I have purchased the underground tour tickets for 9:20 am, there was no print at home option, just pick up there. My reservation email says the date and and time and paid but does not say where to pick them up. I think it is a reservations/special events desk. If I purchase entry tickets to colosseum/forum online can I pick up the general entry tickets at the same place or do I need to have those prior to picking up tour tickets? What I mean is do I have to enter the colosseum- using a prepaid ticket- prior to picking up my underground third ring tour tickets? I realize now I probably should have taken a later tour so I would have had time for ticket pickup/security checks and meeting up for the tour but I didn't. I know they open at 8:30, we will be there then.
Posted by
51 posts
We just did Colosseum yesterday, same thing, prepaid tickets to pick-up.
So where the three lines start (where there is someone to check your papers and direct you to what line to get in (e.g, line to buy tickets, people with tickets - and something else), look directly at the person checking paperwork. Turn completely around and you will see a big tree about 75 feet away. Behind it is the booth (like 4 windows in a little portable) to get your tickets printed out - no line (or one or two people ahead of you). Hand them the paperwork, they will give you tickets. Then go back to line start and you will go into the first line you come to. That is the security line. Took us about 10 minutes at 2:30pm yesterday, from retrieval of tickets to passing through security. YMMV.
Posted by
OP
211 posts
Thank you for the information. Did you have any under 18 years olds to pick up the free tickets ? Did you have tour tickets to pick up or just general admission tickets? Timing sounds like it will work just fine even if we have to go to more than one place.
Posted by
51 posts
Yes one child. That's what they have to see, a child for the free ticket. It is painless. Cheers.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
You go to the same place for both. Pick up your tickets and check in for the tour. If you have kids under 18 they must be with you with proof of age. Show the guards at the front of the lines your confirmation emails and they will direct you to the proper line to get in to get all of your tickets.
Donna
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15863 posts
Just in case...
If your child is over age 11, you did purchase a ticket for the tour for him/her, right? Thought it worth the question in case you didn't see the fine print on that.
Posted by
OP
211 posts
Thanks for the information! I did purchase tour tickets for the children and we do plan to carry passports because I knew they would be a hard sell as children because they are 17. I will go ahead and prepaid for the admission tickets for the adults and plan to pick them up at the same time as the tour tickets. Thanks again!
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15863 posts
Great! Sounds like you're all set!
Posted by
Boston, MA (USA)
630 posts
Bud Light (or anyone else), do you think the official Underground Tour offered by the Colosseum is just as good as using a tour company such as Walks of Italy or Dark Rome? I believe the ticket prices are much cheaper if you purchase directly from the Colosseum, but I don't mind paying more if a private tour company offers a better tour. My husband is really looking forward to going to the Colosseum, and I want to make sure he gets the best tour.
Posted by
51 posts
Northwestern, we traveled with our 10 year old girl and the self tour was fine. Frankly if it was my wife and I alone I would have booked a comprehensive tour of both the Colosseum and also the Palitine Hill and finished with a wine event. However in our case we had to manage the time carefully to keep her engaged. We spent more time in Palitine Hill than the Colosseum - Palitine Hill is a really neat place too and a great place to pack a lunch - so much to gaze at. In terms of selecting a guide service I would think any of the three options (COOP), Walks O' Italy or others will be perfectly fine. I believe Dark Rome is part of Viatour - who did a nice Vatican tour for us.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Pilgrim, the guides at the colosseum have to go through the exact same procedures to get their license as guides that work for private companies. They all go through very rigorous schooling and testing in order to get their license. It takes many many years. All licensed guides will be able to answer all of your questions.
The only difference between the private company tours and the official underground tour is the official tour doesn't include a tour of the forum/palatine hill. Those are the two sites that you should consider hiring a guide for. If you're there on a Friday night you can do the official tour for 15 euros each.
Donna
Posted by
Boston, MA (USA)
630 posts
Thanks, Donna.
Posted by
1 posts
Bud light:
Thank you so much for information on how to get tickets printed on site! I wonder if this is new.
When you printed the tickets on site did you get a separate ticket for Forum and Colosseum making it possible for me to then head to the Forum for the morning then go back to enter the Colosseum in the afternoon?
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
It's a single ticket that is good for both sites. IF you have a tour booked you won't be able to pick up your ticket before the tour and then return. You'll pick up your entry tickets when you check in for the tour, about a half hour before the start of the tour. After the tour you can visit the forum/palatine hill.
Donna