Brooklyn6

My friend and I have three days in Rome, and we are looking at getting the Roma pass. However, the website isn't very clear on what its value is (i.e. skipping lines, what covering public transportation really means, if it covers the major sites). Is it worth it?

Thanks!

nytraveler

No.

Assuming you are staying in/near the center of Rome (I really hope you are) you will want to walk to most sights (or if really tired at end of day cab back to hotel - very cheap for 2). We have never found it necessary to use public transit in multiple visits to Rome.

Also, don;t see what it provides that is worth so much money - esp since you are there only 3 days.

isemida

When I went a couple of years ago, we found it to be totally worth it. Pays for itself if you use it on two big attractions like the Colosseum. Also, most of the sights are walkable, but sometimes you just feel like taking a bus after walking around all day, or if in a hurry to get somewhere. So free transportation was awesome. There are also other threads about this with more info.

kybourbon

They recently increased the price of the pass so it's not as good as it was unless Rome is raising prices on entrance fees. It's now 30€. Colosseum/Forum/Palantine is 12€. Each ride on the metro/tram/bus would be 1.50€. You would have to see if it would pay off for the sites you want to visit.

I use public transit in Rome every trip. The little electric buses that run through the city center are very handy as they transverse the historical center. Here's a map for the electric bus lines.

http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=9

It does let you bypass the long ticket lines.

A_Brit_In_Ischia

We've used the RomaPass on four of our two dozen trips to the capital, when we've set hectic itineraries... but don't bother for loafing-around visits!

Whilst I doubt we saved much, I'm certain we did more, saw more and enjoyed ourselves more through having them... and always carry along the handy map included in the pack:

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/131811136

Of your "for sure" sites, the Colosseum at €12 and Castel Sant'Angelo at €10.50 already make most of its cost?

If not intending to visit any others it covers - April list with prices here.....

http://www.romapass.it/doc/sitiAdere...lietti_eng.pdf

... then bus/train tickets are €1.50 - or they've a daily pass at €6, although one for your entire three days would be a rather hefty €16.50 ?

http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=1642

Like the RomaPass, those are also valid on the little buses that trundle through the sidestreets - with a new line, the 125, introduced for Trastevere not so long ago:

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/electric_buses

You'll find its line-skipping powers explained in...

http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=33#faqq3

... with the transport side detailed here:

http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=33#faqq36

And before you ask - yes, it IS valid all the way out to the beach at Ostia Lido, and within the limits marked by place names in red type on the other lines shown on:

http://www.romapass.it/doc/zonaA_romapass.pdf

Essentially, it's good within the entire 500 sq km area of Rome (rather more than most people would care to cover on foot?) and beyond in a few cases, but NOT for either of the airports!

Peter

Brooklyn6

Wow, thank you so much! I think we will be buying them.

willowjane

I was planning on buying them but I was concerned with staying in Trastevere - I see that there is a bus line near where we are staying.

kybourbon

>>>I was planning on buying them but I was concerned with staying in Trastevere - I see that there is a bus line near where we are staying.<<<

You might find the tram a better option. Tram 8 to Largo Argentina puts you close to Piazza Navona. Tram 3 can get you to the Colosseum.

http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=5

A_Brit_In_Ischia

As an aside, it shouldn't be long now until the extension to tram route 8 opens - which will see the route run through to Piazza Venezia... from where it's only a modest but attraction-studded walk, past the Vittoriano, Trajans' Column and Markets and Forum, to the Colosseum? June seems to be the target!

And one of these days they'll finish the repairs to route 3, so that it again comes all the way to Trastevere's station... doing away with the 3B buses that currently go from there to Piramide!

Even so, well worth taking as it passes a host of interesting sights and sites:

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/riding_tram_3

Peter