Hello!
I'm looking for suggestions about a company or service where I can buy my skip the line entrance ticket to the coliseum and palatine hill without a tour. A self-tour is all I really need, I think. I'd prefer something I don't have to redeem for ticket once I arrive there and can just go to the assigned entrance and begin.
Regards,
Diana
Posted by
143 posts
We followed the advice in Rick Steves' guidebook and went to the less crowded Palentine Hill entrance to buy our tickets. There was no line, and that afternoon, the tickets were actually free! According to his guide book, you can also buy the tickets online in advance.
We also downloaded Rick Steves' audio tours on both of our phones and listened to them simultaneously. That way we could progress at our own rate.
Posted by
West Chester, PA
44 posts
Cheapest/easiest way would be to buy them from the official site and downloading them prior to travel. They are 12 Euro plus 2 euro reservation fee.
Posted by
1865 posts
I want to second Faye.Harlin's advice above. That's what we did. Download free audio guides from RS for a self-tour. We used the side entrance to the Roman Forum off of Dei Fori Imperiali and purchased our combo. passes there. No line at all. I believe you have two days to use your combo. passes and the passes are good for several sites. RS guidebook can give you particulars.
Go to Colosseum after 3 pm. Much shorter lines after tour groups clear out for the day. With your combo. pass - you skip the ticket buying line and go straight to the entry turnstiles.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Just book entry tickets online through the official site. This way you bypass all ticket lines. Sometimes the forum/palatine hill ticket lines get backed up. With tickets in hand you bypass those lines.
Use only the official website:
https://www.coopculture.it/en/colosseo-e-shop.cfm
Donna
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15863 posts
Just to add, pre-purchasing tickets doesn't mean you can skip the security check queue, and that can be lengthy at times. The colosseum also has a maximum amount of visitors it can handle at one time so when it's VERY busy, some may have to leave before others can be admitted. Anyway, don't want you to be surprised if, when you arrive, you might not be waltzing right on in. Buying your ticket in advance WILL allow you to skip THAT long, long queue. :O)
From the website:
"Please note that for safety reasons the Coliseum can accommodate up to 3.000 people at once.
This could lead to delays in access to the site, even for pre-booked visitors."
Posted by
Boston, MA
1829 posts
Yeah, to Kathy's point:
There are 2 lines when you arrive at the Colosseum.
One for buying tickets which you can skip and the other is for those with tickets or passes but is still a line for security and can be a long wait depending on time / day.
The new parts open which require advance ticket purchases have made the line for those with tickets already purchased longer than it used to be.
If you are planning on seeing Palatine Hill as well ; simple answer is head there first. There is not ever going to be a ticket line there as it is not that visited a place. Buy your ticket there, it is good for there, the Forum and the Colosseum ; 1 ticket gives you admission to all 3.
Then you will get to the Colosseum later in the day when the security line will likely be shorter as well.
Don't forget the Forum ; I think much better than Palatine Hill and RS free podcast walking tour for the Forum is really good ; as is his for inside the Colosseum