Hey everyone!
Just a quick question for those that have traveled to Rome. We have a short 4 days in the city - on one of which we are doing a day trip to Pompeii. Do you recommend booking group tours to see sights such as the Coliseum? It's quite bit pricier than just seeing the sights on your own but I'm thinking it might be the best way to get the most out of a short trip. Hoping someone knows if it's worth it!
Thanks!

I personally liked the tours as it got us past the long line ahead of the 'general admission' tickets...also there is so much to know and see its nice having a guide ti answer all my husbands questions
you also get free time after the tour so u can check out anything not covered. Have fun!

I went in Rome past September and paid in advance for a tour for Vatican and Coliseum. There was a long line for the Vatican so we were pretty happy to skip the line. The tour was boring as hell however. Then, I received an email saying that my tour for the Coliseum was canceled and I am glad that it happened because I went there and there was just no line. There is a lot of guide around the Coliseum so if it is really packed, you can book something there.

I had no issue with lines and Coliseum when I was there in late July. I guess it depends on when you're going and also how much of the history you want to hear along with your sightseeing. I found all the sights to be easily walkable from each other and enjoyed just wandering on my own time. All the sights had audio guides you could pay for if you wanted to listen while walking around. If there is a lineup at the Coliseum just walk over to the forum (across the plaza) and get your tickets there. The ticket is good for all three of the sites in the area (Coliseum, forum, Palatine Hill). On a side note, I would def go to the forum as well. I enjoyed it as much, if not more, than the Coliseum. I was in Rome for 3 days (plus seeing the Vatican on the 4th day before heading to Florence) and felt I had more than enough time to see the sights that I wanted to (not "in depth" but any means, but I knew that going in).

Oh, book a tour for the Vatican though. The lines ups were stupidly long all day, every day.

Don't book if you go after summer holidays.We went late sept and had no more than ten minutes wait at the Vatican or the Coliseum. Lots of guides will try and tell you different on the way in saying how busy it is.Don't believe them

great! Thanks everyone. We are going in November so I'm not concerned about long lines, Thanks so much for sharing

Been there and just went on our own.....wasn't too busy....and if you go on your own not tied down

Pompeii is a good distance away, between the drive and the tour of Pompeii that's one good day for sure. We used "Seven Hills tours" to book a tour of the Vatican, and we did it the day we were at the Vatican, early. We walked right to the front of the line. So you can judge the line length, then find a tour group if the line is too long. Lots of hucksters selling tours outside the Vatican. Depending what you want to see, and your transportation method, (don't drive a rental), a tour will get you the most visits to all there is to see in Rome.