I cannot find anywhere in the literature related to these passes the answer to my question as to their separate use. I ordered online and received two cards in a "kit". One says Omnia Vatican and one says Roma Pass. Does anyone know for sure if these need to be used in conjunction or if are they completely separate with separate 3 day validation periods that can be used consecutively or even with a gap between usage? We will be in Rome for 10 days and want to make some side trips. We would prefer to divide up the usage of the cards, if possible.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12116 posts
Yes, the cards run on a consecutive 72 hour basis. If you activate your card on a Monday that will be included as the first day and your last day will be Wednesday.
Note: if you start using your card in the late afternoon or evening that will still count as your first day.
Click here to find out more.
Found the above in the FAQ section of this website, which seems to be what you purchased
https://www.romeandvaticanpass.com/contact-rome-pass/#contact_base_wrapper
If you have something else, then you will need help from someone else
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16748 posts
Hi Gabriella -
It's been my understanding that the package (both cards + transport pass) are good only for the SAME 72 hours. That's evident in this text lifted from a page of the website:
https://www.romeandvaticanpass.com/rome-attractions/st-peters-basilica.html
"You can now pre-book your entry tickets to St. Peter's Basilica to reserve your entry slot with the Omnia Vatican & Rome Pass! Simply follow the instructions on your confirmation email and reserve a time-slot within the 72 hours validity of your Omnia Vatican & Rome Pass."
Also see Donna's response on this TA thread:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187791-i22-k9278371-OMNIA_Card_confusion-Rome_Lazio.html
"...the pass lasts for 3 days and the romapass lasts for the same three days. They are valid on the same three days."
So the short answer is no, you can't split up any of the elements of the package: once you start the clock ticking on one, you start them all.
Not to burst your bubble but I wish you'd asked the question about passes here before purchasing them as I don't know as I've seen anyone ever recommend this package. It's going to be very difficult to squeeze enough into 3 days to make it pay, and they've stretched the truth on what some tickets would have cost if purchased individually.
For instance? St Peter's is free (without audioguide you must download to your own device), and you could have purchased "skip the line" entry tickets to the Vatican Museums/Sistine for € 21.00 on the Vatican's website, not the € 30.00 claimed on Omnia Pass website. For just € 38.00, you could have booked your "skip the line" entry tickets + guided tour of both the museums and St Peter's.
Hoho buses are also not a good way to try and sightsee Rome: they tend to get stuck in traffic and can't get visitors directly TO some of the attractions as they're in pedestrian zones. Complaints range from buses too full to pick up new passengers to dirty vehicles and broken equipment. Besides, they don't make sense if you'll have a 3-day transport pass anyway? Essentially, a chunk of the cost of the kit is for a bus you do not need. Depending on the attraction, it can be faster to walk versus ride between them.
Water over the dam now as you've already purchased the "kit" but might be good for other travelers considering the same package to be aware of?
Editing to add: I find the text, "You can now pre-book your entry tickets to the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel to reserve your entry slot with the Omnia Vatican & Rome Pass!" interesting as it seems to indicate that you MUST reserve a time slot for fast-track entry: no different than a cheaper "skip the line" ticket through the Vatican's website. I would read whatever instructions they sent you for doing that carefully?
(Not to worry, whatever works out you'll have a GREAT time in Rome!)
Posted by
77 posts
We got just the Roma Pass when we were there 6 years ago and thought that was a good value as we used the buses/trams a lot. If gave us 2 free admissions (with skip-the-line at the Colosseum) and discounts at other museums.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
They have just sold you a Roma Pass and a Vatican Museum ticket doubling (more or less) the prices you would have paid on the official channels .
The Roma Pass, that includes a transit pass, and the Vatican Museums Tickets are 2 separate products by 2 separate organizations in 2 different countries: they must be used as said on the official sites. Omnia just puts them in an envelope and then send it to the customers they scam.
Rick Steves' forum should warn readers.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16748 posts
I agree, Dario. The Omnia Card website uses some tricky language + erroneous claims that can cause a tourist - like our friend Gabriella here - to think that they're getting a way better deal than they are, such as implying that Colosseum and Palatine/Forum tickets normally cost €12.00 EACH (€24.00) instead of just €14.00 for an advance, 2-day combo ticket, and stating they can "explore the top tier walkways" with the pass. No, they can't. Those tiers are only available with a Belvedere tour but the Roma Pass doesn't cover tours.
Grrrrrr.