Pompeii Day Trip From Rome: All You Need To Know
The chance to take a Pompeii day trip from Rome is – quite simply – an unmissable opportunity.
It is a ‘must do’ activity that you should allocate time for if you are visiting the Italian capital.
Pompeii is a unique and fascinating destination to visit. The affluent Roman city was destroyed in AD 79 when Mt Vesuvius erupted and buried the city – and its inhabitants – under up to six metres of ash.
Today the UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its perfectly preserved ruins, mosaics, frescoes and relics, which offer visitors a fascinating glimpse into everyday life in Roman times.
There are excellent road and public transport links between the two cities, so day trips to Pompeii from Rome are easy to do.
Before visiting Pompeii, we wondered if it would be an overhyped tourist destination, but we can tell you that Pompeii definitely did not disappoint. In fact, our Rome to Pompeii day trip was one of the best things we did during our trip to Italy.
Pompeii Day Trip From Rome: At A Glance
Here are some of the most important things to know before embarking on a Pompeii day trip from Rome.
LOCATION | Vicolo del Panettiere, 80045 Pompeii
DISTANCE | 240 km (150 miles) or 2 hours and 15 minutes by car.
ENTRANCE | €19 per adult, €2 for EU visitors aged 18-25, free for under 18’s
DRESS CODE | There is no dress code for visiting Pompeii
BEST TIME TO VISIT | Pompeii is busy all year round though the peak summer months attract the largest crowds. If possible, try to visit in the shoulder season months of May, June, September and October when the crowds are smaller and the weather is cooler. Pompeii attracts 2.5 million visitors each year, so, unfortunately, you can expect crowds of people whenever you choose to visit.
Opening times at Pompeii
| Summer* Opening Times | Summer last entrance | Winter* Opening Times | Winterlast entrance | |
| Pompeii | Everyday 09:00 to 19:00 | 17.30 | 09:00 to 17.30 | 15.30 |
*Summer (April 1st to October 31st) *Winter (November 1st to March 31st)
Pompeii is closed on 25th December, 1st May and 1st January. You may also experience other areas of Pompeii being randomly closed due to ongoing archaeological excavations.
In both summer and winter months, some attractions within Pompeii have different opening times.
For example, Villa Regina, Villa Arianna, Villa San Marco, Villa di Poppea-Oplontis and Museo Archeologico di Stabia Libero D’Orsi have shorter opening hours than the main site and are closed every Tuesday.
In summer, Castello di Lettere opens every day except Tuesday from May to October between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. In winter, the Castello is open from Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm.
Is It Worth Visiting Pompeii From Rome?
Pompeii is a rare archeological attraction. The huge 44-acre site is packed with things to see and do, including intricate mosaics and frescoes that have remarkably retained their 2,000-year-old colours.
Houses, villas, temples and streets are incredibly well preserved and really bring to life what life was like in Roman times.
It is also surprisingly cheap to enter Pompeii, so a trip from Rome to Pompeii is good value for money, particularly for families.
If you like Roman history – which is probably why you are visiting Rome in the first place – trips from Rome to Pompeii should not be missed.
Plus, who knows when you will be back in Rome to have a second chance of visiting Pompeii?
Best Pompeii Day Tours From Rome
There are lots of day tours from Rome to Pompeii to choose from.
Rome to Pompeii day tours are ideal for anyone who is short on time or who does not want to self-drive or navigate public transport.
We recommend choosing tours with small groups of people so you don’t waste valuable time waiting around for missing tour members. Plus, try to choose tours to Pompeii from Rome which include a professional guide to help you make the most out of your day tour to Pompeii from Rome.
The following recommendations are our selections of the best Rome to Pompeii day tours available.
Top Pompeii Day Tour Rrom Rome
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?
This highly-rated tour lasts approximately 13 hours and includes a trip to Naples and Pompeii. It allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the trip and accepts a maximum of 100 guests, including children.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
ITINERARY
This Rome to Pompeii tour departs Rome at 7.30 am to begin the three-hour drive to Naples. In Naples, you will have a driving tour of the city before stopping for a freshly made pizza lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, you will continue to Pompeii, where you will have a two-hour guided tour of the site with a professional guide before starting your return journey back to Rome.
Book your Pompeii day trip at the best rate here:
Private Tour: Pompeii Ruins From Rome In A Day
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?
A private tour from Rome to Pompeii is ideal if you are short on time or if you are travelling with a group of friends and can split the cost.
It is also a good choice for history buffs as you will have a professional guide all to yourself, so you can ask as many questions about Pompeii as you like.
This Rome to Pompeii day tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
ITINERARY
The private Pompeii tour from Rome will pick you up at your hotel at 7.30 am before starting the 2.5-hour drive to Pompeii.
Once at Pompeii, you will be handed over to a professional guide for a two-hour walking tour of the site. After the tour, you will return to Rome in your air-conditioned minivan.
Book your Pompeii day trip at the best rate here:
Pompeii & Sorrento Day Trip from Rome
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?
This Pompeii tour from Rome also includes a side trip to beautiful Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast so that you can pack a lot of sightseeing into one day.
The 11-hour tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and has a small maximum group number of just 18 guests.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
ITINERARY
This Pompeii day trip from Rome departs from a communal meeting point at 7 am to start the long drive to Pompeii. At Pompeii, you will be handed over to a professional guide for a 1.5-hour guided tour of the site.
After Pompeii, you will be taken to visit Villa Dei Misteri, an active archaeological site, to view its intricate and colourful frescoes.
You will then meet your van and driver to begin the winding drive to the Italian coastline and Sorrento, where you will have 1.5 hours to explore on your own.
After visiting Sorrento, you will be driven back to the drop-off point in Rome.
Book your Pompeii day trip at the best rate here:
Pompeii And Amalfi Coast Tour From Rome
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?
This 5-star rated private day tour from Rome to Pompeii includes all your transportation, but it does not include entry tickets to Pompeii.
Make sure you book your Pompeii tickets in advance to avoid wasting time in the entrance queues. This day tour Rome to Pompeii also includes a trip along the stunning Amalfi Coast.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
ITINERARY
Your private tour from Rome to Pompeii begins at 7 am with a pick-up from your Rome accommodation.
You will then drive to Pompeii, where you will have 2.5 hours to explore the site on your own or join a guided tour. After Pompeii, you will have some free time for lunch at a local restaurant of your choice.
After lunch, you will be taken on a one-hour drive along the UNESCO World Heritage Amalfi Coast, which consists of 13 picturesque towns. The route you will take is considered to be one of the world’s most scenic drives. You can ask the driver to stop for photos if you wish.
You then have the choice of stopping in either Sorrento or Positano for one hour of free time before starting your return journey to Rome.
Book your Pompeii day trip at the best rate here:
How To Get From Rome To Pompeii Independently
If you are wondering how to get to Pompeii from Rome, we have compiled all the possible ways you can visit Pompeii to help you in your planning.
Getting From Rome To Pompeii By Car
Why choose this option?
Driving offers the ultimate flexibility and can be cost-effective if the rental and additional costs are shared between a group. It also enables you to break up your journey and visit other attractions along the route to and from Pompeii.
What to expect on day trips from Rome to Pompeii by car?
If you are visiting Pompeii from Rome by car, the first thing to work out is how far is Rome to Pompeii and how long it will take you to drive.
Taking the most direct route between the two locations, the drive from Rome to Pompeii is 240 km (or 150 miles).
Collect your rental car as late as you can the night before your trip so that you can set off early to Pompeii the next day. Don’t forget to check the latest drop-off time so that you can drop the rental car back the next evening.
Driving from Rome to Pompeii will take around 2 hours and 15 minutes on the E45 toll road (traffic dependent). Allow for longer drive times at peak periods.
The toll road (or autostrada) is easy to drive but can get busy in peak season. Plus, the cost of hiring a car, petrol and parking can make your Pompeii trip from Rome an expensive day out, especially for a solo traveller.
Driving to Pompeii from Rome will be a long day trip, and you can expect around six hours of driving. We recommend sharing the driving if you can or, even better, staying overnight at Pompeii.
Staying overnight will also give you time to make stops along the way, such as Tivoli or to climb Mount Vesuvius.
Book your rental car at the best rate here:
PROS
CONS
Getting By Bus From Rome To Pompeii
Why choose this option?
The bus from Rome to Pompeii is direct and comfortable, plus it can be cost-effective for solo travellers.
What to expect using the bus from Rome to Pompeii
In our opinion, getting from Rome to Pompeii by bus is not the best option unless you are a solo traveller. The bus takes over three hours each way which will limit the free time you have to spend at Pompeii.
You will also have to adhere to the bus schedule, which further restricts you from Rome to Pompeii day trip.
If you choose to take the bus, you can catch a direct bus to Pompeii from the Tiburtina bus station in Rome. Marozzi Viaggi e Turismo operates one double-decker coach a day to Pompeii, departing at 7 am arriving in Pompeii at 10 am.
The bus departs from Pompeii back to Rome at 4.50 pm arriving in Rome at 8 pm. Timetables vary, so check the Marozzi website in advance. A return ticket to Pompeii currently costs €38.
Flixbus also runs direct bus services to Pompeii, with the earliest bus departing Rome at 9 am. This means a midday arrival into Pompeii in the most crowded, hottest part of the day.
If you want a full day at Pompeii, we advise taking the bus from Rome in the afternoon or evening, staying overnight in Pompeii and visiting Pompeii as soon as the entrance gates open in the morning. You can then catch the bus back to Rome later that afternoon.
PROS
CONS
Getting From Rome To Pompeii By Train
Why choose this option?
The train is a quick, comfortable and stress-free way to travel to Pompeii, and there will be no additional extra costs involved.
What to expect travelling on a Rome to Pompeii day trip by train?
The best way to travel to Pompeii is to catch a half-hourly, fast-speed train from Roma Termini station to Napoli Centrale. The journey takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Make sure you catch a Trenitalia Frecciarossa (there are other cheaper options, but they are much slower) and prebook your train ticket in advance to get the best prices.
At Napoli Centrale, follow the signs to Napoli Porta Garibaldi, a different part of the station which hosts regional trains (it is located beneath Napoli Centrale).
Up to 34 trains a day depart from Porta Garibaldi for Sorrento at 30-minute intervals. Catch this train and get off at Pompei Scavi station. The train journey takes around 40 minutes.
Try to get a seat on the left-hand side of the regional train from Naples Porta Garibaldi to Pompeii. The left-hand side of the train will give you the best views of Mount Vesuvius.
PROS
CONS
Things To Do In Pompeii
There are so many things to do in Pompeii that you should expect an activity-packed Pompeii day trip from Rome.
Highlights of Pompeii include the enormous Amphitheatre (the first Roman amphitheatre built from stone and could seat 12,000 people), the Stabian Thermal Baths and the sobering Garden of The Fugitives which contains plaster casts of a family who died in the garden during the eruption.
See the incredible mosaics at the House of the Faun or the amazing frescoes at the House of Venus. Take in the best view of Pompeii from the top of the Teatro Grande, wander the Street of Tombs and explore the artefacts in the Antiquarium.
Take a photo amongst the columns of the Temple of Jupiter which perfectly frame Mount Vesuvius in the background.
There is so much to see and do at Pompeii that it is important to pace yourself in order to get the most out of your day.
Honestly, we kept saying bigger and bigger ‘wow’s’ with each new building or artefact we saw at Pompeii. Our self-driven Rome day tour to Pompeii was an incredible day trip for us.
Pompeii Day Trip From Rome: FAQ
How long is the day trip from Rome to Pompeii?
You will need at least one full day for your day trip Rome to Pompeii. Whichever method of travel you choose will add several extra hours onto your day trip.
However, if you are short on time, we recommend at least spending 3 – 4 hours exploring the highlights of the ancient site.
Is Pompeii a good day trip?
A Pompeii day trip from Rome is definitely worth doing. We were blown away by the scale and size of Pompeii and its incredibly well-preserved artefacts.
It is one of Italy’s most popular tourist locations for a good reason. We learned a lot about Roman civilization on our one day trip from Rome to Pompeii – probably more than we have learned at any other Roman site.
Can I tour Pompeii on my own?
It is possible to tour Pompeii on your own, though a professional guide will be able to give you a greater depth of knowledge and understanding of what you are seeing.
Your Pompeii entrance ticket includes a map and a small pocket guide book but you can also download one of the many Pompeii guides available as an app. If you want to use an app to explore Pompeii, don’t forget to bring your headphones.
Should I buy Pompeii tickets in advance?
You can buy Pompeii tickets at the entrance gate on the day that you visit. However, we recommend pre-booking your tickets online in advance so you can skip the queues on the day.
Is Pompeii a lot of walking?
Pompeii covers 44 acres and it can only be explored on foot. Even if you only stay a few hours, you will do a lot of walking.
We recommend wearing comfortable, supportive shoes whatever time of year you visit. Your feet will thank you!
How much time is needed at Pompeii?
You will need at least one full day to visit Pompeii. We recommend visiting as early as you can to avoid the worst of the crowds (and the heat in summer) and then you can pace yourself to stay all day.
If you do not have a full day, allocate at least 3 – 4 hours to explore Pompeii.
Does Pompeii have an entrance fee?
Every visitor must buy an entrance ticket to Pompeii but we think the tickets are very reasonably priced, especially when compared to other attractions in Italy.
Even the full price €19 ticket is good value for one full day on the site.
As teens and children under 18 are free, Pompeii is excellent value for money for families.
Can you walk up Vesuvius from Pompeii?
It is not possible to walk to the top of Mount Vesuvius from Pompeii as the two locations are 15 kilometres apart.
To visit Mount Vesuvius from Pompeii, you will need to catch an EAV public bus from Pompei Scavi station, or from outside the entrance to Pompeii or from Pompeii town. The journey to Vesuvius by bus takes around 50 minutes.
The bus takes you to the start of the trailhead approximately 1000 metres up the volcano. From here, visitors must walk the final distance to the summit of Mount Vesuvius.
The walk is relatively easy but it is all uphill and can be a hot slog on a summer’s day. A round-trip walk from the bus stop to the crater rim will take around 1.5 – 2 hours.
Pompeii Day Trip From Rome: Final Word
If you are wondering whether a Pompeii day trip from Rome is worth it or not, we can wholeheartedly say that it is.
There is nowhere else in the world quite like Pompeii. Even non-history fans will be bowled over by the size, quality and range of artefacts to see and explore at Pompeii. Not to mention the jaw-dropping views of the Vesuvius!
Plus, with Pompeii so easily accessible from Rome, there really is no excuse not to visit this remarkable and memorable location.
We are so glad we visited when we had the chance to and would highly recommend Pompeii day trips from Rome to other travellers, no matter what your age or travel preferences may be.
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