Colosseum Tickets

Information about tickets, prices and our tips

In a nutshell: Our tips for your visit to the colosseum

  • The Colosseum and Vatican City are the most famous sights in Rome and very popular.
  • Tickets can only be purchased in advance online or by phone, not on site.
  • Our ticket recommendation: The Full Experience Ticket including the underground area, the arena and the 3rd floor.
  • A guided tour is well worth it, as there are only few information boards in the Colosseum.

Do you want to be as prepared as possible for your visit to the Colosseum? You will find all the information you need below, about Colosseum tickets, prices and our tips on how to avoid long lines.

Colosseum Admission: Ticket Options & Prices

Colosseum tickets are only available online or by phone. Visitors cannot purchase tickets onsite.

Please note that tickets from the official Colosseum website are nonrefundable.

GetYourGuide and Tiqets, on the other hand, offer full refunds up to 24 hours in advance. This is why Colosseum tickets cost a bit more on these websites.

We’ve put together an overview of all Colosseum ticket options. In the table below, you’ll find our personal ticket recommendations along with some tips for your visit.

Official website
(without refund)
GetYourGuide or Tiqets
(with refund)
Basic ticket18 euros
To the ticket
37.40 euros
To the ticket
Full Experience ticket 24 euros
To the ticket
40 euros
To the ticket
Full Experience ticket (+ Underground)
Our recommendation!
24 euros
To the ticket
129 euros
(only with guide)
To the ticket
Basic ticket + audioguide23.50 euros
To the ticket
-
Basic ticket + audiovideoguide24 euros
To the ticket
25 euros
To the ticket
Basic ticket + St. Peter's prison-30 euros
To the ticket
Colosseum in Rome
To enter the Colosseum, there are several ticket options. Our recommendation is the Full Experience ticket. (© sborisov)

What Else Does a Colosseum Ticket Include?

To help you decide which ticket option is best for you, we’ll start by telling you a little more about the Colosseum and the surrounding excavation sites.

The Colosseum is part of the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo. So are Rome’s two most important archaeological sites: the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Both sites are right next to the Colosseum. As a result, admission to these attractions is included in your Colosseum ticket.

The amphitheater itself is divided into three sections:

  • Five floors of spectator stands
  • The Arena Floor where the gladiators fought
  • The Underground (which housed the machinery, and where the gladiators got ready)

With a basic Colosseum ticket, you can only tour the first two floors of the spectator stands.

With a Full Experience Ticket, you can enter all the accessible parts of the Colosseum, including certain Palatine Hill monuments that are not open to the public.

Ancient ruins at the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy
The Roman Forum is just a few minutes on foot from the Colosseum. Like Palatine Hill, it is part of the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo.

Our Recommendation: The Full Experience Colosseum Ticket with Underground Access

With the Full Experience Ticket, you can enter all accessible areas of the Colosseum and the entire Parco Archeologico.

Highlights include the following:

  • Colosseum Arena Floor and Underground
  • Second and third floors of the Colosseum
  • Roman Forum
  • Special monuments on Palatine Hill (including the House of Augustus and the Temple of Romulus)

Not included in the Full Experience Ticket:

  • Audio guide
  • Fourth and fifth floors of the Colosseum (currently not accessible)

Whether you plan to join a guided tour or visit the Colosseum on your own, we believe the Full Experience ticket will provide a more memorable visit.

Why We Recommend the Full Experience Ticket

The Underground area of the amphitheater is particularly exciting. Visitors will find that much of the space is well-preserved, with hydraulic mechanisms, elevators, and more. You can even tour the cells where wild animals and gladiators once waited for their performances.

With the Full Experience ticket, you can also visit the third floor of the Colosseum. This floor offers stunning views of the entire Arena.

On GetYourGuide, where you can also cancel your ticket if necessary, the Full Experience ticket is only available as part of a guided tour for 129 euros.

On the official Colosseum website (ParcoColosseo), you can buy the Full Experience ticket with Underground access for 24 euros without a guide. However, you won’t get a refund if you change your plans. And without an official guided tour, you won’t get as much in-depth information on Roman history.

To the Full Experience ticket with refund (only with guided tour)
To the Full Experience ticket without refund (without a guide)

Arena of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy
With the Full Experience ticket, you can also enter the Arena and the third floor of the Colosseum

The Basic Colosseum Ticket

The basic ticket is worth it if you don’t have more than an hour to spare. With this ticket option, you can visit the first and second floors of the Colosseum and look down on the Arena Floor.

This ticket is valid for just 24 hours, so you’ll have to visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill on the same day you tour the Colosseum.

To summarize, the basic Colosseum ticket includes:

  • First and second floors of the Colosseum
  • Palatine Hill
  • Roman Forum
  • Audio guide optional

Not included in the basic ticket:

  • Colosseum Arena Floor and Underground
  • Third floor
  • All of Palatine Hill (there is limited access to Palatine Hill, not including special monuments like the House of Augustus or the Temple of Romulus)

If necessary, you can upgrade your ticket onsite. When you arrive at the Colosseum, you may also book an audio guide or purchase admission to the Arena Floor.

To the basic ticket without refund
To the basic ticket with refund

Guided Tours of the Colosseum

Visitors find there are very few information boards at the Colosseum. This is why we recommend joining an official guided tour.

There are several recommended Colosseum tours you can take:

Colosseum Tour (including the Arena Floor & Underground)
Colosseum Tour (excluding the Arena Floor & Underground)
Express Tour of the first two floors
Nighttime Tour (including the Arena Floor & Underground)

Colosseum Discounts: How to Get in for Less

There are often ways to save a few euros on your Colosseum ticket or even get in for free. We’ll show you how.

#1 Free admission for visitors under 18 and students of certain areas of study (e.g., architecture or art history): Many groups can enter the Colosseum completely free of charge. Just check the “ticket concessions” when booking.

#2 Reduced admission for EU citizens between the ages of 18 and 25: For this group, Colosseum admission costs only 2 euros plus the online booking fee.

#3 Free entrance with a tourist pass: Many of the Rome City Passes (e.g., the Rome Turbo Pass) already include free admission to the Colosseum. You will still need to pay 2 euros for the reservation.

#4 Free admission on the first Sunday of the month: On the first Sunday of each month, admission to the Colosseum is free. However, you can only get these free tickets onsite, not online. You won’t be able to access the Arena Floor or the Underground with this free ticket. Expect long waits on these days because the lines are even longer than usual.

Please note: Even if you belong to a group with free/reduced admission, you still need to make an online reservation for your time slot. Remember to bring identification, such as a student ID or passport.

General Tips for Visiting the Colosseum

  • Don’t miss your time slot: Plan to arrive at the Colosseum at least 15 minutes before your booked time in case there is a short wait. If you are late, you may be denied entry.
  • Plan your visit outside of peak hours: The Colosseum is always busy. However, it is less crowded if you come early in the morning (when it opens at 8:30) or at lunchtime. You should generally avoid weekends and holidays.
  • Book early: If you don’t have a flexible schedule, you should book your visit at least a week in advance.
  • Remember to bring a water bottle, hat, and sunscreen: During your visit, you will mostly be standing in the blazing sun. Come prepared, stay hydrated, and protect yourself from sunburn.
  • Go to the bathroom beforehand: This tip seems strange, but it makes perfect sense. The lines for the restrooms at the Colosseum are very, very long. If you can avoid them, all the better.
  • You must pass a security check: Similar to the airport, you have to go through security before entering the Colosseum. You are not allowed to bring large backpacks, dangerous items, or a full water bottle. (You may refill your water bottle inside.)
Colosseum in Rome
The Colosseum is one of Rome’s main attractions and a vital landmark in the city

Colosseum FAQ: Important Questions & Answers

We will answer all of your questions about visiting the Colosseum here.

Do I have to print my Colosseum ticket?

No, you can access your ticket digitally on your smartphone.

Can I bring my dog to the Colosseum?

No, pets are not allowed in the Colosseum. There are exceptions for service dogs, but the appropriate ID must be shown.

Can I buy my Colosseum ticket onsite?

No, Colosseum tickets are only available online and through the ParcoColosseo app.

Can I go to the Colosseum at a time other than the one on my reservation?

No, you may only enter the Colosseum at the time of your booking. It is best to arrive at the entrance 15 minutes early.

How long can I stay at the Colosseum?

As long as you’d like. However, there is a signposted circuit stating you are only allowed to walk in one direction.

How much time should I plan for the Colosseum?

For the basic ticket, you should plan 60 to 90 minutes. This includes the lines and security check. For the Full Experience ticket, you should plan for around three hours. Note that the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are also included in your admission, and that your ticket is only valid for a limited time!

I would like to go to the fourth and fifth floors of the Colosseum. Which ticket should I book?

Currently, these floors are off-limits to visitors because they are being restored. However, you can go up to the third floor with the Full Experience ticket. With the basic ticket, you can only go up to the second floor.

Do children need tickets to visit the Colosseum?

Yes, children are admitted free of charge, but they must also have tickets. When booking, you can simply select the free ticket option for their admission.

Can I rent an audio guide at the Colosseum?

Yes, and we highly recommend to do so, as there are limited information boards at the Colosseum. Audio guides are available onsite for 5.50 euros. The free Y&Co app is another great option, featuring maps, videos, and audio material about the Colosseum.

Is the Colosseum barrier-free?

Many parts are. There is a ramp at the entrance, and you can reach the second and third floors by elevator. Visitors can access the Underground with a wheelchair or stroller via a freight elevator.

Do you have any tips for the Colosseum?

Have you ever visited the famous Roman amphitheater? Do you have any other useful tips for buying tickets and touring the Colosseum in Rome? Feel free to tell us more in the comments!