Is the Rome Tourist Card worth it in 2024 ? – Review of this Rome City Pass

Is the Rome Tourist Card worth it ? If you're looking for the most current information and insights on the Rome Tourist Card, you've arrived at the right place.

Over the past few years, I've visited Rome multiple times and observed the evolution of its sightseeing passes. Changes have been notable, both in terms of pricing and what's included, with particular shifts in how Colosseum tickets are handled (I'll delve into this more below). 

One thing is certain: as of 2024, the Rome Tourist Card is among the top 3 Rome passes, distinguished by its ease of use and the exceptional selection of major attractions it offers, including priority access. 

But is the Rome Tourist Card worth it and is truly the best option for exploring Rome (particularly the Colosseum and the Vatican) ? This Rome Tourist Card review will cover everything you need to know.

Is the Rome Tourist Card worth it?

In my view, the Rome Tourist Card ranks among the top 3 sightseeing passes for visiting Rome.

Firstly, in the comparison between the Rome Tourist Card and the Omnia Card, I favor the former. The Vatican pass is notably more expensive (149€ – see the latest price here) and offers limited time usage (a maximum of 72 hours).

Next, when considering the Rome Tourist Card vs the Roma Pass, I again prefer the former. Although the Roma Pass is less expensive, it is significantly more restricted in terms of ticket validity (48 or 72 hours – see the latest price here) and does not include access to the Vatican.

Lastly, comparing the Rome Tourist Card with the Turbopass and the Go City Explorer, the decision largely depends on the final price and the number of options selected. 

For a 5-day duration, the Rome Turbopass is priced at 145€ (see the price in detail here), and the Go City Explorer, offering 5 activities of choice, costs 139€ (check the latest rate here). This makes them 40€ to 50€ more expensive than the Rome Tourist Card.

For those interested in visiting more than 5 major attractions, these options might be appealing. However, for the majority of visitors, the Rome Tourist Card will be more than sufficient.

What is the Rome Tourist Card?

The Rome Tourist Card is a Rome sightseeing pass that enables you to access 4 must-see attractions with a single ticket (available on this page). 

It's tailored for visitors eager to explore Rome's most significant monuments without the hassle of organizing every detail. 

Given the choice between purchasing individual tickets and navigating the complexities of booking time slots at major sites like the Colosseum or the Vatican Museums, opting for an all-in-one Rome pass often proves to be the simpler solution.

Whether you're visiting with your family, exploring on your own, or on a trip with friends, this Rome Tourist Card makes things simpler and more fun.

Validity

How long is the Rome Tourist Card valid for ? The Rome Tourist Card does not have an expiration date, allowing you to plan your visits to Rome according to your own schedule and timing. 

To the best of my knowledge, it is the only Rome City Card without a time limit. 

This means there's no pressure to cram all your sightseeing into just 2 or 3 days. Whether you're in Rome for a weekend getaway or an extended stay of more than a week, the Rome Tourist Card is designed to accommodate the duration of your visit.

Rome tourist card price

The Rome Tourist Card is available for a single price of 114€ (last known price in June 2024 – click here to check availability). 

• 114€ for adults (see the latest price on this page) 
• 72€ for children aged 4 to 17 
• free for children aged 0 to 3 
• free for visitors with a disability of +74% (also free for their carer)

How to buy the Rome Tourist Card

Purchasing the Rome Tourist Card is straightforward, as, unlike the Roma Pass, the entire process is conducted online.

Wondering where to buy a Rome Tourist Card ?

Here are the steps to buy and activate your Rome Tourist Card:

1. Visit the official Tiqets website (the operator of this pass) by clicking on this link.
2. Select your visit dates: Choose your visit dates and the number of tickets you want to buy. You will need to select specific dates and a time slot for the Colosseum and the Vatican.
3. Buy online: Complete your purchase of the Rome Tourist Card in just a few clicks (by visiting this page). The process is simple—just follow the steps sequentially.
4. Receive your Pass: After purchase, the Rome Tourist Card will be emailed to you within minutes. It's important to note that the pass is entirely digital. You can store it on your phone or print it out (it comes as a QR Code).
5. Activate your Pass: This Rome City Card activates automatically. With no expiration date attached to the pass, you are free to use it whenever suits you best.

What to do if the Rome Tourist Card is unavailable? 

In recent months, the quota of tickets available through online resellers has been limited by the office responsible for ticketing at the Colosseum of Rome, among other attractions. 

This restriction can result in the unavailability of the Rome Tourist Card for certain dates.

If you find that the Rome Tourist Card is not available, you have two alternatives:

1. Bookmark this page (here's the link) in your browser and check back later.
2. Consider choosing a different tourist pass, such as the Rome Turbopass (available on this site) or the Go City Explorer Pass (details on this page). Both passes offer flexibility, ranging from 1 to 7 days, and serve as excellent alternatives.

What are the attractions covered in the Rome Tourist Card in 2024? ?

The Rome Tourist Card is designed to streamline your visit to Rome, focusing on 5 must-see attractions. The aim is to simplify your booking process and ensure access to major sites.

Here are the attractions included with the Rome Tourist Card in 2024:

• Skip-the-line ticket for the Vatican Museums
• Skip-the-line ticket for the Sistine Chapel
• Skip-the-line ticket for the Colosseum
• Entry ticket for the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum (included with the Colosseum ticket)
• Priority entry of your choice to one of the following 3 attractions: the Pantheon, Castel Sant'Angelo, or the dome of St. Peter's Basilica.
• Optionally, you can also choose round-trip transfers from Fiumicino/Ciampino airports plus a 72-hour public transport card for the ATAC public network.

Additionally, the card comes with a complimentary smartphone audio guide app, offering explanations for over 130 points of interest throughout Rome.

Furthermore, the Rome Tourist Card provides a 10% discount on tickets for a selection of more than 50 museums, attractions, guided tours, and excursions (the complete list is available on this page).

Please note that upon buying the Rome Tourist Card, you will easily be able to add extra options to your package. 

For instance, if you wish to access the Colosseum's arena during your visit, you can include this feature with a single click during your reservation. The same flexibility applies to adding guided tours alongside your tickets. Therefore, don't be surprised to encounter these additional options when making your purchase.

Pros of Rome Tourist Card

Having discussed how it works, pricing, and included attractions, let's summarize the pros and cons of the Rome Tourist Card.

Convenient and 100% mobile 

A significant benefit of the Rome Tourist Card is its simplicity in booking and usage. 

The card grants access to the major attractions of the Roman capital, the must-visit sites during a trip to Rome. 

Moreover, the Rome Tourist Card is a completely digital pass, allowing you to use it with your smartphone. This means a single ticket, no paper waste, and no queues for purchasing.

Unlimited in time to visit

Another advantage is its unlimited validity. 

Unlike the Roma Pass and the Omnia Card, which are valid for a maximum of 72 hours, or the Rome City Card from Turbopass and the Go City Explorer, which last from 1 to 10 days, the Rome Tourist Card is not restricted by a specific number of days. 

This feature sets it apart from other passes that are time-bound.

Allows you to book your Colosseum ticket in 1 click 

As mentioned earlier, booking a ticket for the Colosseum has become more restrictive due to its status as one of the most visited sites in the world. 

To manage visitor flow, it's now mandatory to book a specific visit time slot in advance and online for 2024.

This requirement is seamlessly integrated into the Rome Tourist Card, allowing you to select your visiting slot directly upon purchase (see on this page). Once your reservation is confirmed, all details are recorded, eliminating the need to book a time slot through the official CoopCulture website for an additional fee of 2€.

Cons of Rome Tourist Card

The primary drawback of the Rome Tourist Card lies in its simplicity. 

It grants access to only 4 attractions in Rome. While these include some of the city's most significant sites, the selection is nonetheless limited.

After visiting the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill (which can be done in a single day), the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel (requiring another day), and either the Pantheon (allow 2-3 hours) or Castel Sant'Angelo (which takes about half a day), you'll have completed a thorough tour of Rome's highlights. At this point, you might find yourself seeking a break from museums.

Additionally, the Rome Tourist Card offers a 10% discount on tickets for other attractions, which can be beneficial if you're planning more visits.

However, another downside is the occasional unavailability of the Rome Tourist Card for certain time slots at the Colosseum and the Vatican, which can be a significant inconvenience.

Rome Tourist Card vs. other Rome passes

In 2024, there are 5 main City passes for visiting Rome: the Roma Pass, the Omnia Card, the Rome Go City Explorer Pass, the Rome Turbopass, and the Rome Tourist Card.

After a detailed comparison and analysis of their prices and offerings, here are the key advantages I've identified for the Rome Tourist Card.

Roma Pass vs Rome Tourist Card

Similar to the Rome Turbopass and the Go City Pass Explorer, the Rome Tourist Card provides good flexibility regarding validity. 

Unlike the Roma Pass and the Omnia Card, which are limited to 2 or 3 days, the Rome Tourist Card does not have such restrictions. 

This is particularly beneficial as it can be challenging to explore all of Rome's major attractions in just a few days, especially for families traveling together.

The Roma Pass may be cheaper, but it's also more limited in scope and duration.

Rome City Pass (Turbopass) vs Rome Tourist Card

The Rome Tourist Card allows you to book visit time slots for the Colosseum and the Vatican at the time of purchase. 

This feature ensures access to these essential sites and eliminates the hassle of making separate reservations through the official Colosseum website.

I personally find it more convenient to book the Colosseum and Vatican time slots during the Rome Tourist Card purchasing process than it is on the Rome City Card for Turbopass website.

Also while the Turbopass includes more attractions, it also comes with a higher price tag. For many, the Rome Tourist Card strikes the perfect balance between cost and value.

Rome tourist card vs Omnia Card

The ease of use of the Rome Tourist Card is noteworthy. Everything can be accessed with a single click on a smartphone. 

In contrast, the Roma Pass and the Vatican's Omnia Card, which are still issued in paper booklet form, seem outdated. 

The ability to avoid managing multiple tickets or queuing to collect your pass at tourist locations is highly valuable.

The Omnia Card's steep price and time limitations make the Rome Tourist Card a more appealing option for those seeking both value and flexibility.

Rome passes comparative table

Conclusion on the Rome Tourist Card review

Is the rome tourist card worth it ? For your next trip to Rome, I highly recommend purchasing the Rome Tourist Card or another tourist pass. While the savings may not be substantial, the convenience in terms of organization and ticket usage is invaluable.

So is the Rome Tourist Card worth it ? As demonstrated, the Rome Tourist Card is the optimal choice for most situations. However, if you're interested in a detailed comparison of other options, I invite you to read my comprehensive Rome sightseeing passes comparison.

Keep planning your journey with my guides on how to buy Colosseum tickets and visiting the Vatican museums.

Enjoy your visit to Rome, and please share your experiences with the Rome Tourist Card in the comments.