Catacomb Tour/ private?/self-guided? and Rome arrival time

You cannot enter the catacombs without a guide, there are guides onsite so you don't need to book ahead. If it's too time-consuming to get to the catacombs on Via Appia Antica, you can visit the Catacombs of Priscilla at the northern part of Rome (Via Nomentana), there is frequent city bus transportation. You should check the time of tours in English.

You can take public transportation from Roma to the Catacombs of San Calixto and San Sebastian. We prefer San Calixto because it has more comfort amenities.

As mentioned previously, you cannot take independent tours and must take tours organized by language. They are interesting and really comfortable on a hot day.

Buon viaggio,

There are a number of big tour companies that offer 3.5 hours tours of Catacombs, San Clemente and Capuchin Crypt. Do these companies just hand the group over to a Catacomb tour guide, or do they take the group through? I was under the impression that they took the group through, but the post above makes me question that. Anyone took one of the big company tours and know?

@jtech1, I've been in the Catacombs waiting area when tour buses drop off passengers, these groups have used the onsite guides. This has been my experience at San Callisto, Domitilla, Priscilla, and San Sebastiano. Groups are reasonably small because the underground space is limited and mostly corridors. Bring a sweater.