Rome’s
major sites (the Vatican, the Coliseum, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain
etc) are within walking distance of each other. Why purchase a Roma Pass or the
OMNIA Card?
I
had already booked my excursions online, which makes these cards redundant.
Coop Culture and booking direct from the Vatican Museums and the Coliseum gave good
prices.
Disadvantage of Rome’s City
Pass and Omnia Card
Still,
here is a quick guide to Rome’s City Cards.
There
are two types of city cards available for visiting Rome: The Roma Pass and the
Omnia Card. The Omnia Pass comes with a free guidebook and map but has a limit
on how many attractions you can visit. The Vatican isn’t included. The Roma
Pass includes the Vatican.
In
both cases, you get to skip the queue. Figuring out which to use is down to which
sights you want to visit.
The
downside of these cards is that once it is activated, you have to use it for
successive days. I had booked my holiday in mid-August, when a festival called
the Ferrogosto occurs (15 August). Shops and public services apparently go
quiet that day, for the Romans go away during this time. This meant that one
day on the City Card could be wasted.
Another
drawback was that neither card includes transport to either of the Rome
airports: Fiumicino or Ciampino airports. Return taxi for me cost over 100 Euros.
The
Roma pass offers no discounts for children.
Another
consideration is whether to use the public transport or not. I like to walk. As
Rome’s main tourist attractions are within walking distance of each other, I
didn’t think I would need a city card.
I
had looked for a hotel that was within walking distance of Rome, but the area
was grotty and I had to get a bus pass anyway. I got neither city cards but a
regular ATAC bus pass from the Ostiense Metro Station. It was really run down.
There was no one in the kiosk and I had to ask a nearby stallholder to help.
Thankfully, he was honest and helpful. Each card cost me 24 Euros for 7 days.
Read the truth about Rome’s public transport and more on the following link. It is nothing like what I was led to believe in travel blogs and agents.
Read the truth about Rome’s public transport and more on the following link. It is nothing like what I was led to believe in travel blogs and agents.
 |
| Use Rome's ATAC Busses for a Fraction of the Price of the City Pass |
 |
| Rome's ATAC Bus Tickets are cheaper than the City Card |
 |
| ATAC Bus Tickets |
