Every year, a large number of tourists aspire to visit Rome, seeking to explore its unique history and culture more closely. Of course, organized tours aren’t suitable for everyone, as there are always travelers who prefer individual trips. To meet their needs for convenient and affordable city travel while visiting numerous museums, historical landmarks, and architectural masterpieces, the Roma Pass discount package was created.
What is the Roma Pass?
The Roma Pass is a discount card for tourists that provides reduced entry fees to many of the city’s attractions. There are two types of such cards:
- Roma Pass 72 Hours – valid for 72 hours and costs €38.50;
- Roma Pass 48 Hours – valid for 48 hours and costs €28.
The Roma Pass card offers a package of services, including discounted entry to museums and historical and cultural landmarks in central Rome (zone A) for two or three days, along with the use of public transport options such as:
- Ground transport – buses, trams, trolleybuses;
- Metro – lines A and B;
- Regional trains on the Lido, Viterbo, and other routes.
What can you see?
With the Roma Pass 72 Hours, tourists can enjoy free, skip-the-line entry to two attractions. For other sights, you’ll need to present the card at the ticket office, queue, or book an entrance ticket in advance online with a discount. The Roma Pass 48 Hours allows free skip-the-line entry to one attraction and discounts on visits to other cultural and historical landmarks.
However, note that when visiting the Colosseum, Castel Sant’Angelo, or the Borghese Gallery, the Roma Pass does not provide access to special turnstiles or other time-saving benefits. In fact, you will pay about the same as other visitors and collect tickets at the same counters.
One visit covers complexes such as:
- The Colosseum, including the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill monuments;
- The Museum of Modern Art and its branches;
- The Planetarium and Astronomical Museum.
Both cards also grant discounted entry to exhibitions in the listed museums. However, for some particularly popular sites, even with the card, you will need to book tickets in advance, several days ahead.
Is it worth it?
How many benefits does the Roma Pass actually offer? Reviews from tourists who have visited Rome indicate that the need to pre-book entry to the most interesting historical sites is somewhat inconvenient. However, if you plan an intense sightseeing schedule, purchasing the Roma Pass can help you save on city transportation.
You can pick up the card at kiosks selling combined tickets or at RIT public transport ticket offices five days after payment. These are located:
- At train stations and airports;
- In ATAC ticket kiosks;
- At metro stations – lines A and B;
- Near major historical sites in the city center.
Of course, it’s not necessary to purchase the Roma Pass in advance. You can always buy it at the designated points, as the price is the same both online and on the day of your arrival. However, if you plan to use public transport extensively, it’s advisable to order the card right after landing.