How to visit Pompeii from Naples

How long does it take to visit Pompeii?

You'll need to plan at least half a day to visit Pompeii from Naples:

• One hour to reach the archaeological site from downtown Naples.

• At least two hours inside the ruins, though we recommend spending at least four hours to take in the top sights. Keep in mind that the ancient city is quite vast and an entire day wouldn't be enough to visit it all.

• One hour to return to downtown Naples from Pompeii.

Remember that visiting Pompeii is a tiring endeavor, with hours of walking, often under the hot sun with little shade. Be sure to schedule a relaxing afternoon after your visit, so you can refresh and regroup!

The ruins of Pompeii: practical information

Opening hours:

• April through October: 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (last entrance 6 p.m.)

• November through March: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entrance 3:30 p.m.)

• Closed: New Years Day (January 1), Labor Day (May 1), Christmas (December 25)

Tickets:

• Regular-price 16 euros

• Reduced-price 9 euros

• Free entrance for EU citizens up to age 18

• Reduced-price entrance for EU citizens ages 18 to 24

Baggage deposit: There is a free baggage deposit next to the entrance. Visitors cannot bring bags into the ruins of Pompeii or Herculaneum that measure more than 30x30x15 cm.

Getting to Pompeii from Naples

In terms of transport options, the fastest and easiest way to reach the ruins of Pompeii from Naples is the Circumvesuviana train that runs between the Napoli Piazza Garibaldi train station and the Pompei Villa dei Misteri stop. The travel time is about 30 minutes. Don't expect top-tier service, as these aren’t high-speed trains or direct trains but rather local commuter trains that tend to be old, often run late, and don't have air conditioning. However, for the time being the Circumvesuviana line is the fastest option to get to Pompeii, and since it’s a train line it avoids the hassle of traffic.

Train tickets between Naples and Pompeii cost around 3 euros.
Schedule for the Circumvesuviana train line from Naples to Pompeii

Another stress-free option is to join a Pompeii group tour that offers a guide inside the ruins and includes round-trip transfers between Naples and the archaeological park with hotel pickup. We especially recommend visiting Pompeii with a guide to be able to fully appreciate these spectacular Roman ruins.

The nearest entrance to the Circumvesuviana station is Pompei Villa dei Misteri, set just opposite the Pompeii park entrance. We suggest entering from Piazza Esedra (about 100 meters further on) to take in the ancient villas and shops before making your way to the Forum and ending at the Villa dei Misteri before exiting at the Villa dei Misteri gate.

Here you can take a look at itineraries for visiting Pompeii in 2, 4, or 7 hours

Can I visit Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day?

In theory, you can visit both Pompeii and Herculaneum in a single day by dedicating the morning to Pompeii and the afternoon to Herculaneum. However, we don't recommend packing your day this full unless you are a true ancient history buff. There is a wealth of ruins to admire in Pompeii, and you risk not enjoying your Herculaneum visit after a tiring morning at the larger ancient Roman city. Instead, consider combining a Pompeii visit with a stop at Mount Vesuvius to take in the volcanic crater and stunning views. You can reach the Mt. Vesuvius National Park with public transportation by taking a local bus from Pompeii.

Dining near Pompeii

If you plan on spending an entire day exploring the archaeological park, you can pack a picnic lunch or grab a quick sandwich. Inside the ruins of Pompeii there is an Autogrill-branded snack bar and a number of picnic areas.

In you're planning a half-day visit (only the morning), you can stop for lunch just outside Pompeii at one of these restaurants:

• Hortus: This is a touristy spot located just outside the Pompei Villa dei Misteri entrance, but the food is good and the atmosphere friendly.

• La Caupona: This restaurant was inspired by ancient Rome both in the décor and menu. It may seem a little over the top upon first glance, but the menu has been created with care and research and is based on works left by Marcus Gavius Apicius, the most famous ancient Roman chef. If you're not inspired by the ancient dishes, there are also traditional recipes from southern Italy. We really enjoyed sampling selections from the ancient menu!