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Get the best of ancient and modern Rome in one smart combo — the Colosseum Ticket and Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour, entry to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill with unlimited open-top bus access across Rome's most iconic stops. Spend the morning exploring the grandeur of ancient Rome at your own pace, then hop aboard the double-decker for a relaxed, commentary-led cruise past the Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and beyond — all on a single combined ticket

Key Highlights

  • Entry to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill 
  • Explore the Colosseum's ground floor and second tier with views over the arena floor and underground hypogeum, where gladiators once waited
  • Hop aboard an open-top double-decker bus with audio commentary in 8 languages and free Wi-Fi on board
  • Admire Rome's greatest landmarks from the top deck — Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Venezia, and Circus Maximus
  • Choose 24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off validity

About Colosseum Ticket & Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

The Colosseum Ticket and Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour is the most practical and popular combo for first-time visitors to Rome — combining the city's single most visited paid attraction with the most flexible way to cover the rest of the city's highlights in a single purchase. Starting at the ancient heart of Rome and finishing wherever the city takes you, this combo turns a full day — or two — into a seamless and stress-free Roman adventure.

Your Colosseum timed entry ticket access through the priority entrance at your reserved time slot, bypassing the queues that regularly stretch to two hours at the main gate. Inside the amphitheatre, explore the ground floor and second tier, stand above the partially reconstructed arena floor, and peer down into the underground hypogeum chambers where gladiators and wild animals were staged before the spectacles above. After the Colosseum, your 24-hour ticket also grants access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill — the ancient city's political heart and the elevated hill with sweeping views across the ruins below — completing the full ancient Rome experience.

From the Colosseum, board the hop-on hop-off bus at the adjacent stop for an immediate transition into the modern city — audio commentary in 8 languages begins the moment you take your seat on the open-top deck. The route covers 8 central stops connecting the Colosseum with Circus Maximus, Piazza Venezia, the Vatican, Trevi Fountain area, Spanish Steps, Santa Maria Maggiore, and the Borghese Gallery area — with buses running every 10 to 20 minutes throughout the day. The free Sightseeing Experience app provides real-time bus tracking and a self-guided walking tour for use when you hop off. Book your Colosseum Ticket and Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour now on Thrillark and save up to 16%.

Inclusions

  • Access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill — valid for 24 hours from first Colosseum entry
  • 24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass — City Sightseeing Rome route with access to ORP routes
  • Audio commentary in 8 languages on board all buses
  • Free Wi-Fi on all buses
  • Free Sightseeing Experience app

Exclusions

  • Food and beverages
  • Personal expenses

Insiders' Tips

Activate the hop-on hop-off bus ticket on the day after your Colosseum visit to maximise both tickets across two separate days. Visit the Colosseum first thing at opening to beat the crowds, then explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill in the afternoon

Additional Information

Operating Hours
  • 9:00 am - 05:45 pm
Child policy
  • Children under 5 years are free of charge but will not be entitled to a seat.
Additional info
  • Please note that admission for visitors under 18 years can only be purchased onsite.
  • Join the hop-on hop-off bus tour by boarding at any designated stop at your preferred time within your ticket's validity period.
  • Each ticket has unlimited usage within your chosen timeframe, valid from when you first hop on the bus.
Bus stops:
  • Stop 1 - Terminal A (Via Marsala)
  • Stop 2 - Santa Maria Maggiore
  • Stop 3 - Colosseo
  • Stop 4 - Circo Massimo
  • Stop 5 - Piazza Venezia
  • Stop 6 - Vaticano
  • Stop 7 - Piazza di Spagna
  • Stop 8 - Piazza Barberini (Vai Barberini, 14)
  • Stop 9 - Enrico de Nicola

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellation at least 5 days before the travel date for a full refund

Colosseum Ticket & Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the Colosseum Ticket and Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour combo?
The combo includes timed skip-the-line entry to the Colosseum covering Levels 1 and 2, plus 24-hour access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, combined with a 24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass on the City Sightseeing Rome network with access to the ORP routes. Audio commentary in 8 languages, free Wi-Fi on board, and the free Sightseeing Experience app with real-time bus tracking are also included. The Colosseum Arena Floor, Underground sections, and entry to attractions along the bus route such as the Vatican Museums are not included and require separate tickets.
Can I use the Colosseum ticket and the hop-on hop-off bus on different days?
Yes — and this is actually the recommended approach to get the most out of the combo. The Colosseum entry and Roman Forum access are used on Day 1, and the hop-on hop-off bus can be activated on Day 2 to explore the Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and the rest of the city — stretching the combo across two complete days of sightseeing. Simply do not activate the hop-on hop-off bus ticket until the morning of your second day, as the validity countdown begins from first boarding.
Does the hop-on hop-off bus stop at the Colosseum?
Yes — the City Sightseeing Rome hop-on hop-off bus has a stop directly adjacent to the Colosseum, making it straightforward to transition between the two parts of the combo on the same day. You can board the bus immediately after completing your Colosseum and Roman Forum visit, without needing to travel to a separate boarding point. The same stop also provides easy access to the Arch of Constantine and the entrance to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill for visitors who want to explore the archaeological park before boarding.
How often does the Rome hop-on hop-off bus run?
The City Sightseeing Rome hop-on hop-off bus runs every 10 to 20 minutes during peak season from approximately 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and every 20 to 25 minutes during off-peak months with a slightly earlier last departure. Two ferries — in this case buses — operate on the route simultaneously during busy periods to maintain frequency at all 8 stops across the city. The free Sightseeing Experience app included with the combo shows real-time bus locations and arrival times at every stop, so you never need to guess how long the next bus will take.
Is the Vatican included in the Rome hop-on hop-off bus route?
Yes — the City Sightseeing Rome hop-on hop-off bus route includes a stop at Vatican City near St. Peter's Basilica, making it an easy and scenic way to travel between the Colosseum area and the Vatican district without navigating Rome's busy roads independently. Entry to St. Peter's Basilica is free for all visitors but requires a separate queue, while the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel require a separate paid ticket not included in this combo. If you plan to visit the Vatican during your hop-on hop-off day, booking Vatican Museums entry in advance is strongly recommended as it sells out weeks ahead during peak season.
What languages is the hop-on hop-off bus audio commentary available in?
The City Sightseeing Rome hop-on hop-off bus provides pre-recorded audio commentary in 8 languages — English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Russian — delivered through the on-board speaker system as the bus travels between stops. Personal headphones can be used for a more private listening experience, and the free Sightseeing Experience app provides additional walking tour commentary in 5 languages for use when you hop off at individual stops. The combination of the bus commentary and the app's walking tour content makes this combo a genuinely comprehensive self-guided Rome experience.
How long should I allow for the Colosseum visit?
Most visitors spend between 1 and 1.5 hours inside the Colosseum when exploring the ground floor, second tier, in-house museum, and views of the arena floor at a comfortable pace. After the Colosseum, the adjacent Roman Forum and Palatine Hill add another 1.5 to 2 hours for a complete ancient Rome experience — meaning the full archaeological complex typically fills a comfortable morning or afternoon. Arriving at the Colosseum at the first available time slot of the day is strongly recommended, as the site is significantly quieter at opening and the transition to the hop-on hop-off bus can then be made in the early afternoon when the rest of the city is most accessible.
What is the difference between the 24-hour and 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus option?
The 24-hour hop-on hop-off option is ideal for visitors who plan to use the bus on a single day after their Colosseum visit, covering the key city highlights in one focused session. The 48-hour option suits visitors spending two or more days in Rome who want the flexibility to use the bus across two separate days — exploring the Vatican area one day and the Trastevere, Borghese, and Piazza Venezia areas on another. Given that the Colosseum ticket and Roman Forum access already fill the majority of one full day, many visitors find the 48-hour hop-on hop-off option better value as it provides a full second day of city exploration with the bus.
Are there bag restrictions for the Colosseum combo ticket?
Yes — bags and backpacks larger than 30 x 30 x 15 cm are not permitted inside the Colosseum, and this rule is strictly enforced at security. Bag storage facilities are available near the Colosseum entrance for a small additional fee, and visitors are advised to travel as light as possible when visiting the archaeological site. There are no bag restrictions for the hop-on hop-off bus component of the combo — standard luggage and bags can be carried on board the City Sightseeing Rome buses without restriction.
Do I need to book the Colosseum Ticket and Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour in advance?
Yes — advance booking is essential for this combo, as the Colosseum releases timed entry tickets only 30 days ahead and popular morning slots during peak season sell out within hours. Booking through Thrillark saves up to 16% on the standard combined rate with instant confirmation and both tickets secured together before you travel to Rome. Walk-up Colosseum tickets at the gate are not reliably available and on-site queues for the ticket office can add two hours or more to your visit — making advance booking the only sensible approach for this combo.

Ratings & Reviews

Colosseum Ticket & Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

USD 79.49

Insiders’ Tips

Activate the hop-on hop-off bus ticket on the day after your Colosseum visit to maximise both tickets across two separate days. Visit the Colosseum first thing at opening to beat the crowds, then explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill in the afternoon

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