Colosseum underground tour tickets

I don't know the answer to your question, but if it turns out you do need to call, you can use 10-10-987: http://www.1010987.com/index.asp?Country=Italy+++++++++++++++++++++++++#rates

As you can see from the link, it's 83¢ to connect, then 11¢ per minute. This is not the absolute cheapest way to go, but it's far cheaper than not using any plan, and doesn't require any further commitment.

Cheaper ways to use a landline or cell phone include OneSuite: https://onesuite.com/long-distance/check-rates and PennyTalk: http://pennytalk.com/rates/?CallingFrom=US&CallingTo=IT. Or using your computer, you can set up Skype with credit, to call non-computer users: http://www.skype.com/en/rates/

If you need to make more international calls than just this one, they're worth investigating.

I don't know the answer, either. But I can tell you that I had long waits and gave up twice, then tried on a Saturday morning at 4:00 a.m. Eastern and got through fairly promptly. Maybe just lucky.

The only way to book is either by phone or via skype. If you call during normal Italian business hours, and not during lunch, you usually will get right through and not be put on hold. It's mostly when people call at off hours that they end up on hold or get cut off.

Donna

Donna: do you know if there are any reputable "agents" that offer these tours for purchase online? I realize there would be an extra fee, but that still might cost less than the phone call. As always, your advice is timely and appreciated. Harold and Mike: many thanks for the info and the insight. If I need to call, this is very helpful!

I'm sure there are but I don't know of any. I'm also sure they will include a tour of the forum and charge you three to four times what you should actually pay.

I would just try calling them one time to see if you can get through. If you can't then try to book through a third party or call your hotel to see if they can set up a tour for you through the official site.

Donna

I called twice around 8am west coast time and got right through both times.

Sounds like I'll be making that phone call to Italy! One more question regarding this tour: I have read that the third tier isn't the best for people with impaired mobility. While I still get around OK, I do have a bad hip that limits how many stairs and hills I can climb (and how much walking I can do before taking a breather). Should I skip the third tier? And when does that portion of the tour occur...beginning or end? Thanks!

The steps up to the third tier are very steep and narrow. I hate using them. I would skip it if you have any mobility issues. You visit the third tier at the end of the tour.

Donna

Thank you, Donna. As I'll be missing the third tier, do you think seeing the underground is worth the extra time and trouble of scheduling the tour? The Colosseum is a must-see for us (as is the Forum). Do you think the underground tour adds a lot to the experience?

Hi,

I actually just called the Colosseum ticket office yesterday to reserve my underground tour and the total call time was 9 minutes (including a very short wait--maybe 1 minute or so?). I activated a $5/month international plan on my phone (with a rate of $.01 per minute) because this was significantly cheaper than going with an agency to reserve the tour online.

The agency that I found (tickitaly---which I think has been discussed on here before) charges 57 Euro per person for the underground/upper level tour. Calling the Colosseum directly, I was able to reserve the same tour (in English) for 2 adults for 46 Euro total. That's a pretty significant savings(!) so I found it worth it to add the $5 phone plan for the occasion.

There were stairs down to underground, but I swear I saw an elevator - I think they asked if anyone needed it...

Then up to second level... not sure if there were alternate ways to get there. That seemed the longest.

Getting to the 3rd level from there I didn;t think was as many stairs - just like one story I think...

I think the underground portion is very interesting. You only go to the third level for the views. It doesn't have much to do with the history of the structure other than getting a really good view of both the inside and outside of the colosseum. I wouldn't skip the tour just because you can't visit the third tier.

There are stairs down to the underground level but they are much better than the ones going up to the third tier. I believe if you ask you might be able to use an elevator. I'm not 100% sure of this as the times I've taken the tour no one has needed to use it. I do know you can use the elevator to get to the other levels of the colosseum, with the exception of the third tier.

Donna

melissa, do you recall what time you called? It seems as though some times of the day may be better than others to not be sitting on a long hold. And what a great idea about the cell phone plan...I called my carrier and they have a similar plan, so that's what I'll do. Thanks!

Kim, thank you for the elevator info and the time you called and got through. Great info!

Donna, you rock!

Ok, we just did the underground tour a few days ago. I took a chance that there would be a time available and was prepared for disappointment. We are staying practically on the doorstep of the colosseum, so I went over as soon as they opened at 8:30 and asked if they had any slots available. We were able to get one for 12:40 the same day.
There was an elevator to the lower part, but the thing was extremely slow (we had a couple in the tour with a baby stroller and it took forever). I actually found the tour guides accent a little hard to understand (I'd say he had an 80% grasp of English, it was pretty good, but lots of pauses and ummms) so without concentrating really hard, it was a chore. I was more interested in taking photos, but my husband really enjoyed the commentary. And of course, you could have a totally different guide. If you are going to be in Rome more then a few days, you could make the colosseum your first stop and see what kind of booking you could get later in the week (note...you cannot book the underground tour at the forum ticket office...I tried that first).

We did the underground tour at night and I bought my tickets with ticketitaly.com and it was 55 euro for two. If you want to go at night (which I thought was pretty cool, particularly during sunset), it sells out so you'll need them in advance. You might have more flexibility if you just want to go during the day (we had the Roma Pass so we visited the main section during the day too, just to see the difference).

You don't need to purchase the nighttime tour from a third party vendor. You can use the official coopculture site to book it. It does have limited capacity so if it's something you want to do you should book it as soon as it becomes available. Be aware that the night time tour doesn't include the third tier or entry to the forum or palatine hill.

Donna

NicoleP---thanks for the info! We'll only be there for a few days, so I think I'll reserve the underground tour in advance. It does sound worthwhile to see it.

Becky and Donna---the nighttime tour does sound like something we'd really enjoy, but as we're planning to visit on our first day in Rome (we arrive at 8am that morning), I'm afraid we'll be too pooped and jet-lagged to get much out of it that late in the day. As we're going to the Vatican the next night and then we'll only have one more night in Rome, I guess it's not in the cards for us this trip. Thank you for the help!