Roma Pass
 

We plan on getting the Roma Pass for our upcoming trip to Rome. Is there a way for us to purchase this ahead of time or do we have to wait until we get to Rome. Also, the pass is good for three days. Does the three days start from time of purchase or from the time its validated?

You can buy them online at the official Rome Pass site http://www.romapass.it
although I am not sure there is any particular advantage to doing so.

The 3-day period starts when the card is first activated, and lasts until midnight of the third day.

When I was looking into buying Roma Passes on-line for our upcoming trip to Rome, I learned that the passes will not be mailed in advance. Rather, they are to be picked up at a Tourist Information Point selected at the time of purchase. So, we will wait to buy our passes when we are there.

To confirm this information, check the Roma Pass website: FAQ - Purchase and Collection. Here, you will find also a list of places to pick up the pass.

Hope this helps!

its quite easy to buy and pickup all in one at Termini.

It's also easy to buy at the airport (find the Comune di Roma booth, not the other tourist booths)although it doesn't open until 9 and many flights arrive earlier.

I would make sure your three days can take advantage of the pass. Several things on the pass aren't open on Monday. The most expensive sites included on the pass that most people plan to visit are the Colosseum/Forum/Palantine (counts as one entrance and can be revisited over the three days) and the Borghese (requires reservation even if you have a pass). The pass automatically gives your free admission to the first two you visit so plan accordingly.

We will be in Rome for three days in June - arriving Sat and leaving Tuesday. We would like to visit the Borghese and the Colosseum/Forum. Would it be worth it to purchase this pass? Thank you!

I'll think you'll find it to be worth it. We used it for the Colosseum/Forum and Villa Borghese on 2 consecutive days. You could do that on the Saturday and Sunday.You can skip the long general admission line in the Colosseum and go to the RomaPass line. It's also good on the Metro and buses for the 3 days. The packet comes with a nice map of Rome and other useful information. We were very happy we had the pass!

Have a great trip!

The Borghese is closed on Monday so plan accordingly.

Above response is missing the important details as to WHEN is the card activated. The Roma Pass gets activated at the time of the first visited site/museum and/or the first journey on the city’s public transport network. You can buy it and carry it with you for a month; the 3-day clock starts ticking per above.

Though we never found a guide to buses and trams in book form, like "Carfree in Boston" or the guides available in Paris, we used our pass for lots of self-guided touring on regular buses, the trams (street cars) and the mini-buses in the historic districts, from the Tiber to the Borghese Gardens.

It is a cheap way to get around, maximizes the use of your pass, and lets you see a lot of ordinary Romans going about their business. I had to laugh on the Trastevere Tram when the only passengers left at the end of the line were ourselves and a British couple who are also transportation buffs.