Roma Pass Use Dilemma

I don't really see any problem here. Use the Roma pass for the borghese gallery on Saturday (make sure you get reservations in advance), and for the colosseum/forum on Sunday. You can't use it for the Vatican, and there is no entrance charge for the pantheon. What other sights are you interested in? There is no charge for seeing the trevi fountain or the Spanish steps. By the time you've done the Vatican, borghese galley, "Caesar shuffle", and done a bit of walking around, you're not going to have a lot of time or energy left to see much of any anything else.

Tyler, I think you are reading the info on the Rome Pass incorrectly. The pass is E34, it includes 2 free admissions,,plus reduced admissions to other sites. and transportation around Rome (bus & metro). The Vatican, Sistine Chapel is not included nor is the Caesar Shuffle.
The Collosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill is a combo ticket reg. price is E15,50
Gallerie Borghese is E15,50 reservation not included. Have your hotel book this for you.
So if you do these 2 sites, and a couple of bus/metro rides it pays for itself.

The entrance fee for the Sistine is E16.
The Caesar Shuffle is a self walk invented by RS. You can do this anytime/no cost.

Hope this is of some help.

The Vatican area is not included with the romapass.

The colosseum combo is only 12 euros per ticket with a 1.50 booking fee. If there is an exhibition going on there will be a supplement. The pantheon is free.

I would not do another museum or gallery on Sunday after the Vatican museums. They can take a lot out of you. After the Vatican you can easily walk to the Castel san Angelo and use one of your free visits there. On Sunday you can visit the colosseum area for the 2nd free visit and do the Borghese gallery at the reduced rate of 4.50.

Donna

Roma Pass tip - I learned from Rick Steves book.
I used it to get into the Colosseum, then out the gate and across the street into Palatine Hill, and out the gate of Palatine Hill and into the Forum. This counted as 1 single admission......
then used the second admission on the Borghese Gallery.

Tyler,

You may already be aware of this, but note that you MUST make a time-specific reservation for the Borghese Gallery. Even with a Roma Pass, don't just show up at the door.

Thanks for the advice. So here will be my final plan give all the tips:
-Saturday- Vatican Area in the morning
-Then do some walking around the Spanish Steps area as our hotel is in this area
-Borghese Gallery later in the afternoon (with a time that I should setup weeks ahead)
Sunday-Colosseeum Area in the morning
-Then will still look into what later that afternoon/night

With using the Roma Pass at Both the Borghese and Colosseum

After I set back and thought about it some more, we are more the active/explore type of people so I think the Borghese and Vatican will be the only "indoor" type activities that we will plan. Other than that are there any other spots you suggest that are good to just wander and take in Rome.

Thanks again for everyone's help. These tips make trip planning so much easier

That plan will work.

I would suggest not using the transport part of your pass until Saturday. Once you use the pass the first time your 3 days start so if you're coming from the airport on Friday I would just take a taxi to the hotel and then on Monday use public transport to the termini to catch your train to the CT.

Donna

Tyler,

One more comment.....

If you're going to be heading to the Borghese Gallery from the Spanish Steps, that's an easy walk. Go to the top of the steps and turn left and walk along Viale Gabriele D' Annunzio and past Villa Medici until you see an incline ramp leading up to the right (I can't remember how far it is, but maybe a 10-15 minute walk). Walk up the ramp and you'll be in the Villa Borghese park. As I recall, you'll need to keep left a bit to get to the Galleria Borghese.

So after some reflecting on the best way to explore Rome for us, I'm having 2nd thoughts if actually going in the Borghese Gallery is the best option. My wife and I are not that into art and more excited to explore the city itself (with limited time-2 full days), then museums. I still would love to explore the park surrounding Borgehse still of course.

We know we want to see the Sistine Chapel, so that is the one and only indoor site I'm thinking we will see.

Given that, we we will be using the Roma Pass right now for only transportation and and the One Colosseum site.

Now in everyone's opinion, given that, is it still worth it to buy the Roma Pass for those two purposes with the added security that if it rains or something we can always use the pass to go into a museum. Or in your opinion, if we are only use the Pass for transportation and the Colosseum we would be better off not getting the Pass?

Finally, if we are not "art" people, are we still missing out by skipping the Borghese Gallery. Or do you think our two days can still be filled with plenty of outdoor activities that we will better enjoy?

Thanks for everyone's thoughts in advance.

Tyler, I cannot give any advice about the Roma Pass as I had already done the major sites on my first trip. I did not go into the Borghese Gallery on either visit and regret it now but did enjoy the the grounds. That being said, you sound as though you might get just as much enjoyment out of exploring neighborhoods like Trastevere and the Jewish Ghetto. All of this is so walkable from your Spanish Steps hotel and the Vatican area. Just wear comfortable walking shoes. I would not miss the Sistine Chapel and the Pieta. Also, I think some of the best artwork in Rome is in the Churches ( I am thinking particularly of one in the Piazza del Poppola [a few blocks from the Steps], but there are so many more) and there is no admission fee!

While you are near the Colosseum - I would recommend going to the top of the Vittorio Emanuele Monument. (The wedding cake) - take the elevator to the very top and you have a 360 degree view of all of Rome. It is fantastic. I think the elevator ride was about 7 Euros??? Don't remember exactly, but I will never forget that VIEW !!!

From your visit to the Borghese Gardens/park, follow the signs to "Pincio". This is a big terrace overlooking most of Rome. Take the footpath down to Piazza del Popolo, for the churches previously mentioned, or just to enjoy this major piazza. Then you can continue to walk to the Vittorio Emmanuele monument to take the elevators to the roof - 360-degree views of Rome, and a nice cafe with reasonable prices.

You might also just wander the neighborhoods - the Ghetto, Trastevere (more great views from the Gianicolo), Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiore, the Pantheon.

The Borghese is of course up to you. What I suggest is that you watch the Rick Steves video about the Borghese and see him describing Bernini's life like sculptures. If, like many, you are moved to see these works in the flesh then go. If it leaves you cold then miss it. I think that pre-defined definitions of art lover or not an art lover miss the mark. This is life sized or larger than life three dimensional representation of events, real or mythical. It is not row after row of framed paintings on the wall. You can walk all around it.

Really, have a view together of the Rick Steves visit and make up your own mind.

If part of the decision is down to not wanting to arrange for and plan for a specific time of visit, and not wanting to pay the entry fee (even though the entry fee is a drop in the ocean compared to your other holiday expenses) then that is another kettle of fish.