Making myself crazy about travel passes in Florence and Rome

You might end up walking a lot more than you had anticipated in Rome. A transit pass there makes $$ sense only if you take at least three trips a day on transit. Otherwise, buy a handful of transit tickets (at any Tabaccho store) and use them when/if needed. Be sure to validate your one-shot ticket when you get on the bus.

Try not to make yourself crazy over a few euros. Usually we break even on passes, at best, but the convenient of having one makes it worthwhile. You can skip lines with some, hop on a bus when you like without worry. If you do not buy the Roma Pass, be sure to buy you Colosseo tickets in advance online or you will be in a very long line kicking yourself.

Diane, we just got back from Florence with our 11 year old son. The kid discount on the Firenze Pass technically only applies to citizens of the EU. We did not buy our son a pass, and he walked in with us, but he is 11. I have a feeling you might have more trouble with a tall 17 year old. Also, the transit aspect of the Firenze Card is pretty useless, as Florence is not that big. We rode one bus to Pizzale Michelangelo, and that's it. With your list of desired museums, you will not come close to recouping the cost of your pass with your admission prices alone. But here's the thing: the Firenze Card lets you skip lines like no other. At the Accademia, we showed our cards to a guard who walked us to the front of a line past literally (not exaggerating) hundreds of people. It was unreal. I think you have to decide if your money is worth more than your time. And no, I would not buy the Roma Pass since you already have tours and tickets for the Borghese and are planning one for the Colosseum (and the Vatican is not covered by the Roma Pass anyway).

Read the Firenze Card website carefully with regards to the student discount thing if you do decide to buy it.

The Firenze Card website can make you crazy. I had the same issues before I went to Florence a few weeks ago. My 9 year old is an American. Yet, when I bought Firenze Cards for us - she was added to my card at no charge. So, only my husband and I needed cards. That was a nice break. I believe your 17 year old may be added to a parent pass at no charge like my child. For a 17 year old - I would have his passport in hand to prove his age. I purchased my Firenze Cards inside the entrance to Palazzo Vecchio. (Medici/Town Tower). This is on Piazza Della Signoria. It's right next to the Uffizi. It was easy to do. There are two windows - one for cash and one for credit cards. The nice lady spoke English. You can just tell her your son's age and ask before purchasing. There was only a couple of people in line.

Here's a Rome tidbit for you. You can buy a colosseum/Roman Forum pass at the Roman Forum I believe. Then, you can see Roman Forum and just walk over to Colosseum and skip ticket line. I used a Romapass. However, it may be better for you to look up a combo. ticket. Getting in to Roman Forum from street side Via Di Fori Imperiali is easy. Then, there is a one way gate system near the basilica of Constantine that leads to Colosseum area. The entrance is about halfway between colosseum and VE II monument on Fori Imperiali.