Rome Pass timing and museums?

Pretty sure you'll get some conflicting views on the Roma Pass, and that's OK 'cause we're all different.

My take? Not something I'd probably purchase. Understand that it doesn't cover anything at the Vatican so you need separate tickets for the museums (https://m.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani-mobile/en.html) and you have to make pre-reservations for your family at the Colosseum; the pass doesn't allow you to just walk right in. Same thing with Galleria Borghese (IMHO the best art museum in Rome); pre-reservations are mandatory. The Pantheon (https://www.pantheonroma.com/home/) is free and no reservations are needed during a weekday.

No cards needed for your teens: they will enjoy free entry at many museums (the Vatican is an exception; reduced price for them) although reservations for them will be required at some of them as well and may involve a small fee.

The 72-hour card only FULLY covers two attractions; there are just discounts on other attractions, and those discounts can be small. The public transit coverage? We use transit very little as Rome is such a fun city to walk, and you'd need tickets for your kids anyway. The pass also doesn't cover transport to/from the airports.

I'd read through the FAQ section of the Roma Pass VERY carefully for what using it entails. There are instructions on how to make reservations for the attractions which require them, if using the pass.
https://www.romapass.it/en/FAQ/

If you're going to the Vatican Museums, I think your children will have had enough art by the time you're done although the Borghese is a visually engaging building/collection, and has excellent crowd control so they won't feel as overrun as they might at the Vatican. It borders a huge park with some bike rentals and other stuff that appeals to young folks too.

St Peter's is free: will involve some time standing in a security queue.

As far as I know, there really isn't another city pass worth the $$. The Omni Pass has been roundly panned as ridiculously overpriced, and I don't know as I've ever seen mention on the forums of anyone who has used Turbopass.

Hi Kathy. Thank you for the fantastic reply. So helpful!!! I'll read through those links you shared.
I was wondering if you had an opinion on the early entry tickets for the Vatican. They are very expensive, but might it be worth it to get in an hour early? This way my kids may not feel overrun by the crowds and we'll have a better chance at enjoying this wonderful opportunity.

Would you just happen to be in Rome on a Friday or Saturday? Versus an early morning entry, what about going on either evening when the museums are open late during high season? They are rumored to be cooler (temperature-wise) and not as crowded during these special hours they're usually closed (closure on other days is 6:00 PM) From the website:

"From 22 April to 29 October 2022
On Fridays and Saturdays extended opening hours until 10.30 p.m. (final entry 08.30 p.m.)"

So you and the family could grab a quick, early bite and hit the museums when other folks are heading off to dinner. I do not know if the whole enchilada (there are 26 separate museums within the complex) will be open on those evenings, as they haven't been in the past, but no matter as your kids wouldn't hold up for 9 MILES of stuff and the many hours it would take to cover it all anyway! HA! What they've done in the past was to keep the collections on the main route to the Sistine/some the better collections open. Whatever the case, pretty sure it'll be about all your young folks can handle. Just an option?

That does sound like a great idea! Is it that much less crowded on a Friday evening? Also, I agree, there will be enough to see, even if some stuff is closed off.
However, I am a little concerned about this plan, because we are waking early Saturday morning for a 7am train to Switzerland. Is it risky to do the Vatican as our last thing in Rome?

I know this will be seen as almost sacrilegious...but
if your kids don't love art museums I would skip the Vatican.
It's hot and super crowed and takes a good half a day.

I would visit the Borghese- much more enjoyable, limited number of visitors at a time and only a 2 hour time slot allowed so easy to fit in. Maybe add the Capitoline as well and something quirky like the Capuchin Crypts.

I have been to both and have vowed to never return to the Vatican and I DO like art museums. It was just such an unpleasant experience.
I'm glad we did it and we did do an early entry for Sistine Chapel (Walks of Italy, Pristine Sistine- which was worth every penny)

You don't say how long you are in Rome but there are so many other fun and interesting sites - you will be walking around in a living history museum just being there.

As far as the pass- usually not cost effective, you have to do the math.

Actually, I could very easily vote with Christine on skipping the ginormous Vatican Museums in favor of the more approachable Borghese. Along with the great collection, the rooms themselves have some pretty cool trompe l'oeil decoration. Even the teens might be impressed at how deceptively 3-D some of it looks! The Bernini sculptures impress visitors young and no-so as well; my personal favorite "David" is one of those (sorry, Michelangelo).

The only reason I wouldn't go with skipping art entirely is exposure to it is often how one learns to appreciate some of it. Especially what's in some of the churches? It's pretty impressive to see a painting, carving, mosaic, etc. that's still in the same place it was designed for, and that place being many centuries old!

Especially what's in some of the churches?

Agreed!
We never pass by a church without stopping in. Amazing art and decorations, free and a nice quiet cool place to sit a bit.
Ahhh 19 days til we are there.

Seconding the recommendation for the Capucine Crypt - Via Vittorio Veneto 27. I plan to take my 16 y/o there when we visit Rome this summer. Let's just say her interest was piqued when I described it to her. The catacombs would probably be of interest to your kids, as well.
If you have time for a day trip, your kids might enjoy Bomarzo, a fantastical garden of monster sculptures about an hour from Rome.

Thanks for the info Christine and Kathy. We will be there 4 nights (about 3.5 days of sightseeing and enjoying Rome).
I just can't imagine skipping the Vatican. Seeing the Sistine Chapel, I feel like is something that will leave an impression on my kids.

Why I say they don't love art museums is because I took them to the Met a few years ago, and the guards were just so uptight. My kids didn't feel like they could breathe, and as a result, didn't enjoy it, and now have a negative idea about art museums. Something I hope we can change over time.

They love the museum of natural history in NYC (we go once a year). When they were 9 and 10 we went to Paris and Venice. They were overwhelmed by the Louvre and didn't love it. But they loved the L'Orangerie. Also, they loved the Doge's Palace in Venice. Like you said about the churches, when you can see the art as an installation, or where it was designed to be, it carries more meaning. Especially for the younger ones. I think they will love the Sistine Chapel, but the rest of the Vatican museum might be overwhelming and not so interesting for them.

I am leaning towards putting the Borghese on our itinerary.

Thank you for the info about early entry. You said it was worth every penny. Now, I've got 3 ideas to decide on about the Vatican.
1. Go early and pay the extra money.
2. Go on Friday evening as the last thing we do in Rome.
3. Skip the Vatican altogether.

Any more thoughts would be welcome!

Also, the Capuchin Crypt sounds great. We went to the Catacombs when we were in Paris and my kids loved it. I'll have to do more homework on Capuchin Crypt, but from a brief look, it seems like a great idea for my family! Thank you!!!