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Roma pass?

Posted by (Lynden, WA) on

We arrive in Rome on June 11. 6 of us (I've posted before). Just figured out that our hotel is 5km from the Vatican (south and west a bit)...which puts us a distance from the city center as well. I'm reconsidering the 3 day Roma pass. Even though we will want to do a lot of walking inside the city, figure the bus or metro might be a great way to get from our hotel. We are definitely planning on the colosseum/forum so that would be included and it gives us the flexibility to choose a second MAJOR site (suggestions??). As well as other sites. We will, of course, be doing St. Peter's (I love it that RS endorses it so highly), but that isn't included on the Roma pass. So...is it a good idea? Easy to use? And...I can't seem to find a conclusive answer...do kids get in free to the colosseum/forum? I have a 11 year old and a 14 year old.

Thanks! By the way...I think this forum is amazing. Absolutely amazing. Thank everyone so much for all the insight.

Posted by
60 posts

I THINK I may have found my own answer. The colosseum site says under 18 is free (my 18 year old misses it by 7 days!). So then the Roma pass really isn't a great deal given that we have two that get in free. I think I will instead try to buy a 72 hour bus pass... I think that's possible? I'm confused...but excited to go!

Posted by
34337 posts

Which hotel has your husband booked so far out of town? You may be beyond the reach of easy bus service. Of course the hotel will tell you somewhere on its website how they suggest to do it. It sounds like a large US chain hotel, and they usually do that.

I'd be worried if the only way they suggest is their shuttle.

Posted by
34337 posts

That would be the Holiday Inn Pisana (named after the road it is on)?

The main page of the hotel is pretty clear that the best way to reach the centre is to use their "scheduled shuttle". My experience with these (not there but at other properties) is that they tend to have some coverage in the morning and late afternoon, but finish early and are spotty during the middle of the day. I'd ask. A recent review on their website spoke of paying €15 to €20 for taxis as far as the Vatican. It wouldn't take many of those to eat up points discounts.

What they don't tell you is that there is a bus stop outside the hotel, the next to last on the number 881 bus which winds its way through the neighborhoods eventually finishing at the other end at Vatican City, on the central Rome side, near or at Piazza di Risorgimento. That would be cheap but fairly slow.

Posted by
16753 posts

If it's Holiday Inn Pisana (which is indeed quite some distance from central Rome), you probably should take a look at the reviews on Trip Advisor and booking/com as there's some helpful info from previous guests such as:

"There is a shuttle service that runs about 5 times a day from the hotel and back again. There are only 8 seats and it's first come first served. The hotel don't run the bus, the driver does so speak to him. It costs €2 each way. It drops you off outside of the Vatican, which is great if that's where you want to go."

Enough complaints about the shuttle that, with 6 of you, I would not rely on it.

Lots of mentions about the 881 (takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on traffic) and that the hotel desk sells individual-ride BIT tickets but it's possible they might sell multi-day passes too.

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