided tour.
The Full Experience Colosseum Ticket includes everything in the standard ticket, plus access to the Arena and Underground areas and four additional sites of the Roman Forum not included in the standard Colosseum ticket.
In the Roman Forum, you will also have access to the Oratorio dei Quaranta Martyrs, Palatine Museum, Schola Praeconum and the exterior of the House of Augustus.
- Full Experience Colosseum ticket price: €24
- Reduced ticket price for EU citizens under 25 (included until the day after their 25th birthday): €4
- All EU citizens under 18 and people with disabilities plus one companion have free admission.
There are tours that include a guided visit of the Colosseum and its underground chambers, plus the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum.
The price of the underground tours depends on the provider, the duration of the tour and whether there are other sections included.
4. Colosseum Tickets with Belvedere Top Level Access
Belvedere means ‘beautiful view’ in Italian, which is exactly what you will enjoy on the upper decks of the Colosseum with a panoramic view of the Roman skyline.
In 2017, the 3rd, 4th and 5th tiers were first opened to the public. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed each day, and you must book a tour to visit these upper levels, as only guided tour groups can enter the Belvedere Top Level.
The price of the tours depends on the provider, and you can decide whether to opt for a group tour or a private visit. There are also tours that include the other restricted sections of the Colosseum, such as the Gladiator’s Arena and the Underground.
5. Colosseum At-Night Tickets
You can explore the Colosseum when it’s closed to the general public after sunset. This exclusive experience will also give you access to the Underground Chambers and Gladiator Arena.
You can only visit the Colosseum at night as part of a guided tour. Tickets sell out fast. If you want to visit the Colosseum at night, be sure to book in advance.
Who is eligible for discounts on Colosseum tickets?
EU citizens under 25 only need to pay €2 for any Colosseum ticket purchased on-site, and €4 for any Colosseum ticket booked online.
Please note that EU citizens can still take advantage of this discount on their 25th birthday and one day after. What a place to have a colossal 25-year celebration!
Be sure to bring proof, such as a passport/ID, or you could be charged full admission at the entrance.
Is it possible to visit the Colosseum for free?
Yes! If you’re an EU citizen under 18, you can enter all areas of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum for free. Also, on the first Sunday of every month, everyone can visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill for free.
Others who qualify for free entrance to the Colosseum and Roman Forum can be divided into two categories: EU and non-EU.
For EU citizens and residents, you can visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum for free if you are an on-the-job tour guide or interpreter, a student/teacher of a primary/secondary school group or a university student/professor in fields related to Archaeology, Architecture, Art History, Cultural Heritage Conservation, Educational Science and Literature.
For non-EU citizens and residents, you can visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum for free if you are an on-the-job journalist or an Art History teacher.
Others who qualify for free entrance to the Colosseum and Roman Forum are employees of the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities and members of ICOM (International Council of Museum) and ICCROM (International Organization for Conservation of Cultural Heritage).
What is included in the Colosseum ticket? What will you see?
When you visit the Colosseum, you will have access to certain sections of its interior and exterior, depending on your ticket or tour. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, located nearby, are included in all ticket types.
The Gladiator Arena and the Underground require a special ticket, and the Belvedere Upper Levels can only be visited as part of a guided tour.
See also: Colosseum Tours – Which one is the Best?
The Colosseum
Made of volcanic tuff, brick-faced concrete and travertine, the Colosseum is the largest amphitheater and most popular tourist attraction in the world, clocking in over 7 million visitors a year.
Why do so many people come to see the Colosseum? Well, as the name suggests, it’s colossal, giant, humongous! In its heyday, the Colosseum would host up to 80,000 spectators for epic gladiator fights and even recreations of naval battles. Talk about making a splash!
To host these spectacles in front of such large crowds, the Romans constructed this big daddy of an amphitheater, which still dominates the city skyline to this day after nearly 2,000 years.
Inside the Colosseum
Once you set foot inside the Colosseum, you have several different sections to explore.
You can walk around the exterior and climb from the lower to higher seating areas. If you’ve booked tickets or a tour with more exclusive access, you can also descend to the center of the arena and further down into the underground hypogeum.
Similar to what you see today in modern stadiums, there are good and not-so-good seats in the Colosseum, which were divided into four tiers — the more prestigious you were, the closer you were to the action.
The first tier, closest to the arena, provided the best views and was reserved for the senators, the Emperor and his Vestal Virgins.
The second tier was where the non-senatorial noble class and the Roman knights would sit.
The third tier was for wealthy citizens and those with respected professions, such as heralds, soldiers, priests and scribes.
The fourth tier at the very top of the Colosseum is what people might refer to today as the nosebleed seats. This was where slaves, women and the lower classes would cheer from.
The Arena and the Hypogeum
The center stage of the Colosseum is nearly the size of a modern football field and was once covered in sand, or as it’s called in Latin — “arena”.
This sand would hide the wooden platform and trap doors underneath, so that bears, tigers and other exotic creatures would seemingly appear out of nowhere.
Under the arena, you can see what remains of the “hypogeum” — a system of underground tunnels for performers and animals to move around the Colosseum, unseen by the spectators.
Standard Colosseum tickets don’t include access to the arena or the hypogeum, so be sure to book Full Experience Colosseum tickets if you want to see these areas. Another option is to book a Colosseum tour, as all tours include access to the arena and the hypogeum.
Outside the Colosseum
As you approach the Colosseum, you will first see the Arch of Constantine — the largest arch in all of Rome. However, next to the Colosseum, it could almost be called petite.
Looking up at the Colosseum, you can admire nearly 100 arches supported by massive columns and imagine how the throngs of spectators must’ve shuffled in and out for the day’s events.
The outer wall required over 100,000 cubic meters of travertine held together by 300 tons of iron clamps. Surprisingly, despite the massive scale, the Colosseum was constructed in less than a decade and hosted its first events in 80 AD.
As you can see, the Colosseum is no longer completely intact. A major earthquake in 1349 severely damaged the structure. Most of the tumbled stone was used to rebuild churches, palaces, hospitals and other buildings in the area affected by the earthquake.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the arena was no longer used for entertainment and was repurposed as a fortress, quarry and even for housing at times.
Over the centuries, the Colosseum has been regularly restored and used for many different purposes, which is why it still stands today as an iconic symbol of the vast wealth and power once wielded by the Roman Empire.
Other buildings once stood around the Colosseum, including a gladiator school, storage rooms for armor and machines, an infirmary for injured gladiators and a “spoliarium,” where the dead bodies of gladiators were kept after their defeat in the arena.
The Roman Forum
The forum covers about two hectares, extending from the Colosseum to the Piazza Venezia. Within the Roman Forum, you will find aqueducts, churches, smaller forums and the tomb of the legendary founder of Rome — Romulus.
If you’re on a Colosseum tour or have booked Full Experience Colosseum tickets, you have exclusive access to certain sites, including Santa Maria Antiqua, the Oratory of the Forty Martyrs, the Temple of Romulus, the House of Augustus, the Rampa of Domitian and the Curia Iulia.
Palatine Hill
This is known as the most important of Rome’s seven hills, mainly because this is where the city was founded around the 9th century BC. You reach Palatine Hill by walking up from the Roman Forum towards the Circus Maximus.
You can enjoy the relatively new routes around the hill. Starting at the Severian Arcades, you will pass the Domus Augustana until reaching the Paedagogium. Continue to the Circus Maximus on the southwest slope of the hill to the exact spot where Romulus founded Rome.
Where to book Colosseum tickets? How do you skip the line?
It is possible to buy individual tickets on-site, but these are limited in number. Therefore, the easiest way is to buy Colosseum tickets online for a specific day and time.
The best way to skip the line is by booking a guided tour. The guide has special entry for most sites and can sometimes even bypass the security lines at some locations.
You can find tickets on the official site, but you can also book tickets from other websites, especially important for last-minute tickets when Colosseum tickets have already sold out on the official website.
Compare all available options on TourScanner to find the best ticket or tour to fit your needs and budget.
How to cancel/modify your Colosseum tickets?
This depends on the provider. Some allow free cancellations, while others charge a cancellation fee depending on how far in advance the tour was canceled.
Changes are not normally allowed, as most tickets are dated, so make sure to carefully read the conditions.
Are Colosseum tickets included in any city attraction passes?
Yes, Colosseum tickets are included with the Omnia Card and the Rome Pass.
City attraction passes for Rome are great money-savers, as you can bundle tickets for attractions in Rome and public transport for day trips and multi-day trips around the city.
What are the Colosseum’s opening times?
The Colosseum opens every day at 9 AM year-round. The closing time varies from 4:30 PM in the winter to 7:15 PM in the summer at the peak of the tourist season.
- From March 26 to August 31, the Colosseum closes at 7:15 PM.
- From September 1 to 31, the Colosseum closes at 7 PM.
- From October 1 to 28, the Colosseum closes at 6:30 PM.
- From October 29 to February 28, the Colosseum closes at 4:30 PM.
- From March 1 to 25, the Colosseum closes at 5:30 PM.
Please note that the Colosseum closes on January 1st, May 1st and December 25th. The final entry is one hour before closing time.
Avoid the crowd – What is the best time of year to visit the Colosseum?
The best time of year to visit the Colosseum if you’re looking to avoid the crowd is in the winter, from November to February. However, remember it can get chilly, and the Colosseum will close a few hours earlier.
The densest crowds at the Colosseum are in the summer, from March to October. Also, winter break, around Christmas and the New Year, is another busy time of the year.
During these busy months, you should plan to visit the Colosseum early and on weekdays to avoid the peak of the crowd.
Early Morning Tours
Visit the Colosseum early in the morning and beat the crowds. Skip the line to get inside with your priority entrance ticket. You will discover Rome’s key ancient landmarks before the crowds while beating the heat.
At-Night Tours
It is also possible to visit the Colosseum at night after regular closing time. However, to enter the Colosseum at night, you must book a tour, as you can only visit at night as part of a guided tour.
How do you get to the Colosseum?
The Colosseum is located in Piazza del Colosseo, and you can easily get there by public transport.
By metro
Take Line B or B1 to the Colosseum’s closest metro stop, Colosseo. The main entrance is a 5-minute walk from the station by Via Nicola Salvi.
By bus
Take Line 51, 75, 85, 87 or N2 to Colosseo station. Then, walk for about 5 minutes on Via Nicola Salvi until you reach the main entrance.
By tram
Lines 3 and 8 lead directly to the Piazza del Colosseo stop, which is a short walk away from the Colosseum.
By guided tour
This is certainly the most convenient way to get to the Colosseum. You can outsource all the stress and concerns about logistics to your tour guide, who will pick you up directly from your hotel.
Tickets for public transport
You have several ticket options in Rome that allow you to use all of the city’s public transport services. Remember, you can also buy an Omnia or Rome Pass to travel on public transport.
A One-Way Ticket costs €1.50 and includes unlimited transfers for 100 minutes, except for the metro line (when it’s only valid for a single journey).
- A 1-Day Pass costs €7 and includes unlimited transfers for 24 hours.
- A 2-Day Pass costs €12.50 and includes unlimited transfers for two days.
- A 3-Day Pass costs €18 and includes unlimited transfers for three days.
- A Week Pass costs €24 and includes unlimited transfers for seven days.
Colosseum Tips
- Book tickets online. This is actually the only way to buy Colosseum tickets now. There are often ticket scalpers outside the Colosseum, but it’s best to avoid them.
- Watch out for scams. Don’t purchase tickets from random ticket sellers near the Colosseum. Better to use TourScanner to compare deals from trustworthy online ticket providers.
- Expect tight security measures. You won’t be allowed to enter with large backpacks or bags, glass bottles or sharp objects. Be sure to leave these items at the hotel.
- Pack lightly. There’s no cloakroom, so you’ll need to carry everything you bring with you.
- Check the conditions of your tickets and tours. Make sure to ask about terms and conditions when you book online. Colosseum tickets are designated for only one day and time. Multi-day tickets are most often only for consecutive days. Confirm these details to avoid problems.
- Wear your walking shoes. Don’t forget that everything about the Colosseum is ancient, including its walkways, which are often bumpy and uneven.
- Always carry your ID or passport, especially if you plan on entering with free or discounted tickets.
Enjoy your visit to the Colosseum. We hope this guide will be helpful in making the most of your visit! Divertiti! 😊🏛️
Share on Pinterest 🙂
