A quick escape from the city
Pompeii is a vast Roman city frozen in time by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, with intact frescoes, streets, and buildings you can walk through today.
Key Facts
Transport options
By Car
Take the A3 motorway toward Salerno and exit at Pompeii. Parking is available near the Porta Marina entrance at around 5 euros per day.
By Public Transport
The Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Garibaldi stops at Pompeii Scavi in 35 to 40 minutes for about 4 euros, with the station a short walk from the main entrance.
Organized Tour
Half-day guided tours from Naples bundle train transport and a licensed archaeologist guide, starting at around 50 euros per person with skip-the-line entry.
How to spend the day
Pompeii archaeological site
Enter at 9 AM through Porta Marina. Walk the Forum, the Via dell'Abbondanza, and the major public buildings. Allow 2.5 hours.
Pompeii archaeological site
Visit the House of the Vettii, the Villa of the Mysteries, and the amphitheater. Eat lunch at the cafeteria inside the site or at a pizzeria outside.
Pompeii to Naples
Catch the 5 PM Circumvesuviana back to Naples. You will be in time for a sunset walk along the Lungomare and a Neapolitan pizza dinner.
What to see and do
The Forum
The civic heart of Pompeii, surrounded by temples, markets, and public buildings, with Vesuvius filling the view at the far end.
Villa of the Mysteries
A suburban villa with some of the best-preserved frescoes in Pompeii, depicting a vivid initiation ritual in deep red and gold.
Amphitheater
One of the oldest surviving Roman amphitheaters, built in 70 BC and large enough to hold 20,000 spectators in its day.
Make the most of your day trip
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Enter through Porta Marina since it is the closest entrance to the Forum and the main highlights, saving you a long walk
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Bring water and a hat since the site has very little shade and summer temperatures regularly exceed 30 degrees
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Buy your Circumvesuviana ticket at Napoli Garibaldi station to avoid the queue at the Pompeii Scavi stop
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Combine with a quick visit to the Naples Archaeological Museum where the best frescoes and mosaics from Pompeii are displayed
Circumvesuviana trains are crowded and unreliable, and Pompeii tickets are non-refundable. Travel insurance covers delays, missed entries, and trip disruptions.
What travelers say
What to bring
Essentials
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes for walking on ancient stone streets
- Water bottle since there are few places to buy drinks inside
- Sunscreen and hat since much of the site is completely exposed
- Cash for the entrance fee and any guided tour upgrades
Nice to have
- Audio guide or guidebook for context on what you are seeing
- Snacks for a break near the Forum since there are no cafes inside
- Camera with good zoom for capturing distant fresco details
- Notebook for sketching or jotting down observations
Smart advice for any day trip
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Book tickets online
Most popular sites sell timed-entry tickets online. Booking in advance lets you skip the line and guarantees entry, especially during peak season.
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Pack light but smart
Bring only what you need: water, snacks, sunscreen, and a portable charger. A heavy bag will slow you down on long walking days.
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Keep digital copies
Save tickets, maps, and confirmation emails on your phone. A dead battery is less stressful when you have screenshots ready.
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Start early
The first hour of the day is the quietest at any attraction. You will also have more flexibility if plans change or delays happen.
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Check return schedules
Know the last train or bus back before you leave. Missing the final connection can turn a day trip into an expensive taxi ride.