Melissajoy

Definitely don't walk! We took the public bus from our hotel, which wasn't far from the colosseum...Public bus is cheap, but hot and crowded in June.

Then we decided to walk back. It is a very tiring walk, and remember the surface you are walking on isn't all flat and smooth like it is here...it's uneven, often cobblestones, and it's hard on the feet. Plus you will do enough walking just touring each site.

We returned a second time to the VAtican, and on the way back since there were only 4 of us this time instead of 5, we took a taxi. Taxis are cheap in Rome if you aren't going too far and you get an official taxi from an official taxi stand. Taxis only hold up to 4 passengers. (You can have your hotel call a special taxi for more than 4 people, but they aren't just hanging around at the taxi stand.)

Melissajoy

By the way, the walk from the Vatican to the Colosseum is definitely NOT easy and NOT very interesting. As I mentioned, we did it once, but it's not worth it, better to take the public bus or a taxi if you have 4 people, as I mentioned. Of course it is POSSIBLE to walk that distance, but NOT preferable. The thing is, you will find plenty of more interesting walk to tire your feet...walking the VAtican Museums for a few hours is tiring enough, and you will walk about the Ancient Rome area, including the Colosseum...Also a nice area for walking is the Piazza Navonna, Trevi fountain, Spanish steps, Pantheon, all within walking distance of each other and a pleasant and interesting walk. You DON'T need to add any unneccesary walk to that!

Your feet will thank you and your kids will enjoy it more if you get a little break by taking a taxi or a public bus where possible, especially since it's cheap!

AlanM1

Wow, am I that out of touch with my fellow travelers about walking? Though I have lived in NYC for my entire adult life, I grew up in the suburbs of Detroit where I would drive around the block to visit my best friend rather than jumping over the fence. I am now amazed at the "DON'T WALK" comments in this posting. Walking is one of the great joys of traveling and we are often on our feet 12+ hours a day (with breaks for meals, drinks, etc). You are able to really experience the city when you walk. I am 45 and never exercise, so I am not a great pysical speciman, I just love to walk, and there is the added joy of eating whatever you want and not gaining a pound! The historic areas of Rome are perfectly manageable on foot and we usually only resort to public transportation or cabs if we are in a hurry or it is pouring rain. I would also like to add once again what are 2 small children going to do with a full day at the Vatican? The roof will work for a little while, but I can't see the art holding their attention for very long. NYCFS please help me out here....

SalB

AlanM1, I'm with you on all the negative comments about walking. Walking is how you see all the little things. It also enables you to eat as much pasta as you want!

We walked to the coliseum by way of via Guilia and it was absolutely lovely including a very strange fountain at the end of the via. There is also an arch with a hanging garden. You don't see these things if you're in a taxi.

It's also good for the kids to get some exercise. Actually, it's good for you too. We are senior citizens so it is entirely possible to walk even if you are over 40. I might add, our kid are now middleaged and none of them is overweight. Walking is a good thing!

NYCFoodSnob

It's crucial to consider several things when planning a walking itinerary in a city like Rome:

(1) How strong are your legs and spine and what is your standing-time threshold after a 3-mile, hard-pavement walk?
(2) Do you intend to browse (standing for hours) either the Vatican Museum or the Colosseum (as in this case) once the trek is over. You must consider the additional strain on your back and legs as you continue to stand on hard pavement and often looking up.
(3) Will anyone be carrying a backpack, purse and/or camera (additional strain)?
(4) Can you afford to stop along the way to look and see and explore? Can you resist the temptation?
(5) With two kids in tow, this really depends on the kids and their age. Are they active, athletic, and easily motivated? Or, do they tire quickly and/or lack stamina? I would never recommend forcing kids to exercise simply because you think they need it, especially while on vacation. That's a surefire way to kill your good time.

Consider all these details and plan accordingly.

platzman

When we visited Rome with a small child in a stroller, we took the Ottaviano metro stop (Line A)less than 1km north of St Peters Square to the Stazione Termini (6 stops) then transferred to Metro Line B to go south 2 stops to the Coliseum. When you exit the Metro stop, the coliseum will be right in front of you. Don't make the trip during the rush hours!