I will be traveling with my granddaughter who is 14 to Rome in June and I have contacted some of ricks recommended guides, two of his emails are no longer working. However, I did get a response from one who said that her tour would be three hours, which I find quite costly at €70 per hour. She can do a shorter tour of the Colosseum and in “overview” of the forum for two hours. Any comments regarding an adequate and less expensive personal guide tour would be appreciated. I prefer not to do a larger group, although that is also an option.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8435 posts
I find the rate reasonable for a private tour, but would probably opt for the 2 hour version. Costs with a private guide can seem a little shocking at first. However, if the guide is good and at the end of two hours you have had an amazing experience, it turns out to be a good value after all.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15863 posts
Like Carol, I think €70 an hour (that includes the both of you or apiece?) for a private, 2-person tour is quite reasonable; licensed guides in Italy have to go through rigorous study and exams, and a guide who can bring paying clients into the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine to impart historical information will be required to have that license. The reason group tours led by a licensed guide are usually less expensive than a private guide is that the per-hour rate can be spread across more individuals. I'll give you a for-instance? This private, 3-hour tour of the 3 archeological sites has a base price of $328.51 plus $66.60 per adult.
https://theromanguy.com/tours/italy/rome/colosseum-private-tour-with-roman-forum-and-palatine-hill
A 3-hour group tour conducted by this same, oft-recommended company? Right around $65.00 per adult, max. group size of 18 so a big difference.
https://theromanguy.com/tours/italy/rome/complete-colosseum-tour
A few other smaller-group companies often recommended on the forum are:
Walks of Italy; scroll down to the "Premium Colosseum Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill" on this page:
https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-tours/
3 hours/Max. group size of 16. I'd link you to the tour directly but there appears to be a temporary glitch that won't allow me to do that.
Through Eternity: here's their similar tour; 3 hours/max group size of 16
https://www.througheternity.com/en/rome-tours/colosseum-tour-ancient-rome.html#
Context:
https://www.contexttravel.com/cities/rome/tours/roma-antica-colosseum-roman-forum-and-palatine-hill-tour-with-skip-the-line-tickets
These are supposed to be very good but they are more expensive, and their small- group tours are offered on a more limited basis. Their 4-hour, small-group tour for 2 people is $351.00, and I think might be a bit too much informational depth for a 14-your-old.
Just some options?
Posted by
1 posts
Does anyone know when they put tickets on the "official park site" for the colosseum tours? I couldn't locate it. Right now there is only availability until 3/25/23
Is this the official site https://www.coopculture.it/en/tickets/
Thanks
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15863 posts
I didn't include the coopculture site for the OP's question as they don't offer a guided tour that includes the Forum and Palatine (the OP appeared to have interest in the Forum).
For release of tickets for Coopculture Colosseum tours, here is what's on the website under "Method of release":
https://www.coopculture.it/en/article/notice-for-colosseum-archaeological-park/
I found it under "NEWS AND NOTICES FOR VISITORS AND OPERATORS" on this page:
https://www.coopculture.it/en/products/the-wonders-of-the-colosseum-visiting-the-underground-and-the-arena/