I guess I'm confused on the different options of buying entry tickets for our own tour. We've decided to do the RS audio tour of the Colosseum and I'm not sure what tickets we need and where to purchase? We're going first week in March, so I don't anticipate big crowds. We're using Tour Eternity for the Sistene Chapel tours. But our times don't work for booking their tours for Colosseum. Any advice would be appreciated!!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
If you are spending a few days in Rome, the Roma Pass might make sense for you. You can skip the line at the Colosseo for your self-tour, and you can use it for public transportation for three days. Very handy, but it depends on what other sites you wish to see. If you are going to the Borghese Gallery, for example, that site along with the Colosseo make the Roma Pass worthwhile.
You can buy the Roma Pass at any TI and many of the edicole (newstands) in Rome.
Posted by
OP
La Pine, Or
83 posts
We're only in Rome for 2 1/2 days before taking the train to Orvieto. We're doing our own tour the day we arrive since we'll probably be on total jet lag. This was the idea for buying our tickets to Colosseum. Do you recommend tour companies other than Eternity tours for a group tour of the Sistene Chapel? We're doing that the 2nd day. Thanks!
Posted by
Reading, PA, USA
1637 posts
As per the Rick Steves Italy book, if the line is long at the Colosseum, go to the Forum entrance and buy the ticket. The Colosseum and Forum are a combined ticket. You can then go directly to the Colosseum and bypass the long line.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
Hi again Terri. I have used Tony Polzer of Three Millenia Tours for my guests who wanted to see the Colosseo and Forum. Very good guide, private or semi-private tours. He will customize for you so maybe you can make the times work for you. I have also taken this tour with Sonia Tavoletta ([email protected]) and she is very good as well. Both charge by the hour and will customize. Each can help with advance tickets. Both also do the Vatican. My favorite for the Sistine Chapel/Vatican Museums is Walks of Italy Pristine Sistine. You get to arrive very early in the chapel, before the crowds.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
Terri,
If you'd rather not use a Roma Pass, one option (suggested in the Guidebook) would be to buy a Combo ticket on Palatine Hill which provides admission to the Forum, Colosseum and Palatine Hill. I've never been there in early March, but assume that ticket office will be open?
Rather than use the RS audio tour, I'd suggest using the "official" tour provided by the Colosseum which you can arrange once you're inside. As I recall, guests are provided with a Whisper Headset so that everyone can hear the Guide and one advantage of a "live" guide is that one can ask questions. THIS website provides information on the options.
Posted by
Santa Fe, NM, USA
192 posts
If you decide on taking a formal tour I would recommend taking the underground tour (third ring). We did it last May and it was very informative. Tickets reservations are available on-line. If I remember correctly and you decide to buy the Roma Pass you will have to jump through a couple of extra steps (we didn't so can't help you there).
Don