Colosseum Tickets: Prices, What’s Included and How to Book

The Colosseum is one of the most visited monuments in the world, and as such there are many different ways to get in, which can be pretty confusing. If you're looking for a clear explanation of the different tickets for the Colosseum in Rome, you'll find it here.

We give you up-to-date information on prices, ticket types, their advantages and everything you need to know to get into the Colosseum.

What does a Colosseum ticket include?

The basic ticket includes access to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. That said, there are other options that give you access to restricted areas such as the arena and the hypogeum (the underground structure beneath the arena floor).

There are also Colosseum tickets with an audio guide, as well as skip-the-line tickets with a guide in Spanish. Below we explain everything in detail so you can pick the one that suits you best. 

To learn about the different parts of the building, its fascinating history, facts and curiosities, you can read our article about the Roman Colosseum.

How much does it cost to go inside the Colosseum?

Entry to the Colosseum is free on the first Sunday of every month. Keep in mind, though, that you'll lose a lot of time queuing. And even then, there's no guarantee you'll actually get in this way.

The cheapest ticket is on the official website. It's €18 per adult, but there are a few conditions that make it less than ideal:

• The website is only in English or Italian and buying tickets isn't very intuitive.
• Tickets can only be bought 30 days in advance and must be printed.
• Your visit can only be booked for a strict time slot. That means you're forced to be at the Colosseum at whatever time they have available.
• It's non-refundable.

Colosseum tickets in Rome: prices and types

The price of your Colosseum ticket will depend on the extra areas you want to visit (such as the arena and the underground). It also varies depending on whether you go around on your own with an audio guide or with a specialist guide.

Below we run through all the details of each ticket type.

Skip-the-line Colosseum tickets without a guide

In our view this is the best Colosseum ticket without a guide. Price: €24 – For just €6 more you get these advantages:

• Priority access to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.
• Includes an audio guide available in several languages, including Spanish.
• A wide range of time slots available.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
• Buy your ticket here and forget about queuing.

Guided tour ticket for the Colosseum (the most complete option)

If you're the curious type who likes asking an expert guide questions, a guided tour is the most entertaining way to see the Colosseum. 

The tour lasts 3 hours and runs entirely in Spanish in small groups. Price: €44.40

• Skip-the-line entry to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.
• Expert Colosseum guide in Spanish.
• Headsets.
• Free cancellation up to 72 hours before.
• Book here, no hassle.

Colosseum tickets with access to the Arena 

Get your Colosseum ticket with access and a guided tour of the arena so you can see it from a gladiator's point of view and visit exclusive areas that aren't included in the general ticket. Price €54.

• Skip-the-line entry to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.
• Access to the Colosseum's arena floor.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
• Buy your ticket here and see what a gladiator saw.

Colosseum and Vatican tickets with a guide

This is a good option if you're short on time and are only seeing Rome in one day. In a single day out you'll see the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. Price: €88

• You'll have a reserved entry time for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
• Skip-the-line entry to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.
• The tour runs in small groups with a Spanish-speaking guide.
• Enjoy the full experience by booking here.

If you need information on prices and ticket types for visiting the Vatican inside, see our page on Vatican tickets.

Booking Colosseum tickets: a summary

Tourist cards with Colosseum entry

Tourist cards are a good way to save both time and money, especially if you haven't yet decided what to see in Rome. They're also ideal if you want to see it all.

Here are a few cards that can get you some serious discounts.

Go City Rome Pass

With the Go City Rome Pass you can choose from more than 30 attractions, guided tours and tickets, including the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum. Depending on which activities you pick, you can save up to 35%.

Omnia Card and Roma Pass

The main advantage of the Omnia and Roma Pass is that, on top of entry to the city's most important sights, you also get unlimited hop-on hop-off bus rides for 72 hours and use of the city's public transport network.

Rome Digital Pass by Tiqets

This digital Rome pass gets you into the city's most important monuments and attractions, plus 10% off other activities.

You can put together exclusive combinations and save money by booking this pass, which is 100% digital.

Keep exploring more activities and day trips by taking a look at the best Rome tours available, and take on the city without the hassle.

If you have a bit more time, we recommend carrying on with the itineraries for Rome in 2 days and Rome in 3 days.