Wasted $80 on a 'city transit pass' in Rome that barely worked

I bought a Roma Pass last summer thinking it would save me money on buses and the metro. Turns out half the ticket machines didn't even accept it, and I ended up buying single tickets anyway because the pass kept getting rejected. Lost about $80 total after three days of fighting with it, plus an hour of my time trying to get a refund from the tourist office. The lady at the counter just shrugged and said 'system is slow' in broken English. Anyone else have issues with these city passes in Europe? Should I just stick to walking and buying single tickets next trip?

2 comments

2 Comments

alicec861mo ago

Wait, the ticket machines didn't even accept the pass? That's insane. I had the same thing happen in Paris with their Navigo card, but at least the machines worked, the pass itself just stopped loading after day two. The tourist office just shrugging is the most Italian thing I've ever heard, they do that everywhere. Honestly, I'd say walk as much as you can and just buy singles when your feet give out, the passes are a total gamble.

the_julia1mo ago

Ngl that 'system is slow' shrug is basically the universal symbol for 'yeah we know it sucks but go cry about it somewhere else'. It's like every company that sells these passes banks on you giving up before you actually get your money's worth. Same energy as ordering food at a counter and they hand you a buzzer that never goes off. Just walk next time, your legs will hate you but at least your wallet won't.