Naples is the gateway to the Amalfi Coast and the historic city of Pompeii. If you are visiting Naples, you could easily visit the historic city of Pompeii for a half day. Or consider even stopping at Pompeii on your way to the Amalfi Coast. This post covers how to visit Pompeii from Naples.
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How to Get to Pompeii from Naples
There are a few ways to visit Pompeii from Naples depending on your budget.
By Train
There are 2 options to visit Pompeii from Naples directly by train:
Circumvesuviana
This is the popular local commuter train than goes from Naples to Sorrento. It’s very inexpensive but is usually crowded, has no air conditioning and is known for pickpockets. However, it is very frequent and takes around 35 minutes between Naples and Pompeii.
Campania Express
These relatively new trains are a lot fancier than the Circumvesuviana and is actually takes slightly less time. One cons is that the timing is very limited as they only run 4 times per day. It is also a lot more expensive than the Circumvesuviana but you are guaranteed a seat if you book ahead and there is air conditioning. Another con is that it only runs during peak season.
I took the Campania Express back from Pompeii to Naples and if you ask me, it is worth the price for some peace of mind!
Both trains stop at Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri station and from here is it just a 2 minutes walk to the Porta Marina Entrance.
Other Train Options
Trenitalia runs the Metropolitana train from Naples to Pompei (different from Pompeii). From this town you can either take the BusLink shuttle bus or walk (30 minutes). This option takes the longest out of all the options I have listed out.
By Bus
City Sightseeing Italy has a shuttle bus from Naples to Pompeii. They offer 3 timing options in the summer and 2 in the winter. The only caveat is that there is a set and specific departure time from Pompeii (meaning you cannot arrive in one bus and get back on the bus that departs later).
By Guided Tour
If you don’t want to bother with figuring out how to get to and from Pompeii, then check out the tour options below. These tours start and end in Naples and also include a guide. See the very last section of this post for the other places mentioned on these tour.
By Car
If you have your own car or rental, you can easily drive the 25 kilometers to Pompeii. The journey takes around 22 minutes without traffic.
By Shuttle
I landed in Naples around noon with plans of visiting Pompeii that day. I did not want to take the Circumvesuviana and the Campania Express does not run mid-day so I set out to research what my other options were. My research found me a company called Day Trip, a semi-private shuttle service. Depending on the day and time, they actually can be even cheaper than the Campania Express. This 7 passenger van will pick you up either from the airport or the main train station in Naples and drop you off at the train station in Pompeii. They were prompt to pick me up at the train station at the exact spot specified and the transfer was very smooth!
By Private Driver
Day Trip also has a fully private service as well where you can hire a driver with a car all to yourself. This maybe especially useful for those looking to make an onward journey from Pompeii to Sorrento or the Amalfi Coast. If you are looking to add Pompeii as a stop-over, then you should select your final destination (i.e., Sorrento, Positano etc.) and then select Pompeii as a stop.
Note – I am not affiliated or sponsored by Day Trip. I thought the service was great and wanted to share this option with you!
Tips and Must-Knows for Visiting Pompeii
When to Visit
Your best crowd beating tip is to visit early morning as soon as they open or later afternoon. Although late afternoon will be hot, at least the mid-day crowds should have dissipated by then. Last entry is 1.5 hours prior to closing and closing depends on the season. See HERE for the latest times.
How Much Time to Spend
This will depend on you! I think it’s wise to allocate at least 3 hours in Pompeii. Could you see the main highlights in less time than that? Sure! But I think it will be a bit of a rush plus you will need to factor in the heat and crowds.
Tickets
Your second best crowd beating top, other than to show up early is to buy your ticket in advance online. With an online ticket, you can easily skip the line of people waiting to buy ticket on-site. HERE is the link. If you are only visiting the ruins, select the Pompeii Archaeological Park option.
Luggage Storage
If you are traveling with bags and suitcases, you can store your luggage for free at the entrance to the ruins. If this is full, there is a paid for option at the train station.
Historic Insights
Pompeii is definitely a place that you will need historic insights in order to really appreciate what you are seeing. If you are not able to book a tour in advance (see below for some options), then you may be able to hire a guide at the entrance. At a bare minimum, you should get a guide book like Rick Steves who does a wonderful and concise job of explaining the sites.
Tours
Where to Eat
There is a café inside the ruins as soon as you pass the Temple of Jupiter. There is also another at the train station. In addition, you can find a few more eateries along the main road outside the ruins (same road as the train station).
What to Bring
Depending on what time of the year you go, Pompeii can be scorching hot with very little shade. Here are the things you should consider bringing on your visit to Pompeii.
- A sun hat or cap – at a bare minimum, you should bring a hat or cap to protect you from the sun and heat
- An umbrella – consider bringing an umbrella to get shade from the sun! Who cares what other people think!
- A water bottle – there are a lot of places that you can fill up your bottle for free
- Sunscreen – goes without saying but just in case!
- A pair of walking shoes – this is more a wear than a bring but there is a lot of walking inside the historic sites
Have More Time?
If you have more time, consider adding the Herculaneum and or a hike up to mount Vesuvius. You can take the Circumvesuviana to Herculaneum from Naples and then a bus to Vesuvius either from Herculaneum or Pompeii. A good full day plan is to start your day early. Head to Pompeii using any of the modes of transport outlined above to beat the crowds. Then, take the bus to Vesuvius and a bus from there to Herculaneum before making it back to Naples.
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