How to Get to the Rome Colosseum
If you are traveling to Rome you must (or should) be counting the hours left to dive into the Colosseum. Here's how to get there from anywhere in the city.
Aerial view of the Colosseum | Spencer Davis
Once you have your tickets to Rome, the first thing to do is to start planning the visits you will make when you are there. Especially for the most popular ones, which require a bit of planning. First of all, get your ticket to the Colosseum or even if you prefer, book a guided tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum to make sure you don't miss anything.
And now, here's a guide to make getting to the Colosseum, wherever you are, easy, fast and convenient.
Take a stroll and walk from the center
Walking in Rome is a must. Besides being cheap, you can take advantage of the walk to enjoy the city, walk the streets, squares, fountains .... A delight.
Although it may seem that there is a long stretch walking from the historic center of Rome, the road is worth it. I'll tell you what are the most popular distances so you can decide if you prefer to do it on foot or look for an alternative.
Walking distances to the Colosseum from some of Rome's key sites
- From Piazza Spagna: it will take you 28 minutes walking while you walk along the little streets surrounding the wonderful Piazza Spagna, Via del Corso and Via dei Fori Imperiali. This walk is a must.
- From Piazza Navona: it will take you 26 minutes walking in a very similar route to the previous one.
- From Monti: only 9 minutes, you have no excuse (plus the views of the Colosseum as you go down the staircase that leads from Monti are beautiful.
- From Isola Tiberina: only 24 minutes and you can choose between crossing the Circo Massimo or walking in front of the Teatro Marcello or the Capitoline Museums.
- From the Vatican: 50 minutes. Undoubtedly the longest route that can be done in what is considered the center of the city, but certainly one of the most fascinating itineraries.
By subway, the fastest way
If you are looking for speed, wherever you are, Rome's metro is always a good choice. Metro Line B connects the Colosseum and the Roman Forum with the main points of the city.
Moreover, the stop (Piazza del Colosseo) is right in front of the entrance to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, a couple of minutes walk away. You can't miss it. By the way, get your camera ready because the views of the Colosseum from the exit of the metro stop will leave you open-mouthed. Get ready for what's coming!
Ride a city bus
Maybe walking isn't your thing or you just don't feel like taking a long walk first thing in the morning. Well, to still enjoy the city and its sights but without giving up comfort and on a low budget, getting around by city bus in Rome is a very good idea.
Arm yourself with patience because the traffic is chaotic, the streets are narrow and the bus lines are usually quite full of Romans, but at least you will arrive at the Colosseum more rested. Check the Rome public transport website for more details on schedules, tickets and fares.
Recommended lines
As you will see below, the Colosseum is very well connected to the rest of the city:
- Frequent lines to the Colosseum: 117, 175, 186, 271, 53, 571, 53, 571, 75, 80, 810, 85, 87.
- Night line that connects you to the Colosseum: the N2.
What if you are considering using the tourist bus?
If you are looking for a truly authentic experience you may have ruled out taking tickets for the tourist bus in Rome, but if you see it as just another means of transportation, it is very convenient.
The tourist bus lines connect the main sights of the city (the Colosseum is no exception), have a decent frequency and best of all, two floors, one of them open-air, so you can enjoy the best views while you let yourself go (literally). Doesn't that sound so bad?
Cab or Uber, for the laziest (or most practical!)
One of the most universal means of transportation, the cab, also works in Rome. It is usually not difficult to find one running or waiting for you at a cab stand (look for them in the main streets or squares of Rome, they are very well signposted).
Tell the driver what your destination is (and remember to ask him to activate the meter to avoid unpleasant surprises). The Colosseum is quite centrally located so it should not cost you too much. Just avoid rush hour so that your budget doesn't get out of control.
If you want to opt for a comfortable experience that at the same time leaves no loose ends, you should know that Uber also works in Rome and very well. Download the APP, enter the address of origin and destination and the map automatically calculates the route, the price and how many minutes it will take to pick you up.
Use car sharing services or public scooters and bikes for responsible transport
As soon as you set foot in the city you will notice that the traffic of Rome's ancient streets has been completely modernized, welcoming new methods of transportation. On its sidewalks, you will see dozens of scooters, electric scooters or bikes that you can use to move from one point to another in the city.
There are several companies and APPs that manage these vehicles, so I recommend you take a look at the most popular ones to find out the rates. How does it work? Very easy: the APP (whatever it is) will always have a map of the city that will geolocate you and will suggest which motorcycles, bikes or scooters are closest to you. Book one with a click, activate it and pay only for the minutes you use it. It seems like magic!
If you feel safer using something similar but traveling on four wheels, there is a similar service for cars. Car2GO is one of the most international and allows you to rent a vehicle to move around the city and pay only for the minutes you are going to use it.
No need to worry about insurance, gasoline or taking it to a car rental parking lot. By the way! If you plan to visit the Colosseum on a Sunday you should know that the Via dei Fori Imperiali is pedestrianized all day Sunday, so leave the car for any other day of the week and go for a walk or pedal down one of the most photogenic avenues in the city.