RomaPass Question

My understanding is that the transportation part is actually a separate metro/bus ticket. So it would be valid from the first public transit you use, and you will need to insert the pass each time you go through the metro station or get on the bus (look for the yellow box).

The museum pass is a second piece of paper and would get validated on your first museum visit.

I haven't actually used the Roma Pass yet, so hopefully someone else will be able to confirm or correct my understanding.

My wife and I bought and used Roma passes in December. Previous post is CORRECT: the pass comes with a Metro card, a separate card, to use. You can use it immediately, before hitting any museum. We did, no problem.

How much do they cost?

Cost of the RomaPass is 20 Euros. It is valid for 3 days, and provides “free” admission to the first two sites, “free” passage on Metros and buses, and reduced admission to any of the remaining 38 sites. The pass also includes a map.

Make sure if you plan to use one of your "free" passes at the Borghese, you MUST make a reservation ahead of time (you don't pay to reserve, just use the pass to pay when you get there).

Can you buy a Roma Pass online??

I was in Rome in Jan. 08 and was not able to see the Borghese because I did not make reservations early enough! Follow Rick Steves instructions in his Italy travel book to make your reservations early. We stayed at the Hotel Aberdeen and liked it very much! The Metro is a block away from the hotel. The Roma Pass was great for Metro travel & museums. We used it first at the Colosseum (Metro stop right in front!) and next at the Vatican, which were the 2 most expensive places.
We did not carry purses, but did use money belts under our clothes and the travel wallets that are on a long cord that you wear around your neck and tuck inside your shirt. We felt very safe riding the subway during the day. I recommend going to Italy in Jan & Feb because the weather was in the 50's during the day and there were no crowds. I take Rick Steves (guidebooks) along on all my Europe trips. Thank you Rick, for making our travels easy & enjoyable!!

Pam, you can buy it online.

http://www.romapass.it/english/index.html

But it's probably just as easy to get it when you first get there. One less thing to remember to pack!

Gale: I wasn't aware that you could use it for the Vatican? Could you elaborate on this, please?

I bought my pass in the main train station. I found it to be a great way to get around Rome and used it for several sites and museums. I would highly recommend the card.
Frances

Why do so many places in Italy require visitors to make reservations? We never had to do anything like that in Paris.

Can we make the reservations online for the museum?

I checked that link and saw that there are two passes. Is the 20 euro pass the best buy?

I am purchasing a ROMA PASS and tried to make a reservation for the Borghese.. there seems to be a charge for the reservation is this correct?

Joey, I saw that too and also that I could only get as far as the end of April, so I guess we can't book ahead for May?

Can someone chime in please.

Check out this series of posts on using the RomaPass for the Borghese.

http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm?topic=5826

In brief, it sounds like the charge is for using the website. If you book directly with the Borghese (via phone I'm guessing), there may or may not be a reservation fee. This isn't very clear to me...

And it seems that you can only book a month in advance.

Hi Everyone:

I encourage you all to check out tickitaly.com for making reseveration for your absolute must see sites. While there is a booking fee, date and time selections are extensive (we're going at the end of June and I did this at the beginning of March), you get a printed voucher that you hand in at your destination thus avoiding all the long lines, and its all paid for ahead of time eliminating the need to carry that amount of euros.

I did it this way because I was more concerned with making sure we got to see our top sites rather than hoping we'd get in for free. I'm still considering the Roma Pass for the public transporation benefit and the ability to use it the other sites we didn't reserve.

Hope this helps. Linda

Linda, thanks for the information but if I booked everything through that site I would end up broke for my family of 4!

ROMAPASS sounds more affordable to me, but the site for the museum is not the best. I will try to telephone them and see what goes.

We're heading to rome and on to florence this weekend and have done extensive research on saving as many euros as possible!! Definately try to get in contact directly w/ your hotel (you may have to do some online research if you booked through a reservation site to find a direct contact...don't give up, most all of the places have a website...we're staying at a 4 bedroom b&b in rome and they even have a site!) If you ask very nicely they can make the reservation for you. Some may charge you a small fee but I believe all they have to do is make a phone call for you and then you just pay a reservation fee when you pay at the ticket window. Borghese is E2 fee and like E6.50 to get in...Both our hotels in florence and rome have booked for us (Borghese in Rome and Uffiz and Accademia in Florence) Definately check out RS free audio guides - we're saving so much by NOT book with online tour guides! Good luck!