How to Get Skip-the-Line Tickets in Rome? Worth It In 2024?

Are you wondering how to find the right skip the line tickets in Rome? I give you all the tips in this article.

If there's one city that's full of world-famous attractions in a very limited space, it's Rome. Indeed, when visiting Rome, it sometimes looks like all the tourists in the city are queuing in a single line.

But there's a trick to not waste hours queuing: Rome's skip-the-line tickets.

Whether it's for access to the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, or even Castel Sant'Angelo, it's possible to buy a skip-the-line ticket that provides access to a priority line.

You can find all the skip-the-line tickets on this website >>

Here are my tips for buying the best skip the line tickets in Rome for the 13 main attractions of the Eternal city. 👇

Top 6 Ways To Skip The Line In Rome

Rome’s attractions draw in millions of tourists every year. The problem is the long queues snaking around the Colosseum or Vatican Museums are all too familiar for visitors.

This is why more and more travelers are looking for a way to skip the queue in Rome to maximize their experience.

Here’s how you can do just that:

1. 🕗 Arrive early: even with a Rome skip the line pass, it’s always best to arrive early. Your skip the line ticket will shave hours off waiting for tickets, but you’ll still face a security line. Being among the first at the security line may mean entering 30 minutes earlier than the rest!
2. 🎟️ Buy Skip the Line tickets: can you buy skip the line tickets in Rome? Yes, but this doesn't exempt you from security checks. However, it does reduce wait times from hours to like just 20 minutes.
3. 🚶‍♀️🚶 Opt for guided tours: Rome skip the line tours include priority entrance as well as commentary of an expert guide. It’s a pricier option but one that will for sure enhance the visit with historical insights and lesser-known facts.
4. 🎫 Evaluate city cards: not sure how and where to buy skip the line tickets in Rome? You also have the option to buy a Roma pass (available here) or a Rome Tourist Card (available here). But please note you might have some difficulty in securing skip-the-line access for precise dates to top sights like the Colosseum and Vatican Museums. Some tips are actually way more efficient to avoid queues.
5. ❄️ Visit during low season: it’s one of the best tips: plan your Rome trip during the off-peak months and this will drastically reduce crowd sizes. Late fall and winter months see fewer tourists and way shorter queues.
6. 🌙 Consider night visits: some attractions offer night tours, so it would be a shame not to experience that! Some night tours come with skip-the-line access and you should not wait more than 20 or 30 minutes in night queues.

Are Skip The Line Tickets In Rome Worth It?

Some will say they’re a waste of money but, in my opinion, skip the line tickets in Rome are worth every penny. In life, the trade-off between time and money is perpetual; if you're not spending one, you're spending the other.

Truth is, while some have shared stories of still facing waits despite having skip-the-line access, these waits are actually way shorter than the alternative.

Imagine a second, some attractions like the Colosseum witness over 9.8 million visitors per year! This statistic was reported by Statista for the year 2022.

No surprise the queues take hours. So even if the skip-the-line tickets don’t offer straight entry with no queues at all, they’re a great option to save your precious time.

What Are Exactly Skip the Line Tickets?

Skip the line tickets in Rome are a shortcut to quicker access to the city's attractions, but let's be straight about it: they don’t offer straight entrance.

Yes, these tickets do bypass the regular ticket lines, but they don't eliminate security checks. Everyone must undergo it. So, while you won't walk right in, you'll join a speedier queue which will reduce your wait time.

For instance, St. Peter's Basilica may be free to enter, but without a skip-the-line option, you could linger in lines for hours!

Should I Buy Skip the Line Rome Tickets?

The busiest (and most expensive) time in Rome actually falls outside summer. It’s Easter week when hundreds of thousands of Christians flock to the eternal city to experience the special Easter traditions and hope to see the Pope preside over ceremonies.

Tip – During this time, skip-the-line Rome tickets which include the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica are highly recommended.

Despite the colder weather, Christmas and New Year in Rome get very busy. You’ll be glad to have skip-the-line tickets when temperatures drop below 10 ºC.

Interesting fact. Although at the height of summer, tourist numbers actually go down in August.

That is because that’s when the Italian go on their beach holidays. Therefore, this is a good time to visit Rome if you must go in the summer. .

Now let's see how to skip the line in Rome for the top 13 Rome attractions !

Tips to Skip the Line at the Top 13 Rome Attractions

Whether you're setting foot in the Eternal City for the first or the fifth time, you absolutely have to know how to comprehend the queues to enjoy the experience.

If you’re a first timer, you may want to skip the line at the Vatican and Colosseum. But your trip probably won’t resume at those top attractions.

If you wish to visit the catacombs and the Villa Giulia, for example, best skip the line tickets in Rome will allow you to save a lot of time.

1. Skip the Line at Vatican Museums

Let's be honest here—who doesn't want to skip the line at the Vatican?

Everyone visiting Rome wants to see the Sistine Chapel which is situated within the Vatican Museums. Of course, the close to 700,000 other works of art accumulated by the Popes over the centuries are also an attraction.

There are different options to get fast-track entry to the Vatican Museums. The most basic one is to simply buy your ticket for a self-guided tour online.

The others are to book a tour or to buy the Omnia Card. If your itinerary allows it, have a look at the breakfast or evening tours when you don’t have to contend with the daytime crowds.

2. Skip the Line at St Peter’s Basilica

Entry to St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City is free. While this can save you money, it’s also a reason for very long queues. However, there is a dedicated access line for holders of skip-the-line-tickets which includes an audio guide.

Another way to avoid the long security check line in front of St Peter’s Basilica is to book a Vatican tour (available here). After visiting the Sistine Chapel, there is a separate entrance to the basilica for people coming from the Vatican Museums.

3. How to Skip the Line in Rome Colosseum

The great Flavian Amphitheatre or Colosseum is Italy’s most visited attraction. With record visitor numbers of up to 9 million annually. So it only makes sense not to wait until you arrive to buy your ticket.

Skip the line Colosseum tickets allow you to go straight to the security line when arriving.

Rome Colosseum skip the line tickets cost €39 (available here) and include the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, where you will also enjoy priority entry.

Tip – See and learn more on a guided Colosseum tour which also includes fast-track entry – check price here. Plus you get access to the underground and arena floor.

4. Skip the Line at Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Though not as busy as the Colosseum, the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are very popular. People are encouraged to visit the latter two because entry is included in the Colosseum ticket.

Naturally, if you book online in advance, you get fast track entry to all 3 attractions. This means more time to explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

If you ask me, definitely worth considering – This means more time to explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

5. Skip the Line at Villa Borghese

Set in the beautiful Borghese garden, the Villa Borghese is home to one of the greatest private art collections in the world. The Galleria Borghese contains excellent examples of ancient Roman, Renaissance, and Baroque art.

Because the Borghese Gallery has a unique reservation system which only allows 360 visitors inside at a time. So it’s highly recommended to book tickets in advance.

Naturally, they include fast-track access. If you wait until you arrive, you may not get a ticket for your preferred timeslot.

6. How to Skip the Line in Rome Pantheon

In the heart of ancient Rome, the Pantheon is an architectural masterpiece. After 2,000 years it still has the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world.

Unlike entry to St. Peter's Basilica, accessing the Pantheon now requires a 5€ ticket. While the price is modest, the demand is high, leading to long queues at the ticket office.

However, you can skip the lines in the Rome Pantheon by booking a guided tour. Tours typically start at 28€ (see last prices here) and provide a comprehensive understanding of this ancient temple through the insights of an expert guide.

Book your Pantheon Rome tickets skip the line tour today (available here) and explore ancient Rome with ease.

7. Skip the Line at Castel Sant’Angelo

Rome’s fortress on the banks of the Tiber River is Italy’s fifth most visited attraction – Castel Sant'Angelo. Close to one million people visit per year.

You can choose to be one of those waiting in long lines for a ticket, or you can buy your Castel Sant’Angelo skip the line tickets (check price here) in advance.

Not only do you get fast-track entry when booking your Castel Sant’Angelo tickets online, but also access to the castle rooms and art exhibitions.

8. Trevi Fountain

The most beautiful and biggest fountain in Rome needs no introduction. Of course, you also don’t need a ticket to see it. Even so, you can benefit from some advice on when to visit to avoid the crowds who come to throw coins.

To take decent pictures and avoid pushy flower sellers at the Trevi Fountain you must either get up very early or wait until just before sunset. Combine your visit with a stop at the Spanish Steps, which are only 10-minute away on foot.

9. Skip the Line Catacombs of Rome

There are a lot of options to visit the Catacombs of Rome without the long hours of waiting.

The best one is probably to book a guided tour, as the site is pretty complex and it would be a shame not to understand the full picture around it.

The Rome Catacombs Guided Tour & Transfer (check price here)  is a great tour if you visit the Roman catacombs for the first time, but the Capuchin Crypt Guided Tour (available here) and the Catacombs of San Sebastiano (from only €15) are also great to visit the site with no long waiting times and small group tours.

10. Villa Medici Skip the Line

Here I invite you to explore the Renaissance elegance of Villa Medici without the wait. Built over a vineyard, it is the seat of Rome’s French academy. It also hosts regular music performances, art exhibitions and open-air cinema.

Don’t miss the beautiful internal facade, the Loggia and the Cardinal’s apartment. The Villa Medici Entry guided tour (get the ticket here) includes skip-the-line entry. It’s a great way to bypass the lines and step straight into this architectural wonder.

11. Bioparco Zoo Skip the Line

This is one of our favorite skip the line tickets Rome for families. Discover the animal kingdom at Rome's Bioparco Zoo without the wait.

It’s home to over 400 species of plants and animals and children will even be able to feed the animals and go for a night safari on special occasions.

With the Skip-the-line access to Bioparco di Roma (Rome Zoo) ticket (available here), you gain immediate access to the zoo. Don’t forget to reserve your spot for special activities at the reservation desk upon entry.

12. Baths of Caracalla Skip the Line

Step back into Rome’s past at the Baths of Caracalla! Choose between the immersive Caracalla Baths & Circus Maximus Guided Tour (check the price here) or the Baths of Caracalla with Pemcards postcard (available here).

Both options offer skip the line entry to the many chambers and rooms of the ancient bathing complex. Those very well-maintained ruins are a great way to discover one of Rome's most spectacular Antique sites.

13. National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia Skip the Line

Leave the beaten tracks and discover Rome’s ancient civilization without delay at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia. This skip-the-line ticket (check the price here) whisks you straight into the Etruscan history with way shorter queues.

Amongst the museum’s masterpieces: the Head of Leucotea, the Pyrgi tablets and relief and the Sarcophagus of the Spouses are not to be missed!

What Is the Best Rome Pass to Skip the Line ?

The first thing to know is that not all city passes are equal, especially when it comes to skipping the line.

Truth be told, none of the Rome city cards and passes – whether it's the Rome Tourist Card, the Roma Pass or the Omnia Card – stand out for their skip-the-line benefits.

Your best bet? Opt for separate skip-the-line tickets for each attraction as discussed in this article.

But if you're looking to save some money, consider combo attraction offers as the second-best thing.

Pass #1 – Rome: Vatican and Rome Experience Pass

The Rome: Vatican and Rome Experience Pass (available here) allows you to visit the city’s most iconic sights without the long waits. Select a 3, 5 or 7-choice pass and tailor your adventure to your interests.

This pass includes the skip the queue Rome Vatican as well as the Colosseum and many more.

Yes it might appear costly at first glance, with the 3-attraction Experience Pass starting at 111 €, the 5-attraction Experience Pass at 168 € and the 7-attraction Experience Pass at 210 €, but this is actually an interesting investment considering the breadth of experiences available and the skip the line entrances.

Pass #2 – Rome: Best of Rome Pass with Public Transport

The Best of Rome All-Access Pass eases your visit to the Eternal City. It combines skip-the-line access at key attractions (Colosseum, Vatican, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, etc.) with public transportation.

This comprehensive pass includes unlimited use of the city's buses and metro. It’s a great way to maximize your time in Rome.

Conclusion

Nobody enjoys standing in line for hours. I mean, who wants to waste time stuck in the blazing Roman sun, right?

And when you're out and about all day (constantly on your feet) the last thing you need is to spend ages waiting in line. Figuring out how to grab those skip the line tickets in Rome isn't exactly a walk in the park either. That's why I put together this guide to help you save some time.

Just remember, skipping the line might cost you a bit more. But hey, now you can decide what you really want to see and grab a skip-the-line ticket to make your time in Rome even sweeter.