Why Tourists Should Be Cautious Of Where They Purchase Colosseum Tickets In Rome

The Colosseum, one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, attracts millions of tourists every year. Who wouldn't want to wander this ancient amphitheater, envisioning the wildly gruesome gladiator standoffs of history's past? As a top-rated tourist attraction in Italy, the Colosseum captivates and attracts many and is one of the best things to do if you only have one day in Rome. But tourists yearning to explore this historical landmark should use caution when purchasing their entrance tickets as its popularity has led to its notoriety as a hotbed for ticket scams, both in person and online.

While Rome has taken steps to regulate ticket sales and limit the influence of tricksters, many travelers still fall victim to overpriced or unavailable tickets. As capacity is limited, some third-party companies and travel agencies were selling tickets they could not provide when the date arrived. This led to many visitors learning upon arrival that their bookings had been cancelled at the last minute. 

In a more intentional scheme, some tourists shared warnings on Trustpilot about a website designed to look official to fool unsuspecting visitors. In this scenario, dozens of people claim they paid for tickets online but never received them and weren't able to contact anyone for support or a refund. Fortunately, with new changes in the ticketing system, tourists can hope for a safer online booking experience if they visit the attraction's official website.

Be sure to use the new ticketing process

Roman and ancient history buffs aiming to explore the wonders of this gigantic amphitheater can now book through www.ticketing.colosseo.it, the Colosseum's official booking site. Previously, ticketing was done via long in-person lines, third party booking sites, travel agencies, or overpriced ticket hawkers. Now, visitors can experience a one-stop shop on the official website and browse the main page with various purchasing options that include entrance to different areas of the site or guided tours. This change also helps the ancient site track capacity and manage overcrowding.

If the website is getting too much traffic, an estimated wait time and queue will appear. But fear not, this is said to be significantly less than the wait time required to purchase tickets in person. Another significant change that has come as a result of the central booking system is that ticket sales are limited to a one month window. While this may pose a challenge for those who prefer to plan far in advance, the aim is to prevent future disappointment for individuals who purchased tickets through third parties, only to be denied entry at the last minute due to overbooking.

Tips for getting a secure ticket

To ensure a smooth Colosseum ticket experience, book through the official website, and avoid using third parties or travel agencies. There are too many horror stories online of eager tourists arriving outside the Colosseum only to have their guide be a no show. If you're a more spontaneous traveler, you might want to make an exception for this experience. It's a popular attraction and tickets can sell out if you leave the booking until the last minute.

If you're willing to risk it and wait, you can purchase a ticket at the main ticket office of the Colosseum. Hopefully, you won't have to initiate gladiator combat with fellow visitors to gain entrance. Visiting the Colosseum is a dream getaway and essential when building the perfect European travel itinerary, and with a little caution during ticket purchasing, it can materialize into a dream reality.