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Paris Toolkit Visiting Pompeii, Herculaneum & Mount Vesuvius from Naples
How best to see Pompeii, Herculaneum & Mount Vesuvius, independently or tour?
Pompeii - independent or tour?
In a straight line Pompeii is about 15 miles (24km) south of the city of Naples. Herculaneum is even closer to Naples between Naples and Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius looms over both sites.
The Circumvesuviana trains between Naples and Sorrento stop at Pompeii Station close to the front gates of the Pompeii Site and for Herculaneum, Ercolano Scavi Station is about a 10-minute walk. Mount Vesuvius is more problematic independently and not so straightforward.
It should be said though that the Circumvesuviana trains are more like mass transport Metro trains that run above ground. Be prepared to have to stand for much of the journey, stations are numerous and frequent.
Mount Vesuvius is another matter. Independently the logistics require you to use either Ercolano Scavi or Pompeii train stations. From outside both stations there are small tour operators offering services. You will find leaflets on the more reputable ones in local tourist offices and hotels.
From outside the main gates to Pompeii (not the gates near the Circumvesuviana train station), the local bus company offers the cheapest scheduled service up to Mount Vesuvius.
Even if you are a die-hard independent traveller where you treasure the freedom of doing your own thing at your own pace there is little information at either Pompeii or Herculaneum to help you interpret what you are seeing. You will be wise to invest in at least an audio guide if not a human guide.
Pompeii is also a vast site with little shade and in summer dehydration is a real problem that should not be underestimated.
You get a basic map on entry but for the first time visitor you can spend an awful lot of time ambling around missing some of the highlights, especially if you limit your visit to 2-3 hours.
The tours will efficiently take you around the site not missing anything of consequence and pointing out things you might otherwise miss.
Visiting Pompeii independently by train
Full details of the Circumvesuviana and National Railways trains that enable an independent visit to Pompeii, Herculaneum & Mount Vesuvius from Naples are on our dedicated page linked below.
The Circumvesuviana is a small independent network of lines out of Naples that cover the region to the east of the city.
The line is not part of the national railways so you cannot buy a ticket to Pompeii using the national rail network and Circumvesuviana journeys combined in one ticket.
There are no seat reservations, you pay cash for tickets in advance at the stations or local news-stands and bars.
Pompeii & Herculaneum entrance tickets
POMPEII ENTRANCE TICKETS
• Entrance to Pompeii UNESCO World Heritage Site archeological site • Flexible • Free cancellation • No booking fee
POMPEII GUIDED TOUR
• 3-hr tour of Pompeii • Skip-the-line • Available every day • Free cancellation • No booking fee
HERCULANEUM ENTRANCE & OPTIONAL GUIDED TOUR
• Entrance to Herculaneum • Option to add on 2-hr small group guided tour • Skip-the-line • Choose from selection of entrance times • Free cancellation
Unico Artecard - 3 day tourist pass for Naples, Pompeii etc, including public transport
Aimed squarely at the visitor to Naples this pass combines public transport in Naples for 3 days, (including the Naples airport bus) plus entry to two attractions from a long list that includes the National Archaeological Museum in Naples, Pompeii and Herculaneum.
From the third attraction onwards you enjoy up to a 50% discount on standard tickets.
NAPLES CAMPANIA ARTECARD
• Digital pass • Get free entry to 2 of over 40 sites in Campania • Exclusive discounts on your third site • FREE travel on public transport for duration of pass • Access to exclusive events
Public tours Pompeii, Herculaneum & Mount Vesuvius from Naples
Tours from Naples to these sites either cover one site in a half day tour or two of the sites in a full day tour.
Tours will pick-up from major Naples hotels. Many tours pick-up from Centrale Station or you can select the Starhotels Terminus Hotel, a major hotel immediately outside the main entrance of Naples Centrale Station on your left.
The area immediately around Central Station is a major hotel district from Naples and if you are a visitor looking for value for money is the best place to start looking for your accommodation in Naples.
POMPEII HALF DAY TOUR FROM NAPLES
• Fast track entry to Pompeii • Professional guide • Transport by shared air-conditioned minibus • Hotel/train station pick-up and drop-off
MOUNT VESUVIUS HALF DAY TOUR FROM NAPLES
• Drive through Vesuvius National Park • Hike to the summit and peer into the crater of Vesuvius • Panoramic views of the beautiful Bay of Naples • Hotel pick-up and drop-off • Professional driver/guide
POMPEII & MOUNT VESUVIUS DAY TOUR FROM NAPLES
• Explore Pompeii ruins with a guide • Enjoy a pizza lunch with your fellow travellers • Hike to the summit of Mount Vesuvius and peer into the crater • Hotel pick-up and drop-off • Professional driver/guide
POMPEII & HERCULANEUM DAY TOUR FROM NAPLES
• Visit to Pompeii with guide (entrance not included) • Enjoy lunch in Ristorante Vesuvio • Walking tour of ruins of Herculaneum (entrance not included) • Hotel pick-up and drop-off • Professional driver/guide
Private tours Pompeii, Herculaneum & Mount Vesuvius from Naples
Tours from Naples to these sites either cover one site in a half day tour or two of the sites in a full day tour.
The main departure point of the tours is Central Station (Stazione Centrale), the main national train station in Naples and a major local public transport hub for the city of Naples with some hotel pick-ups prior to that.
Naples there & back excursions to Pompeii with option to visit Herculaneum or Mount Vesuvius
Enjoy a half day tour of Pompeii by private transport with the flexibility of choosing your departure time. You also have the option of extending the tour to nearby Herculaneum or Mount Vesuvius.
One of our English-speaking drivers will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel in Naples, train station or the port and will be at your disposal throughout the day.
You can choose a start time convenient for you between 7 and 10am.
If you want a departure time later than 10am then please use our custom enquiry form at the foot of the page.
After your visit to Pompeii you can return to your starting point or go onto nearby Herculaneum or Mount Vesuvius to make a full day of it.
POMPEII FROM NAPLES PRIVATE WITH OPTION TO VISIT MOUNT VESUVIUS AND/OR HERCULANEUM
• Visit to Pompeii (entrance not included) with option to add on Pompeii guide • Hotel/train station/cruise port pick up/drop-off • English speaking driver
Naples tour transfers
Avoid killing time at the airport or waiting to check-in at hotel or cruise ship
Ideal if you have a late flight and have to check out of your accommodation hours early or hang around at your accommodation waiting for your room to come free.
Why not use your arrival/departure day productively. As part of the transfer get some world class sightseeing in before arriving at the airport, hotel or cruise terminal.
MOST POPULAR NAPLES TOURS 2024
| Popular Tours From Naples | |
|---|---|
Morning Half Day Tour To Pompeii Includes admission and 2 hr walking tour |
From €65 |
|
Includes lunch, walking tours and admissions |
From €115 |
|
Includes lunch and visit to coral factory |
From €91 |
|
Includes lunch, walking tours and admissions |
From €93 |
|
Includes lunch |
From €91 |
| Pompeii & Herculaneum Independently | |
| From €24 | |
| From €25 | |
| Pompeii Fast Track Admission With Guide | From €24 |
| Not including Pompeii | |
Half Day Afternoon Tour To Mount Vesuvius Includes admission |
€66 |
|
Hydrofoil, island plus lunch |
From €142 |
Capri Day Tour With Boat Trip To Blue Grotto Hydrofoil, island tour plus boat trip |
From €168 |
| Private Tours | |
|
Visit Pompeii etc during your airport/hotel transfer |
From €239 per vehicle |
Private Trips to Pompeii, Vesuvius etc There and back private visits to Pompeii etc |
From €199 per vehicle |
|
Create your own itinearry or use a well proven itinerary |
From €540 per vehicle |
