WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

NICK TREND

We are going to Rome for five days in early October. I’m very confused about the need to buy tickets in advance to avoid queues. In some cases it seems unnecessary and for others a must. Another alternative seems to be a Roma Pass. We would like to visit the Colosseum, the

Forum, the Sistine Chapel and the Villa Borghese. Any advice for me please?

Dear Darius

DARIUS DAVER You’ve hit on the Eternal City’s eternal problem – how to visit some of the greatest, and therefore busiest, sights in world tourism without having to endure crushing crowds and endless queues.

This would be my strategy. Buy a Roma Pass (romapass.it). This costs €28 (£25) for 48 hours, €38.50 for 72 hours, and gives you free public transport and free access to either one (48 hours) or two (72 hours) of Rome’s museums or archaeological sights, and concessionary rates (sometimes half price, sometimes a small discount) to most other museums and sites that are visited during the time limit.

Use the pass to avoid the worst of the queues at the Colosseum – it doesn’t help you skip the queue entirely, but allows you to use the security checks/ticket office dedicated to groups, which should be much quicker. There won’t be any problem getting into the Forum (also covered by the pass) and you can also use it for the Villa Borghese.

However, advance booking is compulsory for all visitors to the Villa (make reservations several weeks in advance by phoning 0039 06 32810). The only key sight not covered by the pass is the Vatican Museums (for the Sistine Chapel). You have two choices to avoid the customary queues – either go for the last two hours of the day (get to the entrance for about 4pm), when it will be least crowded; or, if not, you can always book in advance at (biglietteriamusei. vatican.va).