The Vatican and the Colosseum are two of Europe’s top tourist destinations. To explore both in one day, consider a combo tour, which is one of the most popular options among the various Colosseum tickets. This guided tour is perfect for visitors with limited time in Rome or those who prefer to skip the long lines, ensuring an efficient and enjoyable experience at both of these attractions.
Why is the Vatican + Colosseum combo popular?
If you have limited time in Rome, buying a combo ticket is an effective way to cover the maximum number of attractions in a short time.
When you buy a Colosseum and Vatican combo ticket, you can see both attractions at a reduced price compared to those booked separately.
What to see first – the Vatican or the Colosseum?
If you’re deciding between visiting the Vatican or the Colosseum first, here are a few tips to help you plan:
Visiting the Colosseum right when it opens is ideal to avoid the large crowds that build up throughout the day. Since it’s an open-air site, it can get quite hot during summer afternoons. If you can’t make it in the morning, the next best time is in the evening when the temperature cools down and the crowds thin out.
The Vatican Museums, on the other hand, are indoor attractions, so you don’t have to worry about the afternoon heat. However, they do close earlier than the Colosseum, usually around 6 pm.
Consider these factors when planning your day, and choose which one to visit first based on your preference for crowds, heat, and timing.
Colosseum & Vatican Museums ticket
The combo ticket for the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums is a bestseller. Ideal for families on a budget, this package includes access to five attractions: the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel. Additionally, it comes with a smartphone audio guide app for a comprehensive tour of Rome’s highlights.
The tour begins with a 25-minute multimedia video session about ancient Rome. You will then visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill before exploring the 1st and 2nd levels of the Colosseum at your own pace. The second part of the tour takes you to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, where you can admire the impressive art galleries and the holy site of the Sistine Chapel. This combo ticket offers a complete and affordable way to experience Rome’s most famous attractions.
Ticket prices
Adult (18+ years): €86
Youth (6 to 17 years): €39
Infant (up to 5 years): €7
Ticket inclusions
This is a flexible ticket with options to choose the kind of experience you want. Check out the inclusions below for each attraction:
Colosseum
- Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Plataine Hill with reserved entry and multimedia video
- General entry ticket to the Colosseum and Mamertine prison
- Guided tour of the Colosseum with Arena Access
Vatican Museums
- Fast track entry ticket to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
- Last-minute entry skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums with Sistine Chapel
- Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in English
In addition, you will get the following as part of this ticket:
- Rome City audio guide app that can be downloaded on your smartphone
- Skip the line entry to the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel
- A 25-minute multimedia experience about ancient Rome
- Flexibility to choose which attraction to visit first
What to expect during the tour
You’ll begin your self-guided tour of the Colosseum, exploring its first and second levels at your own pace.
You get access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, which will help you gain a deeper understanding of the multimedia video you watched at the start of the tour.
Next, visit the Vatican Museums, where you’ll encounter masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci.
Conclude your tour at the 540-year-old Sistine Chapel, a site revered by the faithful worldwide.
Recommended
This upgraded Colosseum and Vatican Combo Tour offers an enhanced experience with guided visits to both attractions. Enjoy skip-the-line access to beat the crowds. Begin with a tour of the Colosseum, and then visit the Vatican Museums either on the same day or the next. The tour concludes at the breathtaking Sistine Chapel, allowing you to marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece. Experience the best of Rome and the Vatican with added convenience and insight.
Buy This TicketThings to know before booking the Combo tour
Before booking your combo tour of the Colosseum and Vatican Museums, here are some essential details to help plan your visit.
Opening hours
The Vatican Museums are open daily from 8 am to 7 pm, with extended hours until 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. They are closed on Sundays.
The Colosseum, meanwhile, is open every day from 8.30 am to 7.15 pm.
Distance
The Vatican Museum is located 6.5 km (4 miles) away from the Colosseum.
Transport
Subway Train: A train departs every 10 minutes from Colosseo station to the Vatican’s Cipro station and vice versa, with a transfer at Termini station.
Bus: Line 87 and Line 81 buses go from the Colosseum to the Vatican.
Vatican Museums: What to see
There are around 1,400 art rooms in Vatican Museums, but a few of the must-see galleries include:
- Pinacoteca
- Braccio Nuovo (New Wing)
- Ethnological Museum
- Pio Clementino Museum
- Pinecone Courtyard
- Gallery of Maps
- Raphael Rooms
- Sistine Chapel
Entrances to access the attractions
You can enter the Colosseum through the Main Entrance, the Individual Visitors Gate, or Speron Valadier. There is a dedicated entrance for guests with skip-the-line tickets labeled ‘Visitors with Reservations.’ It is located next to the ‘Group entrance’ facing the Roman Forum.
You enter the Vatican Museums through Queue 2 of the Viale Vaticano Entrance, which is for visitors who have purchased an online ticket.
Note: You cannot skip the mandatory security checks at both of these attractions.
Conclude your tour at the 540-year-old Sistine Chapel, a site revered by the faithful worldwide.
Recommended
Explore Ancient Rome and the Vatican Museums with this skip-the-line combo ticket. You’ll be accompanied by an art historian guide. Begin your journey at the iconic Colosseum, immersing yourself in its history. After lunch, head to the Vatican Museums to check out their vast collections. The tour concludes at the holy Sistine Chapel, where you can marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece.
Buy This TicketTips
- Wear comfortable clothes and footwear, as both the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums require extensive walking.
- Note that the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel have strict dress codes. No sleeveless tops or shorts are allowed, shoulders must be covered, and bottom wear should be below the knee.
- Food and drinks are not permitted inside the Colosseum. You must 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 at times, so remember to carry sunscreen as well.
