The Colosseum sits in the valley between the Caelian, Esquiline and Palatine Hills in central Rome. 

It occupies a prime location in the heart of ancient Rome, within walking distance of many other famous landmarks, such as Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine and more. 

Its central position has made it a focal point of the city for nearly 2,000 years.

Address:  Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy. Get Directions. 

The Colosseum‘s central location and proximity to the metro, bus routes, and taxi stands make it easy to reach via public transportation or on foot anywhere in Rome.

How to Get to the Colosseum By Metro

The most convenient and cheapest way to reach the Colosseum from anywhere in Rome is by Metro. 

The Colosseum is situated right next to the Colosseo metro station, just 150 meters away. 

Metro Line B, which runs from the northeast to the south of Rome, takes you to the Colosseo metro station. 

This line connects major landmarks and sites, such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, and Termini Station (the main train station).

Take metro line B (blue line) towards Laurentina from your nearest metro station. 

Exit the Colosseo metro station and walk to the landmark less than 2 minutes away.

A single metro ticket costs €1.50 in Rome.

This ticket is valid for 100 minutes and allows you to make unlimited transfers between metro lines and buses during that time.

Children under 10 years old travel for free on the Rome metro.

Discounted tickets are also available for seniors, students, and disabled passengers.

How to Get to Colosseum By Tram

Trams are a viable option for reaching the Colosseum in Rome, especially if you’re looking for a budget-friendly and scenic route.

Tram stops are located throughout the city, and the ride can be a pleasant way to see Rome.

Tram lines 3 and 8 take you directly to the Piazza del Colosseo stop, which is right outside the Colosseum.

A tram journey might take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic and where you start. 

Trams in Rome operate from approximately 5:30 am to midnight, with a frequency of 10-15 minutes between them. 

A single tram ticket costs €1.80 and is valid for 100 minutes from validation. 

Tickets can be purchased at newspaper stands (Tabacchi) and Metro stations or downloaded to the ATAC mobile app to buy them online.

Reaching Colosseum By Bus

The Colosseum is well-connected by Rome’s public bus network, making it another budget-friendly and convenient way to get there. 

Several bus routes stop near the Colosseum, offering flexibility depending on your starting location.

If you are coming from the North of Rome, bus routes 38 and 75 will take you to the Colosseum. 

And, if you are in the south of Rome, bus routes 175 and 271 connect to the Colosseum from the southern areas.

Here is the list of bus stops and the bus routes near the Colosseum:

Bus Stop	Distance from Colosseum	Bus Number
Colosseo	Multiple stops around the Colosseum, 2 to 3 minutes away	51, 75, 85, 87, 117, 118, nMB
Celio Vibenna	2 minutes away	75, 81, 85, 87, C3, nMB, nMC
Labicana – Colosseo	3 minutes away	85, 87, 117, n3s
Claudia/Colosseo	3 minutes away	81, 117, nMC
S. Gregorio	6 minutes away	8Bus, 51, 75, 81, 85, 87, 118, C3, n3d, nMB, nMC

A single bus ticket costs €1.50 and is valid for 75 minutes, allowing you to transfer between different buses within that timeframe.

If you plan on using public transportation extensively, a day pass (biglietto giornaliero) for €6 allows unlimited travel on buses, trams, and metro for 24 hours.

Driving to Colosseum

Rome is notorious for heavy traffic, especially in the city center where the Colosseum is located.

Much of central Rome, including the area around the Colosseum, falls under ZTL zones. 

These zones restrict vehicle access during certain hours, and driving through them can result in hefty fines.

Also, you need to look for public parking options outside the ZTL zone and walk from there to your destination. 

However, keep in mind parking can be really challenging and expensive in this area. 

We recommend driving to the Colosseum only if you’re coming from outside Rome and have too much luggage or mobility issues. 

Parking Near Colosseum

Parking near the Colosseum itself is very limited and expensive due to its central location and high tourist traffic.

To help you find a parking spot, we have listed some parking areas where you can park your car and visit the Colosseum without worries.

Parking Lot	Distance	Price (per hour)
Roma – Parcheggio Park Colosseo	350 meters (6 minutes walk)	Starting from €4
Park Services Colosseum	350 meters (6 minutes walk)	Starting from €5
Onepark – Parcheggio Roma – Colosseo	450 meters (7 minutes walk)	€22
Parking Sant’Agata	850 meters (12 minutes walk)	€15
Supergarage Metronio Car park	1.3 kilometers (18 minutes walk)	€20

Getting to Colosseum By Bicycle

Cycling to the Colosseum is a fantastic way to explore Rome and see the sights at your own pace. 

Several bike rental companies operate in Rome, offering various options, from standard bicycles to electric bikes.

Popular choices include:

• Uber Jump Bikes: These dockless bikes are scattered around the city and can be unlocked and paid for using a smartphone app.

• Roma Capitale Bici: This city-run bike-sharing program offers bikes at designated docking stations.

• Private Rental Shops: Numerous shops around the city rent these traditional and electric bikes. 

For a quick route, you can take Via del Fori Imperiali, which offers a dedicated bike lane most of the way

You can also opt for a slightly longer but more scenic route along the Tiber River, which offers beautiful views and is generally less crowded.

A Quick Fact:
The City of Rome is currently developing a project called GRAB (Grande Raccordo Anulare delle Bici) to create a cycling road around the city. 
Part of this plan includes a dedicated bike path connecting the Colosseum directly to the Circus Maximus. 
While not yet fully completed, this route might be an option in the future, offering a car-free and scenic ride.

Walking to Colosseum 

Getting to the Colosseum on foot is a great way to experience Rome and discover its other gems. 

If you’re staying in the city center, you can easily reach the Colosseum by foot. 

You can start your walk from central locations like Piazza Navona or the Trevi Fountain and then walk south on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, a large main road.

As you continue walking the same road for 2 kilometers, you’ll eventually reach the Colosseum on your left-hand side.

The walk should take approximately 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your pace and any stops you take.

Choosing the Right Entrance

The Roman Colosseum has 3 major entrances that are accessible by visitors. 

These three entrances are:

1. the Main entrance
2. the Group Gate entrance
3. the Stern entrance

Main Entrance (Sperone Valadier entrance) It is the most commonly used entry point for visitors. Best for: Visitors with pre-purchased online tickets (including skip-the-line tickets), single tickets bought on-site, and guided tours with official licenses. Location: It is located on the individual visitor side facing the Roman Forum, near the Arch of Constantine.

Group Gate Entrance  Individual visitors are not allowed to enter through this gate. Best for: Pre-booked tours led by professional guides with official licenses for groups of 14 members or a maximum of 50 members. Location: Located on the north side of the monument.

Stern Gate Entrance This gate is the least used and has restricted access. Best for: This entrance might be used for specific events, educational programs, or official purposes organized by the Colosseum itself. Location: Located on the opposite side of the main entrance.

Recommend Reading: A Complete Guide to Colosseum Entrances

How to get from Rome Airport to the Colosseum?

The nearest airport to the Colosseum is Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA), which is about 14 kilometers southeast of the Colosseum. 

This makes it a convenient option for travelers arriving by air and wanting to reach the city center quickly.

You can take the line 720 bus from the airport towards Laurentina and get off at the Laurentina metro station.

From there, take Metro Line B towards Termini and get off at the Colosseo station, which is a short walk from the Colosseum.

Alternatively, you can opt for SIT Bus Shuttle which is a direct bus service from the airport to Termini Station, with a stop near the Colosseum (Termini Giolitti). 

The journey takes about 40 minutes but can be slightly longer depending on traffic.

How to Get to Colosseum from Rome Termini?

The distance between Rome Termini Station and the Colosseum is approximately 3.9 kilometers. 

Public transportation is a great option for this short distance, offering both speed and affordability.

From Termini Station (Rome’s main station), buses 3, 8, 40, 60, 75, 85, 87, 117, 271, and 810 all stop at Piazza del Colosseo, right in front of the Colosseum entrance.

Alternatively, you can take the Metro Line B towards Laurentina and get off at the Colosseo station.

If you love to walk and do not want to take public transport, you can walk to the Colosseum, which will take you about 30 minutes to reach.

How to Get from the Colosseum to the Vatican?

While, the metro is the quickest way to travel between the Colosseum and the Vatican, buses are a more affordable option, although slightly slower than the metro.

You can either take Metro Line B from Colosseo station towards Laurentina and change to Line A at Termini station towards Battistini.

Then, get off at Ottaviano station, which is very close to St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican Museums.

If you want to go by bus, you can take the Direct Bus (Line 64).

This bus takes a more direct route from the Colosseum (Via Cavour/Colosseo stop) to Vatican City (Risorgimento stop).

The journey takes about 35 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

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