Roma Pass - Borghese and Colesseum/Forum/Palatine

If you go to their web page (http://www.romapass.it/english/musei/archeologici.html) you see that they list the "BIG 3" as one site - so it appears you can use your Roma Pass in such a way!

You do not need to book the Colosseum online but you will need to schedule a "reservation" at Borghese. They limit 320 people to a 2-hr window. Their website is: http://www.ticketeria.it/ticketeria/borghese-regolamento-eng.asp - Just get the reservation and use your Roma Pass when you get there - do not pre-buy! When you enter the museum 1/2 hour before your slot, head to the right and you will see the desk where you pick up your tickets!

Very convenient to use the ATAC bus, train, metro system within the ATAC regional circle --- That zone will cover your needs! There are many "express" routes like the #40 which can get you across town... here's the ATAC website, click on the British flag (on the right side) if it does not load up in English!

http://www.atac.roma.it/

Ciao,
Ron

Thanks a lot Ron! I will check out the websites you mentioned.

If I don't pre-book the Colesseum online, then won't there be a long line for the entrance when I go there?
Also, is there no chance of the Colesseum being full on the particular day we wish to see it? i.e. as you mentioned the Borghese only allow 320 ppl every 2 hours, is there no limit for the Colesseum/Forum/Palatine?

On a side note - do I need to do the Colesseum/Forum/Palatine in any particular order or can I pick up my tickets using the Roma Pass at any of the three?

Thanks once again - you have been very helpful and this forum is very informative!

I have not used a Roma Pass in many, many years but back then you had to "convert" your Roma Pass to Colosseum tickets (back then the Forum was FREE!). The best place to do so and pick up your BIG 3 ticket which works at EACH venue is on Via di San Gregorio - the Palatine Hill entrance. Most folks forget about this one; always has the shortest lines!

When you approach the Colosseum you may see a long line - or two lines. These are for security. Get in the left line (or shorter line). Once you clear security, GO LEFT AND STAY LEFT! You will bypass all those people waiting to BUY tickets. Go directly to the turnstiles and enter!

The Big 3 will never be "full." Just depends on how long people want to wait in line! You can use your tickets in any order - and even go back the next day before 1:30 PM if you do not see it all! Make sure you go by the House of Augustus when you're on Palatine hill - it just opened up and is incredible!!

Hope that helps!
Ciao,
Ron

we just returned and bought the roma pass at the borghese...also make a reservation there....then we used it at the colleseum//forum and palatine hill(this counted as one)..we did not have a reservation at the collesseum but after security go to the entrance line and it bypasses the ticket line..worked great and then we used it on buses and metro for three days . I called the borghese for a reservation jo

Thanks a lot for all your help! You have been great :)

Would you recommend buying the Roma Pass in advance, or just purchasing it when we get there? What sort of places is it available?

We are leaving for Italy in a few days - I CAN'T WAIT!!! :)))

I'd wait till I got here - they are available in many, many locations... Here's the website link that shows where you can buy them:

http://www.romapass.it/(S(1bu5cru5gxzsw145kpwyen55))/acquista.aspx?l=en

Ciao,
Ron

We were able to buy Roma passes at our hotel desk-we just got them when we checked in, so very convenient. I noticed the link Ron gave doesn't say anything about hotels, so I don't know if many hotels sell them or not. But it might be worth asking if you are staying at a hotel. We used the pass just as you described in your questions ("free" entrance to forum/colosseum and Borghese). We used both metro and buses, but to be honest the buses were very crowded and harder to figure out (makes sense-there are more of them, they go and stop more places). The difficulty with the buses being really crowded is that it can be hard to figure out where you are if you can't see out, and then it is hard to know where to get off the bus!

Kathy makes a great point about the crowded busses, but if you ask the driver or other passengers they will tell you when to exit!

Romans are very proud of their bus knowledge! If you're not sure how to say it, just write it (BIG) on a piece of paper by address or name(In Italian).

When I first came here I used this tactic often, and now I find myself helping other folks often! The bus system will save you a lot of walking - Good Luck!!!

Ciao,
Ron