Visiting the Catacombs of Rome and How to Get There

Guests often ask us on their second or third morning where to go once they have seen the Vatican and the Colosseum. The catacombs of Rome are the answer I give most, but they sit out on the Via Appia Antica, a long way from Prati, and the opening days are confusing enough that people regularly arrive at a locked gate.

This guide covers which site to choose, what a visit costs, how long it takes, and the simplest way to get there and back from our street without wasting half a day on buses.

What the catacombs of Rome actually are

The catacombs are underground burial galleries dug into soft volcanic tuff between the second and fifth centuries. Roman law did not allow burials inside the city walls, so Christian and Jewish communities cut tunnels outside them, layer upon layer, with niches for the dead stacked along the walls. There are more than 60 known catacombs around Rome, but only a handful are open to visitors, and you can only enter on a guided tour.

Three of them are close together on or near the Appian Way and are the ones most visitors see:

San Callisto. The largest of the three, with around 20 kilometres of galleries on several levels and the Crypt of the Popes, where a group of third century bishops of Rome were buried. Usually closed on Wednesdays.
San Sebastiano. Smaller, with a basilica above ground and well preserved painted Roman tombs below. Usually closed on Sundays.
Domitilla. Just off the Appian Way, with an underground basilica and some of the finest early frescoes. Usually closed on Tuesdays.

Each site also closes for roughly a month in winter, on a rotation so that at least one stays open. If you are visiting between December and February, check the dates before you set off.

Tickets, tour times and what a visit costs

At the time of writing, entry to each of the three main catacombs costs about 10 euros for adults, with reduced prices for children and students. The ticket includes a guided tour of around 35 to 45 minutes, offered in several languages through the day. You buy at the entrance or book online through each site's official page.

Site	Usual closing day	Best for
San Callisto	Wednesday	Scale, history of the early popes
San Sebastiano	Sunday	Painted Roman tombs, a basilica visit
Domitilla	Tuesday	Frescoes, smaller tour groups

Opening hours are typically 10 am to noon and 2 pm to 5 pm, with a long lunch break. That gap catches many people out. If you arrive at 12.15 you may wait almost two hours, so aim for the first tour of the morning or the first after lunch.

Photography is not allowed in some of the galleries, and the guides take that rule seriously. Leave the camera in your bag and listen instead.

Getting to the catacombs from Prati

There is no direct line, but the journey is simple once you know it. From our front door, allow 60 to 75 minutes each way by public transport.

Walk to Ottaviano station and take Metro line A towards Anagnina as far as Termini, about 12 minutes.
Change to line B towards Laurentina and ride three stops to Circo Massimo.
From the stop beside the Circus Maximus, take bus 118, which runs out along the Appian Way. Get off at the Catacombe di San Callisto stop, roughly 20 minutes away. San Sebastiano is one stop further.

Bus 118 runs only every 20 to 30 minutes and less often on Sundays, so check the live times on your phone before leaving the metro. One standard ticket of 1.50 euros covers 100 minutes, which normally includes the metro and the bus if you tap your card on both.

A taxi from Prati to San Callisto takes about 30 minutes in normal traffic and usually costs 25 to 35 euros. A good plan for families is a taxi out in the morning and the bus back once the pace has slowed. If you are new to the city's transport, our guide on getting between Termini and Prati by metro, taxi or bus explains how tickets and contactless payment work.

Why one catacomb is enough for most guests

Many blogs suggest seeing two or even all three catacombs on the same day, since they are close together. I usually advise against it. The tours follow a similar shape: a walk through narrow galleries, a look at loculi in the walls, a chapel or two, and a talk on early Christian symbols. By the second tour, most people are tired, cold and taking in very little.

Pick one and spend the rest of the day outdoors. After San Callisto, walk south along the Appian Way past the Tomb of Caecilia Metella, or rent a bike near the visitor centre. The old basalt road and the open countryside are what guests remember most, and they cost nothing. It is the same idea we suggest in what Rome teaches about slowing down: one place properly is better than three in a rush.

What to wear and bring

Underground the temperature stays around 15 degrees all year. In August that feels wonderful; in November it feels chilly after twenty minutes. Bring a light layer even on a warm day.

Flat shoes with grip. The steps are uneven and the floors can be damp.
Covered shoulders and knees are polite, since these are religious sites, though rules are less strict than at St Peter's.
Water and a snack. Cafes on the Appian Way are few and close early.
Some cash for the bus or a small cafe, as not every kiosk out there takes cards.

The tunnels are narrow and some sections are steep, so they are not suitable for wheelchairs or for anyone who struggles in tight spaces. Guests with limited mobility tend to enjoy the San Sebastiano basilica and the open air section of the Appian Way more.

If you are planning a fuller day beyond the city, our list of day trips from Rome worth the journey pairs well with this one.

Frequently asked questions

Which catacomb in Rome is best to visit?

San Callisto is the best choice for a first visit because of its size and its link to the early popes. Domitilla is a good alternative if you want smaller groups and finer frescoes. Check the closing day for each before choosing, since they differ.

How long do you need at the catacombs of Rome?

The guided tour itself lasts about 35 to 45 minutes. With travel from Prati and some time on the Appian Way, plan for half a day. Adding a walk or bike ride along the old road makes it a pleasant full day.

Can you visit the catacombs without a tour?

No, all the main catacombs open to the public can only be visited with an official guide. Tours run in several languages throughout the opening hours. Booking ahead is useful in spring and around Easter, when groups fill quickly.