The short route: Metro to Colosseo
The easiest way is the metro. Take Line B or Line C to Colosseo, the station for the Colosseum and the Forum. Metro C now runs all the way to Colosseo, so you can change between B and C there. Do not rely on older guides that say Line C ends at San Giovanni.
The Forum lies between the Colosseum and the Capitoline Hill. From the station you walk to the entrance you have chosen. Note that a metro exit is not the same as a ticket gate: the station brings you to the area, and your ticket decides where you go in.
Lift closure at Colosseo, 5 to 25 October 2026
This is dated information, so check whether it still applies on your day.
What is closed
From 5 October until the end of service on 25 October 2026, the lifts at Colosseo/Fori Imperiali cannot be used, neither for the change between Line B and Line C nor for access to the platforms. The escalators work.
If you cannot use stairs
From San Giovanni, buses 51, 85 and 87 are the alternative, and assistance for travellers with reduced mobility is offered. Plan the journey before you leave.
After 25 October
The closure ends with the last service on 25 October 2026. Check the current status of the lifts if you travel soon after.
Forum tours with a meeting point
Guided visits of the Forum and the Palatine, with live prices and availability. Check each listing for the meeting point and whether the entry ticket is included.
Ways to get there
From the closest option to the more indirect ones.
| Option | Where it takes you | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Metro B or C | Colosseo station | Lifts out of service 5 to 25 October 2026, escalators work |
| Bus | Lines 51, 75, 81, 85, 87 and 118 | Check the stop for your line |
| Tram 3 | – | Not a dependable direct route at present, because service has changed after network works; check the route for your day |
| Car | Historic centre | Restricted zone for unauthorised vehicles |
| On foot | Along the Via dei Fori Imperiali | The street runs between Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum |
The entrances
The Forum and Palatine area has five named entrances.
Largo della Salara Vecchia
The address is Largo della Salara Vecchia 5/6. The guided evening visit and the Horrea Piperataria tour use this gate.
Map and route →Arco di Tito
The entrance by the Arch of Titus, at the foot of the climb to the Palatine and next to the Via Sacra. It is not a free passage from outside. You need a valid ticket to go in.
Via di San Gregorio
Another of the named entrances to the area. Gate hours can differ, so follow the signs on the day.
Via del Tulliano and Via del Foro Romano
Two further named entrances. Do not assume that every gate is open at every hour.
Fares and tickets for transport
Public transport tickets are separate from the Forum entry ticket.
The city fare
The standard city ticket (BIT) costs €1.50 in 2026 and is valid for 100 minutes from the first validation. On the metro it counts as one ride. Validate it before you start your journey.
The card surcharge
At a machine, a new rechargeable paper card with a value below €4.50 costs €0.50 extra. From €4.50 it is free. Your first physical ticket can therefore cost more than the fare alone.
Not the same as entry
A transport ticket does not get you into the Forum. For entry prices and the combo with the Colosseum, see the ticket guide.
Driving and the restricted zone
The historic centre has a restricted traffic zone (ZTL). For unauthorised vehicles it applies from Monday to Friday between 6:30 and 18:00 and on Saturday between 14:00 and 18:00. A separate night zone has its own rules. A museum or site ticket does not give you the right to enter the zone by car. Check the parking situation before you drive, because there is no fixed point to aim for. For most visitors the metro is simpler.
Step-free alternatives inside the site
Inside, there is a route that avoids the Via Sacra. It leads to the House of the Vestals, the Temple of Romulus, the Lacus Iuturnae, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, the Forum square and the Curia. The Palatine still has slopes and uneven ground, so do not expect the whole site to be fully accessible.
Combining the Forum with other places
The Colosseum stands next to the Forum, and the standard combo ticket covers both. For the monument itself see the Colosseum guide. The Trajan's Markets have their own entrance at Via Quattro Novembre 94 and their own ticket, described under the Imperial Forums. If you are arriving in Rome from an airport or a cruise port, the layover guide covers the transfers.
Getting to the Roman Forum: frequently asked questions
Which metro station is closest to the Roman Forum?
Colosseo, on Line B and Line C. From there you walk to the entrance you chose, such as the one at Largo della Salara Vecchia or the one by the Arch of Titus.
Does Metro C go to Colosseo?
Yes. Line C runs to Colosseo, and you can change there between B and C. Lifts at the station are out of service from 5 to 25 October 2026, while the escalators work.
Which buses go to the Forum?
Lines 51, 75, 81, 85, 87 and 118 serve the area. Check the stop and the timetable for your line on the day.
How much is a metro ride in Rome?
The standard city ticket costs €1.50 in 2026 and is valid for 100 minutes from the first validation. A new rechargeable paper card with a value below €4.50 costs €0.50 extra.
Can I drive to the Roman Forum?
You can reach the surrounding streets, but the historic centre has a restricted zone for unauthorised vehicles on weekday daytimes and on Saturday afternoons. A ticket to the site does not allow you to enter it by car.