Roma Pass question

Not possible to save the second free entry other than just not using the Pass. In other words, if you are only going to the Borghese and the Colosseum and not using the pass anywhere in-between, that's fine (although I think there is a 3-day expiration period). You cannot, however, use the Pass to get the discount at e.g., the National Museum and "save" the free entry for the Colosseum.

First two sites are automaticly taken as the free sites. Really if you don't plan on using it for the two most expensive sites it's not worth it. You pretty much have to do that, use public transport a few times and go to a couple more sites to get the discount to save a few $$. We just broke even on the second day of using it and will save a few $$ tomorrow.

Thanks, that's what I figured. How much are the discounts with the pass at the non-free sites? Are they substantial, or just a token savings? I'm wondering if it would make sense to not use the pass for the second site and save it for the Colosseum.

Good suggestion Donna! Baths of Caracalla were 50% off. Trajans Market was about a 20% discount. So it varies.

The discounts are up to 50%. Is it possible to do the colosseum area on another day? This would make the pass a better bargain. Another thing to remember is that that the pass expires at midnight of the third day, not after 3 24 hour periods. The colosseum, forum and palatine hill count as a single entry and you have 2 consecutive days to see them as a single entry during the validity of the pass. This might be the solution for you. If you aren't planning on visiting the palatine hill but are going to see the colosseum and forum, perhaps you can go to the palatine hill, swipe your card on your second day as your second site then just come back on the third day to see the colosseum. It'll still count as the second site because of the combo site ticket. Donna

Does the "3 day period" begin when you purchase the tickets, or when you first validate the first venue you go to?

Thanks Donna, that is a good suggestion. It leads to another question. Once you use the pass at the first of the sites included with Colosseum admission (say, Palatine Hill), you can come back the next day for the other sites. Could you re-enter Palatine Hill as well, or is it one entry only, even if still within the multi-site entry window?

The pass begins the first time you use it, not when you buy it. You are only allowed one entry to each of the sites with the combo ticket, however, once you are in the forum or on the palatine hill you can switch between the two easily. Donna

Thanks again Donna. So just to clarify... I could use my pass to gain admission at Palatine Hill, but skip the actual visit until the next day. I could then enter the Colosseum and the Forum with the combo ticket and transition to Palatine Hill without needing another admission to Palatine Hill. Is that correct?

There are two "clocks." One is associated with the museum entrances, the other is for transportation. If you only use the card for a metro ride, then you've started just that clock. The Museum clock isn't started till you use it for an entrance. I'm not sure where I read this but my understanding is that the Forum, Palatine, Colosseum combo ticket is good for two days and good for as many entrances as you want.

There is a pathway between the Forum and Palatine Hill sites that does not check your tickets, it can be a little hard to find, we came across it by accident from the Palatine Hill site, its away from where most people go, we just happened to be in an exploring mood and followed a path with few people on it. So, in theory, you could go back into the Palatine Hill area the next day, you'll need to pay attention on that road that exit out towards the Colloseum for any paths going up into the Palatine Hill area and take that.

Just to clarify on what Francis wrote....that's true but whenever you start using it (transport or sites) it starts the 3 day clock.So if you use it on the metro on Mon. but then don't use it for a site until Tues. then you've wasted a day for sites. It's only good for one entry to each. If you see all three one day and decide to go back to the Colloseo again on your next free visit it'll be free but then your next site will only be discounted. That path runs by the Arch of Titus. Find that and you'll find the path.

The discount with a Roma Pass is up to 50%, after the first two free sights. The discounts for each museum/site is shown here: http://www.romapass.it/doc/sitiAderentiCostoBiglietti_eng.pdf

The sites pass and the transport pass used to be two different passes that could be used independently of each other but that changed at the beginning of the year. Now, if you use the pass for either it starts the 3 day clock. From the first use, be it transport or site you have until midnight of day 3 before the pass expires. The first two sites will be free and all others will be discounted. You can use the metro, buses or trams in the city. The pass does not cover ANY transport to or from the airport. donna

Yes, Mark. You can go to the palatine hill, leave and then come back to the colosseum and forum the next day and still have it count as one entry. And, yes, there is a path you can take from the forum to the palatine hill without using the card. Just to clarify things, you get only one entry each to the colosseum, forum and palatine hill without having to pay a fee, unless you use the path. You cannot go into them as many times as you wish. You do get two consecutive days to see the three sites but those two days must be while the pass is still valid. Donna

Thanks again. It's good to know we can handle it that way. Circumstances have dictated the order in which we see things a bit, so we want to maximize the benefit of the Roma Pass within those limitations.