Castel Sant'Angelo

The Vatican and Castel Sant'Angelo are administered by two different entities, no combo ticket as far as I can tell. You can buy your ticket (E8) onsite, I think they are available online as well but it's not necessary to purchase them ahead of time.

This is one of the sights covered by the Roma Pass - are you planning on getting a Roma Pass, which can get you savings on sights and let you skip lines?

Castel Sant'Angelo is in Italy, Vatican Museums are in a different country, Vatican City; there are no joint tickets.

It is easy to just wander up and get tickets at your leisure. Much of the property is open free of charge to the public - in fact many local dog walkers use the moat every day. Some of the dogs are really cute, and many are quite athletic. I have stayed in an apartment across the street (loved it) and felt really at home walking through the grounds.

Entry price is now €10.50, discounted on the Roma Pass if you are going that way The over 65 free entry is gone, to be replaced as in so many places in Rome with free entry for all one day a month.

Wow, thank you so much for the responses! Greatly appreciated! I was just looking into the Roma Pass but I'm not sure if it would be worth it for us because the only places that we want to go to that cost are: The Vatican Museums, Castel Sant'Angelo, Colloseum/Roman Forum, and the Basilica of San Clemente. We only have 3 1/2 days in Rome. I know the pass includes transportation too, so that might be a good reason to do it. I guess I need to check the forum for Roma Pass info! ;) We've never been to Italy before so the whole prospect is a little overwhelming but very exciting! :)

The Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano was a great surprise for us in December 2012. The church above ground is free to enter, but the underground church and archaeological site beneath have a nominal fee. I didn't recall using our Roma Pass there, and here's the Website for the Pass http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?t=columns&c=2&l=en&tid=2ground-leve . I didn't see San Clemete on there as a listed location, but was reminded that there's a cheaper 48-hour Pass in addition to the regular 3-day pass. Since your Colosseum admission also covers the nearby Forum and Palatine Hill, you could pop in there for a quick visit, if you had the desire and the time. We had a week and left with lots still on our Wish List to see and do. Have a great 3 1/2 days in Rome!

Most churches that are still in use as churches are not included in the RomaPass. There are three entities administering the sights in Rome: The Comune of Rome, the State of Italy, and the Vatican (all active Roman Catholic churches and church properties). As previously noted, entrance to active churches is free, but to see certain areas (dome climbs, bell towers, treasuries, crypts) you will probably have to pay a small fee.

A three day BTI bus pass costs €16.50.

€10.50 for Castel Sant'Angelo

3 day Roma Pass is €36.00.

I know that the ancient Rome site is more than €9. For you it may make sense.

Hi Davis!

Castle Sant'Angelo is located to the right before you enter The plaza in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

My 23 yr old daughter & a couple from our group visited the Castel after our Vatican tour. The three did not experience any problems with obtaining tickets on site. My daughter brought back some interesting photos.

Ciao!

Basilica San Clemente is a terrific choice. Provides a fantastic sense of the "layers" of Rome. Also, check out the small restaurant directly across the street from the entrance--oh, also beware of the opening/closing hours of San Clemente particularly in the middle of the day. Enjoy.

Davis, I would agree that a pass is probably not worth it for the few attractions on your list but I might mention that with 3 and 1/2 days, you would able to see more than just the Vatican museums, Colosseum/Forum/Palatine, Castel Sant'Angelo and San Clemente if you're so inclined. There would be any number of additional places we might add to that list - not that many of those require a pass or entry fee.

I wouldn't personally recommend a pass simply for the transport piece as it was less expensive for us to walk and purchase individual transport tickets for the few times we wanted to get somewhere in a hurry.

Thank you so very much to all that replied! So impressed with this forum! I really appreciate all of the tips and advice. We definitely have more on our itinerary than I mentioned above but those were the only places (I think!) that require tickets. Who needs sleep when only in Rome for 3 1/2 days! ;) I think I read that I need to stay on topic so I'll ask a new question about the walk-ability of Rome! That might make it easier for me to decide if we need the Roma Pass!