Colosseum and St Peter’s Basilica Combo Tickets

St. Peter’s Basilica and the Colosseum are Rome’s most iconic landmarks, each offering a unique glimpse into the city’s rich history and charm. 

Located in Vatican City, the Basilica is the largest church in the world. It is renowned for its stunning architecture and masterpieces, such as Michelangelo’s Pietà. The Basilica serves as a major pilgrimage site for Catholics worldwide.

In contrast, the Colosseum, an ancient amphitheater, once hosted gladiator games and various public events. Despite being built nearly two thousand years apart, both landmarks captivate visitors equally. 

Here’s everything you need to know before booking your combo tickets to the Colosseum and St Peter’s Basilica.

What is interesting about St Peter’s Basilica

The Basilica, visited by over 10 million tourists annually, is celebrated for its magnificent dome, the Vatican Necropolis, and a blend of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. 

Both inside and outside, there is much to explore, including the expansive St. Peter’s Square, Bernini’s colonnade, and views of the Vatican Museums. 

Inside, the Basilica is adorned with mosaics, artworks, and sculptures by legendary artists such as Michelangelo, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and Giotto di Bondone.

Note: All St Peter’s Basilica tickets also get you access to Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

St Peter’s Basilica & Colosseum combo ticket

This all-encompassing ticket for the Colosseum and Vatican grants access to six attractions: the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. 

Your Colosseum entry will be two hours after the time selected while booking the ticket. So, you start off with the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill and then reach the Colosseum entrance at the specified time. 

The ticket includes free unlimited public transport for three consecutive days from the moment of activation, which means you can reach the Vatican for free. 

Once at the Vatican, explore St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world, and experience the grandeur and divine atmosphere filled with history and art.

You can also visit the Vatican Museums, featuring works by Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, and Caravaggio, and marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel. 

Ticket inclusions 

• Skip-the-line access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica
• Free unlimited public transport (metro, tram, and bus)
• Reserved, timed entry to the Colosseum, Roman, Forum and Palatine Hill
• A 25-minute multimedia video before you commence the tour of all the attractions
• An audio-guide app for St Peter’s Basilica available in seven languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish

What to expect during the tour 

During the tour, you’ll wander the ancient streets of Rome, taking in the ruins of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Explore the Colosseum’s first and second levels, strolling through the towering arches that encircle the Arena floor. 

Next, you can visit the Vatican Museums, home to nearly 20,000 artifacts, sculptures, and paintings collected over the centuries. 

Marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpieces, “The Creation of Adam” and “The Last Judgment,” in the Sistine Chapel.

Conclude your tour at St. Peter’s Basilica, a living relic filled with history and beauty, making it an unforgettable experience.

Things to know before booking the combo tour 

Before booking your combo tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Colosseum, here are some essential details to help plan your visit.

Opening hours 

St Peter’s Basilica is open daily from 7 am to 7 pm, with the last entry at 6.30 pm. On Wednesdays, the Basilica is open from 12.30 pm to 7 pm due to the Papal Audience.

The Colosseum is open throughout the year from 8.30 am to 7.15 pm, with the last entry at 6.15 pm. 

Distance 

St Peter’s Basilica is located 5.2 km (3 miles) from the Colosseum.

Transport from the Colosseum to Basilica 

Board line B from the Colosseum, transfer to line A at the Termini station and get down at Ottaviano-S. Pietro Station (900 m/.5 mile).

Take bus lines 40 and 64 and get down at Cavalleggeri/S. Pietro stop (350 m/.2 mile).

Recommended

For a more personalized experience of Rome’s treasures, choose the 1 Day Vatican and Ancient Rome tour. This small group tour, limited to just 10 participants, allows for one-on-one interactions with the guide. Best of all, this package includes guided tours of both the Colosseum and the Vatican.

Entrances to access the attractions

Enter the Colosseum through the Main Entrance, also known as the Individual Visitors Gate, or Speron Valadier. 

For those with skip-the-line tickets, use the dedicated ‘Visitors with Reservations’ entrance next to the ‘Group entrance’ facing the Roman Forum.

For the Vatican Museums, use Queue 2 at the Viale Vaticano Entrance, which is designated for visitors with online tickets.

Note: You cannot skip the mandatory security checks at both of these attractions.

Tips

• Wear comfortable clothes and footwear, as both the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums require extensive walking. 
• Note that the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter’s Basilica have strict dress codes: no sleeveless tops or shorts, shoulders must be covered, and bottom wear should be below the knee. 
• Food and drinks are not permitted inside the Colosseum. You will be required to empty your bottles before entering. After your visit, you can refill your water bottles at the nearby fountains.
• Large bags and selfie sticks are prohibited inside the Colosseum. 
• Since the Colosseum is an outdoor attraction, you will be exposed to the sun sometimes, so remember to carry sunscreen as well.

Recommended

Opt for the exclusive combo tour of the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and St. Peter’s Basilica to make the most of your trip to Rome. This seven-hour trip includes a guided tour of the Vatican and offers the flexibility to explore the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill at your own pace. A midday break is provided for your convenience.