Booking Colosseum tickets feels more complicated than it should be. Multiple ticket types, confusing official websites, tickets selling out 30 days in advance. This guide cuts through the confusion and tells you exactly what you need to know.
Book tickets online as far in advance as possible. Standard tickets include the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Tickets go on sale 30 days before your visit date.
Why You Need to Book Colosseum Tickets in Advance
Prices
The Colosseum offers several ticket types depending on what you want to see. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Standard Ticket | Arena Floor Ticket | Underground Ticket | Arena Only | Upper Levels | Night Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Seller | Top Rated | Top Pick | ||||
| First & Second Levels | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ |
| Arena Floor Access | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ | ||
| Underground (Hypogeum) | âś“ | âś“ | ||||
| Upper Levels (3rd-5th floor) | âś“ | |||||
| Roman Forum & Palatine Hill | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ (48 hours validity) | |
| Booking Window | 30 days advance | 7 days advance | 30 days advance | 30 days advance | 30 days advance | 7 days advance |
| Ticket Availability | Often Available | Sometimes Available | Sells Out Fast | Sells Out Fast | Sells Out Fast | Often Available |
| Visit Duration | 1.5 – 2 hours | 2 – 2.5 hours | 2.5 – 3 hours | 1.5 hours guided + Forum | 2 – 2.5 hours | 1.5 – 2 hours (guided) |
| Best For | First-time visitors, budget travelers | History buffs, photographers | Complete experience seekers | First-timers wanting guided arena experience | Photographers, panoramic views | Special occasions, avoiding crowds & heat |
Now let’s break down each ticket type in detail:
Standard Ticket
This is the basic ticket most people buy. You’ll see the Colosseum from the spectator stands looking down onto the arena floor and underground areas. It’s a great view and includes two other major sites (Forum and Palatine).
What’s not included: Arena floor, underground, or upper levels.
Arena Floor Ticket
Standing on the arena floor is a completely different experience. You’re at ground level looking up at the towering walls around you, seeing it from the gladiator’s perspective. It’s less crowded than the standard levels and makes for incredible photos.
Underground Ticket (Hypogeum)
The underground area is fascinating. This is where gladiators prepared for battle and where wild animals were kept before being raised into the arena through trap doors. You can only visit with a guide, and the tour lasts about 2.5-3 hours.
Important: These tickets sell out within seconds when they go on sale. They’re the hardest tickets to get.
Only Arena Ticket
This is a guided tour experience where you enter through the iconic Gladiator’s Gate (also called the Gate of Death) and walk onto the arena floor where gladiators once fought. You’ll spend time on the arena floor getting photos and hearing stories from your guide, then continue to explore the first and second levels of the Colosseum.
The tour typically lasts 1.5 hours for the Colosseum portion, with your guide bringing the history to life through entertaining stories about gladiators, emperors, and the games. After the guided portion, you can explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill on your own.
Upper Levels (Attic) Ticket
The upper levels give you panoramic views over Rome and a bird’s-eye perspective of the Colosseum interior. It’s less about the historical experience and more about the views.
What’s included: Everything in the standard ticket, plus third, fourth, and fifth levels (attic), panoramic elevator access, and the highest viewpoint in the Colosseum.
Colosseum Night Tour Ticket
The Colosseum night tours run year-round on select evenings when the monument stays open late. You experience the Colosseum illuminated after dark with dramatically smaller crowds than daytime visits. The tour typically starts as the sun sets over Rome, giving you the amphitheater in its most atmospheric setting.
The cooler evening temperatures (especially valuable in summer), minimal crowds, and dramatic lighting make this one of the most exclusive Colosseum experiences available.
Planning to visit the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel? The Rome Tourist Card bundles all three major attractions into one pass and saves you up to 20% compared to buying tickets separately.
What’s included:
Where to Buy Colosseum Tickets
You have two main options for buying Colosseum tickets. Here’s how they compare.
Online Ticket
Booking online is the best way to guarantee your entry. You can buy from the Colosseum Tickets Official Website or through trusted reseller sites.
How online booking works:
- Official tickets go on sale 30 days before your visit date at 8:45 Rome time.
- Resellers buy tickets in bulk and release them gradually, often with better availability.
- You receive tickets instantly via email as QR codes.
- Show the QR code on your phone at the entrance (no printing needed).
- You still go through security screening (everyone does), but skip the ticket office line.
Best for: Everyone visiting during peak season (March-October), anyone who wants guaranteed entry, and travelers who value convenience over saving a few euros.
How to Book
Select participants
Select participants, date, and language
Select Your Experience
Check what’s included (some tickets offer optional upgrades)
Pick a Time Slot
Choose your preferred time slot
Payment
Enter your details and complete the booking
Get Your Tickets
Instant confirmation, digital tickets will arrive directly by email
Reschedule and cancellation policy
- Most Colosseum tickets are non-refundable and can’t be rescheduled once booked, due to extremely high demand and limited availability.
- Some reseller tours offer a partial refund if cancelled.
Meeting Point
Details vary by tour. Check your confirmation email for directions and staff identification.
On-Site Ticket Office
You can purchase tickets at the Colosseum ticket office on the day of your visit. There are ticket booths near the Colosseum entrance and at the Roman Forum entrance on Via dei Fori Imperiali.
What to expect at the ticket office:
- Ticket offices open at 8:30 (Roman Forum entrance) or 9:00 (main Colosseum booth).
- Only standard tickets are available (no arena, underground, or upper levels).
- Lines form early, especially in summer months (June-August).
- By late morning (11:00-12:00), available time slots are usually only for late afternoon.
- On extremely busy days, same-day tickets sell out completely.
- You still need to go through security after buying your ticket, adding another 15-30 minutes.
Best for: Last-minute visitors during the off-season (November-February) who are very flexible about entry times and willing to risk not getting in. If you’re visiting during spring or summer, don’t rely on this option.
Tip: The ticket booth at the Roman Forum entrance (Via dei Fori Imperiali) typically has shorter lines than the main Colosseum ticket office. Same tickets, same prices, fewer people. If you’re determined to buy on-site, try this location first.
Watch Out for Ticket Scams
Avoid street vendors around the Colosseum selling “skip the line” tickets at inflated prices. They’re either reselling official tickets with huge markups or selling fake tickets entirely.
Stick to the official website or established resellers like Tiqets and GetYourGuide. If someone approaches you on the street promising immediate entry, walk away.
Skip the Line at the Colosseum: What It Actually Means
You’ll see “skip the line” everywhere when looking for Colosseum tickets. Here’s what it actually means and what it doesn’t.
The Two Lines at the Colosseum
There are actually two separate lines at the Colosseum:
- The ticket office line: This is where people without advance tickets wait to buy same-day tickets. This line can be 1-2 hours long during busy periods.
- The security entrance line: Everyone goes through this, even with pre-booked tickets. It’s usually 15-30 minutes depending on the time of day.
When you book tickets online in advance, you skip the ticket office line completely. You go straight to the security entrance. This is what “skip the line” means for standard tickets.
You cannot skip the security line. Everyone goes through security screening, no exceptions. Anyone promising you’ll “walk straight in” isn’t being honest. Plan for 15-30 minutes from when you arrive to when you’re actually inside.
Guided Tours with Priority Access
Some guided tours offer genuine priority access through a separate entrance. These tours cost more but can save you time during peak season. Your guide meets you with tickets in hand and takes you through a less crowded entrance reserved for tour groups.
This is worth it if you’re visiting during summer (June-August) or around major holidays. The rest of the year, regular advance tickets work fine.
Best Times to Avoid Crowds
If you want the shortest possible lines, book the earliest time slot available (usually 8:30 or 9:00). The Colosseum is noticeably quieter in the first hour after opening.
The last entry slot (about an hour before closing) is also relatively quiet, though you’ll have less time inside before they start clearing people out.
Avoid 10:00-14:00 if possible. This is when cruise ship groups and tour buses arrive en masse.
Tips For Buying Tickets
Ticket Sale Dates
Standard, arena, and upper level tickets go on sale 30 days before your visit date at 8:45 Rome time. For example, if you want to visit on January 15, tickets go on sale on December 16 at 8:45.
Underground tickets sell out almost instantly. If you want underground access, you need to be online exactly at 8:45 Rome time when they release. Even then, you might not get them.
Colosseum Entry with City Passes
Several city passes include Colosseum entry:
- Roma Pass: Includes Colosseum access, but you still need to book a timed entry slot when you purchase the pass. It’s not a “skip the reservation” card.
- Rome Tourist Card: Bundles Colosseum with Vatican Museums and other attractions. Can be a good value if you’re visiting multiple major sites.
These passes are worth it if you’re visiting several included attractions.
Children & Youth Tickets
Children under 18 enter for free, but you still need to book their tickets online with a specific time slot. When booking on the official site, select “free according to regulation” and choose “under 18.”
Important: You must bring photo ID for children at the entrance. A passport is safest. Without proper ID matching the ticket name, they won’t let you in.
EU citizens aged 18-25 get reduced tickets for €4 (bring ID to prove eligibility).
Free Entry Days
The Colosseum offers free entry on specific days:
- First Sunday of every month
- April 25 (Liberation Day)
- June 2 (Republic Day)
- November 4 (National Unity Day)
The reality of free days:
- You can’t book online. You have to collect tickets on-site the day of your visit, which means standing in enormous lines with thousands of other people trying to get free entry.
- Special areas are closed. Arena floor and underground access aren’t available on free days for safety reasons.
- Massive crowds. Everyone shows up on free days, making the experience rushed and uncomfortable.
Unless you’re on a very tight budget, it’s worth paying for a standard ticket and visiting on a regular day, the overall experience is much better.
Plan Your Visit
The Colosseum is open daily except December 25 and January 1. Hours change by season, so you’ll want to check the current schedule before you book.
Generally speaking, the Colosseum opens around 08:30 and closes anywhere from 16:30 (winter) to 19:15 (summer). Last entry is always one hour before closing.
Planning your visit?
Check detailed opening hours guide with seasonal schedules, best times to avoid crowds, and holiday closures.
The Colosseum is hard to miss. It’s right in the center of Rome, and you can see it from blocks away.
The Colosseum is located in the centre of Rome, at the Piazza del Colosseo.
Colosseum
Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy · Google Maps
The Colosseum has three main entrances in use today. Which one you use depends on your ticket type. Using the wrong entrance means waiting in the wrong line, so check carefully before you go.
Sperone Valadier Entrance (Main Entrance)
Location: Near the Arch of Constantine, facing the Roman Forum
Who uses this entrance:
- Standard ticket holders
- Full Experience ticket holders
- Skip-the-line ticket holders
- Visitors with children (to collect free children’s tickets inside)
- Wheelchair users and caregivers
- Anyone with pre-booked tickets
Wait time: 15-30 minutes for security screening (everyone must go through security, even with skip-the-line tickets)
When to arrive: 30 minutes before your time slot during peak season (April-October), 20 minutes during off-season
Finding it: When you exit Colosseo Metro station, walk toward the Colosseum. The Arch of Constantine is the large triumphal arch next to the Colosseum. The Sperone Valadier entrance is right there.
Stern Entrance (Gladiator’s Gate)
Location: Northwest side of the Colosseum
Who uses this entrance:
- Arena 24 Hours ticket holders ONLY
- Visitors with specific arena floor access tickets
Important: This entrance is ONLY for people with Arena 24 Hours tickets that specifically state “Stern Entrance” or “Gladiator’s Gate.” If your ticket doesn’t say this, use the Sperone Valadier entrance instead.
Wait time: Usually 10-15 minutes (fewer people use this entrance)
Note: This was historically where gladiators entered the arena. Today, it’s restricted to specific ticket types only.
Group Entrance
Location: Within the Sperone Valadier area, separate section for groups
Who uses this entrance:
- Pre-booked guided tour groups
- School groups
- Organized tours with licensed guides
How it works: Your tour guide will direct you to the exact meeting point and entrance. Don’t go to the Colosseum on your own, meet your guide at the designated spot (usually near Arch of Constantine, specific location will be in your booking confirmation).
Wait time: 15-20 minutes on average, depending on the number of scheduled groups
When to arrive: 15 minutes before your tour start time
Tour tip: Your guide may sometimes use the individual ticket holder entrance instead if it’s less crowded. Follow your guide’s instructions.
The Colosseum is accessible for visitors with reduced mobility:
- Entrance: Sperone Valadier entrance (main entrance) is wheelchair accessible with no stairs
- Elevator: Connects the first and second floors. Accommodates 2 wheelchairs at a time
- Ground floor and second floor: Mostly flat surfaces, though some areas have ancient cobblestones
- Restrooms: Accessible restrooms on both ground floor and second floor (look for signboards)
- What to bring: Disability certificate and valid photo ID for free entry
- Caregiver: One caregiver enters free with each disabled visitor
Underground chambers and upper levels (third tier and above) are not wheelchair accessible due to stairs and narrow passages.
The Colosseum has wheelchairs you can borrow on the first floor (at the reception and security office) and at Roman Forum entrances, but they’re first-come, first-served.
Things To Know Before You Go
Ticket Validity & Entry Rule
Ticket Validity
Entry Time Slots
Re-Entry
What to Bring on Visit Day
Required
Recommended
Not allowed
FAQs
How far in advance should I book?
As early as possible. Standard tickets can be booked 30 days in advance on the official site. Underground tickets sell out in seconds. If booking through resellers, book as soon as you have travel dates confirmed.
Can I buy tickets at the Colosseum?
Yes, but availability is extremely limited and you’ll wait in long lines. It’s not recommended. Book online in advance.
Do I need separate tickets for the Roman Forum?
No. Your Colosseum ticket includes the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. It’s one combined ticket for all three sites.
What’s the difference between standard and arena tickets?
Standard tickets give you access to the first and second viewing levels. Arena tickets add access to the arena floor itself, where you can stand where gladiators fought. Arena tickets also extend validity to 48 hours instead of 24.
Is the underground tour worth the extra effort?
Yes, the underground is fascinating and most people never see it. But they’re very hard to get, so don’t stress if you can’t secure them. The standard Colosseum experience is still excellent.
What if I miss my time slot?
You won’t be allowed to enter. Time slots are strict with maybe a 10-15 minute grace period. If you’re significantly late, you’ll need to try to exchange your ticket for another day (which is difficult and not guaranteed).
Can I visit at sunset?
In summer months (late March to September), the Colosseum stays open until 19:15, so you might catch golden hour. In winter it closes at 16:30, well before sunset. You might catch late afternoon light with Colosseum Sunset Tour. For after-dark visits, special night tours are occasionally offered outside regular hours with limited availability.
The most important thing: book in advance. Don’t show up in Rome hoping to figure it out. The Colosseum requires planning, but once you have your tickets confirmed, you can relax and look forward to experiencing one of the world’s most incredible monuments.
→ Need more help planning? Check out Complete Colosseum Guide for information on what to see, opening hours, and practical tips for your visit.