hi there,
we are planning a trip to Rome and I had heard that the lover levels at the colosseum were
re open to the public. Does anyone know if this is true? If so, does anyone know how to book a tour? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

hi, there are a couple of other threads about this topic at the moment and it would seem that opening the lower levels was a trial and only done for a short time. I don't think it's available now.

It is available now. We went this past Saturday. You can call and reserve. Since we were already in Rome, we simply booked in person at the counter for the next English tour that afternoon. Went and had a relaxing lunch then returned for the tour.

Here is a previous thread with all the info:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...r-382957-2.cfm

Oh thank you so much!!!!

We are going in Mid May, booked tickets ahead trough tickitaly.com . We just received our tickets last Friday they just opened up for tours.

Thanks again!!!!

I also booked through Tickitaly for a May tour, though as you'll see on the other thread, there's a somewhat cheaper option in Pierreci. You'll have to call over there to book through them, though. For me, it was worth the convenience to book through Tickitaly, given the time difference.

http://www.pierreci.it/16843.aspx

We booked our tickets directly with Pierreci. I called them (011-39-06-3996-7700). The operator spoke good English and was very efficient.
When you call a recording answers in Italian and speaks rapid-fire Italian for options. Press 0 the first time you are asked a question, 3 the second time. After maybe 2-3 minutes an English-speaking operator answered and we were able to book our tickets very easily and quickly.
Much less expensive than using Tickitaly.
Make sure you ask for an English guided tour.
Have a great trip.

That's great news, I'm glad I was wrong. I hope they keep them as a permanent tour.

I called and they said to call back in June.. We are going in August but it is open. Thanks everyone for your help!!

Yup we are going underground in May as well, can hardly wait.

Thanks for the insight!! We are there in late August. Can anyone give me and idea of how long the tour is? We are there for a limited time and I have to put the logistics in place. Thanks again for all this great info!
Definitly bkm'd those two sites!!
Cathy

@Cathy,

Have not yet been, but have seen other posts on this and other popular boards suggesting the tour is about 1.5 hours, including 20 - 30 minutes at the general admission viewing area. Roughly 30 minutes underground, 30 minutes at street level, and 30 minutes at the third level.

A number of people who already have private guides scheduled for the Colosseum/Forum/Palatine, including me, have elected to buy the regular combo admission ticket, pay a 40E fee to Pierreci for use of a private guide, and include 30 to 45 minutes for the underground and third level areas as part of our already scheduled 3 to 4 hour Colosseum/Forum/Palatine tour. Note that this also requires a reserved/prepaid time slot. Just make sure to tell the Pierreci ticket agent that you have a private guide.

Thanks bgmanne! Appreciate the info!
Cathy

I emailed them and there is a 3 hour tour which will include the lower levels.

Thank you luna0100! This information you all have shared and helped with, will certainly help shape our time in Rome!!
Cheers!
Cathy

Well i contacted them and they said I can book directly through this site.
http://www.ticketclic.it/Gb/HTML/musei/colosseo.cfm
I dont know if it is cheaper than tickitaly... but it is worth looking at!

Luna, your link is to a general admission ticket for the Colosseum, Forum and Palantine Hill. Includes a 45 min tour of the Colosseum. I don't thinknit includes the lower level tour of the Colosseum.

The tour including the underground is about 1 1/2 hours. You do not need a private guide since there are usually no more than 15 or so people on the tour. The Guide we had was excellent.
The cost, including admission to the Colosseum, Palantine Hill and the forum as 21.

We used a private guide for the Colosseum, including underground and third level, as part of our 1/2 day tour of the Colosseum/Forum/Palatine. We reserved a time slot with Pierreci (40E) to enter the underground and third level with our private guide. We were at the Colosseum for about 1.5 hours, most all of it underground and third level. Other than our Colosseum chaperone and our guide, we were alone in the underground and third level. We had complete freedom to linger where we wanted to linger, roam around within the allowable area, somewhat direct the conversation, etc. At bit like the difference between being on the tour bus and having your own rental car in Tuscany. We thought it was well worth the extra expense.