travel time rome to pompeii

From Rome to Pompeii: 4 Best Ways to Get There

Written by Diana Bocco Updated May 26, 2022 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Located almost 250 kilometers south of Rome , Pompeii is now one of the most popular day trips away from the capital , but since it can take up to three hours to reach the ruins from the capital , planning your trip well is essential to make the most of it.

Buses, trains, and tours all connect Rome to Pompeii several times per day and offer a variety of options based on different prices, schedules, and even what kind of trip you're looking for: a relaxed on-your-own excursion or an in-depth experience with as much comfort as possible.

The ancient Roman city of Pompeii is well-known for being buried under meters of volcanic ash many centuries ago. The Pompeii ruins receive over 2.5 million visitors every year, making them one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country . In the high season, buses, trains, and roads can be very busy.

Regardless of your choice of transportation, here are the best ways to travel from Rome to Pompeii.

On This Page:

• From Rome to Pompeii by Tour
• From Rome to Pompeii by Train
• From Rome to Pompeii by Bus
• From Rome to Pompeii by Car

1. From Rome to Pompeii by Tour

If you want to avoid the trouble of figuring out transportation connections and instead want to get to your destination as quickly as possible, the Rome to Pompeii Shuttle Bus & Independent Day Trip is a great option. This 11-hour hassle-free round-trip travel starts in the heart of Rome at 7:30am, when you meet your driver and board an air-conditioned coach or minibus shuttle.

From here, you'll start the 3.5-hour drive to Pompeii , crossing through the beautiful Tuscan countryside along the way. The English-speaking host on board will help you understand the history of Pompeii and what we know about the city before it was destroyed by the volcano Vesuvius in AD 79.

Once you arrive at the Pompeii Archaeological Park, you'll have time to explore the ruins on your own , using the walking paths, frescoes, and informative plaques to guide you around the ruins. You'll have a chance to discover the excavated ruins of streets, outdoor theaters, squares, and shrines that once stood here - some of them well-preserved, as is the case of the Temple of Apollo and its 48 Ionic columns.

If you want a more in-depth understanding of the ruins, you can buy an optional excavations-and-tour upgrade . This two-hour guided tour will take you through the ruins and show you the ins and outs of the most interesting stops in Pompeii , including the well-preserved houses of wealthy merchants, the oldest surviving Roman amphitheater, and ancient wall paintings.

In the mid-afternoon, you'll board your shuttle for the comfortable ride back to Rome.

2. From Rome to Pompeii by Train

The quickest way to reach Pompeii from Rome is on a direct high-speed train , which covers the entire route in just around two hours , faster than driving there and much faster than taking a bus. These trains usually offer three levels of comfort: Premier, First, and Second Class. While higher classes offer some perks (a free drink and a newspaper, for example), the cost difference might not be worth it on such a short ride.

There are also cheaper, slower commuter trains that can get you to Pompeii in four hours , as well as high-speed trains that require a change in Naples. This last option is still faster than driving but longer than two hours, as having to change trains can add significant time to the trip.

If speed is important (especially if you're hoping to visit Pompeii as a day trip), the Frecciarossa and Freccibianca high-speed trains are your best option. These trains depart from the central Termini Station several times a day and offer plenty of great amenities, including comfortable first-class seats, free drinks onboard, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, and power outlets.

The Frecciarossa trains have a café car and regularly get high ratings for their ultra-comfortable rides. Do keep in mind that high-speed trains cost about double what you would pay for a low-speed commuter train; local trains tend to be more crowded.

Booking a ticket at least a week in advance will save you significant money, as prices go up the closer you get to your travel date.

Most trains, including the Frecciarossa trains, stop in Naples . The ride between Rome and Naples takes around 70 minutes, and while Italian trains aren't as punctual or fast as Swiss trains, they usually run more or less on time. Once in Naples, you'll have to switch to a local inter-city train for the rest of the way.

Trains arrive at the tiny Pompeii Scavi-Villa dei Misteri station, just a few steps away from the ruins. The last train back to Rome departs at 8:50pm. If you miss it, you'll have to spend the night in Pompeii, so plan accordingly.

3. From Rome to Pompeii by Bus

Long-distance bus companies Flixbus and Marozzi VT depart from the Rome Tiburtina Bus Station and cover the route between Rome and Pompeii several times per day. You can make reservations online in advance to secure the seat of your choice and to get cheaper prices. This is especially important in summer, when tickets sell out fast.

If you choose a direct bus , the journey takes approximately three hours , depending on traffic. The direct buses are comfortable, offering free Wi-Fi and hot drinks on board.

It's also possible to take a bus to Metropark Centrale in Naples and then change to a second, local bus there, but this will extend your travel time considerably. On the positive side, local public buses will take you directly from Naples to the ruins, so you will be just steps away from the entrance to the park.

The earliest bus to Pompeii leaves from Rome at 4:15am and the latest at 6:30pm. Always check in advance where the drop-off point is – long-distance buses often stop at the Piazza Falcone e Borsellino, which is not a walkable distance to the ruins. If your journey ends there, you can then take a local Busitalia bus to get to the entrance to the park.

If this is just a day trip, keep in mind that the last direct bus back to Rome leaves from Pompeii at 6pm, so you'll either have to catch a train or sleep over.

4. From Rome to Pompeii by Car

If you're thinking about driving from Rome to Pompeii, you might want to consider staying overnight. With 241 kilometers between the two cities, the drive will easily take two and a half hours (or three if traffic gets heavy while leaving Rome or along the route) one way. Add to that at least a few stops to explore scenic little villages and natural landscapes, and you're looking at a long drive – you likely won't want to drive back the same day.

On the positive side, the drive between the two cities is pretty straightforward and direct on the E45 autostrada (toll motorway) , so even without a GPS, you can't get lost. Tolls in Italy are paid as you drive, and the cost is based on the distance traveled. This is often more expensive than the vignette system in other European countries, and you'll need either cash (Euros) or a debit/credit card to pay at every toll gate along the way.

Great stops along the way include Tivoli and the Roman Hadrian's Villa UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the coastal city of Gaeta, filled with Roman ruins and fortifications. You'll drive near Napoli and Mount Vesuvius, too, both worth a visit.

More on Italy

How to get from Rome to Pompeii

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

• roughguides.com
• getting-around
• rome-to-pompeii
• Travel guide
• Itineraries
• Local Experts
• Travel Advice
• Accommodation

A trip from Rome to Pompeii is a journey back in time to see the well-preserved ruins of this ancient Roman city, buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. In this article, we'll look at the main ways of how to get from Rome to Pompeii. Whether you prefer the convenience of a train, the flexibility of a car or the educational value of an organised tour, we'll help you navigate your way with ease.

How far is Pompeii from Rome?

• What's the quickest way to get from Rome to Pompeii?

By organised tour

Is pompeii worth a day trip from rome, tailor-made travel itineraries for italy, created by local experts.

8 days  / from 2646 USD

Experience the hit TV show 'The White Lotus' in Sicily

Stay in beautiful Taormina with gorgeous views of Mount Etna and discover Sicily, including famous filming locations. Go on exclusive wine tastings, discover the Greek theater in Taormina with a private guide, visit other Sicilian towns and enjoy the crystal clear water on this week-long trip.

8 days  / from 3289 USD

Enchanting Italian Lakes

Experience the picturesque lakes of Northern Italy, including Lake Garda, Como, Lugano and Maggiore; explore the charming Borromean Islands – former favourites of Ernest Hemingway – and stroll the romantic streets of Verona and Milan. All of this, and much more, with this self-drive trip!

16 days  / from 3289 USD

From Venice to Florence: A Grand Tour of Northern Italy

From the atmospheric canals of Venice and the picturesque coastline of Cinque Terre, to the trendy designer boutiques of Milan and the Renaissance-infused streets of Florence, Northern Italy has plenty to offer. Experience it all with this comprehensive trip.

Tailor-made trips for   Italy

A trip from Rome to Pompeii is a fascinating journey filled with history and archaeological wonders. There are four ways to get there:

• By train : Not so long ago, getting from Rome to Pompeii by train was only possible with a connection in Naples or Salerno. The good news is that Trenitalia has recently launched a direct high-speed train to Pompeii.
• By Bus : Travelling by bus offers a direct but more time-consuming route.
• By car : Travelling by car from Rome to Pompeii allows for flexibility in route choice and scenic stops.
• With an organised tour : By joining an organised tour you will get guided transport and a more in-depth insight into the history of the ancient city.

Going to Rome or Pompeii? Contact our Italy travel experts  to save yourself the trouble of mapping out an itinerary and planning.

Statue of Apollo, Pompeii © BlackMac/Shutterstock

The distance from Rome to Pompeii is approximately 240-250 km (about 149-155 miles) when travelling by road. The specific route and road conditions can affect the total journey time, but generally, the journey is around 2.5-3 hours. This time may vary depending on factors such as the type of transport and stops along the way.

If you're planning a trip to Italy we've got you covered. Our Italy itineraries are specially designed to provide you with a carefree trip full of unforgettable experiences.

What's the quickest way to get from Rome to Pompeii?

Naturally, the choice of transport determines how quickly you get from Rome to Pompeii. 

With the launch of a direct high-speed train, a trip to Pompeii by train is an absolute favourite. The journey takes just under 2 hours, but it should be noted that this train only runs every third Sunday of the month (the number of services may be increased in the future). A train journey with a connection in Naples or Salerno will take approximately 30 minutes longer.

The second fastest means of transport is by car. Journey from Rome to Pompeii is predominantly on the A1 and A3 motorways and takes around 2.5-3 hours. This route offers flexibility, but possible traffic jams should be taken into account.

Short on time? Check our Eternal Rome For The Weekend itinerary.

Pompeii © Shutterstock

Duration: from 2 to 2.5 hours | Cost: from €30

Travelling from Rome to Pompeii by train is the most convenient and efficient way to experience the ancient ruins. 

Not so long ago, Trenitalia launched a direct high-speed train from Rome to Naples, but it only operates every third Sunday of the month. Usually, however, to get to Pompeii, you must first get to Naples.

Frecciarossa or Italo high-speed trains run regularly on the Rome-Naples route, providing a comfortable and relatively quick journey of about 1.5 hours.

Once you reach Napoli Centrale station in Naples, you will transfer to a local commuter train linking Naples to Pompeii. Your final destination is Pompeii Scavi station, conveniently located near the entrance to the archaeological complex.

From here it's a short walk to the well-preserved streets, houses and historical monuments of Pompeii. The return journey to Rome follows the same route, making this day trip a convenient and easy way to immerse yourself in the ancient wonders of Pompeii.

Love epic train journeys? Discover the 10 best railway journeys in Italy .

Duration: from 3 to 4 hours | Cost: from €14

Travelling from Rome to Pompeii by bus is a budget and easy, but more time-consuming option. Your journey starts at Rome's Stazione Tiburtina bus terminal, which can be reached from the city centre by various means of transport.

There are several bus companies operating on this route, offering both direct and indirect routes. Direct buses tend to be faster, while indirect routes may include stops in other cities along the way. It is advisable to purchase tickets in advance online, especially during peak seasons.

The bus journey itself will take approximately 3-4 hours, during which you can admire views of the Italian countryside as you travel south. On arrival in Pompeii, you'll find yourself at the entrance to the famous archaeological complex, where you can begin your exploration of the remarkably preserved ancient city.

Victims in Pompeii of the eruption of Mt Vesuvius, Italy ©  BlackMac/Shutterstock

Duration: from 2.5 to 3 hours | Cost: from €75

Travelling from Rome to Pompeii by car is an ideal option for those who prefer flexibility in their itinerary. Starting your adventure in Rome, you can easily rent a car from various agencies in the city. Armed with a GPS navigator or a reliable navigation app will make it easier for you to navigate the Italian roads.

The most common route from Rome to Pompeii takes the A1 motorway to Naples and then the A3 motorway to Salerno. Along the way you will have the opportunity to stop in charming towns such as Gaeta or Salerno, where you can savour the local cuisine and admire the coastal scenery.

Upon arrival in Pompeii, convenient parking is available next to the archaeological site. After a short walk, you'll find yourself at the entrance, ready to explore the wonderfully preserved streets, houses and relics of this ancient Roman city.

Into independent travel? Make sure to read all about getting around Italy .

Duration: depends on the selected tour | Cost: from €140

An organised tour from Rome to Pompeii allows you to experience this ancient city seamlessly without the hassle of planning.

In Rome, you'll meet at a designated location, most often in the city centre or at a hotel where your fellow travellers will gather. From there, comfortable transport such as buses or minibuses will take you on a stress-free journey to Pompeii.

An important advantage of these tours is the presence of a knowledgeable guide who will talk about the places you will pass along the way and share historical context.

Upon arrival in Pompeii, the guide will take you on a fascinating tour of the archaeological excavations, talking about the ancient history of the city, its daily life and its ultimate demise.

You will then have free time to explore further, discover the local cuisine or shop for souvenirs. Finally, an organised tour will ensure your return journey to Rome, allowing you to enjoy the Pompeii experience with the ease and guidance of an expert.

The Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii © Shutterstock

Pompeii really deserves a day trip from Rome, especially for those travellers who are interested in history, archaeology and ancient civilisations. Pompeii is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it well worth a trip here.

Travelling from Rome to Pompeii is also attractive because it can be reached within about 2.5-3 hours, which gives you enough time to immerse yourself in the history of Pompeii and wander around its impressive ruins.

However, it's worth noting that while a day tour provides an opportunity to experience the wonders of Pompeii, those with a deep interest in archaeology and history should extend their stay to explore the city in more depth. Nevertheless, a day trip to Pompeii promises a rich journey through time and culture.

Useful resources for your travel in Italy

• Check out The Rough Guide to Italy - our exhaustive, in-depth Italy travel guide that covers everything you need to know before you go, and while you’re on the road.
• Our expert-curated (fully customisable) Italy itineraries are packed with inspiration.

The Rough Guides to Italy and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Travel advice for Italy

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Italy

• Eating and drinking in Italy
• How to get to Italy
• Getting around Italy: Transportation Tips
• Shopping tips for Italy
• Sports and Outdoor activities in Italy
• Travel Tips Italy for planning and on the go
• Best time to visit Italy
• How to spend 7 days In Italy - 8 unique itineraries
• How To Spend 10 Days In Italy - 8 Unique Itineraries
• How To Spend 14 Days In Italy - 5 Unique Itineraries
• How to get from Rome to Florence

Find even more inspiration here

written by Olga Sitnitsa

updated 23.10.2023

Online editor at Rough Guides, specialising in travel content. Passionate about creating compelling stories and inspiring others to explore the world.

Ready to travel and discover Italy?

Get support from our local experts for stress-free planning & worry-free travels.

• Where to stay
• Travel advice

Urban Abroad

Urban Planning and Travel Blog

How to get from Rome to Pompeii

Travel Blog Last Updated · Jan 10th, 2024 [post_author_posts_link] · [post_comments before=""] -->

This guide will show you exactly how to get from Rome to Pompeii.

Not only is Rome the capital city of Italy, but it’s also one of the most popular cities with tourists and a great place to start exploring the rest of the country.

Visiting the archaeological site of Pompeii is a must if you’re staying in Rome for more than a couple of days, and that is what this guide will help you with.

In fact, if you’re interested in ancient history, the best thing you can do is combine a trip to Pompeii with your Roman stay.

Table of Contents

Rome to Pompeii

If you have already planned your Rome itinerary you likley understand why both places have some of the most important archaeological sites in the world.

So if you want to learn more about Roman history, there’s no better way to do it than visiting Rome and Pompeii in one trip.

In this post, you’ll understand how to get from Rome to Pompeii by train, by car and bus or if you decide to join private guided tours.

Is Pompeii worth visiting?

You might have asked yourself, should I actually visit Pompeii from Rome and spend just a day there? Is Pompeii worth visiting?

Here’s a list of three reasons why we believe it is.

• Visiting Pompeii is a fascinating journey back in time . Wandering around the streets, houses and buildings that the lava of Vesuvius froze over time will allow you to learn what the life, customs and food habits of the Romans were in the 1st century AD.
• The archaeological site of Pompeii can take days to be explored as the excavations are not small at all! This means that there’ll be lots to see and learn during your time in Pompeii to the point that you might decide to spend a few more days visiting the area .
• It’s an easy trip to plan from the capital city . There are many ways to get there and you can easily rely on both public transport or hire a car to reach Pompeii on your own.

As you can see, there are good reasons why you should visit Pompeii and take advantage of the fact that you’re already in Rome to arrange that.

How far is Pompeii from Rome?

Pompeii is 241 kilometers away from Rome and it takes 2 hours and a half to get to the destination. You can drive from the capital city of the archaeological sites or get on public transport.

The best way is traveling by train as it takes less than 2 hours.

Unless you’re traveling as a group or a family, the train can turn out to be cheaper than hiring a car, because when driving you’d have to pay a certain amount to rent the car (+ car insurance if wanting to get covered), fuel and motorway tolls.

If traveling on a budget, there’s also the option to get on a bus to arrive to Pompeii. This option will definitely take longer than the train and car.

Where to stay in Pompeii

Since Pompeii excavations are massive, it’s a good idea to spend more than a day here and take your time to properly visit them.

Check out our selection of accommodation in Pompeii:

• Il Vecchio Fauno – it’s the best place to stay in Pompeii on a budget. You’re only a few minutes away from one of the sites’ entrances, making it a practical base to explore the ruins for days. The rooms have all the amenities you might need to make your stay a really pleasant one without spending too much.
• Habita79 Pompeii – MGallery – located only a few meters away from Pompeii’s ruins, this 4-star hotel has an on-site restaurant, wellness centre, bar and garden. After a day walking around Pompeii’s excavations, there’s no better place than the sauna and hot tub of this hotel to unwind.
• Resort & Winery Bosco De Medici – not far from the archaeological site, you can find this beautiful resort that features a winery restaurant and swimming pool. A great 4-star property for families thanks to its petting zoo and the horse riding stables.

Read below how you can get from Rome to Pompeii to help you to decide which means of transport suits you:

Train from Rome to Pompeii

If you want to get from Rome to Pompeii, traveling by train is the most time-effective way to get there. You’ll first have to get a high-speed train from Rome to Naples and then another train from Naples to Pompeii.

Here are the steps to follow:

• Get the high-speed train from Roma Termini railway station to Napoli Centrale . You can choose to travel with two different train companies: Trenitalia and Italo. They both have trains leaving Rome at different times of the day. You can purchase the ticket online or at the ticket counter or machines inside the stations. The sooner you get the ticket the better as you can save a good amount of money.
• When you arrive in Naples get the train from Napoli Piazza Garibaldi railway station (only a few minutes away from Napoli Centrale) called Metropolitano (MET) that stops in Pompeii. You can also get the train called Circumvesuviana with direction Sorrento that stops in Pompeii too.
• Once you’re in Pompeii, from the train station get the bus NP17 that will stop in front of the entrance of the Pompeii ruins or walk for 1.8 kilometers , more or less 25 minutes.

Driving from Rome to Pompeii

Hiring a car and driving from Rome to Pompeii allows you to have extra flexibility and stop on the way as many times as you wish.

You can also spend time visiting the close by archaeological site of Herculaneum, stop in Naples for a pizza or visit the beautiful Amalfi Coast while you’re here.

From Rome, you should take the A3 Napoli-Salerno highway and drive for 235 kilometers and take the Pompei Ovest exit . Continue on the SS18 road and turn onto via Villa dei Misteri .

To access the motorway you have to pay a toll and can check how much it will be by looking at the Autostrade.it website.

You have to pay for most parking spaces in Pompeii (it costs 10 Euros per day to park on the Pompeii ruins site) so here’s a list of alternative places to park:

• Parking Shaval
• Zeus Parking near Pompeii Scavi station
• Pompei Scavi Parcheggio
• Parcheggio di Pompei

If you’re traveling as a group then the car option is great, especially if traveling as part of a larger Italy itinerary because you’ll get to see the places in between.

Bus from Rome to Pompeii

The cheapest way to get from Rome to Pompeii is definitely by bus . The bus companies providing this service are Flixbus and Marozzi .

The bus is a good alternative to the train if you don’t want to change the train in Naples and go directly to Pompeii, saving you a transfer.

The bus journey lasts over 3 hours , longer than any other transfer, but the ride will cost around 10 euros with Flixbus and around 19 euros with Marozzi, if booked a couple of days in advance.

Availability and frequency are more limited than trains, so we recommend checking the website in advance to plan your time and make the most of your stay in Pompeii.

The bus leaves from Rome Tiburtina railway station (from Largo Guido Mazzoni) and arrives in Piazza Falcone e Borsellino in Pompeii (Flixbus) or Casello Autostr. Castellammare (Marozzi). Free Wi-Fi and sockets are available on board.

Guided tour Rome to Pompeii

If you don’t want to think about how to get from Rome to Pompeii by car or public transport then, the most practical way is to book an excursion to Pompeii from Rome where you won’t have to worry about anything.

The tour includes a bus or private minibus that won’t stop anywhere along the way and will leave you at the gate of the archaeological site of Pompeii.

On top of that you’ll get the skip-the-line ticket and you’ll be guided by a professional tour guide who will accompany you throughout the day.

Lunch at a local restaurant in Pompeii and stop in Naples are some extras of this tour we recommend booking.

There is a meeting point from which the bus leaves (usually somewhere in the center of Rome) or you can request pick up at your hotel. The minibus will be back the same day more or less 13 hours later.

Getting from Rome to Pompeii

Now you have a better idea of how to get from Rome to Pompeii in one day .

Visiting the Roman ruins of Pompeii is a great day trip you can plan from the capital city if you’re staying for more than a couple of days.

Whether you decide to travel there by car, train, bus, or by joining a private guided tour, it’s quite easy to get from one city to the other .

If you already happen to be in Naples, then why not see how to get from Naples to Pompeii so you can visit Pompeii before arriving in Rome instead?

Dear responsible traveler : This post may contain affiliate links, which means, if you click through and make a purchase, book a tour or a hotel, we may earn a small commission. This is at no additional cost to you . Your support means a lot and helps us to maintain the quality of this site.

Sharing is caring!

Recent Posts

• How to get from Treviso Airport to Venice
• How to get from Verona to Lake Garda
• Marco Polo Airport to Venice
• Is Guadalajara safe?
• Living Abroad
• Sustainability
• Travel Blog

Privacy Overview

• Where to Stay
• Where to Eat
• Best Time to Visit Rome
• Top 10 Tips for Rome
• Bathrooms in Rome
• What to Pack & What to Wear

Money Matters

Getting Around

Getting to Rome

• Learn Italian
• Can You Travel to Rome Right Now?
• Italy Green Pass - do you need one?
• Rome Coronavirus News & Updates
• Rome & Vatican Tours
• Italy Tours
• Transfers & Transport
• Sign up & get a FREE ebook  Subscribe Today!
• Romewise Home Page
• Pompeii from Rome

Pompeii from Rome Day Trip

By Warren George

October 25, 2022

Looking to visit Pompeii from Rome?

Pompeii has to be one of the most famous ancient Roman archeological sites – its incredible legacy in understanding the lives of ancient Romans is unrivalled, and the story of its destruction rings throughout history.

Pompeii from Rome - the best tips for what to see and do

Find out the best ways to visit this world-renowned Unesco World Heritage Site. On this page we'll cover:

What is Pompeii?

Is a pompeii day trip worth it, a (brief) history of pompeii, where is pompeii in relation to rome, how to get from rome to pompeii, how accessible is pompeii, is it possible to see the pompeii ruins for free, when is the best time to visit pompeii.

• Pompeii ticket prices and tours - all options
• Pompeii trip must-sees

Other things to see near Pompeii

Where to eat and drink in pompeii.

There are two answers to this question.

The first is that it refers to the modern town, located 23km from the center of Naples .

The modern town of Pompei is adjacent to the original settlement of Pompeii - an ancient Roman city frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, and it is how you can visit Pompeii from Rome that is the focus of this page.

Pompeii is a must-visit for anyone interested in ancient Roman history or the history of Rome!

Few other sites have contributed so much to the understanding of the daily lives of the ancient Romans.

Pompeii was buried during the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE and as such became a huge time capsule, capturing a moment nearly 2000 years ago and preserving it forever.

Following its discovery in the late 16th century, Pompeii has slowly given up its secrets as archeologists have unearthed huge sections of the ancient city under layers of volcanic ash.

 🤙 Roaming in Rome? 📱

Get yourself an Italian eSIM for calls, messages and data when traveling here.

Save on data charges with plans from just 19€ from Holafly - our recommended eSIM provider!

Click here to get yours now  and use code ROMEWISE to save 5%!

Archaeological evidence suggests that people first settled in the area of Pompeii in the eighth century BCE.

Within a couple of hundred years the town began to take shape, with temples and other important buildings (some of which are still visible today) were constructed.

In the following centuries, Pompeii's fortunes fluctuated, until it came under direct rule from Rome.

Pompeii formally became a colony of Rome in 80 BCE where over the following decades substantial building projects were undertaken the city expanded greatly.

In 62 CE a strong earthquake destroyed large parts of the city - these were quickly rebuilt and more construction ordered, making Pompeii one of the area's major cities.

Only 17 years later, in August 79 CE, Mount Vesuvius erupted in what is one of the most infamous volcanic eruptions in history .

Over the course of the next few days, ash and pumice rained down on Pompeii and the surrounding area, completely burying the town.

Over the ensuing centuries people continued to live in the area of Pompeii but the town did not return to its pre-eruption eminence.

The modern town of Pompei is now home to around 25,000 people and is a key part of the extra-urban area outside of Naples with connections available to other notable areas such as the Sorrentine Peninsula and Amalfi Coast.

 Pompeii is located 210km/130 miles south of Rome, in the region of Campania.

Traveling from Rome to Pompeii is very straightforward – I can recommend three options for transportation from Rome to Pompeii:

By High Speed Train (and a local line):

To travel from Rome to Pompeii by high speed train, your departure point should be Rome’s Termini (Roma Termini) station .

Starting August 6th, the Rome to Pompeii train will run every Sunday through the end of 2024.  You can book a ticket direct to Pompeii station on a high speed train.  The direct train departs Termini at 8:53 and arriving at Pompeii at 10:40. The return train departs Pompeii at 18:40 and arrives into Termini at 20:55.

B ook online via Trainline to see all routes, prices and keep track of your tickets while on the move.

Daily you can travel from  Rome to Naples Centrale by high speed train, your departure point should be Rome’s Termini (Roma Termini) station .

To maximize your time at Pompeii, consider departing Roma Termini station around 8:00.

These high speed trains run multiple times per hour, and ticket prices average 40€ per person for a standard single direction ticket

Consider paying a little more (typically 10€-15€ per journey) to upgrade to a Prima coach - this is for first class passengers and guarantees access to power outlets plus other extras such as a free drink (typically a choice of water, juice or coffee - no alcohol, sorry!).

Once you arrive at Naples Centrale (journey time typically between 1 hour and 1 hour 15 minutes), follow the signs for the ‘Circumvesuviana’ train line (sometimes labelled as 'Linee Vesuviane').

This is the line that circum vents Vesuvius , going to multiple destinations – hence the name!

Request a ticket from the counter for Pompeii Scavi and follow the directions to the train platform.

These ticket prices are fixed and it's not possible to book online.

I would recommend using a card when purchasing to reduce the cash you are carrying while on the move.

The trains run multiple times per hour and the journey from Naples takes just over a half hour.

Sadly this is not a high speed train - take the time to prep for your visit to Pompeii's ancient ruins.

Once you arrive at Pompeii Scavi train station, simply follow the signs for the archeological park - the Porta Marina main entrance is less than two minutes walk.

Note for some guided tours/tour guides the meeting point is often the Pompeii Scavi station.

A NOTE ABOUT THESE LOCAL TRAINS!

There is also a train line called the 'Campania Express' that runs between Naples and Pompeii.

These trains are less frequent than the normal line and are more expensive, but take less time.

Pay close attention to the timetables and plan accordingly!

Driving from Rome to Pompeii

Click here to view all parking options near Pompeii - they are all pretty similar in terms of value and service.

Select your preference using Google Maps and set off – a direct drive from Rome will take between 3 and 4 hours, depending on where you start from and allowing for rest stops.

DRIVING IN ITALY - BE PREPARED!

The freeways/motorways in Italy ( autostrade ) are mostly subject to tolls, and you should budget an average of 1€ per 10km traveled.

These tolls are paid at the toll booths ( alt stazione ).

Be sure to select the correct lane based on your preferred payment method, and avoid the yellow TELEPASS lanes – these are only for pass holders and using them unauthorized will result in a heavy fine when you come to the next toll booth.

With a tour guide or private transfer

Opting to book a guided tour or hiring a private transfer is probably the easiest option to get to Pompeii from Rome.

Guides/drivers can often offer the option of a hotel pickup and then take you directly to the Pompeii site, in an air conditioned coach with a bus driver and passionate guides.

AN EASY ALTERNATIVE TO POMPEII!

Unable to get to from Rome to Pompeii?

Consider visiting  Ostia Antica  , much closer to central Rome and reachable by train from the Piramide metro station in less than 40 minutes.

Like Pompeii, you’ll find a sprawling archeological park featuring dozens of historically significant ancient Roman monuments.

To find out more about visiting Ostia Antica, visit our dedicated page here . 

While efforts have been made to make Pompeii more accessible , visitors with mobility challenges may face difficulties both arriving at Pompeii from Rome, and then getting around the site.

Access to the train platforms for the Circumvesuviana Line at Napoli Centrale is only via stairs or escalators.

There are no lifts or other mobility assistance to get down to the platforms. Consider arranging a private transfer or taxi from the high speed train station to Pompeii, or even for the whole journey from Rome to Pompeii. 

The driving distance from Rome to Pompeii is not so far as to make it impossible for a day trip!

Access via the main Porta Marina entrance is not viable for anyone with mobility challenges due to uneven surfaces, steps and steep ramps.

The park does have an itinerary for people with motor disabilities, called 'Pompeii for All'. The accessible entrance is at Piazza Anfiteatro, and the route runs for 3.5km/2.2 miles.

For more details refer here to the official Pompeii website.

If in doubt, consider booking a private tour with an operator who is experienced in taking visitors to Pompeii with mobility challenges.

On the first Sunday of every month entrance to Pompeii is free to anyone and everyone - part of the same scheme that grants access to a lot of  free sites in Rome .

Book ahead if you plan to visit Pompeii on a free Sunday and arrive as early as possible.

It will be extremely busy.

In the event more than 15,000 people are in the park by midday, the entrances will be closed for an hour to allow existing visitors to leave.

You cannot book skip the line tickets for the Free Sundays.

Certain groups may be eligible for free (or heavily discounted) entry to Pompeii - to find out more, visit the official website  here  .

PURCHASING A PASS FOR THE AREA

Consider purchasing a Campania ArteCard if you are visiting other sites in the Naples area.

With this card you can visit two sites without further payment, and then access dozens more with a discount.

It also includes public transport (buses and trains) so the savings can quickly add up!

Find out more by visiting the official website  here .

Pompeii is open year round, and only closed on January 1 , May 1 and December 25 .

The Pompeii opening times and hours of operation vary according to the time of year, before making the day trip from Rome to Pompeii, be sure to check the official website.

Personally I’d recommend visiting in late May /early June or September - October if possible.

You should (no promises!) find the weather dry and warm, but not too hot!

Visiting Pompeii in fall and winter

During the cooler months , the weather in this part of Italy can be temperamental.

While clear and dry most of the time, powerful storms can form making conditions for walking around an archeological park less than desirable!

If you can only visit at this point, be sure to wear a waterproof jacket and bring a decent umbrella, just in case!

Visiting Pompeii in spring and summer

During the peak season summer months , the exposed nature of the site combined with Pompeii’s proximity to a major city (Naples), means temperatures can often be close to 100F, if not higher.

If visiting at this time of year, be sure to bring a hat, plenty of water and sunblock.

Disclosure : If you make a purchase through a link on this page, I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my site!

Pompeii Tickets and Tours - All Options

For self-guided visits , the base entrance fee to Pompeii in 2022 is 16€ - from 2023 this will be 18€.

Note that the standard tickets are not skip the line tickets, and it is not possible to book these directly.

To book skip the line Pompeii tickets you'll need to do this via a operator such as GetYourGuide .

Overwhelmed by the number of Pompeii tours on offer?

Our trusted partner Take Walks have very high ratings and pride themselves on giving everyone a fantastic experience.

You can choose from two Pompeii options with them, an in-depth small group tour of the site or an incredible day trip from Rome which takes you to the beautiful Amalfi Coast after a local archeologist shows you the wonders of Pompeii .

 🔐 Store your bags and luggage securely! 🧳

We're parterned with Radical Storage who have locations across Italy for you to keep your luggage safe before and after check-in, while on day trips and for everything else between 👌

Click here to book now and use code ROMEWISE to save 5%!

Pompeii Tours  

Browsing Rome day trips to Pompeii gives you lots of options, but t o maximize your day trip from Rome to Pompeii, consider booking a guided small group tour , and if possible, with a local guide .

Locals often know things that non-locals don't, providing a richer experience and smaller groups enable you to ask questions and make the most of your visit.

Private tours often offer full transport/transfer options to make your day tour stress-free. Several operators also offer a Vesuvius tour to enhance your day trip.

Pompeii must-sees

Pompeii is vast; when Vesuvius erupted, it is estimated the ancient town had a population of 12,000 with the same amount of people also living on the outskirts - comparable to the population of modern Pompei.

Current estimates put the percentage of excavated ground at just over two-thirds, meaning that there is still a huge part to unearth.

You could easily take a full day to see the majority of the site.

If you are very interested in ancient Roman history, consider staying a night in the area so you can split your trip from Rome to Pompeii across two days!

If you are time-limited, here are a series of absolute-must sees , which if followed in order (on the basis you enter the park from the entrance near the Pompeii Scavi train station) will take you past a lot of other notable monuments as you explore the ancient cobbled streets.

When you first arrive, be sure to look for the TV screens at the entrance where you can purchase tickets, which will advise which villas and other special locations are open that day.

The hours of these sites are sometimes restricted so if you want to visit be sure to pay close attention to the schedule !

Porta Marina & Cinta Muraria

On arrival, you'll enter the site via one of the city's original gates - this gate was the most impressive, and is called the 'Marine Gate' because it originally faced the sea and shoreline.

If you have free time, before heading through the gate, bear left and explore the bath complex here - it serves as a great introduction to the site!

After walking up the slope from the entrance, continue straight and you'll find yourself in the Forum of Pompeii.

Like the Roman Forum  in Rome, this space was the focal point of life in the ancient city.

Business was conducted here, social gatherings took place, religious ceremonies undertaken and much more.

From the Forum you can visit several of Pompeii's most impressive monuments, including the Basilica, the Temple of Jupiter and the Temple of Apollo.

Villa dei Misteri (Villa of the Mysteries)

Before exploring the town of Pompeii, I'd recommend taking a slight detour to the scavi Villa dei Misteri (excavations of the Villa of the Mysteries) located approx. 15 minutes walk from the Forum.

Following the suggested route (signposted) you'll pass Pompeii's cafe which also features some bathrooms - use this opportunity to refresh yourself.

As you follow the ancient streets you'll pass countless ancient homes and businesses, before exiting the city limits where you'll then find the road lined with tombs. In ancient Rome it was customary to bury the dead outside of the city.

When you arrive at the scavi Villa dei Misteri, you'll find yourself transported back in time; this is one of the best preserved ancient Roman villas anywhere , let alone in Pompeii.

Marvel at the original decorative flooring and recently restored frescoes and immerse yourself in the peace and tranquility of the surroundings.

In ancient Rome times, this would have felt like a haven away from the hustle and bustle of Pompeii!

When you leave the scavi Villa dei Misteri, take the same road back to the main part of the old town before following the signs for 'Regio V' (Region 5) - this is one of the 'newer' sections of Pompeii, in that much of it has been excavated only relatively recently.

As such, not all areas are open all the time, but if you can, be sure to visit the:

• Thermopolium - recent restoration work has brought this ancient Rome bar back to life where you can now see the frescoes that showed patrons what was on offer, not unlike a modern bar.
• House of Orion - also recently revealed and restored, this house features unique frescoes and mosaics, unseen elsewhere in Pompeii or the surviving ancient Roman world.

Theater District (Region VIII)

After the Forum, this district would have been the most lively during ancient times.

It houses two theaters, the gladiator barracks and several other important structures including the incredibly well-preserved Temple of Isis.

If time allows, enter the main theater and take a seat on the stone benches.

Imagine watching a play here, and consider for a moment you are sitting in the exact same spot that the ancient citizens of Pompeii sat nearly 2000 years ago!

Amphitheater District (Region II)

In this district, at the edges of the visitable park, you can visit the ancient city's amphitheater and the adjacent Palestra.

Gladiatorial games and other public events were held here on a regular basis, and the size of this district is a testament to Pompeii's prominence in the area.

From here you can choose to exit the park (if you're on a self-guided visit) via Piazza Immacolata and take the short walk back to the Pompeii Scavi train station .

 Antiquarium (Museum)

If you have not left Pompeii after seeing the amphitheater, return to the Forum and follow the signs for the exit.

This will take you past the Temple of Venus and you'll see steps down to the Antiquarium (museum).

This is one of the newest additions to the park and houses artefacts found in Pompeii plus two small book/gift shops - visit if you have time as the collection has been curated thoughtfully and helps to round-off any visit.

Ready to plan your trip?

Outside of Rome, the area surrounding Pompeii features one of the highest concentrations of ancient Roman sites anywhere.

If you find yourself with free time or are wanting to explore further on your day trip from Rome to Pompeii, ancient Roman history lovers should consider visiting:

• Herculaneum – like Pompeii, this town was destroyed in the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD and while smaller in scale, certain elements are even better preserved than at Pompeii. You can take a guided tour which takes you from Rome to Pompeii and then Herculaneum on your trip.
• Villas of Castellamare di Stabia (Ariana & San Marco), Oplontis and Boscoreale – these four ancient homes offer an insight into how the people of this area lived and worked 2000 years ago, from winemakers through to members of the imperial family.
• Capua - this now humble town was once ancient Rome's regional capital of this area (before Naples came to prominence), connected directly to Rome via the famous Via Appia . It was here that Spartacus started his infamous revolt – you can even visit where he trained as a gladiator!
• Phlegraean Fields (Campi Flegrei)  – this vast zone just outside of Naples is home to several important sites including Pozzuoli (featuring a well-preserved amphitheater), Baiae (once the Las Vegas of ancient Rome) and Cumae (where an Oracle resided).
• Sorrento – famous now as the birthplace of limoncello, Sorrento was originally an ancient Roman settlement featuring a palace owned by the son of Agrippa, the right-hand man of emperor Augustus .
• Capri island – here Rome’s second emperor, Tiberius, had his summer palace – Villa Jovis. Situated on one of the island's highest points, you’ll struggle to find a better view of the Bay of Naples.
• Positano – situated under the town’s main church (Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta) you’ll find one of the best-preserved ancient Roman villas in existence.

Moving beyond ancient Rome, there is no shortage of other things to do and places to visit near Pompeii:

• Naples – As the regional capital of Campania and a major Italian city since the middle ages, Naples is a history and culture hub. Naples is also famous for its cuisine – it was here that the pizza was invented after all! If you want to really explore Campania, Naples is a great base - staying in an apartment gives you maximum flexibility for your travels!
• Caserta – The Royal Palace of Caserta was the largest royal residence in Italy, and one of the biggest in Europe. Modeled on Versailles Palace outside of Paris, it was here that the kings of the Two Sicilys, and for a brief period, the King of Italy displayed their wealth and power.

• Ischia – Famous for its natural springs, if you are looking for a peaceful break in paradise-like settings, book a ferry from Naples and head to the island of Ischia for a magical day trip!
• Procida – The smallest of the islands in the Bay of Naples, Procida was selected as the 2022 European Capital of Culture and you’ll struggle to find anywhere more picture-perfect in the world.
• The Amalfi Coast – world-renowned for timeless views and picturesque cliff-side towns, this slice of heaven is within easy reach of Pompeii.

If you are looking to explore Campania beyond Pompeii, don't forget to consider getting yourself a Campania ArteCard – just like the Roma Pass  in Rome, it enables access to two sites without extra cost, and discounts to dozens of sites after your two 'free' visits.

Inside Pompeii site you'll find a cafe/bistro (with air conditioning - a blessing if visiting in the summer!) but this can get very busy.

As such, I'd recommend bringing your own lunch/snacks and drinks for while you are in the archaeological park.

If you are taking the high speed train from Rome, you'll find plenty of great options in Naples Centrale station in the 'Foodcourt' which you can grab when changing lines.

Immediately outside the entrances to Pompeii are several bars - the food at these places is not the best (but will do if you're in a pinch) but they are useful for grabbing something to drink on your way in or out of the park.

Want to save this to Pinterest? Pin it here!

Get your 100%  free  Rome trip planner now!

Simply sign-up today for our free newsletter and get the Romewise Quick Start guide to Rome:

We are committed to respecting your data. Click for our Privacy Policy .

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

Please come over to the private Romewise Facebook group and join in the conversation.

You will often find me there, happy to answer your questions / comments!

You will also meet other Rome lovers and experts, too.

What are you waiting for?

Come join in the fun !

Read here about our sponsorship policy

Top attractions and tours

• Colosseum - Don't miss visiting Rome's most iconic monument
• Vatican Museums - This is where the Sistine Chapel is
• Pantheon - Book ahead and skip the line
• Galleria Borghese - You'll need to book ahead for one of Rome's best museums
• Castel Sant'Angelo - See Rome's history through its architecture
• Rome City Pass - A great way to make your Rome visits easier

New to Romewise? Start Here

Get the most out of Romewise

Coming To Rome?

Weather in Rome

Accommodation

Already in Rome?

Things to Do

Home    |    About Me    |    Privacy Policy    |    Legal Disclaimer    |    Affiliate Disclosure    |   Contact Me

Copyright © 2009-2024 by Elyssa Bernard, Romewise.com | All Rights Reserved.

Rome to Pompeii: The Best Way to Make it Happen

When you’re visiting the Italian capital, then you’re perfectly located to make one of the best day trips in Italy, the trip from Rome to Pompeii. Despite being just over 200 kilometers away from each other, it’s relatively simple to make the journey from Rome to Pompeii, and back again within a day.

Using Rome as your base, you can explore the historic streets of the capital, before heading south to visit one of the most fascinating ruined Roman cities in Italy. You can see the imposing shape of Mount Vesuvius, and learn how this dramatic, volcanic peak erupted and buried the city below it.

Stand in awe at the power of nature, and in awe too at the impressive Roman remains that have been excavated here. Rome to Pompeii is one of the most intriguing day trips you can make, and here are the best ways to do it!

Don’t leave home without: Lonely Planet Italy (Travel Guide)

A Brief History of Pompeii

Table of Contents

Found by the modern city of Naples, in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii was buried in 79 AD when the volcano erupted violently and unexpectedly. Pompeii was one of the most important, and richest cities in Rome and it was a favorite location for wealthy Romans to build villas.

When the volcanic eruption buried Pompeii, much of this wealth was preserved beneath a layer of ash, making this one of the most intriguing ruins in the Roman world. After the eruption, the city was abandoned, with few of the survivors returning to the scene of the natural disaster.

Hundreds of years of Roman history were lost in the turmoil, and many thousands of people were entombed here forever. Modern excavations though have allowed archaeologists and historians to unearth much of Pompeii, giving an incredible insight into daily Roman life as it was at the time of the eruption.

Few other sources have proven as valuable as the ruins for allowing us to glimpse into the long lost lives of Roman citizens. Today, Pompeii is one of the largest archaeological sites in the world, and the ruins of the Roman city have become somewhat of a legendary tourist attraction in Italy.

Read reviews and check prices with our Hotel Search Engine , that gives you the best hotel deals found on the web. Our search engine pulls results from all of the major booking places, including Expedia, Hotels, Booking and more. All the options, all the deals, all in one place and just for you.

Where is Pompeii

Pompeii is located close to Naples, which itself lies around 200 kilometers south of Rome, in the Campania region. While you can stay overnight in Naples or in the surrounding region, many travelers prefer to make a day trip from Rome itself.

Given the fast transport links, then if you are tight on time, it makes sense to base yourself in one city, with the capital usually taking first places in visitors’ selections.

Don’t leave home without: Italy (National Geographic Adventure Map)

How to Travel From Rome to Pompeii

There are several different ways to travel from Rome to Pompeii, and back again, all on the same day. Your choice will depend on several factors though, from your budget to your personal preference of travel style, be it group travel or independent travel.

Here are the best ways to travel from Rome to Pompeii to enjoy the best day trip in Italy.

Organized Tours to Pompeii

There are quite literally hundreds of travel and tour agencies selling tours to Pompeii because this is one of the most important tourist attractions in the country.

Booking onto an organized tour can be the easiest way to experience the ruins, particularly if this is your first time in Italy, or if you simply want to make the trip a whole lot easier.

Organized tours can be booked online before you even arrive in Rome, or when you are on the ground in the city. Being a popular trip though, if there is a particular Rome to Pompeii tour that you want to be on then you’ll want to book in advance.

Tours will range in size and style dramatically, but there’s always something for everyone. If you don’t mind large groups, then you can join the big coach groups that head out daily from Rome to Pompeii.

If you prefer smaller, more personable trips, then it may be worth paying more to join a minibus tour with fewer other guests.

If your budget isn’t limited, then you can consider organizing a private tour with a guide and driver to explore on your own terms but to have the convenience of private transport and knowledgeable locals.

If you join an organized tour, then you can expect a long day, with most departing early in the morning from Rome to Pompeii. As well as being guided through the ruins, these tours are great if you also want to experience more of the surrounding area on the same day.

Lots of tours offer you the chance to spend the morning exploring Pompeii, before then spending the afternoon exploring the historic center of Naples, an often overlooked gem in the south.

Other tours will take you along the coastline, to the beaches or into the countryside too, allowing you to pack in as much as you can in a day.

Before booking your organized tour, you’ll want to double-check all the inclusions, including entrance costs, and whether breakfast, lunch or dinner are included in the price too.

Our Top Recommended Tours:

• Skip-the-line Small-Group Pompeii Tour with Local Guide
• The Best of Pompeii Small-group Tour – Unveiling The Buried City
• Private Tour: Pompeii Day Trip from Rome
• Pompeii Full-day Tour Including all Highlights and Newly Opened Houses

Self Drive Tour

Renting a car can be a great way to travel from Rome to Pompeii, with a journey time of roughly two and a half hours each way. This gives you much more independence, and you can get some great rental deals in Italy if you book in advance.

You’ll be able to stop off along the way and you’ll have a level of flexibility that’s lost when you take an organized tour or travel by public transport.

To enjoy the trip from Rome to Pompeii though, you’ll have to be confident driving on Italian roads, and for first-time travelers to the country, this isn’t always the best idea, particularly if road rules are different and the style of driving is different from your home country.

Need to book a car for your road trip adventure? We use Discover Car Hire for comparing car prices to find the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.

Independent Travel from Rome to Pompeii

One of the most cost-effective ways to travel from Rome to Pompeii is by public transport, and with great rail connections, it’s surprisingly easy, even for first-time travelers to Italy. You can book train tickets in advance online too, to save even more money.

The high-speed train connects Rome and Pompeii in 70 minutes, with departures approximately every half hour. Trains depart from Rome Termini, arriving into Naples Centrale.

Once you are in Naples, you then change trains to the Pompeii Scavi route, which leaves every half hour for the ruins – the train station is quite literally on the other side of the road to the entrance. Tickets for this local train can be bought on the day.

Overall travel time from Rome to Pompeii using the great train system will take you around 2 hours. The advantage of independent travel to Pompeii is the fact that you can go at your own pace, you can depart when you want, and you can spend as much time at the ruins as you desire.

Organized tours tend to rush through, and you’ll spend most of the day on the coach, while you also can’t decide where and when you want to eat. The downside is that you can’t necessarily fit as much in during the day as you would on an organized tour.

However, even if you are traveling by train then you can easily explore Naples on the same trip from Rome to Pompeii.

What to Expect on a Trip from Rome to Pompeii

Rome to Pompeii is one of the best day trips to make in Italy, but it’s also one of the most popular. The ruins of Pompeii have long drawn the imagination of the world, as they offer such a unique insight into an ancient civilization. For that reason, and given the ease of access to Pompeii, you can expect it to be busy.

Millions of tourists visit each year, so be prepared to deal with entrance queues and crowds throughout the day. You can minimize this by traveling on your own, independently, to travel on your own terms.

You can easily spend the entire day exploring the ruins if you want to. This is a huge archaeological site, and there is much to take in. Highlights include the Forum of Pompeii, which acted as the city center, a marketplace and the center of religion and life before the eruption.

There are grand villas and temples to explore, but perhaps the most impressive thing about Pompeii is the quantity of preserved frescoes and artwork around the city, much of which was buried under ash and kept in its original state for hundreds of years.

There is a lot more to see in Pompeii too, from the vast amphitheater to individual houses and villas belonging to both the rich and the poor. You can expect to be enthralled by Pompeii, as history has rarely been so tragically well preserved through the ages.

A day trip from Rome to Pompeii will be a long day trip, but it’s one of the best places you can visit in Italy.

My Personal Experience at Pompeii

Most of our day was easily consumed as we wandered the endless ruins of Pompeii. It was unbelievably striking in a way I hadn’t anticipated and every step we took was met by an enormous rush of history and thoughts.

I hadn’t expected to see the structures that we saw. Livable housing complexes with old paintings, tile floors and stone were everywhere. The intricate detail of the mosaics, art and architecture that remained with little wear was so eerie.

You get the creeps, in a way, as you walk through the abandoned streets and read the handouts that explains the events that took place here and the society that existed prior to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.

As I wandered through the streets, I tried to imagine what it would have been like to live here when the structures stood at their grandest and what it would be like to meet the people that lived in them, it takes on an intimate feeling.

It is hard to express the thoughts and feelings of that, but it becomes personal in a way. Trying to grasp the understanding of the events that took place in Pompeii will certainly consume you on your visit. It certainly did me, and I wandered many a street contemplating all that took place in this city.

In the quietest chambers of my mind, I imagined the house cleaned up, furnished and full of life. I thought of the high society that lived in these sections, how they provided for themselves and how their influence shaped society then and now.

I wondered what that must have been like; to experience the wrath of Mt. Vesuvius. Wondered if there had been signs, had they been warned? Did they have any indication of what would happen if they stayed? 

Were they ignorant to the potential danger or were they arrogant and under the assumption that it wouldn’t happen to them?

We may never know the answers to these questions, but we can marvel at what was an amazing accomplishment of society and architecture while remaining forever humble at the aspects of the city that have been frozen in time by the events of that day and the ash that preserves them.

All the while, Mt. Vesuvius looms in the distance as a grim warning that we should never underestimate the power of nature or the unknown.

Recommended Multi-Day Tours:

• G Adventures Local Living Italy Tuscany- If you’ve ever wanted to forge a deeper bond with a destination, this is your chance. Centered in San Gimignano, this Local Living adventure places you in the heart of central Tuscany. You’re free to explore the town, visit vineyards, discover medieval highlights, or embrace your inner artist wandering the Tuscan countryside. If you’re looking for a deeper dive into Italian cities, there’ll be day trips to visit Siena and Florence. You’ll share the main accommodation with like-minded travelers and a CEO there to point you in the right direction. Prepare to fall in love with Italy.
• G Adventures Wellness Italy – If serenity has a palpable form, surely it can be found under the Tuscan sun. This seven-day tour of Italy will have you second-guessing your departure date from the moment you land in Rome. After a morning yoga session and a leisurely day on the grounds of Palatine Hill and the Colosseum, your path will take you to lush landscapes of Tuscany. There, you’ll have ample time to saunter through welcoming villages, taste exceptional local food and wine, and cycle your way through the Tuscan hills. A dip in healing thermal waters will leave a rejuvenating warmth radiating through both body and mind long past your final stop in Florence.
• Best of Italy Summer (Start and end in Rome! With the in-depth cultural tour Best of Italy Summer, you have a 13 day tour package taking you through Rome, Italy and 12 other destinations in Italy. Best of Italy Summer includes meals and more.)
• Taste Of Italy (Start and end in Rome! With the discovery tour Taste Of Italy – 8 Days, you have a 8 day tour package taking you through Rome, Italy and 9 other destinations in Italy. Taste Of Italy – 8 Days includes accommodation as well as an expert guide, meals, transport and more.)
• The Italian Dream (Start and end in Rome! With the coach/bus tour The Italian Dream, you have a 8 day tour package taking you through Rome, Italy and 7 other destinations in Italy. The Italian Dream includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide, meals, transport and more.)

More on Italy:

• Ultimate 10 Day Italy Itinerary
• The Perfect Tuscany Road Trip Itinerary
• 5 of the Best Places to Visit in Italy
• 3 Days in Rome: Things To Do in Rome
• 10 Best Day Trips from Rome Worth Taking
• 3 Days in Florence: What to do in Florence
• 10 Best Day Trips from Florence Worth the Trip
• 15 Easy & Amazing Day Trips From Venice

Did you like this story? Share it!

Travel planning resources, about lina stock.

Lina is an award-winning photographer and writer that has been exploring the world since 2001. She has traveled to 100 countries on all 7 continents. Member: SATW, NATJA, ATTA, ITWA

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

• TAXI FARES CALCULATOR
• BOOK PRIVATE TOUR
• Hotels near Termini
• 3 Star Hotels
• 4 Star Hotels
• 5 Star Hotels
• Apartments For Rent
• Best Hostels
• Hotels near the Colloseum
• Fiumicino Airport
• Ciampino Airport
• Termini Railway Station
• To Florence
• To Ostia Antica
• Famous Roman Dishes
• Best Pizza Places
• Best Pasta Places
• Local Italian Food
• Best Gelato Places
• Best Rooftop Bars
• Sistine Chapel
• Vatican Museums
• Borghese Gallery
• Roman Forum
• Trevi Fountain
• Spanish Steps
• Castel Sant’Angelo
• Navona Square
• Ancient Sites and Ruins
• Galleries and Museums
• Parks and Gardens
• Squares and Fountains
• Beaches near Rome
• To Alberobello
• How to Choose a Hotel in Rome
• 2025 Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee
• Rainy Days in Rome
• What to See in 3 days
• Buying a Sim Card in Italy
• Tickets to Vatican museums
• Renting a Car in Rome
• Apps for Tourists
• Souvenirs from Rome
• Free Things to Do
• Unusual Things to do
• Public Transport
• Italian food and wine
• Sightseeing Tour at Sunrise
• Sightseeing Tour by Car
• St Peter’s Basilica
• Colosseum & Roman Forum
• Campo Marzio
• Jewish Ghetto Quarters
• Quartiere Coppedè
• Sant’Eustachio
• Marcus Aurelius
• Gaius Julius Caesar
• Octavian Augustus

How to Get from Rome to Pompeii

Written by: Kate Zusmann

10388 views

It is an amazing idea to visit the ruins of Pompeii from Rome, Italy’s most famous archaeological excavation. Since there is no direct train, the best option is to get to Naples from Rome and then to Pompeii.  The distance is 242 km. The journey will take from 2 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours.

One day trip from Rome to Pompeii is one of the most famous options among visitors of the Eternal City .

Here’s the list of options on how to get from Rome to Pompeii:

Roundtrip Visit from Rome

If you are interested in a trip from Rome to Pompeii and back for one day, then the most comfortable and most economical way would be a group tour. The tour lasts 11 hours and starts at 8 am from Rome Tiburtina Station.

What’s included in the tour:

• Roundtrip to Pompeii.
• Free WiFi on the bus.
• Access to Pompeii.
• Audio guide for the archaeological area (English, Italian, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese).
• Assistance at the bus stops from Touristation staff.
• Transfer from Pompeii bus station to the archaeological area (Pompeii).

Did you know that the equally famous and interesting archaeological park of Ostia Antica Ruins is located near Rome? It is much faster and cheaper to get from Rome to Ostia . I recommend a must-visit!

Train from Rome to Naples

There are about 16 trains per day that you can take to reach the station nearest to the Pompeii ruins from the Roma Termini train and bus station. If you travel from the Rome Fiumicino Airport , you have to take the Leonardo Express shuttle train to the Termini railway station. Then, it would be best if you had a train which goes to Naples (Napoli Centrale). Talking about Rome Ciampino airport : take a bus or taxi to Termini station and then a train to Naples.

There are different types of trains that run between Rome and Naples:

• Eurostar Freccia Rossa (TAV) is the most convenient and fastest option and the most expensive. In less than two hours, you will arrive at Naples’ Piazza Garibaldi station. Also, the train departs every hour, and usually, it is quite punctual. The ticket price is from 20 euros one-way
• Intercity:  the ride takes about two hours to reach Naples by this train, with the ticket cost starting from 18 euro
• Interregional:  these trains stop at every station, so the journey from Rome to Naples takes about four hours. The ticket price is cheap – about 10 euros, so this option is perfect for budget tourists

There are two main companies that provide train tickets:  Italotreno.it and  Trenitalia.com

You can easily purchase train tickets online or at any station. Note: prices for tickets are much lower if you buy them in advance. In addition, both companies often provide customers with special offers and discounts . However, such kind of tickets is not refundable.

Read also Ultimate Rome-Naples  Guide .

Train from Naples to Pompeii

When you reach Naples, take a Regional train (Regionale) to Pompeii. There are two train lines: the Metropolitan Railway that runs between Naples and Salerno with a stop at Pompeii and the Circumvesuviana train service that stops during the journey to Sorrento.  You can buy tickets online app.italiarail.com .

The Circumvesuviana trains are more popular. The train station is right next to one of the main entrances at Pompeii. Both Circumvesuviana and Metropolitan Railway trains run from Naples Garibaldi station, which is physically part of Naples Centrale Station

Fix price transfer from the Fiumicino Airport to Rome

Naples Centrale Station is located on ground level. From the ground, level escalators go down one level to an underground shopping center, and then you can go further to the Naples Metro. Naples Garibaldi Station is located on the same level as the shopping center. 

• The Circumvesuviana trains operate twice an hour between 6 am and 9.30 pm. Usually, trains are quite crowded. The journey to Pompeii Scavi station takes around 40 minutes. You can buy tickets from the ticket counter in Naples, but note that only cash is taken.
• The Metropolitan Railway is line 2 of the Naples Metro system. The station at Pompeii is located in the town, at a longer distance from the entrances of Pompeii than the Circumvesuviana’s one. However, there are usually less crowded trains, and you can buy tickets online on the website of Trenitalia.

Another option is to get to Pompeii from Rome by traveling from the Rome Tiburtina station (on the Metropolitana subway blue line) by bus – we recommend buying tickets online on  Flixbus.com .

This option is the cheapest one since the one-way ticket price starts from 9.99 euros per person. 

There are direct buses from Rome Tiburtina station or Rome Anagnina to Pompei. The journey takes about 3 hours 25 minutes. You can buy tickets online here

You can reach Pompeii from Rome by rental car in 2 hours and 50 minutes. The distance is 242 km. Moreover, there are many interesting and beautiful cities and towns nearby Pompeii. For instance, you can visit towns of the Amalfi Coast, such as Sorrento and Positano. Of course, it is worth visiting Naples during your trip to Pompeii. One of the best ideas on what to do in Naples is to try the famous Neapolitan pizza.

You can rent a car by  www.rentalcars.com online service. Prices for car rental from Rome Fiumicino airport start from 10 euro per day.

History of Pompeii

First constructions on the site date back to the 8th century BC, when the Oscans, citizens of the central part of Italy, founded five villages there. Later, when the Greeks arrived in Campania from around 740 BC, Pompeii entered into the orbit of the Hellenic people. During that time, the most important building was the Doric Temple, and the cult of Apollo was introduced.  In addition, the location was used as a safe port by the Greek and Phoenician sailors.

Around the 6th century BC, a single community was created, which territories located on the crossroad between Cumae, Nola, and Stabiae, surrounded by a tufa city wall. Later, in 524 BC was the first settlement of the Etruscans. The same as the Greeks, the Etruscans did not conquer the city militarily. Pompeii became a member of the Etruscan League of cities. 

In the 3rd century BC Pompeii was conquered by the Romans and became important for the Roman trade exchanges because it started to export wine and olive oil

Many important buildings were created in that period as Jupiter’s Temple and the Basilica, the House of the Faun, and the Temple of Iside. Under Roman rule, Pompeii became at first a “municipium” and then a colony “Veneria Cornelia Pompeianorum” since it was ruled by the dictator Publio Cornelio Silla (89 BC).  Thus, Roman architectural and cultural styles highly influenced Pompeii, and many patriciate families lived there. Moreover, the Temple of Augustus and the Building of Eumachia were created in 1 century AD.

There was a strong earthquake in 62 or 63 AD, and the Roman senate ordered the town’s reconstruction. However, on 24 August 79 AD, an eruption of the volcano Vesuvius destroyed the whole of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Stabiae, and Oplonti.  Thus, all forms of life disappeared from the territory of famous ruins that nowadays millions of tourists visit every year.

The last eruption of the Vesuvius volcano happened in 1944. Despite the fact that today people are aware of its danger, the area around the volcano is highly populated

Entrance Fee

You can buy tickets at a ticket desk or for an additional cost of 4 euros per adult, and a pre-purchase will allow you to skip the ticket queue. You can buy skip-the-line tickets to Pompeii at a trusted site .

• Ticket price:  21 euros for adults
• For EU citizens (18-24): 9 euro
• Visitors under 18 y.o. Enter for free
• Entrance to Pompeii archaeological zone is free of admission every first Sunday of the month.
• Working hours: daily from 9 am to 3.30 pm

Interesting Facts about Pompeii

• According to historians and archaeologists, the Greeks were the first who settle the territory of Pompeii, not the Romans.
• The debate about the actual date when Vesuvius erupted still continues nowadays. However, archaeologists have found the clothing and food preserved in the ash as a sign of a colder season rather than the 24th of August, which is the date when it is believed that the lava destroyed Pompeii.
• Many historians claim that residents of Pompeii did not know that Vesuvius was a volcano.
• According to scientists, the city and its citizens would stay alive if the wind did not blow toward Pompeii on the day of the Vesuvius eruption.
• Pompeii remained undiscovered for 1500 years.
• It is now the world’s most significant archaeological site covering 150 acres.
• Vesuvius can still erupt any day.
• Over 2.6 million people per year visit the Ruins of Pompeii
• The Amphitheatre of Pompeii is the oldest stone building of its kind in the world, which was constructed in 80 BC
• The Catastrophic eruption in 79 AD is said to have lasted for more than 24 hours

Have you ever visited the ruins of Pompeii? 🙂

Author: Kate Zusmann

For the last 10 years, I live in the Eternal City. Traveling, exploring new things, writing blogs, and shooting vlogs are my main hobbies, but the thing that I like even more is sharing my experience and thoughts with you! Explore Rome with Us :)

Dive Deeper into Rome's Stories

How to Get from Rome to Matera

How to Get from Rome to Montepulciano

12267 views

How to Get from Rome to Tuscany

How to Get from Rome to Siena

17741 views

How to Get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome City Center

How to Get from Rome to Verona

How to Get from Rome to Vienna

How to Get from Rome to Perugia

How to Get from Nice to Rome

Read more about Rome

10159 views

How to Climb Up the Dome of St Peter’s Basilica

15704 views

Why the Colosseum has Holes?

16804 views

How to Get from Rome to Sorrento

Rome.us © 2024. Created with love by Roman experts and guides.

Privacy Policy

Rome to Pompeii Day Trip: A Complete How-To Guide

Planning a Rome to Pompeii day trip? You’re a history-loving traveler after my own heart!

Spending time in Rome is always a great idea. But to learn everything about Ancient Rome, you’ll need to get outside the historical walls of the Urbe (“the city”, in Latin) and explore towns and areas in other parts of Italy.

Unmissable is a visit to the archaeological site of Pompeii. With a day trip from Rome to Pompeii, you can walk and linger through the streets, the domus (“houses”), and the gardens to relive people living in Roman times once felt.

To immerse yourself in the wonder and history of Pompeii’s ruins, you can either plan a Pompeii trip yourself or join an organized tour.

In this article, you’ll learn how to plan a DIY day trip to Pompeii, see a comparison of what an organized tour from Rome to Pompeii offers, plus get practical tips and advice to ensure your visit is a success.

How to Plan a Rome to Pompeii Day Trip

Pompeii is located in Campania, 14 miles south of Naples. Therefore, making a day trip to Pompeii from Rome is quite simple: the two cities are about 150 miles apart and well connected.

The ancient city of Pompeii is one of the most visited archaeological sites in the world and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.

The site is exceptional! Pompeii was buried by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, causing its tragic end. However, the remains of the city are well-preserved thanks to the volcanic ash that covered everything on that fateful day, saving it from the ruins of time.

As you plan a trip to Pompeii from Rome, you’ll have to think about several things: how to get to Pompeii from Rome; if you want to include a visit to other places alongside Pompeii; and many hours you want to spend in Pompeii. Consider that the archeological site is enormous, and its visit can last from a couple of hours to 6 hours depending on your interests.

Day Trip from Rome to Pompeii: Quick Glance Best Options

So, what’s the best way to plan an extraordinary pompeii experience.

Certainly, the easiest way to take a day trip from Rome to Pompeii is to join an organized Pompeii tour . It’s an all-in-one solution that manages the logistics and includes an English-speaking tour leader so can simply enjoy the experience.

There are also other Rome to Pompeii tours that incorporate additional stops, like along the Amalfi Coast or Mount Vesuvius , so you get to experience a bit more of southern Italy.

However, opting for a DIY day tour from Rome to Pompeii can also be fantastic. You first need to consider the different options to get to Pompeii. Train, bus, or car are possible to make your way out of Rome to explore incredible Pompeii.

Then, you’ll need to decide how to tour the site. I recommend at least using an audio guide , but even better is meeting a pre-booked archaeologist guide when you arrive at Pompeii. Pompeii is a huge site at nearly 170 acres! Plus, the site has very little signage so it’s hard to know the significance of what you’re seeing.

And while planning your own Rome to Pompeii day trip comes with managing all the logistics, you also have the freedom and flexibility to spend the day how you choose. For example, perhaps you’d like a morning at Pompeii and an afternoon in Naples.

Whether you prefer a DIY day tour from Rome to Pompeii or you prefer an organized tour to Pompeii from Rome, everything you need to know to plan each detail is below.

How to Get from Rome to Pompeii by Train

I’ve explained all the need-to-know information about the transportation you can take to Pompeii so that you can make the best decision.

Plan on the trains from Rome to Pompeii to take about 2 hours in total. There are 2 steps. I’ve explained both below.

The first step of this journey is to take the train from Rome to Napoli (Naples) Centrale.

Leaving from Roma Termini station, Frecciarossa, Frecciabianca or Frecciargento, Italo, Intercity, and Regionale offer variable routes between 70 minutes and 4 hours, depending on the number of changes made and/or if you opt for the fast train.

The fastest and easiest route you can choose to reach Pompeii from Rome Termini Station is on a high-speed, nonstop Frecciarossa or Italo train, getting off at Napoli Centrale (Naples Central Station). These direct trains will generally take between 70-75 minutes. Then, from there, you’ll take the connection for Pompeii. (More on this below.)

Taking the Frecciarossa or Italo high-speed train will help you save precious hours that you can spend visiting Pompeii or other points in the south of Italy. Train tickets start around 20-25€ (one way) if reserved well in advance . Otherwise, the train ticket might cost up to 60€ (one way).

Intercity is, with Regionale, the cheapest option (15-25€ one way), but it will also take longer (around 3 1/2 hours) and include stops. In my opinion, this defeats the purpose of a full-day trip to Pompeii and the surrounding area. However, maybe it makes sense for budget travelers on the return journey who don’t mind taking these regional trains for a late arrival back to Rome.

You can also leave from Roma Tiburtina station . You’ll arrive in Pompeii in approximately the same amount of time that it will take if the train left from Roma Termini.

The fastest route to Napoli Centrale is offered by Italo and Frecciarossa, which takes you to Napoli Centrale in about 90 minutes. Tickets start at 22€ one way and go up from there depending on how far in advance you booked and the train’s departure time.

ProTip: I recommend using Omio to book your train tickets . The website is simple to use and streamlines the booking process. Be sure to download the Omio app and store your bookings there. Even with no internet connection, the train conductor will be able to scan your ticket. I always store my tickets in the Omio app and it’s been a seamless way to travel by train in Italy.

The second step of this journey is to take the connecting train from Napoli Centrale to Pompeii Scavi .

Once you arrive in Naples, you need to take another train connecting you from Naples to Pompeii.

The Circumvesuviana Railway line you need goes from Napoli to Sorrento and will stop at Pompeii Scavi-Villa di Misteri in about 35 minutes.

From Naples Centrale Station, head downstairs and follow the signs for the Circumvesuviana trains . It’s also called the Piazza Garibaldi Station. To be clear, this is exactly where you got off the train from Rome at Napoli Centrale, it’s just downstairs followed by a little walk underground.

There’s no need to pre-book this ticket, as this is more of a local train making stops between Naples and Sorrento. The price of the train ticket is 3.20€ (one way). Trains depart about every 30 minutes.

Take this train from the Piazza Garibaldi station in Naples (downstairs from Napoli Centrale) and get off at the Pompeii Scavi stop. The only train that goes to the Pompeii Scavi stop is the one that has Sorrento as the final stop.

The main entrance to Pompeii (Scavi di Pompeii) is across the street to the right. But just follow the crowds!

To return to Rome, simply follow these steps in reverse. You’ll get off at Napoli Garibaldi from the Circumvesuviana train and head upstairs to Napoli Centrale for the high-speed trains to Rome.

Going Back to Rome from Pompeii

You’ll retrace your steps back to the Circumvesuviana train from Pompeii Scavi – Villa Dei Misteri stop. Get off at Napoli Porta Garibaldi. Go upstairs back to the Naples train station for trains back to Rome. High-speed trains depart Naples until 8:30 pm.

How to Take the Bus from Rome to Pompeii

If you don’t want to bother with train transfers, you might consider catching a bus to Pompeii from Rome.

Numerous companies offer daily routes from Rome to Pompeii. Flixbus is surely the most budget-friendly, departing from Roma Tiburtina. The ride is about three hours long, and the bus ticket cost is 20€ if reserved in advance.

Flixbus is a no-frills bus line. You’re paying simply for the transportation.

Another long-distance bus company is Marozzi VT , which also departs from Roma Tiburtina. Again, you should reserve your seat in advance to get lower prices. Moreover, consider that in the summer tickets sell out fast, so plan your bus ride on time.

Similarly, remember, you’re only paying for the transportation. You still need to pay the Pompeii entrance fee or book a guided tour of Pompeii.

Both Flixbus and Marozzi buses can be searched and booked on Omio .

You can also choose to take a shuttle bus from Rome to Pompeii . This option is usually more expensive, but it typically includes a Pompeii entry ticket. It’s also handy because the departure points are around the main sites in Rome, like the Colosseum.

How to Get to Pompeii by Car

If you want the maximum freedom to explore Pompeii, renting a car (or a motorbike) is an option. Car rental is always a good idea if you don’t mind driving. Pompeii is located 150 miles south of Rome, and the drive will last for around 2 1/2 hours.

The southbound drive between the two cities is straightforward along the E45 autostrada (toll motorway) also known as the “Highway of the Sun.” Tolls in Italy are paid as you drive, and the cost is based on the distance traveled: in the case of Rome to Pompeii, the average cost is 15€ (depending on where you enter the autostrada and where you leave it).

You simply take a ticket when getting on the autostrada. Then, when you exit, there are toll booths to reinsert your ticket to assess the fee. Tolls can be paid in cash or with a credit card so the process is convenient.

However, there are several additional things to consider before taking a car to Pompeii. First, as you might imagine, the traffic can get heavy when leaving Rome and around Naples, thus the drive can easily become longer than 2 1/2 hours.

Secondly, Italy also has restricted traffic zones, or Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL), which affects how closely you can get to the site anyway, as these zones are usually put in place to protect historical locations and Centro Storico areas.

Lastly, parking can be a real nightmare, especially in the summer when archaeological sites such as Pompeii are packed with tourists. There are several parking areas around Pompeii, and the average cost is 1.50€ per hour.

ProTip: If you do decide to drive to Pompeii (or have plans to rent a car at any point in Italy), be sure to get an International Driver’s License before leaving home. In the U.S, AAA can set you up with one. While definitely hit or miss, if you get pulled over and the officer decides to ask for it, the fines are high for not having one. I have mine for every trip I take to Italy and internationally.

DIY Day Tour from Rome to Pompeii

After deciding how to get to Pompeii, it is beyond important to reserve Pompeii entry tickets in advance to not waste precious time in long lines.

The archaeological park of Pompeii sees 2.5 million visitors every year. It’s one of the most popular sites to visit in all of Italy. And during the summer months and other peak times, ticket lines are long.

From April 1st to October 31st, the Pompeii ruins are open from 9 AM – 7 PM, with the last entrance at 5:30 PM.

From November 1st to March 31st, the last allowed entrance is at 3:30 PM, and the site closes at 5 PM.

On the first Sunday of every month, the ticket to enter Pompeii is free. However, you must reserve the free ticket well in advance. In fact, you might find the ticket office closed if the number of Pompeii tickets sold exceeds 15,000 (it is done to preserve the site and avoid dangerous overcrowding).

Do I Need to Do a Pompeii Tour?

Simply put, I recommend it. The ruins of Pompeii span 163 acres. On top of that, there arean’t as many signs explaining what you are seeing to put the site in context as you might think for such a world-famous sight.

Unless you are a historian yourself, amateur or otherwise, with deep knowledge of Pompeii, you risk walking through the ruins without really getting the full value of the experience.

So, even better than advance entry tickets (and by far the better DIY scenario) is visiting Pompeii with a pre-booked archaeological tour guide .

Otherwise, you’ll likely wander randomly through the site and miss some of the most beautiful houses, as well as important context. With many notable landmarks within the site not marked, you’ll need some sort of information to fully appreciate what you are seeing.

You will find some guides outside Pompeii offering their services but you’ll be rolling the dice hoping to get an expert guide versus one who is not. If you do go with a guide once you arrive, be sure to check their credentials. They should be certified by the region of Campania.

Honestly, though, you’ve come all this way. Why risk a sub-par experience? If you want to go with a guide, book one in advance.

If going with a guide is just not in your budget, there are also entry tickets like this one that include an optional audio guide. These are better than visiting the site with nothing, however, they pale in comparison to what a trained local guide can offer as far as historical context.

ProTip: Exploring Pompeii can be overwhelming. The archeological site is huge, and although the path is paved, there are many stones and even uneven slabs. Moreover, except for some areas, the streets are almost exclusively in the sun. Therefore, to be prepared at your best, wear comfortable shoes and a sunhat , and pack a reusable water bottle so you have water to drink.

Other Places to Visit Near Pompeii

With the freedom of traveling independently comes the ability to explore the region as you wish. Now, in only a day trip from Rome, it’s impossible to see everything. But after a few hours at Pompeii, there’s no need to rush back to Rome.

Explore Naples

You could make an early start to spend the morning at Pompeii. Then, take the Circumvesuviana train back to Napoli Garibaldi and spend the afternoon eating all the pizza your body will allow(!) and discovering Naples.

The Duomo and the Piazza del Plebiscito are must-sees in Naples. You could also join a local guide to explore places like the Catacombs of San Gennaro or the city’s history by touring the Naples Underground .

Visit Sorrento

The Circumvesuviana train you used to reach Pompeii continues on to Sorrento. It’s the last stop on that train line. You could buy a ticket to continue from Pompeii Scavi to Sorrento and be there in about 30 minutes. (Remember to validate your ticket.)

When you get to Sorrento, breathe in the salty air and enjoy the views looking out over the Gulf of Naples. Piazza Tasso is the main square and from there you can get lost in the town’s narrow streets. Depending on how much time you have, you could head to the harbor at Marina Grande for a fresh seafood lunch.

Limoncello is to Sorrento what Naples is to pizza and Liguria is to pesto. Be sure to taste some!

ProTip: If you drove to Pompeii, I recommend leaving your car parked in the lot and continuing on to Sorrento by train. There’s no free parking in Sorrento and, in general, finding a place to park can be a headache like in the Cinque Terre and Portovenere area further north. If you visit Naples instead, look for an ANM parking lot near Piazza Garibaldi & the train station. Beware of ZTLs (traffic limitation zones)!

Guided Day Trips to Pompeii from Rome

If you want to save time and avoid the hassle of navigating public transportation, the best way is to rely on a guided Rome to Pompeii tour . Not to mention expert archaeologist guides can help you get the most from your visit by sharing stories and information that might not be obvious by just looking at the site.

The prices of organized tours vary depending on factors like how far in advance you reserve your spot; how many other people will be on tour; if there is a personalized option for pick up and drop off; and if on the way to Pompeii or back to Rome the bus makes stops at other locations (such as Sorrento, in the Amalfi Coast) to make your experience even more memorable.

Guided tours try to maximize your time so expect a full day to accommodate for travel and sightseeing time.

Below are some fantastic Rome day trips to Pompeii for you to consider.

Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius Full-Day Trip From Rome

This Pompeii & Vesuvius tour combines history and the opportunity to climb Mt. Vesuvius for a full day of outdoor fun exploring the ruins of Pompeii and the active volcano responsible for the city’s demise. The group is small-ish (of around 25 people), and the transfer to Pompeii will be on an air-conditioned coach

Once you’ve arrived in Pompeii, the archaeologist guide will walk you through the main sights. After, the bus will drive up the slope of Mt. Vesuvius. Following a short hike, you’ll arrive at the crater of the volcano with views of Capri, Sorrento, and the Bay of Naples.

Important to know: The option to climb Mt. Vesuvius is available from April to mid-November. If you visit from mid-November to March, you’ll instead have free time to explore Naples by yourself before traveling back to Rome.

From Rome: Pompeii, Almafi Coast, & Positano Day Trip

If you’re hoping to combine a visit to Pompeii with some time at the Amalfi Coast, there are 2 options to consider.

This tour by City Wonders and this tour by Walks of Italy both offer air-conditioned bus travel to and from Rome. The tours include a skip-the-line Pompeii admission ticket and an expert local guide to take you through the Pompeii ruins.

Afterward, you’ll spend free time in Positano (or during the winter months in Amalfi or Sorrento where more will be open).

Both companies are well-reviewed and offer fantastic tours to Pompeii from Rome. Walks of Italy is recommended by Rick Steves and the New York Times. I personally have done more than one of their “walks” and have always had a super knowledgeable guide.

Full-Day Pompeii Ruins Tour from Rome

This more leisurely Pompeii tour focuses on the ruins themselves. This full day tour offers you pick-up service at centrally located hotels, an authentic Neapolitan pizza for lunch (with one drink included), and, if chosen at the time of booking, a certified guide that will walk you through the streets of Pompeii. The trip there and back to Rome will lead you through the Roman countryside and the famous Castelli Romani.

Pompeii Day Trip with Wine Tasting and Lunch

This Pompeii tour includes lunch and a wine tasting . Unlike the other full day tours from Rome to Pompeii recommended above which use private buses, the transport for this tour is the Trenitalia Freccia train, which you will board at Roma Termini. The train ticket is included in the final price of the tour.

Once in Naples, you will be met by the tour leader and use a shuttle bus to move around the region. After seeing Pompeii, your group will head to a nearby vineyard to enjoy a wine tasting experience and a three-course lunch with local specialties.

This tour also includes skip-the-line tickets to Pompeii and an archaeological guide to tour the ruins. At the end of the day, the shuttle returns you to Napoli Centrale where you take the high-speed train back to Rome. This tour tends to be a small group tour, making it feel more personal than larger group tours.

Doing a Rome to Pompeii day trip with an organized tour is a great stress-free way to enjoy your trip to Italy.

Rome Day Trips to Pompeii: FAQs

Is a day trip from rome to pompeii worth it.

Pompeii is one of the most incredible historic sights anywhere in the world. If you have the time to spare while in Rome, it’s more than worth planning a Pompeii day trip! It’s an absolutely unforgettable experience.

What is the best way to travel from Rome to Pompeii?

The most hassle-free way to go from Rome to Pompeii is by going on an organized day trip. You can focus solely on enjoying this incredible historic sight plus, potentially, see other points of interest in southern Italy like Mount Vesuvius or the Amalfi coast. If you’re going on your own, the trains from Rome to Pompeii are straightforward and run frequently throughout the day.

How long should you spend at Pompeii?

The Pompeii ruins cover an enormous area. You’ll want to spend at least 2 hours visiting. However, it’s easy to spend 3-6 hours there depending on how deeply you want to explore the site.

Planning a Day Trip from Rome to Pompeii

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii is simply marvelous, and a day trip from Rome to explore the ancient ruins at the base of Mount Vesuvius is a great addition to your time in Italy.

Whether you take the train from Rome to Pompeii or you join one of the many Pompeii day trips from Rome, both are great options. If you travel independently, take my advice and pre-arrange an expert guide ! It’s so worth it!

Once you choose the best option for yourself and book your trip, all that’s left to do is enjoy visiting an unforgettable city forever suspended in time.

So, what are your questions about planning a Rome to Pompeii day trip?

Like this post? Please share on social media!

Related Posts

Why You Should Drive the Icefields Parkway + Trip Planning Tips

3 Reasons to Visit Banff National Park Immediately

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Privacy Overview

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content

Compass & Pine

The Ultimate Travel Guide

Rome to Pompeii: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you want to explore more of Italy’s ancient ruins, consider visiting Pompeii from Rome. It’s a great day trip that is well worth the effort! In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make the journey and what you can expect when you get there. Let’s get started!

If you’re done exploring The Best Museums in Rome and want to journey to an open-air museum, Pompeii is an excellent addition to the itinerary. Likewise, not covered in this article, but you may want to stop at the Herculaneum as it’s similar to Pompeii and better preserved.

How to Get From Rome to Pompeii

You can get from Rome to Pompeii a few different ways, but the most popular and convenient option is to take the train.

A high-speed train leaves from Rome’s central train station, Termini, to Naples every 20 minutes. You can take this train directly from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale in a little less than two hours.

Two different companies run trains along this line: Trenitalia and Italo . I prefer Italo because they tend to be a little cleaner in my experience, but neither is a bad choice. I’d go with whatever happens to be cheapest that day.

You need to switch to the local train to Pompeii from Napoli Centrale. The local train is called Circumvesuviana and is located down the corridor in Napoli Garibaldi Station. The benefit of taking Circumvesuviana is that it is affordable. If cost isn’t a factor, Trenitalia also runs from Napoli Centrale to Pompei and is nicer.

If you need help, there are maps all over the place and more than enough security guards that can point you in the right direction.

Both trains will take you towards Sorrento and get off at Pompei Scavi. The trip takes around 20 minutes and drops you at the entrance to the archaeological area.

Traveling to Mount Vesuvius?

This active volcano is one of the most unique experiences you’ll do in Italy.

How Much Does It Cost To Travel From Rome to Pompeii?

A one-way ticket from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale is around €30-43 per person. The local Circumvesuviana train from Napoli to Pompei Scavi is only €3. You can buy tickets for both online in advance or at the station on the day of travel.

I recommend buying your ticket for the high-speed train from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale in advance because it can sell out, especially in peak season. But you can buy tickets for the Circumvesuviana train at the station on the day of travel with no problems.

Is There a Direct Train From Rome to Pompeii?

No. You take a fast train to Naples, then a local train (Circumvesuviana) from Naples train station to Pompeii.

Is Pompeii Worth a Day Trip from Rome?

Absolutely! Pompeii is one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations, and for a good reason. The city was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, and the site has been preserved as an archaeological wonder.

Pompeii is a vast site with plenty to see. You can easily spend a whole day there, especially if you take your time to enjoy the ruins and do some exploring.

Unless you’re very knowledgeable about the area, I recommend taking a guided walking tour. The local guides do a great job of detailing what life was like for people of ancient Pompeii and provide insights into the dig sites.

There are also a few other things to do in the area if you have time. You can visit the nearby city of Herculaneum, take a boat ride around the bay, or hike up Mount Vesuvius for some incredible views.

If you’re interested in ancient history and want to see something a little different from the ruins in Rome, I definitely recommend visiting Pompeii!

Which is Better, Pompeii or Herculaneum?

If you only have time for one, I recommend Pompeii. It’s a much larger site with more to see and offers more iconic sights you are likely familiar with.

That said, both sites are worth visiting if you have the time. Herculaneum is a bit more compact, so it’s easier to see everything in one day. And because it was buried under less lava, the site is in a better state of preservation. So if you’re interested in seeing what ancient life was like, Herculaneum is worth visiting.

What Is the Best Month to Visit Pompeii?

The best time to visit Pompeii is spring (April-June) or fall (September-November). The weather is mild, and there are fewer tourists than in the summer.

If you decide to visit in the summer, be prepared for the heat. Pompeii is a large site, and there is very little shade throughout the entire area. Temperatures can easily reach over 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).

If you’re really interested in avoiding crowds, the best time to visit is in the off-season (December-March). You’ll have the site almost to yourself, but keep in mind that there is a greater chance it will be cold and rainy.

How Do I Get from Rome to Amalfi Coast?

The Amalfi Coast is a stunning stretch of coastline and home to the most picturesque villages in all of Italy.

What Should I Wear to Pompeii?

There is no dress code to enter the site, but I recommend wearing comfortable shoes and clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. The streets are made of cobblestones, and there is a lot of dust throughout the site.

If you’re visiting in the summer, I recommend bringing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. There is very little shade, and the sun can be pretty intense.

Finally, remember to dress respectfully. Pompeii is an ancient archaeological site, and it’s considered a burial ground for the people who died in the eruption. So please be mindful of that when you’re deciding what to wear.

What Should I Bring to Pompeii?

In addition to comfortable clothing and shoes, I recommend bringing a bottle of water and a snack. There are a few cafes inside the site, but they can be expensive. And trust me, you’re going to get thirsty walking around in the heat.

How Much Does It Cost to Enter Pompeii?

The Pompeii archaeological site is open daily from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm (the last entry is 5:30 pm). As of writing, they’re closed on Tuesdays.

Tickets cost €17.50 for adults and €10 for EU citizens ages 18-25. Admission is free for children under 18 and EU citizens over 65.

How Long Should I Spend in Pompeii?

How long you spend in Pompeii really depends on your interests. If you just want to see the highlights, you could probably do it in about two hours. But if you want to explore the site in more depth, I recommend spending at least half a day there.

If you’re interested in adding Pompeii to your list of ancient sites to visit while in Rome, we hope this article has been helpful. It’s a great way to spend a day if you love history and want to see what life was like for ancient Romans. If you have any tips or suggestions of your own, let us know in the comments below!

About Todd O'Rourke

Todd is an award-winning writer and filmmaker who co-founded Compass and Pine with his dog Leg. Together, they have traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, with their base of operations in Philadelphia.

He started Compass and Pine after living in Vicenza, Italy for three years and falling deeply in love with the country, the people, and, of course, the food.

His favorite city is Florence, Italy, and his favorite National Park is Olympic in Washington.

LinkedIn | About Us

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Explore more

Rome to Pompeii Day Trip: Everything You Need To Know

Just outside Rome are a number of fantastic day trips to enjoy. One is visiting the fabled "lost city" of Pompeii. This incredibly famous destination and UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Italy's most important archeological wonders. Destroyed in 79 AD by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the bustling city was frozen in time by volcanic ash. The remnants reveal ancient Roman life, from perfectly preserved frescoes to haunting "statues" capturing residents' final moments. 

For those seeking a captivating day trip filled with history, archaeology, and breathtaking scenery, the excursion from Rome to Pompeii promises an unforgettable experience. Follow this guide to make the most of your trip.

Rome to Pompeii: Getting There

Pompeii lies about 23 kilometers (14 miles) southeast of the city of Naples, in the region of Campania. That places it roughly 241 kilometers (150 miles) from Rome itself. While it's not right next door to the Italian capital, it is reachable within plenty of time to make a day of it and return for a late-night supper and reasonable bedtime. Here are three ways it can be part of a day trip.

The easiest way to get to Pompeii from Rome is by train. Thanks to high-speed rail, you can make it from station to station in about two hours. Trains depart every 20 minutes for most of the day. Embark on your first train via the route from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale — the Rome to Naples line. This initial trip takes a little over an hour. From Napoli Centrale, you’ll switch to the local line known as Circumvesuviana. Take the EAV train towards Sorrento. Your stop will be the Pompei Scavi – Villa Dei Misteri station, roughly 20 minutes from Naples. Getting off the train, the archaeological site is just a few steps away. Keep in mind that the last trains for Rome generally depart at 8:30 PM. Round trips will cost about US$40 per person when you combine local and express trips.

Getting from Rome to Pompeii by car has some advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage is having total freedom. You can have maximum flexibility about when you come and go and also where you can explore nearby (don’t forget, from Pompeii, you’ll be within reach of the famous Amalfi Coast!). The downside is that the trip may take you as much as 3.5 hours, depending on traffic. Rentals can be as low as US$20 per day, but keep in mind that gas and tolls can be expensive. The route itself is easy: Take the A1 highway to Naples, then the Motorway A3 Napoli-Salerno to the Pompeii Ovest exit.

If you want to sit back, relax, and let someone else do the planning, a guided tour may be best. From simple shuttle buses to all-inclusive luxury liner omnibuses, many tour companies offer day trips to Pompeii from Rome. They can run from close to US$100 to US$200 per person. Besides having an expert present the archeological site to you, meals are usually included. Entry fees to the site itself may also be part of the package. So long as you don’t mind running on the tour’s schedule, this could be a good option.

Pompeii Proper: Things to See

Once you get to Pompeii, allow yourself at least three to four hours for your visit. There are plenty of online guides for locating the top sites in Pompeii, and even free audio tours you can stream. Here are a few of the very best parts of the archeological area to seek out.

Foro de Pompeya (The Forum)

Right by the main gate of the Pompeii site is the For de Pompeya. The Forum was the main center of life in the city and host to large religious and commercial events. Here, you'll discover the remains of the Temple of Jupiter and the Temple of Apollo.  

The Forum Baths

Cleanliness was an obsession in ancient Roman society, so it comes as no surprise that public baths were unearthed in Pompeii. There are actually a number of these to be found in the ruins. But while you are at the Forum, the nearby Forum Baths will give you the largest example preserved within the site. 

Villa dei Misteri (The Villa of the Mysteries)

Perhaps the most enticing and enigmatic of Pompeii’s sites, the Villa dei Misteri preserves some of the most animated frescos from the city. Motifs of red and gold adorn this scene, speculated to be that of an initiation into a long-forgotten cult. 

House of the Faun

Among the largest homes discovered in the ruins, the House of the Faun is defined by its sheer size and iconic statue placed just outside. Opulent and flashy, this was likely the luxury home of one of the area’s wealthiest citizens. 

The Amphitheater

Prepare to stand in the place where real-life warriors fought battles for cheering crowds. The Amphitheater was indeed home to such spectacles and much more, a great example of another cultural mainstay of ancient Roman society. It’s a bit of a walk away from the more crowded parts of Pompeii, but well worth it.

Beyond Pompeii: The Ambitious Day Trip

If you get started super early in the morning and make the most of your Pompeii visit by early afternoon, you should have ample opportunities to extend your experience in nearby locations. Whether you want to get deeper into history or a taste of one of Italy’s premier cities, motivated day trippers have at least two great options to choose from.

Herculaneum

Before Pompeii was discovered, the smaller nearby town of Herculaneum was found. Victim of the same Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD, the ruins here can be seen in about an hour. Just take the same Circumcanvesuviana train line and get off at Ecolano station.

While Naples is deserving of an extended stay unto itself, there’s no reason you can’t take a small bite out of it before returning to Rome. Imagine you’re done by 3 PM or so in Pompeii. You could be in Naples by 4 PM and dig into some of the legendary local pizza. You can also spend some time in one of the amazing museums, such as the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, where many artifacts from both Pompeii and Herculaneum are housed.

Stay Connected With an Italy eSIM

No matter where you travel, stay connected with an Airalo eSIM. Airalo gives you access to affordable eSIMs for 200+ countries and regions — including Italy.

Why Airalo ? Here are a few reasons to use an Airalo eSIM when you travel:

• Connect to a mobile network within minutes of arrival.
• Choose from flexible local, regional, and global data plans.
• Eliminate the need to find a local SIM vendor.
• Say goodbye to expensive roaming charges.
• Store multiple eSIM data plans on your device.
• Running out of data? Top up in the Airalo app.

If you're planning a trip to Rome and Pompeii, there's no better way to stay connected during your travels than with an  Italy eSIM .

Ready to try eSIMs and change the way you stay connected?

Download the Airalo app to purchase, manage, and top up your eSIMs anytime, anywhere!

Use Your Free Credit.

You can earn US$3 Airmoney credits by sharing your referral code with friends.

• Italo Real Time
• Manage Journey

Haven't you registered yet? Register

• Destinations & Timetable
• Travel with Italo
• Italo Go Services
• Loyalty Program

Train tickets from Rome to Pompei from [PRICE] €

From Rome to Naples with High Speed Train + Bus Itabus from Naples to Pompeii

• Home Italotreno
• Destinations & timetable
• Rome to Pompeii Train Tickets

Don't miss our incredible offers: buy your train tickets from Rome to Pompeii or from Pompeii to Rome with Italotreno!

Book in advance your trip Rome - Pompeii and Pompeii - Rome and save

From rome to pompeii by train.

• Best offers Rome-Pompeii
• Rome-Pompeii train stops
• Mini guide: what to visit in Rome and Pompeii

Travelling from Rome to Pompeii by train is a fast and economical journey. The Rome - Pompeii route is 211 km long and the journey with Italo takes 1 hour and 50 minutes . The price of this trip starts from [PRICE] € , a convenient price to enjoy a round trip to visit beautiful Pompeii .

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey? Following you'll find the frequently asked questions by our customers and some tips for your journey.

How many km is Pompeii from Rome?

The direct distance between Rome and Pompeii is 211 km .

How long does it take to get from Rome to Pompei by train?

It generally takes 1 hour and 50 minutes to get from Rome to Pompeii though this depends on the date, time and day of the week. Check out train times to plan your trip.

What times are the trains scheduled from Rome to Pompeii by train?

Every day, Italo has trains scheduled to depart from Rome to Pompeii and from Pompeii to Rome. You can find the schedule that is most convenient for you anytime, from the early morning until late in the evening. Check out train times to plan your trip.

Hot much does it cost from Rome to Pompeii by train?

Ticket prices for Italo trains from Rome to Pompeii start around [PRICE] € . If you buy your ticket in advance, the price will be low - with Italo you can take advantage of great deals and discounts. See what deals are waiting for you on our train ticket offers page .

What is the cheapest way to get from Rome to Pompeii?

Italo offers great deals on tickets for its clients, subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date on discounts and promotions.

What is the fastest train from Rome to Pompeii?

The fastest way takes roughly 1 hour and 50 minutes to make the distance between Rome and Pompeii .

Which stops the Rome - Pompeii route train makes.

Italo Travel Pack: flexibility and and savings up to -80%

Choose between Travel Pack 10 valid for 180 days or Travel Pack Special 10 and 20, valid for 30 days!

Italo Family, children travel free of charge.

Children under 14 years of age travel free of charge with their family.

Italo Friends

Travelling together is more convenient!

Get inspired and leave with Italo Mini Guide, what to visit in Rome and Pompeii

If you are planning a visit to the wonderful city of Rome , consider choosing Italo train to reach the Italian capital comfortably and quickly. Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world, and it is no wonder, thanks to its great beauty and all that it has to offer. Must-see destinations in Rome are surely the Imperial Forums and the Colosseum, ancient Roman monuments that preserve the historical wealth of a glorious era. Another enchanting place to visit is San Pietro with the Vatican Museums, where you can admire the famous fresco of the Sistine Chapel's ceiling, the masterpiece of Michelangelo. Also, don't miss the Pantheon monument, which is free to visit, Trevi Fountain, and Gianicolo, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Rome 's rooftops. Rome is also a perfect city for shopping, especially around Piazza di Spagna, where some of the world's most famous streets such as via del Babuino and via Condotti are found, and where you can purchase luxury goods from major Italian brands. Otherwise, if you prefer low-cost shopping, Via del Corso offers a vast selection of international chains. Lazio's cuisine offers typical and authentic dishes that you should not miss: a good cacio e pepe or an amatriciana are just some of the delicious delicacies you can taste. If you want to try authentic Jewish cuisine, it is recommended to head towards the Ghetto. However, if you go to the Pigneto or San Lorenzo neighborhoods, you can find younger and trendier places and even a cheap trattoria where you can taste genuine local cuisine. And if you want to try international dishes, the area between Garbatella and Ostiense is the right place. Rome is also a city of major events: for example, on December 8th, the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy is opened, an unmissable opportunity to reach the capital and participate in papal audiences. In short, Rome is a city that truly deserves a visit, and Italo train is the best way to get there with comfort and speed. Don't miss the chance to discover this charming city, between art, culture, gastronomy, and much more! Buy your Italo ticket to Rome now!

If you are looking for a cultural and gastronomic destination, Pompeii is the right place for you. The birthplace of Pliny the Younger is famous for the ancient Roman city buried by the ashes of Mount Vesuvius and for its delicious dishes made with fresh fish and typical Campanian products. To easily reach this charming and fascinating destination, we recommend choosing Italo, the high-speed train that will take you to Pompeii quickly and comfortably. One of the must-see stops of a visit to Pompeii is the archaeological area, a fascinating place that will take you back in time to the daily life of the Romans and their art and architecture. You can take a full day to explore the excavations, admiring the remains of the Forum, the Theatre and the Temple of Apollo, and discovering the rich mosaics and frescoes of the patrician houses of Pompeii . Remember to bring a hat and water with you, as it can get very hot during the visit. In addition to the archaeological area, Pompeii also offers other cultural attractions. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Naples, where the treasures of the ancient city of Pompeii are exhibited, including artifacts, remains of restaurants and taverns, as well as various objects and jewels. You cannot visit Pompeii without enjoying the extraordinary local cuisine. The fresh fish and typical Campanian products in this city are a true delight for the palate. Among the delicacies to taste are buffalo mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, scialatielli with seafood, and the famous limoncello. If you like sweets, don't miss the famous babà and Neapolitan pastiera. In the evening, take some time to stroll through the streets of the ancient city of Pompeii and enjoy the romantic and relaxing atmosphere on foot. The streets decorated with Christmas lights and decorations will bring you into the festive spirit. Those seeking entertainment, on the other hand, can choose from the numerous nightclubs in the city. In conclusion, if you are looking for a cultural and gastronomic destination, Pompeii is the perfect place for you. Choose the Italo train to reach this destination quickly, safely, and comfortably and get ready to enjoy an unforgettable vacation.

Please wait...

• Travel/Study

BIBLE HISTORY DAILY

Roman construction site uncovered at pompeii.

New discoveries reveal the secrets of Roman building techniques

Stacks of building materials found in the atrium of the Pompeii town house, including stone blocks, tuff, and orderly rows of roof tiles. Image courtesy of Italian Ministry of Culture

Researchers recently uncovered the remains of a construction site at Pompeii that remained undisturbed and preserved for nearly 2,000 years. This exciting discovery opens new windows into the past to help us understand the ancient building techniques that the Romans employed across the empire.

When Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE, cities in close proximity, such as Pompeii and Herculaneum, were buried in volcanic ash and left frozen in time. Because of these unique circumstances, the site of Pompeii has been of particular historical and archaeological interest for more than a century and welcomes millions of tourists a year. Alongside the Pompeii Archaeological Park’s recently launched renovation efforts , the park teamed up with researchers from the Massachusetts’s Institute of Technology (MIT) to excavate the remains of a particular domus (upper class Roman town house) in Pompeii’s city center. The domus appears to have been undergoing extensive renovations when Vesuvius erupted, essentially preserving the first-century Roman construction site under thick layers of ash.

“Achilles of Skyros” fresco discovered within the house that was undergoing renovations at the time of Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 CE. Image courtesy of Italian Ministry of Culture

Amid walls richly decorated with frescos of the 4th Pompeian style, including a mural of “Achilles of Skyros,” the team discovered work tools, jugs, lead weights, iron hoes, as well as various building materials. Traces of the ancient renovations were also found in the area of the lararium —the household shrine dedicated to the guardian spirits of the family—in the form of amphorae used to “extinguish” the lime used in applying plaster to the walls during construction. Other tools were discovered in various rooms of the domus , from lead weights used for “plumb lines” when putting up walls to iron hoes used for preparing mortar and working lime. More building materials were kept in a nearby house, reachable from an internal door, including piles of stone for wall construction and piles of ceramics and tiles used for making opus signinum —a type of waterproof concrete that was used in Roman buildings to reduce dampness.

FREE ebook: Cyber-Archaeology in the Holy Land — The Future of the Past . Modern archaeological methods help create a new and objective future of the past.

Unfortunately, the renovation projects that were in full swing at Pompeii were ultimately left unfinished when Mt. Vesuvius erupted. However, the unique preservation of the city allows for a deeper understanding of the past. “It is a further example of how the small city of Pompeii makes us understand many things about the great Roman Empire, not least the use of cement works,” said Zuchtriegel. “Without cement we would have neither the Colosseum, nor the Pantheon, nor the Baths of Caracalla. The excavations underway in Pompeii offer the possibility of observing almost directly how an ancient construction site functioned.”

As for the future, the team hopes that more secrets of Roman construction will be revealed and provide ideas for environmentally friendly and sustainable building processes.

Related reading in Bible History Daily :

The Survivors of Mount Vesuvius

The Destruction of Pompeii—God’s Revenge?

Excavating Pompeii’s Middle Class

Pompeii Fast Food Restaurant Uncovered

All-Access members, read more in the BAS Library :

How to Find a Brothel in Pompeii Climbing Vesuvius The Destruction of Pompeii- God’s Revenge? Not a BAS Library or All-Access Member yet? Join today.

Related Posts

What Is Aramaic?

By: Clinton J. Moyer

Digitizing Ancient Seals

By: Elizabeth Knott

The “Pillow Psalter” Returns

By: Marek Dospěl

Saint Salome’s Resting Place?

By: BAS Staff

Write a Reply or Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Blog Posts

The Masoretic Text and the Dead Sea Scrolls

Akhenaten and Moses

On What Day Did Jesus Rise?

Must-read free ebooks.

50 Real People In the Bible Chart

The Dead Sea Scrolls: Past, Present, and Future

Biblical Peoples—The World of Ancient Israel

Who Was Jesus? Exploring the History of Jesus’ Life

Want more bible history.

Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update.

By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy .

All-Access Pass

Dig into the world of Bible history with a BAS All-Access membership. Biblical Archaeology Review in print. AND online access to the treasure trove of articles, books, and videos of the BAS Library. AND free Scholar Series lectures online. AND member discounts for BAS travel and live online events.

Signup for Bible History Daily to get updates!

Archaeologists in Pompeii Find Ancient Construction Site, Undisturbed Since Vesuvius’ Eruption

The discovery is cluing researchers into the techniques used to build Rome’s most remarkable structures

Julia Binswanger

Daily Correspondent

Researchers have uncovered an ancient construction site in  Pompeii , shedding new light on building techniques used thousands of years ago, according to a statement from the Pompeii Archaeological Park .

At the time of Mount Vesuvius ’ eruption in 79 C.E., workers at the site were likely in the middle of a home renovation. Archaeologists found piles of lime, stones, ceramics, tiles, bricks and tools, frozen in time under layers of volcanic ash.

The excavation provides new insights into how the ancient Romans mixed cement. Workers appear to have created cement walls via “hot mixing,” a technique in which quicklime is mixed with pozzolanic sand and water.

When water is added to quicklime, the reaction creates heat. Normally, this step happens long before construction begins. In Pompeii, however, “workers did not pre-soak quicklime,” per All That’s Interesting ’s Amber Breese. “Instead, they opted to mix the lime with pozzolanic sand first and then apply water shortly before construction.”

The result: Because the walls were built while the mixture was still hot, drying time would have been reduced.

“It is yet another example of how the small city of Pompeii makes us understand so many things about the great Roman Empire, not least the use of cement,” says Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the park, in the statement. “Without cement, we would have neither the Colosseum , nor the Pantheon , nor the Baths of Caracalla .”

The hot mixing technique was also used to renovate existing structures. Zuchtriegel thinks durable cement would have been important for touch-ups and repairs following a major earthquake in 62 C.E., 17 years before Vesuvius’ eruption.

Additionally, researchers found a mythological painting depicting  Achilles on the island of Skyros inside the home, which is located near a recently discovered ancient bakery .

The site also featured Roman numerals written in charcoal, which researchers think were notes from builders, as well as “tools like lead weights for pulling up heavy walls and iron hoes used to mix the mortar,” writes  CNN ’s Barbie Latza Nadeau.

According to Zuchtriegel, the discovery will not only give researchers a better understanding of everyday Roman life but also help teach valuable lessons about “sustainability and the reuse of materials.”

“Pompeii is a treasure chest, and not everything has been revealed in its full beauty,” says Gennaro Sangiuliano, Italy’s culture minister, in the statement. “So much material has yet to emerge.”

Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.

Julia Binswanger | READ MORE

Julia Binswanger is a freelance arts and culture reporter based in Chicago. Her work has been featured in WBEZ,  Chicago magazine,  Rebellious magazine and  PC magazine. 

• Celebrities
• Science & Tech
• Fashion & Beauty
• Food & Drink
• Home & Garden
• Sports & Fitness
• Travel & Outdoors
• Science & tech
• Conversations

Ancient Roman construction methods revealed in Pompeii building site excavation

An Ancient Roman building site from 2,000 years ago has recently been discovered by archaeologists, and it provides us with an insight into the construction techniques of this time.

In 79 CE, disaster struck when the devastating Mount Vesuvius volcanic eruption caused the city to burn - killing 2,000 Pompeiians in the city and up to 16,000 people in the wider region - with clouds of ash and debris blanketing the area and preserving it for two millennia.

Now, recent excavations at the Archaeological Park of Pompeii have uncovered evidence of a building site which appears to be in perfect condition with work tools, stacked tiles, bricks of tuff (a type of rock made of volcanic ash), and piles of lime.

This find gives researchers an idea of the construction techniques that were used in Ancient Rome for buildings that remain standing to this day.

The excavation of this area was "aimed at regulating the hydrogeological situation along the boundary between the excavated and unexcavated parts" of Pompeii.

"The excavation in Region IX, insula 10, planned during the years of the Great Pompeii Project is yielding, as was to be expected, important results for furthering our knowledge of the ancient city," the Director General for Museums, Massimo Osanna explained.

"An interdisciplinary research site, born from the previous excavation of Region V, from the need to consolidate the limits of the excavations, i.e. the walls of eruptive material left by 19th and 20th century excavations that loom dangerously over the excavated areas."

The building site was found inside a house which contained a bakery with a large oven, with artwork depicting flatbread and a glass of wine.

It is thought the site was active up until the eruption, as three victims of the natural disaster - two women and a boy - were discovered near the oven.

Signs of ongoing construction were clear from the building material stacked in the atrium and marks on the jamb of the door on the way to the reception room ( tablinum) are thought to be tally marks in charcoal to keep track of the building site accounts.

While in the room where the shrine would be ( lararium ), electoral inscriptions were discovered (we would call them election manifestos today) urging people to vote for Aulus Rustius Verus.

Clay containers (amphorae) were also in this room and are thought to have been used to mix plaster for the walls.

Lead weights –plumb bobs—for ensuring a perfectly vertical wall ('plumb') to iron hoes used for preparing the mortar and working the lime were some of the construction tools archaeologists came across.

Materials found in this excavation also reaffirm the Roman concrete mixing method that was only figured out by experts last year.

It wasn't lime being mixed with water before dry sand (pozzolana) to make the concrete as previously thought, instead various analyses concluded that dry lime and dry pozzolana are mixed together with hot water at a high temperature to create a durable concrete that sets speedily.

"It is yet another example of how the small city of Pompeii makes us understand so many things about the great Roman Empire, not least the use of cement," says Archaeological Park of Pompeii Director Gabriel Zuchtriegel.

"The data emerging seems to point to the use of quicklime in the construction phase of the walls, a practice already hypothesized in the past and capable of considerably speeding up the time of a new construction, but also of the renovation of buildings damaged, for example, by an earthquake."

How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel

Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter

Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Is the radiation from a solar eclipse bad for you?

Gta 6 - live updates as troy baker dismisses jason links, joe rogan suggests key bible prophet was actually just high on drugs, the hardest geezer's run across africa in numbers, surprising details undercovered in conjoined twin abby hensel's wedding documents, larry david’s 20 funniest ever curb your enthusiasm quotes, usain bolt's ancient running record destroyed by high-schooler, the rock turns on joe biden and refuses to endorse him for president, what is a 'honey trap', plants 'scream' while they're being harvested, internet finds husband who ghosted wife and kids in less than 24 hours, 'disgusting' diddy nickelodeon cameo resurfaces following house raid, giant lake suddenly reappears 130 years after vanishing, all of the celebrities who have made claims about diddy.

LBV Magazine English Edition

History & Culture

The Temple of Isis at Pompeii, One of the First Buildings to be Unearthed from the Ashes

The Temple of the Egyptian goddess Isis in Pompeii was discovered in 1764 during the initial archaeological excavations of the ancient Roman city buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. It was one of the first buildings to be unearthed, and its walls still bore beautiful ancient paintings.

Excavations in Pompeii began in 1748 under the sponsorship of King Charles III of Spain. In 1764, Swiss military engineer Karl Jakob Weber was supervising the excavations when his workers unearthed the remains of a small but nearly intact temple adorned with paintings and sculptures. On July 20, 1765, engineer Francisco La Vega confirmed through an inscription that it was a temple dedicated to Isis.

The cult of the goddess Isis, originating from Egypt, had spread widely throughout the Greco-Roman world. In Pompeii, it is believed to have arrived around 100 BC. Isis was revered as the goddess of fertility, magic, and eternal salvation. Her cult particularly attracted women, slaves, and freedmen. For women, participation in the cult of Isis was an opportunity to engage in religious life similar to men.

The excavated Temple of Isis had been rebuilt after the earthquake that damaged Pompeii in 62 AD. It was the only religious building that had been completely reconstructed by the time of the Vesuvian eruption. This highlights the importance of its cult in the daily life of Pompeians. Even when the Roman Senate had proscribed the cult of Isis decades earlier, its popularity in Pompeii had only increased over time.

The temple’s architecture, elevated on a platform, combined Egyptian, Greek, and Roman elements. It featured columns around it and was decorated internally and externally with elaborate frescoes in Hellenistic style, depicting mythological scenes and the goddess Isis herself. The design also included a purgatorium , an outdoor area for ritual water brought from the Nile.

The temple’s interior area, or naos, housed the statues of Isis and Osiris. At the back was a large meeting hall ( ekklesiasterion ) where initiates in the cult participated in rituals. Adjacent to this hall was the sacrarium , which housed the temple’s most precious objects.

Among the discoveries were fragments of statues and ritual materials, which, along with the frescoes and other recovered objects, are currently displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Naples. The temple itself remains intact and is visitable in modern Pompeii.

The intricate frescoes adorning the temple walls depicted various mythological scenes. In the ekklesiasterion was a fresco of Io, a priestess of Hera transformed into a cow by Zeus to conceal their affair. Other scenes included Io’s arrival in Egypt and her reception by Isis. On another wall was depicted Io alongside other characters from Greek mythology such as Argus and Hermes.

Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart visited Pompeii and the temple in 1769 when he was only 13 years old. That experience influenced his famous opera “The Magic Flute”, premiered in 1791. The opera’s scenes and backgrounds reproduce elements of the Temple of Isis.

The temple also inspired illustrations and accounts from various artists and writers of the time. Some of these representations, while helping to spread knowledge of the site, contained inaccuracies and even exaggerated the size of the temple. Engravings by Piranesi in his book Antiquités de Pompeii from 1804 or those by Jean Claude Richard de Saint Non in Voyage Pittoresque ou Description des Royaumes de Naples et de Sicile from 1782 are examples of this.

The fantastic descriptions and illustrations of the temple are steeped in the “Egyptomania” taste characteristic of late 18th-century European neoclassicism and preromanticism. Egyptian culture was viewed in an exotic light and captivated the imagination of artists who often never visited Pompeii.

The discovery of the Temple of Isis opened a window to the past and the richness of religious life before the devastating eruption. Its early excavation in the history of archaeology inspired works of art that helped spread knowledge of Pompeii in the popular imagination.

This article was first published on our Spanish Edition on October 24, 2023. Puedes leer la versión en español en El templo de Isis en Pompeya, uno de los primeros edificios en ser desenterrado de las cenizas

Tempio di Iside (Parco Archeologico di Pompei) | Sharon Kelly Heyob , The Cult of Isis Among Women in the Graeco-Roman World | Giovanni Casadio, Patricia A. Johnston , Mystic Cults in Magna Graecia | Alison E. Cooley , Pompeii | Wikipedia

• Share this article:

Lelantine War, the First Conflict Involving Greek Cities that no One won and whose Existence is Disputed

In ancient Greece, between 710 and 650 BC, a significant military conflict known as the…

Naulochus, Agrippa’s Great Naval Victory over Sextus Pompey that Raised Octavian to Power

After the death of Julius Caesar, Rome was plunged into a civil war. Another one.…

Grotta di Cocceio, the First Great Road Tunnel in the World, Built by the Romans in 36 BC

Between the years 37 and 36 BCE, Marco Vipsanius Agrippa, personal friend and right-hand man…

How China’s Han Dynasty Got the Heavenly Horses to Create its Mighty Cavalry

Days ago, in the article dedicated to Zhang Qian’s travels, we referred to a conflict…

The Sad Story of Icelanders Captured and Sold into Slavery by Barbary Corsairs in the 17th Century

Previously we dedicated a couple of articles to recounting the exploits of the Barbary pirates…

Gunnbjørn, a Nunatak, is the Highest Peak in the Arctic Circle, Greenland and Denmark

Until the year 1930, it was believed that the highest point in Greenland was Mount…

A Previously Unknown Roman Road, Lined with Funeral Pyres, Found in Nîmes

During the construction of a social housing complex on Beaucaire Street in Nimes, archaeologists from…

An Etruscan Bronze Lamp Found in Cortona is an Object of Worship Associated with the Mysteries of Dionysus

Archaeologists recently re-evaluated a remarkable relic from the ancient Etruscan civilization in central Italy -…

Rare 6,000-Year-Old Elephant Ivory Vessel from the Chalcolithic Period Unearthed

Archaeologists in Israel have made an amazing discovery from 6,000 years ago. While excavating an…

Mystery of Abundance of Silver Coins in Medieval England Solved: they came from Byzantine Empire

Between 660-750 AD, Anglo-Saxon England saw a major revival of trade and commerce. This led…

Petroglyphs Discovered in Southern Peru Depict Songs Related to Cosmological Rituals

One of the richest sites in rock art in South America is found in Toro…

Tiktaalik, a 375-Million-Year-Old Fish, is the Missing Link to Vertebrates Walking Out of Water

Even before fins evolved into legs, our ancient ancestors’ skeletons were changing in ways that…

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

• Naples Tourism
• Naples Hotels
• Naples Bed and Breakfast
• Naples Vacation Rentals
• Flights to Naples
• Naples Restaurants
• Things to Do in Naples
• Naples Travel Forum
• Naples Photos
• All Naples Hotels
• Naples Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in Naples
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Pompeii - Naples Forum

• Europe    
• Italy    
• Campania    
• Province of Naples    
• Naples    
• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
• Province of Naples forums
• Naples forum

Pompeii or herculaneum please advise

4 replies to this topic

We've been to both and they are both good so it's up to you.

Pompeii is huge and can take 4 hours to see almost everything. You can join a 2 hour guided tour from about €15 at the entrance but the price depends on how many are in your group.

Herculaneum is much smaller and was destroyed by volcanic mud so the buildings didn't completely collapse. It can take 2 hours to walk around.

Pompei Is incredibile!So cute!

You didn't say much about your intention. Easy way to make your mind. As a tourist, go for Pompeii. After visited Pompeii, you can still decide if you still want to visit Herculaneum if you have time and/or interest.

Thank you Eddie

• Pompeii 1:31 pm
• Campania ArteCard 3 days - questions about transport zones yesterday
• Naples Underground Tour (Napoli Sotterranea) Question yesterday
• Quick question about buying 7 day artecard for two people Apr 07, 2024
• Central location - family of 4 adults Apr 07, 2024
• Naples walking safety Apr 06, 2024
• Best day tour from Naples to Amalfi ? Apr 06, 2024
• Post cruise hotel -suitable for sightseeing and airport Apr 06, 2024
• Port to Napoli Centrale Apr 06, 2024
• Best day trip to Capri from Naples Apr 05, 2024
• Naples visit Apr 05, 2024
• Naples holiday June -july Apr 05, 2024
• Napoli Centrale to Duomo Apr 05, 2024
• Navigation apps Apr 05, 2024
• Train from Florence to Naples 12 replies
• Price for train from Rome to Naples? 19 replies
• Naples to Rome in Early Morning: Best Way to Go? 11 replies
• Is Naples a safe city? Things to do/see? 25 replies
• Transportation from Rome airport to Naples (city) 4 replies
• Best beaches near Naples?? 3 replies
• Crime in Naples 147 replies
• Train vs. air-Naples to Florence 6 replies
• safe hotel near airport in naples,italy 7 replies
• Ferry (Naples to Palermo) Questions: 7 replies

Naples Hotels and Places to Stay

• Naples CRUISE PORT to POMPEII
• Naples AIRPORT to SORRENTO via POMPEII by BUS
• Naples AIRPORT to POSITANO
• TAXI FARES in Naples fixed and metered
• Pompeii OR Herculaneum - which one?
• To POMPEII from CRUISE PORT by BUS - alternative to the train
• How Can I Save Money on the Trains from Rome to Naples?
• Should I Book the Train to Naples for Travel Immediately After Arrival at Rome FCO?
• What's the Cheapest Transportation Between Rome and Naples?
• What is the cheapest transportation between Naples and Florence
• How to get to/from Rome FCO Airport
• Campania Express Schedule for 2022