Hi, we're traveling with Rick Steves in September on the Best of Italy 17 days tour. I notice on the itinerary that it doesn't look like our guided tour includes the interior of the Colosseum. Can anyone who's been on that tour this year confirm that? I was going to post an email to Rick Steves but figured there might be other people who might need this information as well. Just trying to figure out which Colosseum ticket to book. Thanks.
Posted by
Massachusetts
1377 posts
The tour website clearly states "*This tour does not include visits to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, or the interior of the Colosseum. See details on how to visit during your free time.”
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/italy/best-italy-2025
More information:
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/jubilee-year-rome
Best of Italy in 17 Days
Visiting the Vatican and Colosseum
For Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Colosseum entrance tickets we anticipate reservations being released at unpredictable intervals due to the Jubilee. It is best to check the official websites early and frequently to learn when bookings are available. Please note tickets may sell out quickly from the official sites.
Official website: Vatican Museums Tickets
The basic ticket is called: Admission tickets — Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Please check the Vatican Calendar closely for hours and closures.
If tickets are sold out at the official website, consider booking from another website, such as Omnia Vatican Rome.
Official website: Colosseum Tickets
The basic ticket is called: 24h — Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine.
If tickets are sold out at the official website, consider booking from another website, such as Get Your Guide.
When to visit
Here are the best days and times to visit either or both sites based on your tour itinerary:
Day 16 at 1 p.m. or later
Day 17 when the tour is over after breakfast
Post-tour if you're adding extra days
Posted by
1307 posts
Interior not included and the RS website gives very specific helpful info for you for booking it independently.
Posted by
OP
Florida
37 posts
Thanks everyone. I just wanted to verify with people who have actually been on the tour. I know how to actually book my own interior visit but unfortunately all of the tickets sold on the official site include the Forum and Palatine with any of the tickets for the interior of the Colosseum. I believe the BOI 17 days also includes the Forum and Palatine on their guided tour of that area (at least that's what it sounds like from the itinerary), so kind of paying twice for the same thing other than the interior. I guess it is what it is.
Posted by
Los Angeles
1517 posts
...unfortunately all of the tickets sold on the official site include the Forum and Palatine with any of the tickets for the interior of the Colosseum.
Yes that is true, but it's not like you're really paying twice - just think of it as the bulk of the ticket covering entry to the Colosseum.
Posted by
OP
Florida
37 posts
...unfortunately all of the tickets sold on the official site include the Forum and Palatine with any of the tickets for the interior of the Colosseum.
Yes that is true, but it's not like you're really paying twice - just think of it as the bulk of the ticket covering entry to the Colosseum.<
Well it IS true cause we are paying for it with our tour too and guide to boot.
Posted by
Midwest
583 posts
Are you sure they are sold out or not just on sale yet? Don’t think Sept dates are for sale yet.
It is a recent thing not having the interior included on the tour. I would suggest just buying the tickets when they go on sale. You don’t need a tour. We downloaded Rick’s free guide and listened our last time. When are you going to be back in Rome? It was my biggest regret when I was in high school to not go in and it was the first thing I wanted to make sure I saw many, many years later.
I would be cautious of get a guide or other third party sites. Many times they offer tickets they don’t have to sell.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
5013 posts
unfortunately all of the tickets sold on the official site include the
Forum and Palatine with any of the tickets for the interior of the
Colosseum.
Personally, I thought the interior of the Colosseum was the least interesting of the 3 included on the ticket. With the right guide, the Forum and Palatine Hill are fabulous.
Posted by
OP
Florida
37 posts
Are you sure they are sold out or not just on sale yet? Don’t think Sept dates are for sale yet.
It is a recent thing not having the interior included on the tour.
Yes, depending which tour you are taking, some of them go on sale 7 days before the date you want and the 24-hour in particular goes on sale 30 days in advance so yes, we have a while to wait but just trying to get prepared.
Posted by
OP
Florida
37 posts
With the right guide, the Forum and Palatine Hill are fabulous.
I'm sure that the guide that is included with our Rick Steves tour, who will take us through the Forum and into the Pantheon, etc. will be excellent.
Posted by
123 posts
Just returned from this tour. Tour did not go into the Colosseum. we booked tickets on our own and went. Tickets did not go in sale until 30 days prior. We did the Arena Floor ticket. It was great. The way you exit, you also go up to Tier 1. Our RS tour did NOT take us to the Palatine Hill after the Forum, we went to the Capitoline Hill, which was disappointing because Campidoglio is covered in scaffolding. All buildings covered. They are restoring the facades on all the buildings. You can see the sculpture of Marcus Aurelius, and that’s about it.
Posted by
OP
Florida
37 posts
Our RS tour did NOT take us to the Palatine Hill after the Forum, we went to the Capitoline Hill, which was disappointing because Campidoglio is covered in scaffolding. All buildings covered.
I'll cross my fingers that they're done by September :-)