Colosseum Tours

The way that tickets are distributed for the Underground Tours was changed and many tour companies are struggling to get enough tickets to provide tours on a consistent basis.

Some are no longer taking new reservations for the Underground tour in advance, but are waiting until 2-3 days before the tour when they know how many tickets they actually have. Others are selling tickets/making reservations in advance, but include a disclaimer that the tour may be changed at the last moment to not include the underground if tickets can’t be obtained.

Reports from travelers on the forum range from dissatisfied individuals who had last minute cancellations that left them with few options to those who had a great tour that went as scheduled. Often these vastly different experiences are with the same tour company.

All of this is to say that getting an underground tour is not as straightforward as it used to be and it is difficult to suggest a tour company at this time.

As Carol said, tickets/tours to the underground have become so difficult to obtain that I've almost given up responding to questions about it. That said, the most budget friendly tours are through the Colosseum's own site, and there are two versions: the 24.00 € version provides an escort but no narration, and the 34.00 € version provides a knowledgeable guide who will tell you what you're looking at.

https://www.coopculture.it/en/products/full-experience-ticket-with-access-to-the-arena-and-underground-of-the-colosseum/

https://www.coopculture.it/en/products/the-wonders-of-the-colosseum-visiting-the-underground-and-the-arena/

These tickets are extremely hard to land; many stay up half the night the day they go on sale for the date they want to try and get them.

Tours through 3rd parties are available as well but cost more and there's no guarantee even those companies can get their hands on ticket; we've seen reports of any number of tours booked through outside companies that experienced cancellations. I will throw this one out as I'd don't believe I've read of a cancellation issue with their tours (yet). It is not inexpensive but includes guided narration of the Palatine and Forum.

https://theromanguy.com/tours/italy/rome/colosseum-dungeons-tour-with-roman-forum-palantine-hill

Out of curiosity I followed Kathy’s link and everything looked really good until it was time to make reservations. I could not find any date they were accepting reservations for this tour……. There was a suggestion for several alternatives.

Yikes! Right you are, Carol! I saw the calendars come up but didn't check for available dates. THAT'LL teach me, eh? So, yet another of the Rome forum's previously trusted resources for the underground is toast, looks like. At least for now, anyway. Thanks much for the correction.