How to get to the Colosseum

Here are some directions on how to get to the Colosseum

The Colosseum is located in the heart of Rome and is easily accessible by various means of transport. Via dei Fori Imperiali, which connects Piazza Venezia with the ColosseumIt is well served by several bus lines, although during peak tourist periods, it is often easier to walk. Among the buses running on Via dei Fori Imperiali are the lines 60 (express with limited stops), 75, e 85which connect various areas of Rome, including the Termini Station and St John.

The Colosseum also has a underground stop on B Linewhich is two stops from the station Terms in the direction Eur. This is often the fastest means of transport to reach the monument.

From the Colosseum metro station, there is a taxi rank, a bike rental and a bar with outdoor tables, perfect for taking a break with a view of the monument. On Sundays, Via dei Fori Imperiali is closed to traffic, becoming a pedestrian zone, available for bicycles and pushchairs.

By bus, although the journey may take a few minutes longer than by metro, it is a good option to see other wonders of Rome along the way. The routes 38 and 75 serve the northern area, while the lines 175 and 271 connect the southern part of the city. The stop is directly in front of the Colosseum.

Bus and metro tickets can be bought in tobacconists, newsagents or bars, and cost about 1.50€ for 75 minutes. A day ticket costs 6€.

From the centre of Rome, the Colosseum is a short distance from Piazza Venezia and the Imperial Forumsand is easily accessible on foot, by taxi or by public transport. By taxi, one has to consider the rush-hour traffic. On foot, starting from Republic Squareyou can reach the Colosseum in about 22 minutes.

Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Rome RM, Italy

Quick directions to the Colosseum:

To get to the Colosseum by metro, follow these simple steps:

  • B Line (blue): Take the metro line B (blue), which connects different parts of Rome.
  • Colosseum' stop: Get off at the Colosseo stop, which is right in front of the amphitheatre. This stop is located between the 'Cavour' and 'Circus Maximus' stations on line B.
  • Directions to the exit: Once you exit the station, you will see the Colosseum directly in front of you. Just follow the signs to reach the entrance.

If you are arriving from another metro line (such as the A line), you will first have to make a change at the station of Termswhere you can take the B line in Laurentina direction.

To get to the Colosseum by tram, you can follow these directions:

  • Tram line 3: Take the tram Line 3, which passes through several areas of Rome, including Trastevere, Pyramid, e St. John.
  • Get off at the stop 'Colosseum/Park of Trajan"which is located near the Colosseum.

Line Tram 8 + Metro B (alternative): If you are in an area served by Tram Line 8, you can take it to Piazza Venezia. From there, you can either walk to the Colosseum in about 15 minutes or take the Metro B from the nearby stop.

Arriving by tram, you can also enjoy a beautiful view of the ancient walls and surrounding monuments as you approach the Colosseum.

To get to the Colosseum in buses in Rome, there are several lines stopping nearby.

From any point of Rome you can easily reach the Colosseum thanks to the numerous lines that stop right in front of the amphitheatre (n° 3/8/60/75/85/87/117/175/271/810/870).

Here are the main ones:

  • Line 75: This line connects the Trastevere with the Colosseum, passing through several central parts of the city. Get off at the 'Colosseum' stop.
  • Line 81: Connect the Vatican with the Colosseum. Get off at the 'Colosseum' stop. Perfect if you are in the area of St Peter's o Castel Sant'Angelo.
  • Line 87: Starting from Piazza Cavour (near the Vatican) and passes through the centre of Rome, stopping at the Colosseum. Get off at the 'Colosseo' stop.
  • Line 118: A scenic line through archaeological areas such as the Circus Maximus and the Baths of Caracalla, all the way to the Colosseum. Get off at the stop "Celio/Via Claudia' to arrive easily.
  • Line 51: Starting from San Silvestro Square and leads directly to the Colosseum. Get off at the 'Colosseum' stop.

Many of these lines also pass through other tourist attractions, making them convenient for visiting multiple locations.

Arriving at the Colosseum in bicycle can be a pleasant experience, especially to explore Rome in a sustainable way and admire the city along the way. Here are some tips on how to get to the Colosseum by bicycle:

Main cycle paths:

  • Via dei Fori Imperiali: One of the most scenic ways to reach the Colosseum by bicycle. This road connects Piazza Venezia at Colosseum and has ample space for pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Tiber cycle path: If you are along the river Tiber, you can follow the cycle path along the river and then head towards the historic centre, using streets such as Theatre Street by Marcello to reach the Colosseum.

Bicycle rental:

You can rent a bicycle in different parts of Rome. There are also services of bike-sharing such as Roma Bike Sharing, which offers stations in many parts of the city.

Avoid the busiest roads if possible, such as Via Cavour o Viale Manzoni. Instead, opt for quieter or pedestrian streets near the historic centre.

Bicycle parking:

There are several bicycle parking spaces near the Colosseum. Look for bicycle parking areas along Via dei Fori Imperiali or in the side streets around the amphitheatre.

Arriving at the Colosseum in cars can be complicated due to the restrictions of the trafficespecially in the historical centre of Rome, which includes restricted traffic zones (ZTL).

However, here are some useful tips:

  • Restricted Traffic Zones (ZTL):
    The Colosseum is located inside the ZTL Centre Historicalwhich is active during certain hours of the day (usually Monday to Friday from 6.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.). During these hours, access by car is only allowed for residents, unless you have a special permit.
    Check the ZTL times before setting off to avoid fines.
  • Recommended routes:
    If you cannot enter the ZTL, you can approach the Colosseum via peripheral roads or bypasses and park in the surrounding areas. For example, you can reach the Lungotevere and then head for parking areas near the historic centre.
    It uses routes such as Aventine Avenue o Via Labicana to get closer to the Colosseum without going directly into the more central and busy area.
  • Parking spaces:
    Paid parking spaces: There are some pay car parks in the vicinity of the Colosseum, such as those located at the Parking Colosseo on Via Claudia or at the Parking Esquilino (Via Urbana).
    - Public car parks: You can also look for paid public parking spaces nearby, but keep in mind that parking spaces can be limited and sometimes hard to find, especially during busy tourist periods.
  • Parking outside the centre:
    An alternative solution is to park your car in areas outside the ZTL, such as near metro stations (e.g. San Giovanni or Circo Massimo) and then continue by public transport or on foot to the Colosseum.
  • Hire with driver (NCC):
    If you wish to avoid the complications of driving in Rome's traffic, you might consider using a chauffeur-driven hire service (NCC), which has access to the ZTL and can take you directly to the Colosseum.
    It is advisable to avoid driving in the historic centre of Rome during rush hours and consider using public transport for the last part of the route.

Getting to the Colosseum by camper van requires special planning, as the historic centre of Rome is very limited for large vehicles such as camper vans. However, here are some tips for getting to the Colosseum by camper van in a safe and practical way:

Restricted Traffic Zones (ZTL):
The Colosseum is located within the Centro Storico ZTL, where access to motorhomes and other large vehicles is prohibited during certain hours (usually from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays).
It is important not to enter the ZTL with your motorhome to avoid heavy fines. I advise you to park outside the ZTL and then reach the centre by public transport.

Motorhome parking areas

  • Parking and camping outside the centre: Rome has a number of campsites and parking areas equipped for motorhomes that are well connected by public transport.
  • Here are some options:
    Camping Village Roma: It is located on the Via Aurelia and offers a good position to access the centre of Rome by bus or metro.
    Rome Camper Parking: Located close to the Anagnina metro station (line A), it is a good choice to leave your camper van and drive to the Colosseum by metro.
    Happy Village & Camping: This campsite is located a little outside the centre, but offers public transport links to the Colosseum.
  • Equipped rest areas: Some equipped parking areas are located closer to the centre, but not directly in the heart of Rome. These spaces offer secure parking and services for campers.
  • Public transport from the car park to the Colosseum:
    After parking your motorhome, you can use public transport (bus, tram or metro) to reach the Colosseum. The metro stations of Line B (which connects the centre with various parts of the city) are very convenient for this.
    If you park in an area such as Camping Village Roma or near the Anagnina station, you can take the Metro Line A to Termini station and then change to Line B towards Laurentina, getting off at the Colosseo stop.
  • Park your camper van near the Colosseum:
    There is no parking for motorhomes directly next to the Colosseum due to the restrictions of the historic centre. Therefore, it is essential to plan to park the motorhome in a peripheral area or at a campsite and then move around the city by public transport.
    Driving a camper van in the historic centre of Rome is not recommended due to the narrow streets and heavy traffic, so leaving the camper van in safe areas and using public transport is the most convenient and safe option.

To reach the Colosseum by train, you can follow these steps, depending on your starting point:

  • Arriving in Rome by train
    If you arrive in Rome from another Italian city, most high-speed (Frecciarossa, Italo, Frecciargento) and regional trains stop at the station of Rome Terminithe city's main railway station.
    Some regional trains also stop at the station of Rome Tiburtinawhich is another important railway junction connected to the metro.
  • From Termini Station to the Colosseum
    Once you arrive at Roma Termini station, it is very easy to reach the Colosseum by public transport:
    Underground (Line B): Take Metro Line B towards Laurentina and get off at Colosseo (the second stop after Termini). The journey takes approximately 2 minutes.
    - Buses: From Termini station, you can also take one of the buses that stop near the Colosseum, such as lines 75, 85, 87 or 51.
  • From Tiburtina station to the Colosseum
    If your train arrives at Roma Tiburtina station, you can also take the metro:
    Underground (Line B): From Tiburtina station, take Line B towards Laurentina and get off at the Colosseo stop. The journey takes approximately 10-15 minutes.

If you arrive at one of the other smaller railway stations in Rome (such as Rome Ostiense o Rome St Peter's), you can still take public transport to get to the Colosseum:

  • From Rome Ostiense, take the Metro Line B from the Piramide stop (a short walk from the station) and get off at the Colosseo stop.
  • From Rome St Peter's, take a bus to Termini or one of the stops on Line A (e.g. Valle Aurelia stop) and then follow the same route as described above.

Arriving by train in Rome, the Colosseum is easily accessible within minutes thanks to the city's efficient public transport system.

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