Effective January, 1 2012, the Roma Pass increases in price from 25€ to 30€. That’s a 20% increase in the price of this pass. It seems the Roma Pass folks are getting a jump on the proposed ATAC bus and metro ticket increase (one-usage tickets to increase 50%) slated for June 2012.
Since the Roma Pass is used primarily by visitors to Rome, it’s another substantial cost increase for travellers to the city. There appears to be no apparent incremental benefits that would warrant a 20% increase. Are there proposed site entry fees coming that would enhance purchasing a Roma Pass? None have been proposed, but of course that could change quite quickly and without notification. The recent “re-opening” of the Mamertine Prison – Il Carcere di Pietro and it’s new “pricing structure” may more mean changes (read: increases) are coming.
So Should you buy a Roma Pass? Now more than ever to use one effectively you’ll have to “map out” your 3-day period and prioritize your site visits. This certainly takes the spontaneity out of the pass and your visit. Coupled with the previous changes (when you could use the transport and site “3-day” periods separately), the Roma Pass is now becoming a bloated “tourist trap.”
When I moved to Rome five years ago, the pass was about 20€. In the past 5 years, the pass has increased in price 50% and shown no substantial incremental benefits to warrant those increases. Rather, it has continued to implement “limitations” – like the above-mentioned change from separate transportation and site cards that could be used independently to a single “3-day” card. What used to be a great option for savvy travellers is now becoming a tourist-gouging tool. As if this timing of the price change was not bad enough, in the previous few months the Roma Pass has not even been available due to production and/or supply issues. NO announcement of the price change was communicated by the Ministero per i Beni e le Attivit Culturali. I’m sure they’ll correct it soon, but at the Roma Pass home page the price is STILL listed as 25€ – only when you go to check out do you see the price increase…
Once of the greatest attributes of the Roma Pass is its ability to allow you to bypass the lines at the Colosseo… Frankly, with the cost of a Colosseo-combo ticket at 12€ you can easily avoid lines at the Colosseo by purchasing tickets early (they’re good for two days) or at the Forum or Palatine Hill Entry points. With Italy struggling financially, are there more price increases in the future for travellers?
