Good news for those hoping to dodge the line at the Colosseum and Roman forum: Now, you can buy skip-the-line tickets directly from Pierreci, in advance.
Before, your options for skipping the line at the Colosseum were as follows. First, you could go to the ticket desk at the forum or Palatine hill to get your combined Colosseum/forum/Palatine ticket; although this usually worked, it wasn't always foolproof (when friends visited this spring, we went to the Palatine window at noon and still had to wait for a half an hour). Second, could go through a third-party ticket-sales service online, which added a hefty booking fee. Or, third, you could book a tour with a reputable tour company (still something I recommend, since fully appreciating the scandalous, salacious stories behind Rome's ancient ruins can be tough on your own).
But now? It's even easier. Just go to Pierreci's new ticket booking portal for the Colosseum, scroll down to where it says "Purchase your ticket," and choose your option—online or (whooooa) by iPhone. (For the iPhone option, you have to download Pierreci's app).
Once you've reserved, you can either jot down the code and bring it to the reservation desk, or print your ticket off yourself. Either way, you don't have to stand in that absurd line wrapping around Rome's most depressing most popular sight.
It's €1.50 extra, per person, to reserve your ticket. The ticket itself is the same €12 combo job (forum, Palatine and Colosseum) that they've had for a couple of years now.
As an aside, Pierreci's new website is really, really slick. Is this a sign that Rome's tourism is emerging from the Dark Ages?
6 comments
I cannot see where someone from America or The United States can purchase these tickets, I cannot see the countries name in the list provided
Also when buying it is not asking for a specific day. If the colosseum is already full do the people with the specific times get in ahead and we would need to wait until there was room?
Thank you for your help.
Hi there,
Happy to help! So because of the site’s quirks, even though there’s an English option, the country names are still in Italian — which means for the US you want to look for “Stati Uniti” (United States). You’re correct that the site no longer asks for a specific day; instead, the ticket is good through the end of the year. That’s true for everyone, so no one has specific times anymore. But yes, if the Colosseum is already full, you (and everyone else) will have to wait — but it’s unlikely you’ll experience this. I hope that helps!
When I try to put in my credit card info, the language changes to italian and I can’t understand anything. Why is this happening?
In a word, because Italy! 😉 However, what I see is a page in Italian, with flags on the left — click the US one. That should solve it for you.
I hope that helps!
thanks. very helpful information.
pls suggest a reputed local tour or guide who can unravel ancient rome for me.