Roma Pass Review : Is it worth it to visit Vatican in 2026 ?

You are looking for a comprehensive Roma Pass review ? It is the budget friendly option for those wishing to Visit Rome. In this article we’ll give you everything you need to know about the Roma Pass.

Deciding between the Omnia Card and the Roma Pass can be tricky, so we’ve decided to help you out. Read on for our full overview of one of Rome’s most popular and long established travel cards – the Roma Pass.

Here you can find out where to buy the Roma Pass as well as all about the Roma Pass costs. It’s the pass of choice for those looking to save a bit of money on travel and visiting options when in Rome.

At a glance, the Roma Pass does not look like it is worth it for those wishing to visit the Vatican. The card does NOT include entry to the Vatican Museums, however read on as you may be surprised by this Roma Pass review.

What is the Roma Pass and how it works ?

The Roma Pass is a travel city card that gives you full access to Rome’s extensive public transport network.

It also includes entry into either 1 or 2 museums of your choice, depending on the duration of the pass you choose. And a standard ticket to the Colosseum is automatically included.

Choose between a 48-hour option or a 72-hour option, depending on the length of your stay, and start exploring (check the latest prices here).

Roma Pass 2026 Prices

With the new prices the Roma Pass is still a budget friendly travel pass.

• 48-hour travel pass: 38€
• 72-hour travel pass: 62,9€

Attractions included in the Roma Pass

The Roma Pass does not include access to the Vatican Museums, but does included access to more than 55 Rome attractions.

Here’s a list of the top attractions included in the Roma Pass:

• Colosseum
• Palatine Hill and Roman Forum
• The Imperial Fora
• Borghese Gallery
• Castel Saint Angelo
• Musei Capitolini
• The Baths of Caracalla
• Museo Dell'Ara Pacis
• National Gallery of Modern Art
• Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica
• Mercati di Traiano
• Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica
• Accademia Nazionale di San Luca
• Galleria Spada
• Museums of Villa Torlonia
• Museum of Roman Civilization
• Museum of Casal de' Pazzi
• National Museum of Palazzo Venezia
• Balbi Crypt
• Palazzo Altemps
• Palazzo Massimo
• The Baths of Diocletian
• Circo Maximo Experience
• Check complete list on this page >>

Colosseum Access

Access to the Colosseum is included in addition to the free attractions (1 attraction for the 48-hour pass, 2 attractions for the 72-hour pass).

But in concrete terms, is the Roma Pass worth it in 2026 ? Honestly no. We'll explain why at the end of the article. Let's first see how the card works.

Where to buy the Roma Pass ?

The easiest way to purchase the Roma Pass is to buy it in advance of your trip to Rome online (like on this website). It saves you hassle when you arrive and means you can really start planning your trip in advance.

Roma Pass Review for budget travellers

The Roma Pass is a good choice for budget travellers (the 3 day Roma pass costs €62,9). It is still good if you intend to see 2 top hitting attractions free within the pass and travel a lot on public transport.

On top of that, there are discounts to 55 other attractions once you have visited your “free” choices.

For those wishing to see the Vatican with the Roma Pass, simply pre-book Vatican tickets online for about €30. You will have spent €92.9 total on your trip – a cheaper way to visit the Vatican than the more expensive Omnia Card.

But compared to the many benefits of its competitor, the Rome Tourist Card – the city pass I definitely recommend, the Roma Pass may have lost some of its appeal.

How to maximise your Roma Pass

Our Roma Pass review continue with the best options on how to maximize your discount card.

If you are on a 72 hours Roma Pass it is indeed well worth your money to visit the Capitolini and the Borghese Gallery for example. These would cost you €30 total at full price entry to both attractions.

Then, avail of the discounted entry on your card to the National Museum of Castel Sant’ Angelo (reduced down to 5€).

On top of that, your travel card (usually €18 for 3 days) is included. If you intend to use the metro, buses or trams to navigate your way around Rome over a 72 hour period the card is well worth the money.

By the end of the 72 hours you would have saved €15 if you had accessed these attractions and services separately. This means you will have plenty of spare cash leftover to get yourself some skip the line Vatican Museum Tickets.

You will also have saved several hours in queues, as you do not need to line up at the ticket counters at the big attractions to buy your tickets!

Free sights and great savings at the Vatican and beyond

If you are really on a budget, consider getting the Roma Pass for access to 2 attractions and public transport. Then head over to the Vatican to see St Peter’s Square and the stunning St Peter’s Basilica which are always free of charge!

Or, if you feel you want a Vatican experience but cannot afford the Vatican Museums’ tickets, book a free ticket to an Audience with the Pope. You won’t have  missed out on some sort of Vatican experience.

Don’t be disappointed that the Roma Pass only includes entry to 2 sights free of charge on the 72 hours option either. The discounts available across the museum network are quite substantial. This includes up to half price for some including the Coliseum and the Castel Sant Angelo for example. You can continue to make great savings even after you have visited your top pick.

Roma Pass pick up options

Nominated Tourist Info Point

Once you have landed in Rome, simply bring your proof of purchase email to one of the Tourist Info Points across Rome. Note – when you buy the pass online it will ask you to nominate a Tourist Info Point for collection, but you are not held to this location and can collect from anywhere.

Other Tourist Info Points

Additionally, all Tourist Info Points across the city sell the pass (such as the one at Termini station or in the arrivals hall at Aeroporto Leonardo Da Vinci). Many of these sights are open late until 8pm so you can be sure to get your pass the day before. This means you will not waste time in the morning queuing for a ticket.

Some attractions

You can also get the Roma Pass at one of the many attractions that are part of the Roma Pass scheme such as the Coliseum or the Castel Sant Angelo for example.

Transport Kiosks

Finally, some metro stations on lines A and B such as Ottaviano sell the passes in the Subway Ticket Offices, and Trenitalia offices also sell it. So you have plenty of opportunity to purchase your Roma Pass and no excuses.

Other Roma Pass Tips

Reservations

If you plan to use the Roma Pass to visit the Borghese it is necessary to reserve in advance. Call +39 06 32810  or sending an email to info@tosc.it.

Travel tips

The travel card featured on the Roma Pass offers unlimited transport across trams, trains, buses and metro for the duration of the card’s validity. It does not however offer access to the express train from FCO airport.

Security

Whilst the card includes access to the Coliseum, consider you may have to wait in line at security checkpoints at this and other attractions.

Closures and special days

Lots of museums are closed on Mondays and over the Christmas period, so be sure to plan your trip carefully so as not to waste a day of your card – they are not extendable.

Be careful if travelling over a Sunday (some Sunday’s have free entry to certain museums)

Interchangeability

If for any reason you are unable to come to Rome you can give your pass to someone else simply by contacting the organisers.

Travelling with children

Those travelling with children need to weigh up the benefit of a card as children get free access any to the public transport networks if they are under 10, and a number of state run museums are free anyway for those with children under 18.

Is the Roma Pass worth it in 2026 ? 

Honestly, the Roma Pass isn’t the best Rome pass in our opinion. In 2026, we recommend the Rome Tourist Card instead.

As the Colosseum has reduced the number of standard ticket admissions, tickets are now almost always sold out. As a result, Roma Pass holders may be disappointed, because their pass does not guarantee entry to the monument due to the high demand.

Is there an alternative? Yes. The solution to these recent changes is the Rome Tourist Card (check the latest price on this page). Once again, it remains the most advantageous option in our view.

Rome Tourist Card benefits:

• Instead of a standard Colosseum ticket, you can choose from different ticket options to access the Colosseum.
• To make the most of your Rome Tourist Card and your Colosseum visit, choose either an audio guide ticket or a guided tour. This is the best way to ensure entry on the date you want. The Rome Tourist Card also helps reduce waiting time considerably.
• Another major advantage is that it’s a mobile pass. You simply book your Rome Tourist Card online (on this page), choose your arrival date, and select one of the special Colosseum tickets (audio guide or guided tour). You’ll also receive a 10% discount code to book other attractions and activities.