Colosseum Underground Ring Tour (also need admission tickets?)

We did this last summer - I think we bought the combo ticket to use with Forum, etc... as well. My boys were 9 and 11.

This is what I was charged for:

2 Euro x 4 for 2014 Colosseum-Forum / Palatine Pren. Single (not sure exactly what this was)
0 Euro x 2 for Col-For-Free Room Pal (I think this was kids admission, they had to be on there but were free)
12 Euro x 2 for Col-For-Pal Room Full (I think this was 2 adult admissons)
9 Euro x 2 for Colosseum Underground + III English (this was the tour for 2 adults)
0 Euro x 2 for Colosseum Underground + III English Freeware (this was the kids tour, they were free).

Hope that helps! I would just get everything now because then you just present it for the whole thing... surprised it wasn't just all together.

Your tour is timed, we also had 9:20am. The ticket line to pick these up is inside the colosseum, and is a different line than those buying admission tickets. The line still took awhile, so I would arrive plenty early to avoid missing your tour time. You get in line, get your tickets, and then they tell you where to wait for your tour guide. We did the tour first, then we stayed around and saw the other stuff... this is how I am not sure how you can buy the tour without the admission. Kids were free, but should be listed on the reservation anyway.

Kim

Here are the answers to your questions:

1. It's best to buy in advance because you will be able to skip the lines: http://www.coopculture.it/en/colosseo-e-shop.cfm

2. I'm not sure if Colosseum tickets have assigned times but I think not because the combined ticket includes the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine, & it's valid for 2 days.

3. Yes, children under 18 get free admission.

4. Yes, you will pick up your tickets at the cashier station, however, there is a better option given on the website so
   you won't have to wait in line:

Print@home delivery

At the end of the transaction, you will receive by e-mail your tickets
in pdf format.

You can print the attachment using your own printer or you can save
the pdf into a smartphone which should be capable to read pdf format
and go directly to the entrance gates with the pdf opened on the
display without making queues at the cashier stations.

• What website did you use to purchase your tickets?
• Since you will be there in March, you can probably just buy your tickets at the cashier's station.
• I've only been in Rome in late September/early October & did not buy tickets in advance & the line was very short (only a handful of people)
• Don't forget that there is a new security measure at the Colosseum:

PLEASE NOTE!

Due to new security measures it is necessary to arrive at least 30
minutes before the reservation at the ticket desk.

It is confirmed the prohibition of bringing backpacks , camping ,
bulky bags and luggage / trolley, can be introduced medium and small
size backpacks to shoulder, which must be checked, as any other bag,
with metal detectors, opened and visually inspected by the Urbe
Security Institute, responsible for the entrance inspection.

1. I would buy the tickets online now to avoid queues and it is one less thing to worry about. Your teenagers only pay the 2euro reservation fee and you and your wife pay the entry plus reservation fee.

2. Admission tickets can be used on any two consecutive days in 2015.

3. See above. Just the 2euro reservation fee if booked online. Worth the convenience.

If this is the only site you plan on seeing in Rome, then yes buy your tickets now. Before you do

This take a look at the http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=2 it could save you some money.

Ack--I may have been misinformed. I had read that my boys would get INTO the Colosseum for free, but we would still need to pay for them to take the Underground tour. I'll go ahead and get the admission tickets now (and look into the Roma pass beforehand). Separately, does the Colosseum and Forum count as ONE destination on the Roma pass?

Gerri, I think I will get the Roma pass, and now I'm thinking of also seeing Le Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini as one of my first two (free) sights. However, you need to book a specific TIME for the English tour on the website, and pay for it right then and there. How do I book the English tour (for free) and use the Roma pass when I get there? Wonder if I should start another thread for this one...

Bill,

Book your tickets and reservation for the English tours for all 4 of you now.

As suggested print tickets or put on your phone.

Your boys should not require an actual ticket for the Colosseum, site states:

"Free :

European and non-European people under 18"

The Rome pass can be purchased at the Rome Airport and Termini Station as well as other sites included

in the Pass.

The ticket for the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill is considered one entry and you have 2 days to

Complete that circuit. However, once you leave each site you cannot go back in.

Make sure the boys have their passports for age verification.

As an added note, make copies of all of your passports.

Thank you, Gerri!

your sons will get into the colosseum for free however, they will need to pay for the tour. Only kids under 12 take the tour for free.

I would buy the entry tickets for the adults at home and print them up before you leave. they are not date or time specific.

once you get to the colosseum show the guards your reservation and they will direct you to the correct line to check in for the tour.

Donna

Thanks, Donna--that makes sense (the "11 and under" part).

Bill, just a couple of things.

You can book the underground tour for the 4 of you online before leaving home. You won't be able to print the tour tickets at home, you can only print full price admission tickets at home. You must check in for the tour which is why you cannot print those tickets at home.

Book the tour and then purchase the adult entry tickets. You can print these at home. Once at the site go to the special events desk and check in for the tour. At that point you will get the free entry tickets for the kids.

If you plan on buying the romapass be sure not to buy one for the kids. They will get into sites covered by the pass for free. If you are taking tours of these sites you'll need to call to book those since most sites don't offer tour tickets without admission included. Be sure to do the math to see if the romapass will actually save you any money. You must visit at least 3 sites covered by the pass and use public transportation a few times in order to make the pass worthwhile. If you are worried about bypassing lines, you can purchase entry tickets to sites online which give you that ability for less than the cost of the romapass. The romapass doesn't cover anything at the Vatican.

Donna