The Roma Pass is a combined public transportation and museum pass for the city of Rome, Italy. From the moment it is validated the Roma Pass gives unlimited access to three days of public transportation in Rome. Moreover, the first two museums or monuments visited are free, and the following attractions can be seen at a reduced admission price. The price of the Roma Pass for 2012 is 30 Euros, a not inconsiderable price hike from the 2011 25 Euro rate.
As of 2010 the Roma Pass does not consist of two separate parts (the public transportation pass and the museum pass) anymore. It is now just one pass which becomes valid from the first time the holder uses public transportation or visits a tourist attraction in Rome.
A big advantage of the Roma Pass is that at the first two museums or monuments visited it is not necessary to line up anymore. You can just go to the turnstiles and stick the (magnetic) pass into the apposite slot. Especially at the Colosseum this can make a difference of several hours.
For the sights visited after the first two you do need to line up in order to get your discounted ticket.
With the Roma Pass it is possible to get discounts at certain special events and exhibitions.
It need be noted that the Roma Pass is not always as useful as it may seem. Especially for visitors to Rome who stay no more than 3 or 4 days in the Eternal City the expense might not be worth it, since many of the major attractions are free anyway. Churches, and that includes Saint Peter’s Basilica, are free anyway. The Pantheon is also considered a church and the squares, the fountains and many monuments are obviously also free and the Vatican Museums have to be paid whethe you have the Roma Pass or not. Since the center of Rome is very compact and it is possible to walk almost everywhere, the Roma Pass is not really necessary for public transportation either.
European visitors younger than 18 or older than 65 get free entrance to all of Rome’s tourist attractions, so they definitely do not need to acquire the Roma Pass. European visitors between 18 and 25 years of age get discounts at all the attractions, so it is highly debatable whether or not the Roma Pass is worth their while.
The Roma Pass can be bought at the museums and monuments of Rome themselves, which would mean having to line up again though, so it is better to get them at the information kiosks that can be found near the major attractions. In theory tobacconists and newspaper stands also sell them, but in reality they often seem to have just run out of them.
Together with the pass you will get a Roma Pass Kit, which consists of a map of Rome, a list of the museums an monuments included and Roma News, a small magazine describing the various exhibitions, concerts and other events the Roma Pass will give you a discount to.
After the first time the Pass has been used, the holder needs to write his/her full name and date of birth on the Roma Pass. Identification is also required.
As of 2010 holders of the Roma Pass in need of medical help can phone a call center, which will supply medical help in various languages.
