Help--what are the real prices?
 

Hi All!

I'm trying to book advance tickets to various sites to avoid long cues (I'm going to Europe end of May). However, various booking sites have various prices--even just for basic admission!

I was wondering what the "real" prices (or ranges) are for the following, so I don't get ripped off. If you could also refer me to a good website for booking (or the actual website of the site) I would really appreciate it!

Statue of David -- Florence (just admission tickets--no desire to do the tour since we have limited time)

Vatican (we would like to take a tour but I've seen such a wide range of prices I don't know what's "reasonable")

Colosseum--in the past I've just gotten my tickets when I went there, is this still ok? I've also heard you need to now purchase tickets into the forum (this wasn't the case when I was in Rome in 2001), is this true and if so, can I purchase tickets at the Coloseum?

Thanks!
Carrie

The real prices for the museums in Florence are on the official website with a phone number to call and book. The booking online function they offer doesn't seem to work well or show much availability since it's new this year.
http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/english/Default.asp?

You can book a tour directly with the Vatican which is usually cheaper than tour companies.
http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-In...zi_Visite.html

You might consider buying the Roma Pass(20€) or the Roma & Piu Pass(25€) if you are going to be in Rome for three days. You would get free admission to two museums (Coloseum included)and use of metro, buses, trams and local trains with discounts at other attractions after you've used your free admissions. www.romapass.it

Colosseum - You have a couple of choices here. Purchase your regular ticket for Colosseo/Palatine/Forum at the ticket windows for the Palatine. These are located to the left of the Arch of Titus or on Via San Gregorio. All three are now part of the same ticket.

Vatican Museums- The "official" tour, provided by Vatican guides is now about 30 euros. This one beats the lines and is usually the lowest priced. Get your reservation using email instead of the fax. Click on my name and you'll find the Vatican email thread.

dave

Oh yeah, I forgot to complete the Colosseo part. Yes, the Roma Pass (20 euros) or the Roma & Piu Pass (25 euros), allows access to all three, plus another site, plus about a 30% discount on access to several dozen other sites, plus 3 days of unlimited metro/bus travel.

Also, you can do the Archeo card, which allows a single access to about a dozen sites over the period of a week. If I remember correctly, the price is about 40 euros for this.

dave

Hi G,

In Florence you might want to visit the Uffizi museum as well as The David

Uffizi and Academia Museum Reservations
The easiest and cheapest way is to call Florence 1010987 (dial around number), 011 (U.S. international access code) 39 (Italy's country code) then 055-294-883 8:30-18:30 M-F and 8:30-12:00 Sat. Florence time. There is a long listing of press 1 for this and 2 for that--press 4 for bookings. You will get an English speaking operator and in 2-3 minutes YOU CAN RESERVE FOR BOTH. This is through the reservation service at the Uffizi and costs beyond the normal entry fee only about 3 euro for the service. This is MUCH cheaper than the commercial booking services.

You will not be charged for the reservations unless you use them.

Have a nice visit.

((I))

THANK you all SOOOO Much! With the dollar so weak right now, I really want to be sure I spend my money wisely and am not taken advantage of! We will be in Rome 3 days so it looks like the Roma pass is the way to go--thanks for the tip!

Carrie

Remember that the Vatican Museums are not part of any tourist pass.

If you are planning on using public transport, which I really recommend, then the Roma Pass is a great deal. If you are going to do cabs, then it isn't.

An advantage to the Roma Pass is that sometimes, the ticket takers don't verify it by computer, so you may get free access to more than 2 sites. Colosseo/Palatine/Forum is considered one site.

dave