Borghese Gallery and Roma Pass

You need to call them to make reservations. Tell them that you will have a Roma Pass. I believe the website does not allow you to make reservations without paying. RonInRome.com has a good explanation of the process.

http://www.roninrome.com/%20transportation/galleria-borghese

Yes, easy to phone (although from the West Coast I had to get up early to call during Rome business hours) and English-speaking operators processed the reservation and sent me a confirming email.

The only way to do it with the Roma Pass is to call. I called midnight California time, which was 9 am in Rome (before our time changed, but theirs didn't yet; 8 hours diff right now until next weekend). I had to wait in a telephone queue for about 10 minutes, but when I got through, she was very clear and helpful. I don't have the pass yet, but will purchase it when we arrive, before the Borghese Gallery visit. Decide what time you want to visit before you call. Then plan to arrive 30 minutes before your reserved time.

You do not have to have the pass until you pick up the tickets, about an hour before your reserved time. Be sure that you have not used the pass for more than one other sight. You can also ask your hotel to phone and make the reservations for you, giving them a "time window."

I was just thinking about this situation and plan to ask my hotel to make the reservation for me.

Also, Chani, what do you mean by "be sure you have not used the pass for more than one other site"? I was planning to go to the BG on the 3rd day of my Roma Pass.

Thank you,

Sharon

Thank you David. I knew that. I was mixing it up with the Firenze Card which covers admission for 3 days in Florence. As I understand it, the Roma Pass is free admission to the first two museums and a discount at the rest of them - and free Metro for the 3 days. I think Rick says that if you are going to more than 2 museums and are using the transportation system, that it will pay for itself - and primarily it helps you skip the lines. I am finding researching the best way to use it to be confusing. I don't see anywhere the discounted price for the museums once you have gone to the first two.

I plan to use the Roma Pass for the Colosseum/Palatine/Roman Forum, Capitoline Museums, Castel Sant'Angelo, Ara Pacis, Trajan's Market, National Museum of Rome and Ostia Antica Scavi. I plan to use the 2 free passes for the Colosseum group and the Capitoline Museums or the Trajan Market. The Colosseum seems a given re the potential lines, but I am not sure whether to go to the Trajan Market or Capitoline Museums following the Colosseum. My plan is to see Rome by area - South, East, North, Vatican, and I don't want to waste time going from the Colosseum to Borghese for one Euro, especially when it is necessary to make a reservation at the Borghese anyway.

I will be using the Roma Pass late May. Recommendations are welcome on how to make the visits go more smoothly.

Angie, thank you for letting me butt in on your question. Small world, I was born and raised in The Dalles.

Sharon

Hi Sharon. To find out what the discounts are, you can go to each sight's website. The discounted price with the Roma Pass is the concession ticket price, often only about €2 less than the full price, though it looks like it's €4.50 for the Borghese . The only place the lines are long is usually the Colosseum. The line at the Forum is usually much shorter than at the Colosseum, so you could start there and avoid the really long lines. At the Borghese, you need to arrive an hour before your timed entry, to line up to collect the tickets, then to line up to check all your bags and cameras (including cell phones that take photos), then to get an audio guide (optional), and then again to be among the first of the 200 to enter the galleries. No time saving at the Borghese, just €€.

Are you only going to be in Rome for 3 days? It looks like you are trying to cram in a lot. There's also a transportation pass that tourists can buy at the TI kiosks, if you are in Rome longer. I think you have to buy regular train tickets to Ostia Antica. I suggest you don't try to rush through things to save a few euros, but take your time and enjoy everything you do manage to get to. Rome will be around for a good while and you will return . . . . everyone does!

Thank you Chani. I actually am in Rome for 10 full days - I am just trying to be the most efficient with the Roma Pass. I may do Ostica Antica on a separate day.

Thanks again,

Sharon

Sharon, I recommend Rick's audio tours. You can download them from iTunes and then listen on your MP3 player (or whatever they're now called). He has one for Ostia Antica, the Forum, the Colosseum, and several other sights in Rome. I've enjoyed them all. Be sure to download and print out the accompanying maps.

The National Museum of Rome is spread out in 4 locations. If I remember correctly, the ticket is good for several days and is not expensive. My favorite is the Palazzo Massimo, near Termini, and just a few minutes' walk from the Baths of Diocletian. The third, Palazzo Altemps is near Piazza Navona. I haven't been to the 4th yet.

Thank you David and Chani. I have noted your recommendations. Much appreciated.

Sharon