Rome Pass

Hi kina- we used Roma Passes in November 2012. Our 2 free sights were some of the more expensive - Colosseum and Borghese Gallery (don't forget to phone ahead for a reservation for the Gallery), but we enjoyed discounts at other sights. Not all-inclusive, but saving a few Euros at places is better than paying full price everywhere! I imagine that an all-inclusive card would cost more up front.

The Roma Pass also gave us tram, bus, and metro access, although we never had to show our validated pass on any bus while we were there. It also came with a very handy map.

Many covered, lesser-known sights were listed in the literature that came with the Roma Pass, but we didn't visit them on our short visit.

Don't even consider getting the omnia pass. It's overpriced and gives you no chance of getting the value out of the pass.

As for the romapass, if you'll see at least three sites covered by the pass it will usually save you time and money. If not, it may be best just to book the sites individually. You will be able to bypass the lines this way and can save you money. You can book the Vatican museums tickets or tours through their official site:

http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do?weblang=en&do

If you want a transport pass you can either buy single tickets, a day ticket or a 3 day ticket. Most people won't use the transportation enough to make a transport pass worthwhile but do the math to see if one will work for you.

Basically, you need to do the math, based on the sites you want to see, to determine if the romapass or any other pass is of good value to you.

Donna

Thank you with your feedback. Can you tell me if the Roma Pass holder can skip the lines at the attractions that are discounted, or if they can only skip the line on the first 2 that are free?

The Roma pass will allow you entry to Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill as a combo-site 1 entry if you tour all on the same day (you don't have to tour them all, but they are all on the same entry, so a deal if you wish to see all). Then you have 1 entry left to tour the Borghese Gallery (must have free reservation entry time too for Gallery); Vatican is not included on Roma Pass. (Vatican on-line tickets reservation is the way to go to avoid lines - walk directly in via the right hand curb line and pick up tickets at will-call window quickly and head in: http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html
Use your Roma Pass to take easy Metro ride to Vatican)
We walked right into the Colosseum with Roma Pass on a busy Friday in June with no waiting and started touring immediately via the Roma Pass special entry line. Buy the Roma pass at Palatine Hill entrance - it's less crowded here than buying at Colosseum or Forum.

Then any other museums/sites covered by Roma pass are discounted after you visit the first 2 museums/sites.
But the best part of Roma pass is free public transport on Metro and busses; keep in mind it's good for 3 days and is only good till midnight on day 3, not for a 72 hour period from the time you buy it on day 1.
Did not buy the Roma 48 Pass, but it may be a deal for you http://www.romapass.it/
We found 3 day pass to be a deal as we used the Metro transport for lots of other Rome sight-seeing, plus using it for the entry to museums/sites.
Ciao` Diane

You don't need to visit the colosseum, forum and palatine hill all on the same day. With the romapass you have two consecutive days during the validity of the pass to see these three sites. They will only count as a single entry off the pass.

You can visit the romapass website and download a list of sites and costs covered by the pass. Be sure to visit sites that are important to you and not just because they cost the most.

Donna