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?
