I've read through a bunch of posts on this, and I was planning to call the phone number to reserve my tickets for the underground tour only (I'll be using a Roma Pass for my admission). On the website, I selected the date, and am shown all the tours on that date. When I select "UNDERGROUND TOUR ENG", the following three choices are shown on the next page: INTERO - ADULT - VISITA SOTTERRANEI € 21.50 RIDOTTO - DISCOUNT - VISITA SOTTERRANEI € 17.00
GRATIS - FREE - VISITA SOTTERRANEI € 9.50 Can I select the one for € 9.50 online, instead of calling? Or is that for something completely different? It'd be far easier (and cheaper - not needing to make a call to Italy) to book online, but I'm guessing that this is not the way to go. I figured I'd ask all you experienced people who know far more than I do. Thanks in advance for the help!
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
You do not qualify for the free entry. This is for EU citizens, not those using the romapass. You'll need to call to book your tour. It is two entirely different categories of tickets. Just make the phone call. Donna
Posted by
OP
NJ, USA
5 posts
Thanks, Donna! I wanted to pass along my success story, in case someone else is in the same situation. I called this morning around 9 AM ET, pressed "0" for booking a guided tour, and then sat on hold for what seemed like forever. I finally had to hang up because I was late for an appointment. I called back a little later (~9:30AM ET) and got lucky as I was on hold for only a short time. I asked the woman (who answered in fast Italian) if she spoke English. She thankfully answered in slow but very understandable English. I asked her if I could book only the underground tour since I would be using a Roma Pass. She listed the times that were available on my requested date, I selected a time; she then asked me for my credit card information and email address, gave me a confirmation code, and that was that! It cost me 9.50 Euros (per person) for the tour. I received an email receipt with my confirmation code. She told me to arrive at the ticket desk 20 minutes before my tour. Calling early (phone reservations start at 9AM in Italy) would probably have made it easier, but I didn't want to wake up at 3AM. :) Two further questions - if I arrive, say, an hour before the tour time, can I check in/get my tickets for the tour and then walk around inside the Colosseum until the tour starts, or do they not let you enter the Colosseum until the tour starts? Also, I assume I can use my Roma Pass at the Forum or at Palatine Hill before I go to the Colosseum, even if "The Big 3" will be one of my two free Roma Pass entries? Thanks again for any help!
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Yes, you can visit the forum and palatine hill before going to the colosseum if you wish. You can only enter each site one time so be sure to have enough time to see all you wish to see. As for the colosseum, with the romapass you can enter whenever you like. I don't believe they will let you check in for the tour more than 20 minutes or so before the start of it. You can stay inside for as long as you wish after the tour is over. Also, remember you have 2 consecutive days to see the three sites so you may want to visit the forum and palatine hill either the day before or the day after the colosseum if time is tight. Donna
Posted by
OP
NJ, USA
5 posts
Thanks again, Donna, for all your help!