RomaPass

I've done the trip before and yes it's covered unless something has drastically changed in the last month or so. Donna

we plan to be there for ~12 days. what you recommend for that time period? keep buying the roma pass, or buy it once and then only buy a metro type pass after that (assuming there is one)?

Yes, the Roma Pass does cover the 1st two "sites' you go to. After that, you can get discounts in the three-day period that the pass is valid - good planning required! The discounts range from 15-50%, depending on the site. The public trnsportation does include trams, metro, buses, and regional trains (inside the perimter of Rome). If you are planning on going to two "sites" AND using the public transportation system, then this the pass is a good buy. These two links may give you info on discounts in Rome ******* http://tinyurl.com/romapass-tips ****** http://tinyurl.com/rome-discounts *******

Ron is absolutely correct, as usual. One thing he didn't mention is that the colosseum, forum and palatine hill are part of a combo site and with the romapass you get two consecutive days to see them during the validity of the pass. This still only counts as one entry. You can only see each of the three sites once without having to pay again. Make sure you plan out your days with the pass to make the most of it. If you're planning to visit Ostia Antica you can use the romapass for free transport to and from the site and either a discount or free entry into the site. A very easy and inexpensive way to get out of the city for an afternoon. Donna

Roma Pass is worth it. Doesn't cover the Vatican though.

Donna, are you sure the Roma Pass covers transport to ostia antica? I just asked Ricks Rail dept about it and their reply was no, it doesn't cover trains outside Rome. Hope YOU are right.

Once you get there I think you'll find that you won't take the metro or public transportation as much as you might think. I usually never use public transportation when in Rome to get around the city. It's just too easy and interesting to walk. The metro doesn't go to most of the main sites and the bus can actually take longer than walking depending on the time of day. You'll probably only want to buy the romapass once while there unless you plan to see a lot of the museums and sites covered by it. The Vatican museums are NOT covered by the pass. Donna

suzanne, the Roma Pass, an ATAC ticket (metro and bus), or BIRG ticket (sold through COTRAL and zone dependent) all cover the metro, bus, trams, and regional trains inside the perimeter of Rome. It can be a little confusing. Your ATAC ticket, which is mostly used on the buses and metro is good also on three commuter train lines, for 2nd class transport. Ostia is located on the "LIDO" commuter line and you can use your 1 euro ticket to go to Ostia Antica and then PAST IT all the way to the beach (for only 1 euro!). Look at this map ***** http://people.reed.edu/~reyn/MetroRoma.pdf ****** It is a map of the regional train system. In addition to all mentioned transportation, you can also ride regional trains throughout Rome, as long as you stay inside the proper zone. If you look at the map, on the trains lines you will see names in RED. Directly in the top, left center of the page you see the FM3 line. In red, you see the name CESANO. So your ATAC ticket is good on all trains UNTIL you get to CESANO. You can now look at all the train lines and see the RED, last stop covered, stations. Look down at the bottom left of the page and you'll see the FM1 line to FCO Airport. The last "covered" stop is PONTE GALERIA, and this is why your ATAC bus and metro ticket - or Roma Pass - does not cover you on a ride to the airport. The FCO airport stop is OUTSIDE the "covered" zone - by design! Just below the FM1 on the map is the LIDO commuter line, shown as a "thin, grey" line, and you will find the last stop, C. COLOMBO, is in RED - so you use your ticket all the way to the end of this line. As you can see, Ostia Antica is ON this line. Thus, Rick's folks are right, in a way. You are not covered outside of "Rome," but as you can see from the map, the ATAC metro ticket will cover you for a great distance. Hope that clears it up.

I just checked and the RomaPass does not cover the Borghese. Did this change? http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=9

If you go to this link, you will see the Roma Pass DOES cover the Borghese Galleria ***** http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=10&hi=borghese *****

the romapass still includes the Borghese gallery. You can book them at: http://www.ticketeria.it/ticketeria/borghese-regolamento-eng.asp Use the "free call" button to have them call you back. Mention that you are using the romapass when they call. Donna

FYI - the Roma Pass is 25 Euros this year. It does cover the Borghese Gallery, just not the required booking fee. I used it for the Coloseum/Forum combo, Palatine Hill museum combo, then got discounts at the Appian Way, Borghese Gallery, and National Museum. Also used it for several bus trips and metro rides, including to the Appian Way. I added it up and it saved me about 5 to 8 Euros per person. Remember that it is valid for 3 "days" but not 3 twenty-four hour periods. Therefore, if you aren't visiting any sites the day you buy it, and you'll need it for three more days after that, don't use it for a bus or metro ride on that first day (day zero).

What threw Miriam is that the Borghese Gallery is considered a "Modern Museum." I love the fact that the 17th century is considered "modern" in Italy.