The Colosseum is one of the most visited monuments in the world, receiving over 14 million visitors every year. If you’re planning a trip to Rome, it is a can’t-miss attraction along with the Vatican, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and many more.
Popular Colosseum Tickets
All tickets include access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill.
Standard entry tickets:
- Entry Ticket: Colosseum & Roman Forum + Audio Guide
- Entry Ticket: Colosseum, Arena Floor & Roman Forum + Audio Guide
For group tickets (8+ people) visit our partner groupsightseeing.com
Colosseum sold out? Try guided tours or city cards
Tour companies and city passes have their own tickets so you might find spots available. We recommend searching this overview page in high season, it shows all available tickets by day.
More options under sold-out section.
Buy your Colosseum tickets online
All Colosseum visits require booking a specific entry time, so if you want to visit on your preferred date and time, book as early as possible, since dates and time slots often sell out fast and the monument is crowded year-round.
By buying Colosseum tickets online before your trip, you can spend more time exploring Rome and less time waiting in line or worrying about where and how to see the Eternal City’s architectural and artistic marvels.
Should I buy Colosseum tickets in advance?
Short answer: yes!
– Book Colosseum tickets in advance and they’ll be sent right to your inbox.
– No waiting in line at the ticket office — you’ll save a lot of time.
– Choose the date and time of your visit and don’t worry about there being huge crowds on the day. You’ll also find more availability and a wider range of options to choose from such as guided tours, audio guides, combo tickets, and city passes.
There is a slight mark-up for buying Colosseum tickets online but pre-booking will allow you to dodge the annoying queues that are an non-negotiable part of a visit to any important monument.
If you don’t have an online ticket and show up on the day, you’ll need to buy your ticket at the office box, and there’s no guarantee that you will get one as it depends on availability.
Can I skip the line with Colosseum tickets?
Yes you can skip the ticket line, and it is usually very long. Temperatures can be quite high in Rome in the summer so less time spent waiting in line is always better.
Keep in mind that even with an online ticket, everyone must queue at the entrance for an ID/passport check and a security screening. This is usually quick if you show up on time, but depending on your ticket, you should be at the entrance 15–30 minutes before your time slot.
Where do I buy Colosseum tickets?
Right here! You can book your tickets through our site in under 5 minutes and you’ll have them in your inbox and ready to go in an instant.
Important Ticket Info:
- After you book, check your email to see how you’ll get your ticket. You may need to exchange your mobile voucher for a paper ticket at the location listed in your confirmation. Tip: Give yourself extra time before your entry slot to do this – it’s easy to forget and could make you late for your visit.
- The name on the ticket must match your ID/passport, so be sure to have them with you on the day.
Insider Tips for Buying Your Tickets Online
Breakdown of Colosseum Ticket Options
Standard entry, guided tours, and special access options for the Colosseum.
Bundle Colosseum tickets with public transport and entry to other Rome attractions.
Compare Tickets by Access Levels
My/thecolosseum.orgMain Levels
Visit format: Self-guided entry or guided tour
Tickets with main levels access:
Arena Floor
Visit format: Self-guided entry or guided tour
Tickets with arena access:
Underground
Visit format: Guided tour
Tickets with underground access:
Attic (Upper Level)
Colosseum Ticket Prices
Below you can see the prices for all Colosseum tickets. By buying your Colosseum tickets online with authorized ticket resellers, you will incur a slight markup on the price that corresponds to the booking fee, in exchange for the advantages listed above: skipping the long ticket line, more choice of dates, time slots, guided tours and bundled attractions. You may also find availability when official site sold out.
What is the Colosseum entrance fee?
Official adult ticket prices are:
- Main Levels 18€
- Arena Floor Only 18€
- Main Levels and Arena Floor 24€
- Underground and Arena Floor 24€
- Underground and Arena Floor with an official guided tour 32€
- Attic Route 24€
- Night Tour 50€
Pro Tip: Prices vary by date. If your dates are flexible, use the live date picker to compare prices and choose a date that suits your budget.
Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Access
Every single Colosseum ticket includes access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill — so don’t get rid of it once you’re done with the gladiatorial arena!
Do I have to visit all three monuments on the same day?
No you don’t, tickets for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill are valid for 24 hours from your entry time, so you can spread out your visit if you want.
That said, Rome is jam packed full of beautiful and spectacular monuments and given that these three are all very near each other it may be worth it to see them all in one go to make the most of your time.
There are also “Super Sites” within the Forum and Palatine areas, but not accessible with standard tickets. You can add the Roman Ruins Pass to see these special archaeological areas.
Colosseum Tickets Sold Out?
We know how disappointing it is to find your preferred date sold out, especially when you’re booking close to your trip or hoping for a popular day. The Colosseum is truly magical in person, and missing out can feel like a real loss.
Pro Tips:
- Try booking a tour or a city card. Tour companies have their own tickets, so you might find spots on arena floor or small group tours.
- Check again later as tickets become available if someone cancels or if more tickets are released.
- Check on other authorized resellers like GetYourGuide to increase your chances of finding a ticket.
- Another option is the Roman Ruins Pass, which includes entry to the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Imperial Forum. The terrace on Palatine Hill gives you one of the very best views of the Colosseum and the ruins.
If you can’t get tickets anywhere but still want to see the Colosseum, go anyway. It’s just as breathtaking from the outside, and when the lights come on after dark, the whole place feels magical.
Buying Tickets at the Ticket Office
Buying tickets on the day is possible, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get one, and there are fewer choices than online.
- For Colosseum entry: head to the Piazza del Colosseo counter (see image) which is directly opposite the Colosseum entrance. This counter only sells the standard 24 hour ticket for the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
- Other counters only sell the Forum Pass SUPER, which does not include Colosseum entry. They are Largo della Salara Vecchia (on Via dei Fori Imperiali, just past the Colosseo metro line B) and Foro Romano 1 (at the Roman Forum entrance on the same road).
The queue can take hours. We joined the line at 07:00 and got our tickets at 09:00. Our entry time was 11:15 and we could not choose a different time. If you want to try, arrive early and keep your morning free.
Other ways to visit the Colosseum
If you want to visit the Colosseum after hours, or would like a combined ticket that allows you to see some of Rome’s other important attractions, you’re in luck.
Visiting the Colosseum at night
Visitors can book a guided night time tour of the Colosseum. The arena takes on an entirely new quality at night. It feels even more ancient and impressive. Check out our guided tours page for more info on visiting the Colosseum by night.
Roma Pass
Instead of booking individual tickets to every monument and museum in the Eternal City and having to handle dozens of emails, receipts, and papers, you can make your life much easier with the all-in-one Roma Pass.
The pass includes free or discounted access to many of the city’s top attractions (including the Colosseum) as well as unlimited access to public transportation for 72 hours. Find out more about the Roma Pass here.
Plan Your Visit
If you’ve booked your tickets then do take some time to get yourself sorted. Keep this info handy so you can have a smooth experience seeing this iconic wonder of the Eternal City.
The Colosseum opens at 08:30. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill open at 09:00.
Closing times and last entry change during the year.
See current Colosseum opening hours
Time allowed inside the Colosseum depends on ticket options:
- 75 minutes for Main Levels tickets
- 20 minutes for Arena Floor Only
- 90 minutes for Full Experience tours
These time limits are the official rules. Guided tours may have different times because they use other routes.
The total duration appears on each ticket. Guided tours may start before the booked Colosseum entry and may continue through the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
The Colosseum is at Piazza del Colosseo. Colosseo station on Metro Line B is beside the monument. Metro Line C stops at Colosseo–Fori Imperiali.
Your booking confirmation gives the exact entrance or meeting point and times.
Please check the official ticket arrival times carefully since late entry is not allowed.
- Main Levels: at least 15 minutes before.
- Main Levels and Arena Floor: at least 15 minutes before.
- Underground and Arena Floor: at least 30 minutes before.
- Attic Route: at least 15 minutes before.
If you miss the permitted arrival time, the Colosseum part of the official ticket becomes invalid. Unused Roman Forum and Palatine Hill admission may remain valid. The official ticket is not refunded.
If you booked a partner tour, your meeting point may not be at the entrance. Check your booking confirmation for the exact location.
The park requires you to show your admission ticket in conjunction with an ID document at the entrance (your ID/passport). The name on the ticket must match the name on the ID.
Have your ticket and ID/passport in your hand ready for a check. You’ll then go through a security check. Pack light with just the essentials as only small or medium bags are permitted and they must not exceed 30 x 40 x 15cm.
The main Colosseum route has lift access between the 1st and 2nd floors. The official Underground route also has lift access. The final leg of the Attic route is via steep stairs.
Accessibility will vary between the guided tours as their meeting points and routes are different. The individual product page will detail the arrangements for that product. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill will both contain slopes and uneven ground.
Read more: full visitor guide – directions – entrances