How to Choose a Colosseum Tour that is Right for YOU
1.Colosseum Express Tour
v. Colosseum and Ancient Rome Tour
The Colosseum ticket also allows entrance to the
Palatine Hill and Roman Forum (aka Ancient Rome), a huge archaeological area
that is the birthplace of Rome. In general there are two basic types of tours:
a tour of just the Colosseum (1 - 1.5 hours) or a tour that includes the
Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum (2.5 - 3 hours).
Whether booking a tour is just a convenient way
of skipping the line or you don’t have a lot of time, the Colosseum only tour
may be a more suitable option. Keep in mind that all tour groups must respect
strict protocols and go through security checks before entering the Colosseum.
If you book a tour starting at 11:00am, it could take upwards of 20 minutes to
pass the turnstiles into the monument.
For visitors with the time and interest, a
complete tour of the Colosseum and Ancient Rome is the ideal option. Many tour
operators will begin the guided tour in the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill which
is chronologically correct and builds anticipation to the Colosseum itself.
Don’t be surprised if your meeting point is near the Colosseum but your tour
guide walks you to Ancient Rome first.
2.Standard Group v. Small
Group v. Private Guide
Many tour options will have the group size in the
title of the tour; group tours are the least expensive, small group tours will
usually be an additional €10-15 and private tours are the most expensive.
Depending on the current restrictions put in place at the Colosseum, maximum
group size is 20-25 people (imagine that pre-Covid the max was 50). Unless
otherwise specified, a ‘small group’ maxes out at 13 participants.
Standard group tours are perfectly adequate for
the average visitor but, the smaller group tours do allow more interaction with
the tour guide and the groups tend to move faster through security checks etc.
Private tours will obviously offer one-on-one time with the guide and allow for
more in-depth discovery of the Colosseum. Visitors with mobility issues or in a
wheelchair are advised to book a private guide as keeping up with the group
will be difficult.
3.Are the VIP areas really
worth the extra cost?
There are two* main VIP areas in the Colosseum:
the Arena Floor and the Underground Level. The Arena Floor has been partially
reconstructed to allow visitors to stand center stage in the Colosseum, it is a
truly unique experience and is ideal for those wanting that ‘Gladiator’ moment.
The Underground Level takes visitors down below the Colosseum’s stage and
offers a glimpse of the chambers used to hold wild animals and a close-up view
of the trap door system.
If you have the budget, these tours are highly
recommended but keep in mind that the time spent and area covered in the VIP
portion of the tour is limited. Both of these VIP visits are approximately
20-25 minutes in length and it should be noted that the area accessed during
the Underground visit is limited (you can’t just wander around freely). After
either the Arena or Underground area, most tours will continue with a standard
visit of the Colosseum. If you are keen to visit the Ancient City as well, make
sure the tour you choose includes the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum.
If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to skip
the VIP tours as they are quite pricey. Standard tours may not include these
special access areas, but you can still see the arena stage and some of the
underground chambers from above.
These ideas/suggestions should help you narrow
down exactly what type of Colosseum tour is best for you. Once you’ve decided
your ideal tour length, group size and whether or not a VIP option is right for
you...it’s time to book your tour!
Pro tip: read the reviews and try to remember
that a negative review here or there shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.
*The 3rd tier/Upper Level of the Colosseum is not
currently available and the Luna Tour (evening visit of the Colosseum that can
include a visit to the Arena and/or Underground) is only offered at the
discretion of the Colosseum administration. Luna tickets do not include an
entrance to the Palatine Hill/Roman Forum.