WE are in rome for just two days and want to buy the 48 hour Roma Pass. I am fine buying it online but wonder if it is easier and quicker to buy it in Rome. Our hotel is near the Ponte Sisto so trying to figure out closest location to pick up the pass if we buy it online. Our first stop is the Colosseum. Thanks for your advice.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
You can buy it at the Palatine entrance, the Pass treats the Colosseum/Palatine/Roman Forum as one sight. The Palatine is also much less crowded, so you can get the pass there and skip the lines at the other places.
You can also buy it at tourist information kiosks and some newsstands.
The RomaPass website lists locations.
Posted by
Lewiston, Idaho, USA
2091 posts
Realize that this is old information but in 2011 we tried to buy the Roma Pass in several locations on different days and none of the sights had any left. Hopefully that has been remedied but wanted to warn you that it can happen. Fortunately with reservations and prearranged tours, we never had to wait too long.
Posted by
Huntington Beach CA
1116 posts
I havent checked the website lately but for my 2013 trip I remember that even if you buy it online, you have to exchange your voucher for your pass at your first site. I just bought mine at a tabacchi shop. The ones that sell them have a sign on their window to indicate that they do sell them. Granted, we had to go to 2 shops sonce the first one was sold out. Enjoy your trip to Rome!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
In 2012 we just walked up to a tobacco/newspaper kiosk at Termini -- close to our hotel, so not out of our way.
Posted by
Phoenix AZ
635 posts
Make sure you're buying a ROMA PASS, and not just a transit pass. On my last trip I encountered a neophyte newsstand clerk who was unclear about the difference. The Roma Pass card comes nicely packaged in a thick, reddish-orange folder which also contains a map and brochure.
Posted by
30 posts
I would also buy it at Palatine hill if the Coliseum is your first stop. Of course you can't use it to get there. I did three days in Rome and opted not to buy it. It worked out better for us.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
There is no reason to buy the romapass before getting to Rome, you don't get any discounts for pre-purchase and you must still choose a location to pick it up.
I would get it at your first site that sells and honors it, which looks to be the colosseum area, so the palatine hill is the best place to get it.
A few years ago there were some issues with availability but that was because they were changing the pass to use a different scanning system. Since then there have been no issues with the pass not being available.
Donna