I read that the entry is time slot metered. Currently the website says there are no tickets available to purchase, but does that also mean there will be none available to purchase at the booth? Do they have a sign or anything that indicates this at the ticket booth? Just trying to see if I should focus my planning for other attractions if this is no longer viable.
Cheers.
For what period are you hoping to book? Tickets are available 30 days in advance. Currently tickets are sold out through April 4 (except for March 13).
March 16th :(
I was only able to purchase tickets for the Forum. Well, at least we get to see it from the outside.
I believe I've read here that they hold back some tickets for sale on-site. That is a common procedure, though it isn't done everywhere.
I think you can only buy one ticket per person at the booth, so if you are traveling with others, they'll need to go with you.
I think early arrival at the booth has been recommended. Understand that you might then end up with a ticket for much later in the day, so it would be smart to give some thought to a back-up plan to fill the waiting time, if any.
The Colosseum is definitely impressive from the outside. Not being a fan of ancient ruins, I didn't bother to go inside.
If it is an absolutely must visit then Trip Advisor lists recommended third party vendors. There are some sites offering colosseum entry only for reasonable prices but it requires digging. For your date one site’s cart price was three times the official site’s (unguided) price and another was nine times the price (guided). Official websites are always the best and prefer placed to start but you’ve done that. I had to bite the bullet (cringe) last summer for some friends who desperately wanted to see the underground. It was well worth it for their satisfaction.
Eagle, that you were looking to buy tickets for March 16 - just 9-10 days from now - is very likely why there weren't any available. The Colosseum is the #1 tourist attraction in all of Italy so everyone and their brother scramble for tickets when they become available.
I'm guessing that you should be able to buy just standard-entry tickets them onsite - reference the websites for where those booths are - but absolutely get there before the opening hour, and have your entire party present, with legal IDs on them as tickets are nominative.
https://colosseo.it/en/opening-times-and-tickets/
If you've decided against that, don't despair if you were only able to land tickets for the Forum! I'm very sure the Palatine is included in those, and both of those excavations are very interesting. Do bring a good guidebook and/or an audio guide to help understand what you're looking at.
