Rome Tourist Card Review: Is this Rome City Card worth it in 2024 ?

Planning your visit to Rome and wondering if the Rome Tourist Card is worth considering? You've come to the right place. Among the 5 major city passes designed for exploring Rome, the Rome Tourist Card stands out. This pass is your ticket to hassle-free sightseeing, offering skip-the-line access to the city's foremost attractions and monuments, including the Vatican.

Are you eager to soak in all the beauty and history Rome has to offer without getting stuck in endless lines of tourists? Let's dive into this Rome Tourist Card review to determine if it's the perfect option for maximizing your Rome visit.

What is the Rome Tourist Card? 

What if I told you that, with a valuable city pass, you could secure your place for the most beautiful attractions of Rome and additionally, benefit from skip-the-line tickets? That's what the Rome Tourist Card offers. 

How long is a Rome Tourist Card valid for ?

The Rome Tourist Card stands out as the only pass in Rome without an expiration date. You have complete freedom to plan your visits and take advantage of discounts on other bookings as you see fit. 

Whether you're visiting Rome for just a few days or planning a longer stay of over a week, the Rome Tourist Card is designed with all travelers in mind.

Rome tourist card price

The Rome Tourist Card is available in 2 rates.

• 95€ (adults) => check here if the price is still up to date. 
• 77€ (children 4-17 years old) 
• free for children 0-3 years old 
• free for disabled persons (74%+) + 1 carer

These Rome Tourist Card prices were updated in March 2024.

Where to buy the Rome Tourist Card?

1. Go to the Rome Tourist Card page on the Tiqets website by clicking here. 
2. Choose your option and specify your arrival date. 
3. On the checkout page: you must select the date of your ticket for the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel as well as for the other attractions. 
4. Proceed with the booking by making your payment. 
5. All is good: you receive your tickets by email as well as your -10% discount code for additional bookings you may want to make on Tiqets website.

What to do if the Rome Tourist Card is sold out?

Due to recent limitations set by the ticketing authorities at the Colosseum and other sites, the Rome Tourist Card might sometimes be unavailable for certain dates.

If you encounter this issue, here are 2 practical steps you can take:

1. Save this page in your browser's bookmarks (use this link) and periodically check for updates.
2. Explore alternative tourist passes like the Rome Turbopass (see price here) or the Go City Explorer Pass (more details on this page). These city passes, valid from 1 to 7 days, offer similar flexibility and are great substitutes.

How to use the Rome Tourist Card 

Using the Rome Tourist Card is straightforward, as everything you need is accessible on your smartphone. 

Once you've made your booking, you'll receive your entrance tickets and a discount code via email. 

Simply show your ticket on your smartphone at the entrance of attractions like the Colosseum and St. Peter's Basilica. 

There's no need to reserve your entry times for attractions, as the Rome Tourist Card offers unlimited use without any time restrictions.

Attractions included with the Rome Tourist Card in 2024

For a price of 95€ for an adult in 2024 (check here last price), the Rome Tourist Card includes:

• Skip-the-line entry ticket to the Colosseum, as well as tickets for the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum.
• Skip-the-line direct entry ticket to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
• Direct entry to one of the following three attractions: St. Peter's Basilica, the Borghese Gallery, or the Castel Sant'Angelo.
• Access to a smartphone audio guide application featuring over 130 points of interest in Rome. 
• A 10% discount on your bookings for museums, attractions, guided tours, and excursions as listed here.

Additionally, the Rome Tourist Pass allows you to further customize your experience with various upgrades. For instance, you can include access to the Mamertine Prison along with your Colosseum ticket, or add a guided tour to your visit to the Vatican Museums.

Pros

With the Rome Tourist Card, you're set to explore the Eternal City's wonders with ease and efficiency.

• Convenience at your fingertips: Everything you need is accessible online and stored on your smartphone.
• Skip-the-line access: Enjoy priority entry to the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel, avoiding long queues.
• Unmatched flexibility: The card comes with no expiry, giving you the freedom to plan your visits as you wish. Note that for the Colosseum, you'll need to book a specific time slot (mandatory since last year).
• Guaranteed entry: Secure your visit to Rome's most iconic attractions, which might limit access due to high visitor numbers, such as the Colosseum.
• Complimentary audio guide: Explore Rome at your own pace with a free audio guide, providing insights into over 130 points of interest.
• Exclusive discounts: Save 10% on a wide range of activities, including museums, attractions, and guided tours, as listed here.

Cons

• Public transport not included: The pass does not cover public transportation costs.
• No Airport Transfer: Unlike previous versions of the Rome City Pass, airport transfers are not included, requiring separate arrangements.
• Colosseum time slot booking required: Due to its popularity, a specific time slot reservation is necessary for the Colosseum visit.

Why choose the Rome Tourist Card over other Rome City Passes? 

Rome offers 5 major city passes for exploring its treasures. The Roma Pass, the Omnia Card (special card for the Vatican), the Rome Go City Explorer Pass (see here), the Rome Turbopass (website here), and the Rome Tourist Card.

After trying out several, I've found the Rome Tourist Pass to stand out with distinct benefits over the rest. 

Here's why:

• Unlike other passes, such as the Roma Pass which only lasts 2 or 3 days, the Rome Tourist Card has no expiration date.
• There's no need for printed tickets or to collect your pass upon arrival; all essentials are just a tap away on your phone.
• You're 100% sure to visit the Colosseum with your ticket because you reserve a specific time slot.

Important to read: Since last year, the Colosseum has limited skip-the-line entries to manage visitor flow better, leading to potential entry denial for those without timed tickets if it's at capacity. Such issues are avoided with the Rome Tourist Card.

Rome passes comparison table

Who is the Rome Tourist Card for? 

It's for you if

• You dislike queuing and you're looking to bypass long lines and save time at attractions.
• You're set on visiting the Colosseum and want to secure your entry without the worry of sold-out tickets.
• You're planning various excursions: Whether it's a catacomb tour, a Tiber cruise, or a day trip to Venice, and you'd like to enjoy a 10% discount on these.
• You have limited time in Rome: Ideal for those wanting to maximize their visit in just a few days.

It's not for you if

• You prefer less touristy activities and you're not interested in Rome's most visited sites like the Colosseum and St. Peter's Basilica.
• You like spontaneous planning: For those who prefer to organize their visit on a day-to-day basis, especially outside the busy season, this pass might not be as beneficial.

Rome Tourist Card Review : My perspective and why I recommend it

Is the Rome Tourist Card worth it ? It is a big yes.

I consider the Rome Tourist Card to be very comprehensive, perfect for anyone planning their first trip to Rome. 

Unlike the Roma Pass, which requires collection at specific locations, the Rome Tourist Card is 100% digital, adding convenience from the start.

The card grants access to 5 of the city's most iconic landmarks: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill, the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, and offers a choice between the Borghese Gallery, St. Peter's Basilica, or the Castel Sant'Angelo. 

This access not only saves a significant amount of time but also reduces the stress of potentially long waits, ensuring you can enter your chosen sites without delay.

Additionally, the card offers a 10% discount on various other activities, enabling further exploration like a day trip to Florence or Venice, discovering the Vatican's secrets through an audio guide, or enjoying a romantic dinner cruise.

You also have the flexibility to enhance your experience with optional extras, such as guided tours or visits to additional monuments, directly through your tourist pass.

In summary, from my perspective, the Rome Tourist Card is the best choice for those looking to fully enjoy Rome without the inconvenience of long queues or the hassle of managing multiple bookings. It's designed to make your visit as enjoyable and efficient as possible.

Final Thoughts on this Rome Tourist Pass

If you're planning a trip to Rome in the near future, I highly recommend considering a city pass to streamline your visits and conserve time. For a comprehensive overview, take a look at my comparison article on the various Rome City Passes to understand all your options. 

However, from my experience, the Rome Tourist Pass stands out for its unparalleled benefits and flexibility. It's my top recommendation for anyone looking to maximize their exploration of Rome with ease.