Rome Sightseeing Passes comparison and overview : what is the best city pass for Rome ?

Article and prices updated in april 2024.

What does a Rome Sightseeing pass offer, and what makes it valuable?

The ideal Rome city pass should serve several functions :

• give you free access to main attractions and museums
• simplify the process of planning visits to these attractions
• offer discounts and reduced tickets
• allow you to skip the line
• facilitate transportation between locations

The price of a Rome pass generally increases with the number of benefits it offers. However, with extensive use, these Rome city pass can be cost-effective, ultimately leading to save money.

The 5 main Rome Sightseeing passes are:

• Roma Pass (see here)
• Rome Tourist Card (see here)
• Omnia Vatican and Rome Card (see here)
• Rome City Pass (also called Turbopass ) (see here)
• Go City Explorer Pass Rome (see here)

These passes all include fast-track entry to Rome’s main attractions with a few differences here and there and each one has various advantages.

But concretely which one is the best tourist pass for rome?

This guide also gives you a detailed list of where to buy these Rome passes.

Roma Pass – most famous

Visit 1 or 2 must-see places in Rome and get free transportation.

Paper ticket to pick up in specific places.

Valid 48 or 72 hours, depending on what you choose.

The Roma Pass is an excellent choice for those interested in exploring the archaeological sites of ancient Rome. This pass grants access to must-see attractions such as the Colosseum, Castel Sant'Angelo, and the Capitoline Museums. If your visit to the “Eternal City” spans a long weekend, the Roma Pass is beneficial for its time-saving convenience, although you won't save money.

Roma Pass price

Roma Pass cost is :

• €33 for 48 hours (1 main attraction)
• €53 for 72 hours (2 main attractions)
• Check last price on this page

Top attractions included in the Roma Pass

• Colosseum (free under 18)
• Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
• Castel Sant’Angelo
• Borghese Gallery (free under 18)
• Capitoline Museums
• Museum of Rome
• Carcer Tullianum

And some new offers have been added in 2024 :

• The archaeological site of Circo Massimo
• Forum Pass Super (Fori Imperiali, Foro Romano, Palatino e Ville)
• Circo Massimo Experience and Carcalla 4d

In addition, you will get a discount on the admission fees of more than 30 other museums (see full list on this page).

Roma Pass pros

• Roma Pass holders get unlimited use of the city’s public transport network in the form of a free Rome public transport pass.
• There is a guide and map of Rome included in the pass.

Roma Pass cons

• No free entry to the Vatican Museums or St. Peter's Basilica.
• No digital version (you have to pick up your pass at an information tourist point in Rome).
• Not ideal for a stay of one week or more: the pass is valid for a maximum of 3 days.

For who is the Roma Pass good for?

• First-time visitors who want to see one or two of Rome’s top attractions on a budget.
• Those who like exploring at their own pace.

Do I recommend to buy Roma Pass?

Roma Pass isn't as interessant as it use to be (read my article “Is Roma Pass worth it” for more details).

Entry to the Colosseum is no longer 100% guaranteed. Colosseum has reviewed its policy and since 2024, has reduced the number of entries for standard tickets.

Even if Roma Pass holders have a special queue, there is no guarantee that they will be able to visit the Colosseum. It is a very popular site and the classic tickets are almost always sold out.

In other words, it is likely that by the date you wish to visit the monument will no longer be available. Tickets are sometimes sold out over a period of several months!

⭐Rome Tourist Card – the one I recommend⭐

Visit 4 must-see attractions in Rome and enjoy skip-the-line access

Electronic ticket

Valid throughout your stay.

Rome Tourist Card is the ideal tourist pass for a first trip to Rome. The Colosseum and the Vatican are included! It's a very user-friendly pass that allows you to book all your visits in advance.

Rome Tourist Card price

Top attractions included in the Rome Tourist Card

• Colosseum regular entry
• Roman Forum and Palatine Hill regular entry
• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line ticket
• St.Peter's Basilica or Castel Sant’Angelo or Borghese Gallery (you choose one)

In addition, you get 10% discount on the entry tickets to other top attractions.

Rome Tourist Card pros

• Rome Tourist Card has a clear advantage over the Roma Pass as you are sure to have availability on the date you wish to visit the Colosseum. When you book your Rome Tourist Card online, you must select a date for your visit to the Colosseum. This has the advantage of directly securing your access to the Colosseum in Rome online.
• Option to book online all your activities in advance
• Very user-friendly electronic ticket
• An audio guide app with 130+ points of interests in the city (with offline, interactive digital maps and navigation) is provided.
• For those who have time to visit more attractions after the Colosseum and Vatican City, you get 10% off tickets to other Rome attractions.

Rome Tourist Card cons

• Limited availability : booking calendars open gradually.

For who is the Rome Tourist Card good for ?

• Travellers who don’t like to waste time picking up a physical card after arriving in Rome will benefit greatly from the Rome Tourist Card. Once downloaded on your mobile, it can be scanned by all participating attractions and other partners.
• Because there is no time limit attached to this Rome Tourist Pass, it’s also good for those who like a flexible itinerary.
• For those who absolutely want to visit the Coliseum and be guaranteed access to it
• Read my Rome Tourist Card review for more details

How it works to book the Rome Tourist Card?

1. Book your Rome Tourist Card online on this page,
2. Select your arrival date,
3. When you order your Rome Tourist Tickets, you can choose the type of ticket you want for the Colosseum
4. After making your reservation, you will receive your tickets and a voucher code with which you will get discounts for other museums, attractions, visits and excursions.

Pretty easy booking process, don't you think?

Omnia Card and Roma Pass 72h

Visit the must-see sights of Rome and the Vatican while enjoying free transportation.

Paper ticket to pick up in specific places.

Valid for 3 days from first use.

If you want to visit Vatican city, it is best to opt for this Omnia Card which offers skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica.

Omnia Card price

Best attractions included in the Omnia Card

The Omnia Vatican & Rome Card includes a 72-hour Roma Pass with free admission to two of the following main attractions:

• Colosseum
• Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
• Capitoline Museums
• Villa Borghese
• National Museum
• Castel Sant'Angelo
• Carcer Tullianum

Omnia Card pros

• What makes the Omnia Card stand out is that it also includes free skip the line entry to the Vatican Museums with Sistine Chapel and you can add an audio guide for St Peter’s Basilica.
• Unlimited free entry to public transport for 3 days
• Unlimited hop-on hop-off bus for 3 days
• Guide and map of Rome and Vatican City included with the pass
• Reduced ticket to 30 more sights and attractions in Rome.

Omnia Card cons

• Fairly high price
• No digital version (must pick up your pass at an information point in Rome)
• Not ideal for a stay of a week or more: pass validity limited to 3 days

Who is the Omnia Card good for?

• First-time visitors to Rome who like to combine a visit to the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica with two other top Rome attractions while benefiting from free public transport.
• You like the idea of seeing and learning more of Rome from the comfort of a hop-on-hop-off bus instead of using the metro or public buses.

Rome City Pass from Turbopass

Discover the must-see sites and tours of Rome with our all-in-one city pass!

Electronic ticket

Valid from 1 to 7 days

One ticket – all inclusive. That is what you get with this Rome City Pass. Free entry to the most popular attractions, museums, and galleries, free hop-on hop-off bus service, and exclusive guided tours. The Rome City Tour Pass not only saves you money but also time, as you can skip the lines at some of the most popular places!

Rome City Pass (Turbopass) price

Best attractions included in the Roma City Pass 2024 (Turbopass)

• Sistine Chapel
• Vatican Museums
• Colosseum
• Roman Forum
• Palatine Hill
• Castel Sant'Angelo
• Caracalla Baths
• St. Peter's Basilica
• Pantheon
• and 25+ more

Rome City Pass (Turbopass) pros

• Reduced entry to additional attractions and exhibitions.
• Hop-on-hop-off Rome bus tour.
• Rome map and travel guide.
• Airport transfer round trip (in option)

Rome City Pass (Turbopass) cons

• High price
• Villa Borghese is not included
• Capitoline Museums are not included
• Public transport only in option

Who is the Rome Turbopass good for?

• Those with a bigger budget who are planning a longer trip to Rome and want to visit all the included attractions.
• People who like the convenience of buying one product which includes all tickets and travel cards.
• You can read my Turbopass Rome review for more details

Go City Explorer Pass Rome

Choose from 2 to 7 activities (from a list of 46) and explore Rome at your own pace!

Electronic ticket

Valid for 60 consecutive days from the first activity.

The Rome Explorer Pass is one the most flexible and comprehensive pass. Choose 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 activities and control your budget.

Go City Explorer Pass Rome price

Top attractions included in Go City Explorer Pass Rome

• Colosseum
• Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with audio guide
• Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
• Pantheon
• St. Peter's Basilica with audio guide
• Hop-on Hop-off Buses
• Castel Sant'Angelo with audio guide
• Catacombs of Rome
• …and more

Go City Explorer Pass Rome pros

• Very flexible pass to visit Rome
• Suitable for short stays as well as longer trips
• You have two years to start using your pass
• Easy-to-use electronic ticket

Go City Explorer Pass Rome cons

• No public transport included

Who is the Go Rome Explorer Pass good for?

• Best if you plan to stay in Rome for more than a week.
• If you want a VIP treatment at some sights (with priority entrance and audio guides)
• Some cool perks like offers for operas, concerts and ice cream making classes (if you are into stuff like that)

Rome sightseeing passes overview

Tips to make your Rome Pass worth it

1.     Book your Rome Pass online to save time after arriving in Rome.

2.     Plan ahead and save more time by identifying a collection point closest to your accommodation.

3.     Rome passes cost money. Use your free admission benefits to see the most expensive attractions on the list. These include the Roman Forum, Borghese Gallery & Capitoline Museums.

4.     Only activate your Rome sightseeing pass when you are ready to start using it.

5.     Rome gets very busy in the peak season. Prioritize your sightseeing by starting with the one you want to see most.

6.     Make sure you benefit from all the free admissions included in the Rome Pass by starting your day early. There’s nothing worse than paying for something and not being able to benefit from it because you ran out of time.

7.     See more of Rome by travelling on the buses included in your tourist pass instead of taking the metro.

8.     Avoid the first Sunday of the month (Domenica Al Museo) when entry to the Colosseum and Vatican Museums are free for everyone.

9.  If you’re not buying your Rome tourist pass online in advance, make sure you know where to buy your Rome Pass before you arrive.

Which Rome Sightseeing Pass should I buy?

If you stay in Rome for less than 3 days

Deciding which Rome Pass to buy depends on how much time you are spending in Rome.

If you’re in the city for less than 3 days, the 48-hour Roma Pass makes sense. With more time, the 72-hour pass with its free entry to 2 best attractions is a better deal.

If you want to add the Vatican Museums to your itinerary, the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card is worth considering if you have 3 days for sightseeing in the Eternal City.

If you stay in Rome for less between 3 and 7 days

If you stay more that 3 days in Rome, I recommand the Rome Tourist Card (check availability here). First it is a digital pass, so you don’t have the hassle of picking up a physical card after arrival.

Second, it offers flexibility in that there is no time limit attached. It means you can make use of your free tickets whenever you want during your visit.

But what he does make us recommend it 100%, is his Colosseum ticket options. By choosing an audio guide ticket or a guided tour, you are sure to find a slot available for the Coliseum tour. Which is not the case with the other passes…

If you stay in Rome for more than 7 days

With the luxury of more than 7 days to spend in Rome, why not look at the benefits of the 7-day Turbopass or the Go City Explorer Pass Rome.

Final word : what is the best Rome Sightseeing Pass in 2024 ?

The Roma Pass is not longer beneficial for its holders. Prices have increased a lot and honestly, we don't really understand why.

Ok, it is great way to save on transport costs while sightseeing in Rome. But as it do not secure your Colosseum access, we wouldn't recommend it anymore.

The Rome Tourist Card is for me the best option (more details here). It is the best solution to the shortage of standard ticket entries to the Coliseum. Moreover, an audio guide or a guided tour allows you to learn much more about the monument than a simple visit.

But opting for a pass to Rome will depend on the type of stay you wish to have.

Roma pass cost anything from €35 for 48 hours and €149 for 3 days. That’s not always cheap.

Therefore, you should do your research and choose the best way to use a Rome Pass based on how much time and money you can spend in the Eternal City.