Tourist passes

Those who are planning a trip, especially if to a city of art or rich in museums and attractions, will undoubtedly try to save time and money by considering the possibility and convenience of purchasing a tourist pass.

What are tourist passes?

Tourist passes are in fact combinations of museums, tours and other attractions, often combined with the possibility of using public transportation. In its most classic form, the pass corresponds to a magnetic card, which can be purchased online or at dedicated outlets in the city, valid for a certain number of days or hours from its first use. The tourist pass allows free entry to attractions included in the offer, often avoiding standing in line at the ticket office. It can also be used as a ticket on public transportation, within the period of validity.

Why purchase a tourist pass?

By purchasing a pass, visiting tourists generally have good savings on their vacation. They are designed to touch on major points of interest in the city and often include discounts and deals on restaurants, stores or other activities.

Often multiple passes are available for the same city, especially for the most popular tourist locations or those with great artistic and cultural heritage. It is important, therefore, to carefully consider which pass is best for your vacation, which best suits your needs and the way you travel.
You may also find that for the days you stay or what you would like to see, it is better to buy individual attractions and do without the pass. Conversely, you may get to spend even a little more, having the opportunity to skip lines or to experience the vacation with more freedom.

On this site, based on personal travel experiences or reviews from friends, I will try to advise you on buying a tourist pass for different cities.

How do tourist passes work?

Each pass has its own methods of purchase and use. It is usually best to purchase them online before departure to take advantage of discounts that are not available if purchased on site. Upon first use-that is, upon entering the first attraction-their validity period begins, after which they will no longer be accepted.

This is most often a card or card (like a credit card for short), accompanied by a guidebook with all the info about the attractions included. Other times the pass comes in the form of a carnet, with detachable tickets for each entrance.
Lately, however, more and more often, the pass is replaced or combined with an electronic code (barcode or QR Code) so that you can use it directly from your smartphone, without printing or picking up anything.

To enter the various attractions, you only need to present your pass, or convert it to a valid ticket for entry at the ticket offices.

Are they really convenient?

The convenience of buying a tourist pass should be evaluated from several aspects, and there is no general rule. Much depends on the tour itinerary you have sketched out, how many days you have available, and how you are used to traveling.

For each city and each pass you will find advantages and disadvantages highlighted, so that you can make the best choice and enjoy the most from your vacation!