Hi everyone,
I'm planning 4 days of intensive sightseeing in Rome this January and I'm trying to optimize my budget and time. I've been looking at the 72-hour Roma Pass but have a few questions...
For those who have tried it: does the priority access really work well at the Colosseum? And regarding transportation, is it convenient or are the sites close enough to walk? My hotel is near Termini station.
My itinerary includes: Colosseum/Forum/Palatine, Vatican Museums, Pantheon, and some major churches. So I'm unsure whether to get the pass or book each visit separately.
Thanks for your advice!
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16618 posts
Hi and welcome to the RS forum!
My 2-cents on the Roma Pass? We haven't bought one and wouldn't do so as you don't need it for 'priority' access to the Colosseum. ALL tickets and tours purchased through the official Parco archeologico del Colosseo/ website are timed entry, and even with the Roma Pass you have to make an advance, timed-entry reservation. ALL visitors must pass through a security-check queue. Read the FAQs on the Roma Pass website carefully.
https://www.romapass.it/en/FAQ/
It doesn't cover the Pantheon or anything at the Vatican. Your 1st and 2nd 'free' attraction from the list of attractions covered must be visited consecutively; before you use the pass for discounts on any other attraction. Those reductions, BTW, can be small.
https://www.romapass.it/files/doc/museums_price_of_tickets_eng.pdf
Most Roman churches are free to visit so no pass needed there.
Transport: the pass doesn't cover transport to/from Fiumicino airport. We've stayed near Termini on one of our trips and were able walk reasonably easily most everywhere except some places further afield that aren't on your list. It worked best for us to just purchase a few 1.5 euro single-ride BIT tickets and tucking therm away from the rare times we decided to hop metro, urban train or other public conveyance. Those tickets, BTW, do need to be validated each time you use one.
https://www.atac.roma.it/en/tickets-and-passes/bit
Rome is a GREAT walking city and you'll see and experience more from the sidewalks than from underground (Metro) or bus window. Obviously how that would work for you depends on how much walking you're already used to doing; we can cover quite a lot of ground daily on foot but YMMV. :O)
Posted by
77 posts
If you are visiting Rome in 2025 and any of the four major Basilicas you can go through the Holy Doors that will be open during the Jubilee. My wife and I are going to Rome in February and am hoping to go through each door. We're going to try to do all four in one day and see Rome at the same time.
You do need to download an app. Iubilaeum2025. Then you go in and pick your date and time.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16618 posts
A gentle word about the Holy Doors?
Entering the 4 papal basilicas through these special, usually inaccessible doors are spiritual pilgrimages of grace for members of the faith. There will be separate lines - that don't require pre-reservation - for visitors whose purpose is mainly to sightsee the basilicas. Here's a bit about the significance of passage through the Doors:
https://www.ncregister.com/news/5-holy-doors-what-every-catholic-should-know-ahead-of-jubilee-2025
So while open to all, I personally wouldn't register for a spot unless one believes in and/or respects the act of devotion to spiritual commitment they symbolize. Many visitors to Rome will have traveled specifically for this purpose + related Jubilee masses, conferences and other scheduled events. (I'm not a Catholic, BTW)
mbosteder, this comment?
"My wife and I are going to Rome in February and am hoping to go through each door. We're going to try to do all four in one day and see Rome at the same time."
If you haven't already, you should reference the locations of the 4 basilica on a map as their locations are quite spread out. This is a good start....
https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/content/dam/iubilaeum2025/pellegrinaggio/cammini-giubilari-dentro-roma/mappe-chiese/inglese/_ENG-BASILICHE.pdf
.... and I'd drill down to where Papal Basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura is on a separate map as it's some distance outside the historic center. Nearest metro station (Line B) is Basilica S. Paolo. I've a hunch that you'd have a difficult time fitting them all into a single day and/or get much of any other sightseeing done.