The essential guide for visiting Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Mount Vesuvius. Schedules, prices, skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and itineraries.
April through October: 9am - 7:30pm (last entry at 6pm)
November through March: 9am - 5pm (last entry at 3:30pm)
Closed: 1 January, 1 May, 25 December
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices at the entrance to each site or through the online ticket office. Do not purchase tours or tickets from street vendors who may approach you at the Circumvesuviana train station!
Pompeii daily ticket: Full price EUR 15; discounted EUR 9
Herculaneum daily ticket: Full price EUR 11; discounted EUR 5.50
Free entry: first Sunday of each month.
Ticket prices may vary during special exhibitions or events.
Entrance is free to all EU citizens under 18.
EU citizens under 24 have a special discount.
Next to the ticket office at the entrance, there is a free baggage check. Bags or backpacks larger than 30x30x15 cm cannot be brought into either Herculaneum or Pompeii.
The biggest difference between Pompeii and Herculaneum is size: the ruins of Pompeii cover about 44 square hectaures, while Herculaneum covers just 4.
Pompeii was an important city and trade center, while Herculaneum was a small resort town without the large public buildings (forum, amphitheater, theaters, gym) found in Pompeii.
However, Herculaneum is in a much better state of preservation due to the deep layer of ash and dust that covered the site, filling the buildings without damaging them. Pompeii was heavily battered by falling rocks and hot air that knocked down upper floors of buildings and incinerated wood, both of which are still intact at Herculaneum.
All things considered, if you only have time to see one site, choose Pompeii. Herculaneum is a good alternative if you don't want to do too much walking or if the temperatures are particularly scorching, as it has more shade than Pompeii.
We do not recommend visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day, as it is simply too tiring.
Instead of attempting to see both Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day, we suggest a trip up to the crater at the peak of Mount Vesuvius either before or after visiting one of the nearby archaeological ruins. Wear sturdy shoes and clothes suitable for a short hike up the trail.
Autobus EAV: From Piazza Anfiteatro and the Circumvesuviana Pompei Villa dei Misteri station, you can take the local EAV bus to the highest bus lot on Mount Vesuvius, where you can purchase tickets to the park and join a guided mountain hike. Buses depart every 50 minutes and ride takes about 55 minutes; tickets can be purchased on board for EUR 2.70.
Busvia del Vesuvio (from March 2019): Buses depart from the Circumvesuviana Pompei Villa dei Misteri train station and take you to the entrance to the Mount Vesuvius National Park. Here, you change to a small eco 4x4 bus that takes you along the historic “Matrone” road up to Piazzale Superiore.
The trip continues on foot with a mountain guide up to the crater.
Departures hourly from 9am to 3pm. Tickets EUR 22 (bus + 4x4 bus + entrance to the Mount Vesuvius National Park).
Autobus Vesuvio Express: This bus departs from the Circumvesuviana Ercolano station and arrives at 1,050 meters above sea level.
From here, you proceed on foot with a mountain guide (about a 20-minute walk).
Departures every 40 minutes from 9:30am.
Tickets: EUR 20 (bus + entrance to the Mount Vesuvius National Park)
Choose from our selected and vetted tours. Book now to reserve your spot!
Departure from: Naples, Port of Naples, Sorrento
Duration 9 hours
Experience a full day trip from Sorrento through the legendary Pompeii and Herculaneum: you'll visit both the ancient ruins and then the private driver will bring you near the summit of Mt Vesuvius. Here you can hike to the crater of the Volcano and enjoy spectacular views of the Bay of Naples!
Tours and excursions
Duration 8 hours
A day trip through time as you discover Pompeii, drive up the slope of Mount Vesuvius to hike up to the crater, and stop for a light lunch and wine tasting in a local cellar with tour of the vineyard.
Departure from: Naples, Positano
Duration 8 hours
A driving tour by Mercedes vehicle to Pompeii, Herculaneum and Naples Archeological Museum from Positano. Tour's stops:
2 hours at Pompeii;
2 hours at Herculaneum;
Free lunch time;
1 hour at the Archaeological Museum of Naples.
Duration: 7/8 hours
Departure from: Sorrento
Duration 8 hours
Departure from: Sorrento, Positano
Duration 8 hours
Spend an entire day discovering the history of Pompeii and Herculaneum and the majesty of Mount Vesuvius! Book our driving tour for an unforgettable experience departing from Sorrento, Positano, or Naples on an elegant sedan or minivan with a bilingual driver.
Duration: 8 hours
Departure from: Amalfi, Positano
Duration 7 hours
Departure from Positano by GT Bus to Herculaneum. Guided visit of about 2 hours of the archeological site. Board on the bus and continuation to Sorrento. Stop to an inlaid wood-work shop, the typical Sorrentine production. Free time for optional lunch. Guided tour of Sorrento town centre.
The easiest way to reach the Pompeii ruins from Sorrento or Naples is via the Circumvesuviana train that runs between Sorrento and Naples.
The train leaves from Piazza Garibaldi in Naples from the underground platforms of the Napoli Centrale station. From the ground-level platforms where high-speed trains arrive and depart, follow the signs downstairs to platform 3 where trains to Pompeii depart. Note the displays that list the next departing train for Sorrento - Pompei so you don't end up in Sarno!
