My Best Choice in Italy : A Package Tour in Rome

I made a LOT of mistakes in Rome (especially booking this Airbnb).

But one major decision I don’t regret? Booking a self-guided package tour.

I almost never book package tours, but I chose this one due to the cost-savings, unlimited transportation pass, and maybe most importantly: skip-the-line tickets. If you’re thinking tours in Rome, Viator should be your choice.

We were SO thankful that we sprung for skip-the-line when we saw the monstrous crowds at all of the attractions. Going to Rome on Easter weekend like us? Good luck to you!

When you’ve only got a few days in the city, you want to make the most of your valuable time, and not spend it waiting in a boring queue.

When you overdo your research and weigh each option ten times, sometimes it makes sense to take the easy way out…

For 109 USD per person, you get the following package tour in Rome with Viator:

• Skip the line ticket to Vatican Museums
• Skip the line ticket to St. Peters Basilica
• Entrance to three other attractions, of which I chose a ticket to Colosseum (which also included express entrance), and tickets to the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum
• Unlimited three-day use of the hop-on, hop-off tour bus throughout the city (also includes an audio tour)
• Unlimited metro train pass for three days
• Detailed map of Rome
• Discounts to all other attractions and museums

take the express entrance with the Viator package and jump past the lines into the Colosseum

It was a great deal, and worth it for the line-skipping and express entrance alone.

I actually ended up saving money – and getting extra perks – compare to if I’d booked it all separately, due to the bus pass and unlimited train use.

I still had my independence as the tour package only provided tickets and passes, and it’s up to you to use them as you wish, but I had the convenience and ease of a tour.

What I wish I’d known:

• While the tour operators insisted I’d only need two hours at the Vatican museum, this was definitely not enough time, especially considering the walking time (you must meet at the operator office before) and the operator’s lateness. Budget at least three hours for the Vatican museum, to account for the walk and operator tardiness
• You must pick up the package packet at the tour operator’s location in Vatican City, and then book your tours ahead of time at St. Peters and the Vatican museum (no walk-ins)

I’d recommend:

• Picking up your package, signing up for the desired tour times at Vatican City, and then continuing on to see non-ticketed attractions for the rest of the day, using your bus and train pass to get around.
  • You can’t pick up the pass until after 8:30am, and I’d recommend being to the other (ticketed) attractions slightly before they open, in order to avoid the crowd and line (even if it is express entrance)

Picking up my pass and taking selfies at St. Peters

Suggested Four Day Itinerary:

• Day 1

  • Arrive!
  • Spend the day acquainting yourself with the city
  • Wander the streets, and eat, maybe at Burro and Sugo, my favorite and the most friendly restaurant in Rome
    Getting my wine on my first day in Rome – at Burro and Sugo restaurant

• Day 2

  • Pick up your tour package at Vatican City
    • Schedule your Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica visit
  • Visit non-ticketed sites, like Campo di Fiori (must do in the morning), the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona
  • Enjoy the money-saving unlimited metro and bus pass
    Busy, bustling, free to visit Campo di Fiori

• Day 3

  • Arrive at the Colosseum 15 minutes before opening, and revel in your express entrance
  • Continue on to Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
  • Move on from the Ancient Rome area towards the Southwest (walk, or take the tour bus)
    • Pass by the Jewish Quarter, admiring Teatro Marcelo and the beautiful Synogogue
    • Watch the sunset over Gianicolo Hill
    • Have some beers (or more than a few) in Trastevere
      Gianoclo Hill View

• Day 4

  • Visit St. Peters and the Vatican Museums are per your previously scheduled appointments
  • Leave Rome!

Have you ever taken advantage of a package ticket/tour option? How was it?

**this tour was in no way subsidized by Viator. I booked the package based on my independent research and enjoyed it thoroughly – and saved so much money – that I decided to recommend it to my readers. If you book the tour through one of the above links, MyQuarterLifeEpiphany will receive a small commission through the regular sale price of the tour for referring you to Viator. You will not be charged additional**