Trip to Rome - on a 'sensible' budget - OMNIA Card???

natbags

Hi there, wondering if anyone can help. My mum and I are off to Rome at the end of Jan for 3 nights. We are staying just outside the city (10 mins walk approx.) Now we'd like to do all the usual sightseeing things and just cant fathom out the best (most sensible) and cost effective way!
I've researched the hop on hop off bus which looks good and come across a card 'OMNIA Vatican & Rome' Card/Pass which costs quite a bit, but can be ordered in advance here to be collected there and offers quite a bit, but I cannot seem to work out if its worth it

Has anybody else come across this or used it - Is it a good option?
And are there any other must see attractions worth including in our itinerary?
Thanks in advance Natbags

RedBern

We didn't bother with either. Tram travel was 1euro per journey and we walked miles. The Omnia card, depends where you want to visit. We didn't go into the Vatican but enjoyed St Peters Square, and there was a huge queue to go into the Vatican so a prepaid ticket would be a good option. At the Collisseum get your ticket at the Palatino booking booth which is across the road. There are no queues there but inside the Collisseum the queue was about 200 yards long! Three days isn't long, we spent 6 hours just around the Collisseum and neighbouring attractions so that's one day! Enjoy yourselves.

AlexMac

A bit off post, but...
dunno how old your mum is but what the ticket offices at the Colosseum won't tell you is that pensioners and under 18s get in free; but only if you ask!
- so us two codgers and the grandchildren (despite both being over 6ft tall) got in free, saving about 40 Euros, while other families happily paid up.

I think this discount applies to Museums and galleries belonging to the state (Musei Statali), so ask at others too!

Rambosmum

Depending on your mums mobility (I have no idea how old she is) Rome really isn't very big. We bought a travel guide for £2 for Italy from matalan and walked the lot.

natbags

thanks all she's 64 and very mobile, great tips and glad to know the distance and the sights are walkable

Contessa

Make sure you take your most comfortable pairs of shoes. I was advised of this before I went on a short break last year and wish I'd taken my trainers as well. I didn't as we were just taking hand luggage and my trainers didn't go with my clothes (foolish vanity!)

The weather was unexpectedly hot for the time of year so I was glad I'd packed a pair of sandals but my trainers would have been more comfortable on the cobbles. It was helpful to be able to have a different pair of shoes for the evening walking.

I had a wonderful time but it was a very tiring holiday. I hope you have a great holiday.

natbags

any tips on getting from the airport - taxi, train, tram etc???

Contessa

natbags wrote: »

any tips on getting from the airport - taxi, train, tram etc???

We got a train from the airport. One change. About ten minutes walk to our hotel (obviously dependent on which hotel) Lots of information online.

Some hotels also have a shuttle bus.

runningben16

We bought tickets for the Vatican and the Colosseum online and printed at home - that saves a lot of time, and means you can skip the queue in both places. Well worth it.
Which airport are you arriving at? Taxis have got fixed rates from both airports to the city displayed on stickers on their doors, but they will find any excuse to charge more.

natbags

Thanks runningben16 ciampino airport - not sure if our hotel is in the 'walls' though for the standard charge! and having read some of the horror stories about being ripped off, a little cautious Do you happen to know the website you got the tickets on? Ive found some info but it wants me to collect tickets there? would be great if we could print here

RedBern

We got a bus from the airport which took about an hour and was 8 euro return. That took us to the Central bus station and we walked from there.