Another vote for private excursions in Rome. If you’ve not already done so, please read the Know Before You Go for CV26, the one which includes inside the Colosseum ,especially the 13th point which says -
- Due to a maximum capacity at the Colosseum, groups with reservations may be stopped and delayed. If the queue at the Colosseum is longer than a 45-minute wait, your guide will forego entering the Colosseum, providing a full explanation on the grand ruins from outside. Additional free time will be given to compensate.
They will skip going inside and you get no compensation or “refund”except free time.
CV32 has similar wording in the 12th point re skipping inside the Vatican -
- Should your guide determine that the queue at the St. Peter's Basilica security check point is longer than a 45-minute wait, they will forego the interior visit of the basilica and provide you with a full explanation and description while outside. You will be provided more time during your shopping or free period to compensate for not entering the basilica.
Busses often have to park farther away - the Know Before You Go info also notes there may be an added walk of over half a mile to get closer to entrances, which could impact any inside touring time.
Also, for any tours with include a stop at Trevi Fountain, starting 1 February 2026 the city of Rome is instituting a tourist fee of €2 per person to be able to go on the famous steps. No word yet on how that will be done or whether any port adventures will include the paid access or it would just be a photo op from afar.
https://www.reuters.com/world/rome-charge-tourists-get-close-famed-trevi-fountain-2025-12-19/
Because of the distance to/from Rome along with the traffic, many PAs to Rome with inside visits include such caveats. As noted above, any group only goes as fast as the slowest people. If your heart is set on going inside either the Vatican or Colosseum, or both, then a private tour is the only way to go.
We used Tours by Locals, where you can also customize most any tour. We were first off, into our tour-included car, and on the road while the excursion groups were still gathering at the meeting point checking in, and making their way to security to exit. Yes it might be a pricier option, but seeing the crowds & traffic in Rome it was totally worth it to ensure seeing the things on the Rome wish list.
