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Paris Toolkit Visit Pompeii from Rome in a day by train
Practical guide for those planning on visiting Pompeii independently from Rome
Pompeii is 150 miles south of Rome, fairly close to Naples and well within a long day trip from your hotel in Rome.
There are tours from Rome to Pompeii but for those who are independently minded and don't get along with organised tours, visiting by train is very straightforward and a good experience.
The fast high speed trains between Rome and Naples only take about 70 minutes, much faster than any vehicle. So another option is to take the train and explore Pompeii semi-independently.
Where is Pompeii in relation to Rome?
Pompeii is on the far (south) side of Naples from Rome. Pompeii has its own train stations, one almost opposite the main gates of Pompeii itself and the trains are frequent (two an hour) between Pompeii and Naples Centrale Station where the Rome trains arrive.
Getting from Naples to Pompeii
The only aspect to note is that the most popular train (Circumvesuviana) from Naples to Pompeii is a different train company to the main Italian Railways that run the Rome to Naples trains - you cannot buy a through ticket, indeed you cannot buy any ticket in advance on the Circumvesuviana train.
Trains between Rome and Naples
The duration and cost of the journey between Rome and Naples varies enormously and will depend on the class of train you take and how far in advance you purchase tickets. There are three grades of train and on two there is a choice of first class or second class.
There is a complex system of advance purchase and day return fares which basically means just use the travel planner below to see what is available for your dates.
In order to visit Pompeii in one day from Rome and have time to fully explore the very large Pompeii site you will need to use the high-speed trains which are at least twice as fast as the next level inner-city. High speed trains only take around 70 minutes and are much more punctual than other types of trains too.
Frecciarossa and other high-speed trains - These are the high-speed trains, the pride of the Italian railways that only stop at major cities. Trains run on dedicated high-speed tracks and partly as a result journey time are often twice as fast as other train alternatives. This is not Switzerland but the high-speed trains are invariably more punctual than other classes of train.
Passenger experience is close to an aircraft with an open plan seating arrangement with seats in rows of two either side of an aisle but with more room and a better view. Fares are normally double that of the express inter-city trains but vary depending on when you travel and how far ahead you book.
TRENITALIA ROME
• Cheapest advance purchase fares • Pay by credit card • Instant confirmations • Timetables
Trains from Naples to Pompeii
The Circumvesuviana train service is the most used option by far and for visitors the train station at Pompeii is right next to one of the main entrances at Pompeii.
Naples Centrale Station/ Naples Garibaldi Station confusion
In Naples the main transport hub to get to Pompeii is at the main train station, Naples Centrale where all the national railways service terminate or pass through.
Both Circumvesuviana trains and Metropolitan Railway trains run from a station called Naples Garibaldi.
Although Naples Garibaldi has its own separate platforms and entrances it is physically part of Naples Centrale Station.
Naples Centrale Station is the main station on ground level. From ground level escalators go down one level to an underground shopping centre and go further down to the Naples Metro.
Naples Garibaldi Station is on the same level as the shopping centre and is well signed.
Circumvesuviana trains Naples to Pompeii
Trains go twice an hour between about 6am and 9.30pm Trains are very crowded, be prepared to have to stand for much of the journey. The train to Pompeii Scavi, the full name of the station from Naples takes around 40 minutes.
Buy tickets on the day from the ticket counter, only cash taken.
Circumvesuviana trains - full details
Metropolitan Railway Naples to Salerno via Pompeii
The Metropolitan Railway is a branch (line 2) of the Naples Metro system.
The station at Pompeii is in the town, further from the entrances of Pompeii than the Circumvesuviana line whose station is less than 100 yards from an entrance.
The plus side is that the trains may well be less crowded than the Circumvesuviana trains and you can purchase tickets online through TrenItalia.
Pompeii tickets
You can order Pompeii tickets and tours to suit your needs in advance. No queueing and waiting, no foreign exchange issues.
Enter Pompeii for free on the first Sunday of every month
You can visit Pompeii for free on the first Sunday of each month. It is best to secure your ticket online or you can get a from the ticket office in Pompeii.
Due to the free entry, Pompeii gets very busy on the first Sunday of the month. Opening hours remain as normal.
SKIP-THE- LINE POMPEII RUINS TICKET
• Skip-the-line entry ticket to Pompeii • Instant confirmation • Free cancellation • Option to present ticket on smartphone
Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius / Herculaneum Tours from Naples Station
Visiting Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius or Herculaneum in a day tour from Rome is possible independently, putting together each component separately.
But, especially for Mount Vesuvius combined with Pompeii its a lot more efficient and stress free to simply take a tour that sets out from Naples Railway Station connecting with trains from Rome.
Tours will pick-up from the Starhotels Terminus Hotel, a major hotel immediately outside the main entrance of Naples Centrale Station on your left.
POMPEII HALF-DAY TRIP FROM NAPLES
• Free hotel pickup and drop-off included • Led by a local guide • Fully narrated tour • All entrance fees included
POMPEII AND VERSUVIUS TOUR FROM NAPLES
• Free hotel pickup and drop-off included • Led by a local guide • Includes walking tour • Lunch included • All entrance fees included
POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM DAY TRIP FROM NAPLES
• Free hotel pickup and drop-off included • Led by a local guide • 3-course lunch included
Private tours to Pompeii from Naples station
Taking the train to Naples then using a local private car and driver is a very attractive option and for small groups can be very affordable too.
Your English speaking driver will meet n greet you at Naples Centrale Station and will ensure your trip encompasses exactly what you want to see at a pace set by you.
All vehicles are non smoking and fully air conditioned.
We offer three sizes of vehicle, for 1-3 people, 4 or 5 people and 6 to 8 people. Price is per vehicle not passenger.
After booking you pay a small deposit and receive a voucher through email. The remainder will be paid directly to the driver.
PRIVATE VISIT TO POMPEII FROM NAPLES
• Free hotel pickup and drop-off included • Led by a local guide • 3-course lunch included
PRIVATE POMPEII & AMALFI COAST TOUR
• Private round-trip transportation between Naples and Pompeii plus the Amalfi Coast • See Sorrento and Positano • Option to add on guide for Pompeii excavations
Alternative Rome to Pompeii coach shuttle (inc. Pompeii entrance tickets)
A semi-independent round-trip tour from Rome to Pompeii by air-conditioned vehicle. It's a no hassle way to arrange a do-it-yourself tour of Pompeii from Rome.
Best of all, your coach and Pompeii ruins entrance tickets are all thrown in for the price, making this option good value.
When you get to Pompeii, you can wander the site independently or hire your own tour guide separately to take you around the UNESCO World Heritage site.
POMPEII BUS SHUTTLE FOR DAY TRIP FROM ROME
Excellent value coach trip from Rome to Pompeii
• Return shuttle service from Rome to Pompeii • Transportation by air-conditioned bus • Tour leader on the bus (independent exploration of site) • Skip-the-line entrance ticket to Pompeii
MOST POPULAR ROME TOURS 2024
