We are leaving soon for Rome. I did a lot of research and plan on purchasing a Roma Pass at the airport to get into the Colosseum as one of my sites. Spending limited time in Rome. I thought if I just bought a pass, I could avoid the long ticket line and just stand in the long security line. I recently read - could it be an old webstie? - that to avoid the long line, one should call and pay to get an entry time(?????) This is in addition to paying for the Roma Pass. Also, there was something about paying for an English speaking tour and avoiding all entry lines except the security line. I'm confused and need some hand-holding please and clarification... What steps should I do to avoid the ticket line and just go through security? Where do I exactly go with a Roma Pass so I am not waiting and wasting time? Do I need a timed reservation?
Should I do an English tour - does that save any time? Thought about doing Rick's downloaded tour, but if I pay for an English tour, doesn't it save time on line or not? Thanks for helping to clear up this mess RickHelpers!
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Your romapass will get you past all the lines at the colosseum. There is no need to hire a guide or pay for a time slot if you have the romapass. The line on the right is for people paying for tickets and is the long line. Just go up the left side and you'll be fine. Donna
Posted by
OP
fargo
43 posts
Mille Grazie, Donna. How kind of you to reply so quickly! Have you ever bought a Roma Pass? Can one still purchase it at the Airport? Thanks, again.
Posted by
OP
fargo
43 posts
Donna or anyone else... Just wondering.... Why do you think there is an option to purchase a timed entry? Who is using that option? If people with Roma Passes just walk in, wouldn't that cause confusion, and don't they need to create some groupings of people with Roma Passes so there aren't too many going in at the same time? Thanks.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
I don't know why people would want to book a specific time other than to add a tour to their itinerary. The regular tickets allow you entry at any time so booking a time slot doesn't make sense to me. The official ticket seller (pierreci) sells entry tickets and don't require you to pick a time for entry. If you have a romapass you can enter at any time just like if you pre-purchase entry tickets. Donna
Posted by
Eureka, IL
65 posts
AE,
First of all you should stop trying to figure out Italians or their lack of system. You will run into stuff a lot in Italy that you say "why are they doing this or that"? My wife and I bought Roma Passes at one of the many tobacco shops all over Rome. The transportation from the airport to termini will not be covered on the Roma Pass. I think it is the Leonardo Express and you need a seperate ticket. The Pass covers three days of transportation on the LOCAL metro and busses. Like the previous poster said the line on the right is to buy tickets and the line on the left is entrance/security/ check ticket line. Sorry I don't know about the tours because we had a private guide. The only reason I did a private guide was because I love the Colliseum & Forum and wanted to know as much as possible from an expert. I highly recommend the Rick Steve's Audio tours as well for walks and sites. Have a Great trip.
Posted by
Cookeville, Tn, usa
7 posts
My husband and I will be in Rome for four days starting 9/14. We are staying near the Colosseum where we have stayed before and I know there is a tobacco shop in the Metro across from the Colosseum where you can buy the Roma Pass. That is where we are going to buy it.
Posted by
point pleasant beach, nj, usa
646 posts
Maybe your confusion comes from the "Underground Tour" of the Colosseum. This must be reserved in advance and does have a timed entry. There is also an extra fee associated with this tour. You don't have to reserve this in order to do the regular Colosseum tour. Have been there before. We didn't hire a guide, but did purchase the audioguide. As Rick said it is a bit "dull." I found it helpful. Can't wait to go back.
Posted by
OP
fargo
43 posts
Thanks to all who have responded. What I read did not relate to the underground tour There was a description of how signing up for a tour (approx 4E) and getting a particular time (approx 1.50E) bypasses the long wait to get in. However, if I can do what Donna (responder above) suggests by just using the Roma Pass, then I think everything should be okay and we won't have any long wait -- hopefully.
Posted by
Huntington Beach CA
1116 posts
I got my Roma Pass at a tabacchi store on Via Cavour across the Forum entrance when I was there last October. I did have to go to 2 stores because the 1st one ran out. Getting into the Colosseo, I followed advice from this helpline and what a previous poster had already mentionedstick to the left side! The line on the right is long & for people that need to buy tickets. Once they scanned our pass and we were in, it was a bit confusing because we couldn't find any signs on where the actual entrance was so we followed where the crowd was going, figured out our location, then we just followed Rick's tour that we had downloaded to our Ipod. Don't forget, it's the pass is also good for entrance to the Forum and Palatine Hill and counts as 1 admission for all so you can still use the Roma Pass for 1 more free admission to a different site. I used mine for the Borghese Gallery as well. Have a great time!
Posted by
Cesena, Italy
791 posts
I think it took us something like a 5 min wait in line with the Roma pass. You'll be fine. Also, the TI offices sell the pass too.