I am going back and forth whether to buy tickets in advance for the Roman Forum/Colosseum or to buy them when I am at the Roman Forum. I know we can purchase tickets at either the Roman Forum entrance or the Palatine Hill entrance and that they have hardly any lines at all.
Has anyone had any experience purchasing tickets at the Palatine Hill or the entrance to the Roman Forum? Otherwise, is it better to purchase them in advance?
I wouldn't say that they have hardly any lines....... they have shorter lines than the colosseum. The last time I bought tickets at the palatine hill entrance I waited in line for a half an hour. This was about 2 years ago. Since then I have always purchased them online and walked past all the lines.
Donna
Do you know if there is a ticket place near the entrance of the Roman Forum on Via Fori Imperiali?
We were there a couple of days ago. I think that side one doesn't have tickets but we were exiting there and not paying attention to ticket sales. We went late morning and the line into the forum was about 2 minutes. (We had tickets so would only have been another 2 minutes to get tickets). The security line at colleseum was approx 30 minutes. Those who didn't have tickets were waiting 3-4 hours. If you are thinking of third ring and underground tour at colleseum there are selling out a month ahead at the moment.
I have a 9 year old in my party.
The colosseum web site lists that kids are free, but the Rick steves guide book lists free tickets are for EU citizens. Do I need to book a ticket in advance for my son, or just for the adults?
The last time I bought tickets at the palatine hill entrance I waited in line for a half an hour.
Two days ago, a long line had already formed at the Colosseum ticket office even before the monument opened at 8:30 AM. We had the Roma Pass, though, and got right in through the separate pass entrance.
When we left the Colosseum a couple of hours later, the line was out to the Arch of Constantine. We walked over to the Palatine Hill entrance on Via San Gregorio. Though there were throngs of tourists disembarking from their coaches at the curb nearby bound for the Colosseum and Forum, there was no line at all at the Palatine ticket office. Zilch.
We just returned from Rome. We got up early and took the metro to the Palatine stop and walked to the entrance before the tour bus unloaded. We had no wait, and bought the combo ticket good for Palatine, Forum and Colosseum. We toured the Palatine rather quickly, then moved on to the Forum which is connected to the Palatine. It wasn't that crowded yet as it was early May and early in the day. Then when we walked all the way to the Colosseum and found it to be packed with long lines. We decided to skip it and return at 8:30 the next morning as the combo ticket is good for 2 consecutive days. We were SO glad we did! It was not crowded, and we got to enjoy it and be on our way before it was shoulder to shoulder. Instead of seeing the Colosseum after the Forum, I'd suggest taking in the sights around the Piazza Venezia. You will be blown away with the Victor Emmanuel monument!
We just came back from Rome, I bought tickets a head of time. But we first tried the suggestion of going late in the day and the line even with tickets was very long. So went the next morning but did not get their until 10 and of course the line was very long again with tickets. So we paid and extra 18.00 Euro a piece to get a guide into the Colosseum and that included quick easy access and a 40 min tour, then you were left to stay as long as you wanted. If you bought the whole package ticket and tour you would have to meet back up with the guide to let you enter the Forum, we already had our own ticket so we could go that day or the next on our own. The guides are out there in the front of the Colosseum and they are approved guides. I would buy my tickets on line and then get there early if you can and see what happens, if it is too long you can just get the tour on the spot. Earlier the better because even two weeks ago it got very hot inside. Not many shady spots unless you stay in the interior. And this way you can do the rest of the Forum on your own.
Mike, everyone under 18 gets in for free. If you don't book a ticket in advance for your son you'll need to wait in line to get him the free ticket. You can purchase the free ticket for just the booking fee online and pick them up at the colosseum special events window.
Jeff, that is not the case all the time. Sometimes there are no lines at the colosseum either, but I wouldn't say it was a trend.
Judy, are you sure they are licensed guides? Not all of them are. Also, 18 euros is high for a tour that doesn't even give you the entry ticket. I would suggest you just book online and save the money.
donna
Book them in advance. They are open ended so you don't have to nominate a visit date when purchasing. And to save standing in security queues get to the Colosseum as early as possible - aim for 9am or a bit earlier.
Yes they were all licensed we check all there documents. I don't think 18 Euros was high considering that was also a guided tour of the Forum and Palentine Hill, the only down side is you would do all of it in one day, we broke it up into two because it was 92 degree's and a humidity of 90%. We are 60 years old and that much hot sun in one day is too much.
