Let me share a little secret we stumbled upon during our one-day trip to Rome. It’s how you can get into the Colosseum – or even the nearby Roman Forum – with practically zero wait time.
Colosseum wait time
Before we get into the details, let’s talk about the typical wait time for one of the most iconic landmarks in Rome – and maybe even the world. Because, believe it or not, there are usually two lines you’ll have to deal with.
- First, the ticket line. If you buy your ticket online, time slots often sell out several days in advance during peak season. That means you’re essentially “waiting” for days just to get in. If you try to buy on-site, expect to stand in line for 1–2 hours under the hot sun – assuming you even get a ticket, since the main entrance is usually overwhelmed with people trying this same method.
- And once you have a ticket, you’ll still need to wait another 15 minutes or so to actually enter the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
Buying tickets online
Colosseum tickets are timed-entry, available in 15-minute slots. So if you can plan ahead, buying online is the safest and most straightforward option – at least you’ll skip the line when you get there. I recommend doing this at least a week before your trip to Rome.
Use the official website if you can. You’ll avoid scams and pay the standard ticket price.
What if you want to stay flexible?
But what if – like me – you don’t want to plan every hour of your Roman holiday weeks in advance? What if you’d rather keep your schedule open, deciding on the fly when you feel like visiting the Colosseum?
When we visited, we had basically given up on seeing the inside of the Colosseum. We didn’t reserve anything online – and even though it wasn’t peak season, same-day tickets weren’t available. Just looking at the long lines in the 95°F (35°C) heat was exhausting.
Then everything changed
While looking for other, more accessible sights in Rome, we ended up at the Mamertine Prison, said to be where Saints Peter and Paul were once held.
The underground entrance offered instant relief from the heat, which alone made it worth stepping inside.
But then came the surprise of the day – and our accidental discovery of how to get into the Colosseum and the Roman Forum without the crowds.
You don’t have to buy tickets at the main entrance
There was only one family ahead of us. We were helped in less than a minute. We asked for two tickets to the prison museum, and the cashier asked us a question we didn’t expect:
“Would you also like to visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum?”
“Of course we would”, that was our immediate thought. But we were too stunned to answer right away. Considering the heat, the crowds, and the “sold out” signs, we thought she had to be joking.
“Sure”, we replied a little nervously. “Is it really possible to get tickets for today?”
“Yes, if you’d like”, she replied casually. Like it was the most normal thing in the world to get same-day tickets to the Colosseum from a cool, quiet ticket counter with no line at all.
We even got to choose from a few available time slots. Less than 90 minutes later, we had valid tickets. And that time wasn’t wasted – it was the perfect window to explore Mamertine Prison and the Roman Forum (neither requires a timed entry ticket).
Roman Forum with zero wait
Here’s another bonus: not only did we get into the Colosseum without waiting, but we also entered the Roman Forum without standing in line for even a minute in the sun.
After visiting the prison, we walked along a small street called Foro Romano, right next to the historic site. That’s when we spotted a discreet entrance to the Roman Forum. And believe it or not, there wasn’t a single person in front of us. With our tickets in hand, we walked straight in.
No matter where you buy your tickets, I highly recommend using this hidden rear entrance to the Forum. It’s the perfect shortcut with zero lines.
Colosseum entry wait
We made our way to the Colosseum through the Roman Forum. Just a heads-up – the entry time printed on your ticket does matter, so arrive at least 15 minutes early and get in line.
There will be a line, but it’s nothing like the ones at the main gate. It’s more like an airport-style security checkpoint – that’s the main reason for the wait. But it moves quickly. We were inside within 5–10 minutes.
And once you’re in, you’re standing in one of the greatest wonders of the modern world. Technically, the Colosseum is an ancient marvel – arguably the most famous one – but it’s still incredible that you can walk through it today. You’ll walk the same stones where Roman emperors once ruled with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down. Where gladiators and Christians fought for their lives or their beliefs. And where they even flooded the arena to reenact full-scale naval battles.
If you can plan ahead, definitely buy your tickets online. But if you’re already in Rome and don’t have tickets, use this method to enter the Colosseum – and the Roman Forum – without the wait!
