Visiting Rome's ancient monuments and museums can be costly and some places have long lines at the ticket counter. Here are some passes and cards to help you save money and time on your Rome vacation. You'll also avoid the hassle of having to carry money to pay for each entrance and with the Roma Pass you won't have to buy metro or bus tickets.
Note: Information is current as of fall, 2007 and prices given are for the full price. Some sites and museums are closed on Mondays.
Roma Pass
Roma Pass includes free transportation for three days and free admission for two museums or sites. After the first two uses, Roma Pass gives the holder a reduced admission price at other museums and sites, exhibitions, and events. Roma Pass can be used at more than 40 monuments, museums and archaeological sites.
Buying a Roma Pass: Roma Pass can be purchased at Tourist Information Points in Rome including the train station and Fiumincino Airport, travel agencies, hotels, Atac (bus) ticket offices, news stands, and tabacchi (tabacchi definition). Roma Pass can also be purchased directly from the museum or site ticket windows. Current price is 20 euro, good for three days from validation. [Note: the price will be going up to 23 euro in January, 2009]
Roma Pass on the web
Archeologia Card - Archeology Card
The
Archeologia Card, or archeology card, is good for seven days from the first use. The Archeologia Card includes admission to the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill, Roman National Museum sites, the Baths of Caracalla, the Villa of the Quintili, and the Tomb of Cecilia Metella on the ancient Appian Way.
Buying an Archeologia Card: The archeology card can be purchased at the entrance to any of the above sites except the last two or from the Rome Visitor Center in Via Parigi 5. Current price is 27.50 euro, good for seven days of free admissions (one time per site). This card does not include transportation.
Appia Antica Card
The
Appia Antica, or ancient Appian Way, Card is good for seven days from the first use and includes admission (one time each) to the Baths of Caracalla, the Villa of the Quintili, and the Tomb of Cecilia Metella. The cost of the card is 7.50 euro and does not include any transportation.
Biglietto 4 Musei - Four Museum Combination Ticket
The four museum combination ticket includes one admission to each of the four
National Museums of Rome (all closed on Mondays) - Palazzo Altemps, Palazzo Massimo, Diocletian Baths, and Balbi Crypt. The card costs 6.50 euro and is good for three days and can be purchased at any of the sites.
Rome Transportation Passes
Transportation passes, good for unlimited rides on buses and the metro within Rome, are available for one-day, three-days, seven days, and one month. Passes (and single tickets) can be bought at metro stations, tabacchi (
tabacchi definition), or some bars. Bus tickets and passes cannot be bought on the bus. The pass must be validated on the first use. Passes (and tickets) must be validated by stamping them in the little machine on the bus or at a machine in the metro station before you enter the metro turnstile.
Buying Rome Colosseum Tickets
The ticket line at the Roman Colosseum can be very long. In addition to buying a Roma Pass, there are a few other ways to avoid the ticket line.
Buying Rome Colosseum Tickets
More Rome Budget Travel Tips
