How to Structure a 3-Day Trip to Rome

Structure your 3 days by grouping sites by neighborhood: Ancient Rome on day one, the Vatican on day two, and the historic center on day three. Book all major monument tickets online at least three weeks in advance to avoid wasting half your day in security lines.

  1. Secure your tickets early. Book tickets for the Colosseum and Vatican Museums via their official websites exactly 30 days before your visit. If these are sold out, look for official guided tours which reserve their own blocks of tickets.
  2. Group your walking route. Rome is best navigated on foot. Focus each day on a cluster of sites to minimize time on public transport. Wear broken-in walking shoes, as you will cover 15,000 to 20,000 steps per day.
  3. Eat away from landmarks. Never eat at a restaurant with photos of the food on the menu or a waiter standing outside trying to lure you in. Walk three blocks away from any major site (like the Pantheon or Trevi Fountain) to find authentic, cheaper meals.
Is the Roma Pass worth it?
It is only worth it if you plan on visiting at least three major museums and use public transport frequently. Calculate the individual ticket costs first.
How do I get from Fiumicino Airport to the city center?
Take the Leonardo Express train. It costs 14 euros and takes 32 minutes to get to Roma Termini station.