Best way to get from rented apartment in Rome (near Colosseum) to Vatican for early morning tour?

We took used Uber to get to the Vatican, we also had an early morning tour. Just make sure to ask for the car about 15 min before you want to leave. They will be Uber Black, which was usually a very a nice car and well dressed driver. We never had a problem and actually I had never used Uber before we went to Rome.

Thank you. We are thinking of Uber as well since we are really wanting to be on time for our tour and don't know how to use other mass transit well. Was your Uber driver on time for your scheduled rides?

Taxis are not going to cheat you, I hope. Tell the taxis driver to drop you at the metro station at the Colosseum side. We always hand them a card with the hotel name and address or a card with the name and or the address of the place we are going to. Most know enough English, or you may know enough Italian you communicate Colosseum. We just did the drop at the Colosseum a couple of weeks ago. If a taxis driver is going to cheat you, why wouldn't an Uber driver, just saying. This is just my opinion. Loved the tour on the inside but wow it was crowd. Glad to see some people back. It was Palm Sunday which does make a difference.

Are you staying at a hotel, or a VRBO or airbnb apartment? The hotel staff, or a helpful apartment landlord/owner could call to reserve you a taxi. When we stayed in the Testaccio neighborhood last October, a bit southwest of the Colosseum, the VRBO owner reserved us a taxi the day before, for a very early drive to the airport for our flight home. Getting to the Vatican by taxi would work just as well. Fair price, and the driver arrived at the appointed time. We also took taxis 3 other times, rides were just €5 to €7, per the meter. Drivers were honest for us tourists!

P.S. Vatican in Italian is “Vaticano” - Vah-tee-cahn-oh.

I know it's early, but seeing a city wake up has a magic, charm, and insight to it. Maybe consider setting the alarm 10 minutes earlier and going on foot?

We are staying in a rental apartment so, unfortunately, there will not be anyone (like reception) to assist. We are staying 6 miles from the Vatican, so walking is not an option.

We stayed at 4 different apartments in Italy last October. Each had an English speaking person show us around the place when we arrived, gave us the keys, recommended places to eat, and gad other information, including ways to contact them during our stay. We were able afterwards to call, text, or WhatsAp them to get a lightbulb changed, clarify recycling policy, and arrange for that taxi. If you can confirm who/how your apartment is being managed before you leave home, maybe you can determine whether someone is available and able to assist with a legitimate taxi reservation. They’re in business to help their customers (helps earn good reviews) and we had excellent assistance at each apartment stay.

The Vatican is not 6 miles from the Colosseum; it's about 4kms or about 2.5 miles.
It would take you about an hour to walk there nonstop.
I have never been cheated by a taxi in Rome; just be sure to agree on the fare before you get in the car.

The Vatican is not 6 miles from the Colosseum

I was about to say the same thing. Lynette, I'm concerned about the location of your apartment if it's been sold to you as "near" the Colosseum but 6 miles from the Vatican. The two are not 6 miles apart. Care to share the address?

We are actually staying south of the Colosseum and meeting our guide north of the Vatican. When I put in the two actual addresses is says 3.1 miles. So, would probably take a little over an hour to walk - without missed turns or stops.

....I've heard that the taxis will try to cheat tourists ..... You need to listen to better sources. We have kicked around Rome for about 30 days over the past ten years or so. Have use cabs in Rome a lot and never once have had an attempt to cheat. Most speak some English and generally try to be helpful. However, we do take a few precautions. For example --- when we are going someplace we print the address carefully on a card. So there is not any misunderstanding of where we are going. When paying we generally use cash but credit cards are generally accept BUT ask that question prior to getting into the cab. There are stories of giving a 20 to the driver and he saying it is only a 10. SO we fumble with the bills, kind of hold it up as say 20??? Everyone acknowledges it and hand it to him. And always take a little extra time and count our returned change. And we do tip about 10% or round up to an even number. We can argue about tipping later.

But there are a couple of taxi situations unique to Rome. Cabs can only be taken at a taxi stand. So look around for the taxi stand. Second, if you call a cab, the meter starts with the beginning of the call so a cab could arrive with 3 or 4 euro on the meter. That is not a scam or illegal. With four people the cab probably a cheaper option and more than convenient than public transit.

We’ve taken many cabs in Rome and never worried about being cheated
Drivers have always been friendly and helpful and we don’t speak much Italian at all

Do as Frank advises and hand driver your destination address

Never used public transportation there
Other than cab to Vatican and train station we walk everywhere

More on Uber in Italy
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/ubers-in-italy

....Never used public transportation there..... Don't say that !!!! That is as bad as saying that the taxis cheat tourists. The subway, Metro, is not that useful because the two lines are very limited where they go. The buses work well as do the trams. Couple of buses have reputation for pick-pockets but with common sense and a few precautions you are fine. Pickpockets in Rome are no worse (or no better) than anywhere else in Europe. At least they don't stick a knife or gun in your ribs. You will be fine.

Not that I’m afraid to use it at all
We find Rome very walkable

I’ll be there in about 36 hours…walking around

Thank you, everyone for your input. Lots of useful information. And thank you for clearing up that the Taxis are not trying to cheat you. I've read so many things about that, so it's good to know that this is not true...

i was just in Rome on a solo trip and took many taxis without a problem - and i was worried too as i had read similar things about taxi drivers.
But i had no issues. FYI, all official taxis in Rome are white.
There is an app called Free Now which was recommended to me for taxis. however, i just went to taxi stands to get them. Google maps will show you taxi stand locations if you do a search it will show you the nearest taxi stand, but sounds like you may not be near one if you're not in the center.

The url below has lots of great info on taxis in Rome, and includes phone numbers to call one. Sounds like that may be your best best. I, too, would not want to walk an hour before a walking tour! And i like the views from a taxi! A nice way to see the city.

https://www.romewise.com/taxi-in-rome.html#get-taxi-in-rome

We are from Texas too!! Today 4/28 we went to the Vatican for an 8am tour. We used the Vatican website to buy our tickets. By the way, 8am is a great time to go. It wasn’t crowded at all. We even got to sit down against the wall in the Sistine chapel to admire the ceiling. It was really packed when we left so the crowds are definitely back!!! We took a taxi from the Pantheon. The taxi drivers have a meter to show the price like in the U. S. It was definitely worth taking a taxi for me. It cost about €8. It’s hot today so be prepared with water etc.

Hi,
In Rome, use the ‘FreeNow’ App for taxis. You’ll be told how much it will cost you to go to your destination when you contact them for a taxi ride. Taxis in Rome now rarely respond to being ‘hailed’ on the street, they expect you have the app for summoning. (My experience - Mid April /22).
My hotel was right behind the Colosseum. Cost was 10 euros to the Vatican. I walked back along the Tiber (Lungotevere) after my visit (about an hour). Very pleasant. Cross at Isla Tiburtina for a gelato!