Day Trips to Pompeii and Herculaneum from Naples

For many, Naples is Pompeii, although the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum are actually located nearby. It is true that there is much to do and see in Naples, but given its proximity you cannot miss an excursion to these ruins that are a truly impressive archaeological treasure.

In the year 79, the volcano Vesuvius erupted and took with it the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, leaving even human remains that did not even have the slightest chance to escape. Today, after many excavations, it is possible to admire the ruins of these cities. If you are in Naples, there is no excuse: Pompeii and especially Herculaneum are very close, so you can come and go with ease.

Yes, it is possible: if you have just enough time and don't want to miss anything, you can go to Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day. Generally, tours are planned to go first to Pompeii in the morning because it is the most distant location and then to Herculaneum in the afternoon, to return to Naples before sunset.

This is one of the most popular packages, because one day is enough time for you to get the best of both sites.

The duration of the tours to Pompeii is very variable, but with a guide everything is usually much more compact. In Herculaneum, the tour is shorter, and some of these tours include lunch, but I recommend you make sure when you book.

Generally, the tours pick you up at your hotel or start from central points in Naples and from there, you go in air-conditioned buses to Pompeii and Herculaneum.

This option is for early risers, as the buses are often waiting around 8 am to be the first to arrive at the ruins.

Interesting details

• Approximate price: between 70 and 80 €, depending on whether lunch is included.
• Travel time: 25 minutes to Pompeii, 15 minutes to Herculaneum.
• Advantages of this option: you can visit both ruins in one day.
• Disadvantages of this option: the tour can be a bit rushed, especially in Pompeii.

Now then: if you have time, my advice is to take it easy and spend one day visiting Pompeii and another day visiting Herculaneum. Both may seem very similar and not worth spending so much time, but I promise you it's not, because this is something you will remember for the rest of your life.

There are tours for tourists that also pick you up and drop you off in Naples, in comfortable buses. But if you want to go on your own and with your own agenda, then this is your best option. There is public transportation, through the Circunvesubiana train line that can drop you off one day in Pompeii and the other in Herculaneum.

The visit to Pompeii can easily take six or seven hours. For this reason, I recommend leaving it for the first day, and even resolve your meals in the vicinity of the site.

Herculaneum is smaller, so you can spend about three hours there, although you can also tour the surrounding area. It is best to spend the night in Naples and the next day continue the adventure, because Herculaneum is very close to the city.

Details of interest

• Approximate cost: about 70 €, including entrance fees and meals.
• Travel time: 40 minutes to go to Pompeii, 25 minutes to go to Herculaneum
• Advantages of this tour: you will spend more time in each archaeological park.
• Disadvantages of this visit: you need to spend at least a day and a half, which is complicated in short schedules.

Let's see: remember those traditional postcards of Italy that always show a group of houses and buildings huddled together on a hill along the coast? Well, many of them are among the things to see near Naples and there are numerous tours that visit Pompeii and Herculaneum and also include excursions to the Amalfi and Sorrento coast, where you can see those beautiful marine buildings.

You have to know that this is an accelerated excursion, because it is usually done in one day. The idea is that you visit Herculaneum, Pompeii in the morning and then go on the same bus to see the best of the Amalfi Coast, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The best places to visit in this area are the towns of Amalfi and Positano, where the tour you book will certainly take you.

Although time will not be in short supply on this excursion, you should know that it is a trip for history lovers. In Pompeii and Herculaneum you can learn about the region's Roman past, while in Amalfi, in addition to enjoying the beautiful scenery, you can learn about its past as the dominant maritime republic of the Mediterranean Sea.

These excursions generally include lunch and refreshments as well as transportation and depart very early in the morning.

Details of interest

• Approximate price: about 120 € all inclusive
• Travel time: 25 minutes to Pompeii, more than 1 hour to the Amalfi coast.
• Advantages of this tour: apart from Pompeii and Herculaneum, you will be able to tour the Amalfi coast.
• Disadvantages of this tour: you will not have time to see everything in detail.

Short on time? No problem: you have to adapt and the worst thing would be to miss Pompeii and Herculaneum, so why not visit them both in half a day? Either early in the morning or right after lunch, there is a possibility to do an express tour that will take you around these two archaeological sites.

These tours are really for people who want to see everything in the shortest time possible. It is common to do a longer tour in Pompeii that can last about three hours and then a shorter one, of an hour or an hour and a half in Herculaneum. This way you could see both archaeological sites in as little as half a day.

In order to time these times, it is necessary to hire a tour that can take you to and from Naples in the times you need.

Otherwise, you can take the train and check in advance the schedules of the archaeological parks that may vary according to the season. Be sure to check the timetables of both the train and the tours before deciding on one or the other.

Details of interest

• Approximate price: about 70 € with contracted tour, but it can be half the price if you go on your own without additional services - Travel time: 25 minutes to Pompeii, 15 minutes to Herculaneum - Advantages of this tour: you can visit both Pompeii and Herculaneum in half a day - Disadvantages of this tour: it is a very short time

Do you want a personalized attention? No problem: in Pompeii and Herculaneum you can receive it if you hire a private tour where there is a private guide who is a specialist in archaeology and gives you details of every element of the past of these ancient Roman cities.

The problem is that these private tours require time and money, but I give you my word that Pompeii and Herculaneum are worth every penny. In general, by hiring a private tour you will be able to have a lot more time dedicated to the visit that will extend for more than three or four hours in Pompeii and at least two hours in Herculaneum.

If you are interested in archaeology and history, check that the private tour service comes with a guide who has extensive knowledge on the subject. Also, this tour usually picks you up at your hotel and drops you back, in addition to making the transfer between Pompeii and Herculaneum in the same way: just for you and your group. If you go as a couple or family, this is a great option, because you split the costs and it still remains a private tour.

Interesting details

• Approximate price: about 250 €, with guide included
• Travel time: 25 minutes to go to Pompeii, 15 minutes to go to Herculaneum
• Advantages of this tour: you will have a precise knowledge of the archaeology of Pompeii and Herculaneum, without rushing.
• Disadvantages of this tour: the cost can be quite high.

There are tours that cover other sites, in combination, because this whole area has a lot to offer. I recommend you take the packages that offer to visit the archaeological ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, but if you also need to know how to visit Vesuvius, the only active volcano in continental Europe, I recommend you look at options to hire a tour that takes you to all those points.

This is very attractive, as it was an eruption of Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum.

You will realize from the moment you are in Naples: Vesuvius is quite a big mountain. For that reason, visiting Vesuvius from Naples is very easy.

There are many villages around the volcano and there is even a train line called Circunvesubiana that runs through most of them and gets around the traffic difficulties generated by the volcano itself. But it is a great idea to go to Vesuvius and Pompeii and Herculaneum on the same day, especially if you are short of time.

Often, the archaeological parks are visited in the morning and after lunch, often included in the tour, the group goes to Mount Vesuvius, where they get to know its crater, which can be reached on foot after about 15 minutes.

Details of interest

• Approximate price: 150 €, although it depends on whether it includes guide, meals and entrance fees.
• Travel time: 25 minutes to Pompeii, 30 minutes to Vesuvius.
• Advantages of this visit: you will be able to know, besides Pompeii and Herculaneum, the cause of this destruction: Mount Vesuvius.
• Disadvantages of this visit: you have to make some physical effort to reach the crater of the volcano.

It all depends on which excursion you choose, but my advice is to dedicate at least one full day to visit the archaeological parks. While Pompeii and Herculaneum are very close to the city of Naples, they are still outside the city and transportation takes some time. When planning your trip, I recommend that you set aside a day to do a good tour.

Of course, if you have less time, that doesn't mean you can't do a shorter tour. There is the possibility that you could leave mid-morning from Naples and return from Pompeii mid-afternoon, having been there for about five hours.

The downside of this plan is that it can be complicated to also go to Herculaneum, especially in winter months, when it closes at 5:00 pm.

In case you choose a private tour that offers you a combined excursion, never think that you will take less than a whole day. To visit Pompeii, Herculaneum and then go to Amalfi or Vesuvius you can dedicate at least one day.

Traveller Tip

The access times to the archaeological parks change according to the season. The later it gets, the longer they work. Check the closing time before your excursions.

There is definitely a lot to see and do in Pompeii. When you arrive, you will find a city that was paralyzed after a volcanic eruption. Excavations have found the remains of people who were covered by lava. Families eating, people working or walking. For all that, it is a very exciting site that deserves a lot of respect when you visit.

In itself, the ruins of Pompeii are very large and you have a lot to see. What you will see most are buildings, because many of its artistic findings are in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. Here I show you some of the points that you cannot miss.

Roman Forum

All the cities of the ancient Roman Empire, like Pompeii, had a forum. In general, the forums were long esplanades where events were held and the one in Pompeii has been well preserved.

This is an area to behold, as there are still original columns and floors that allow you to think how big that city was.

Amphitheater

Another icon of Roman cities was the amphitheater. This is probably the ruin of Pompeii that most attracts the attention of tourists, because even today different concerts and events are held there, due to its huge capacity of 20 thousand spectators.

Just imagine: if 20 thousand people are still a lot, what it would have been like in the first century B.C., when it is presumed to have been built. If you go with a tour guide, he will surely explain its origin and the activities that took place there.

Lupanar

Not everything was veneration of the gods and power in the Roman cities, because there was also a lot of lust and the Lupanar, ancient brothel of Pompeii, is the best example of that.

This construction is a delirium for anthropologists and archaeologists, because they have been able to study how the brothels worked, see their beds and even the erotic art in it.

House of Fauno

And where did the city's rich live? Well, in mansions like the Casa de Fauno. This was a large house of a wealthy family of Pompeii that had in its possession different works of art, both sculptural and frescoes. In the end, without distinction of classes, the lava took them all away.

As with Pompeii, Herculaneum was a city that was obliterated by lava. This was a smaller city but its inhabitants were apparently better off.

If there were images that shocked you in Pompeii, in Herculaneum they will shock you more, because the ruins are better preserved due to the fact that they were more buried by lava. You will have the imposing Mount Vesuvius right in front of you and you can also visit it after your tour to the archaeological parks.

Although smaller, Herculaneum will make your hair stand on end. Many of the remains found were not enveloped by lava, but were burned by it, so only the bones were left. Here I show you some constructions that you should not miss for anything in the world:

The Fornicis

If you stand at the viewpoint of Herculaneum, you can see a city, even if there is no one there and there are only ruins. Seen from above it looks like a neighborhood, but the Fornicis were buildings that served to store the products arriving from the port to the city. Many are quite interesting two-story buildings.

Seat of the Augustan priests

In the Roman religion different gods were venerated and the seat of the august priests was one of those spaces. This space is reached at the end of a cobblestone street and in it, you can admire its columns, its plaques dedicated to Emperor Augustus and especially its frescoes made with mosaics.

House of the mosaic of Neptune

For many, the house of Neptune's mosaic has one of the most precious works of art in all of Ancient Rome: a mosaic depicting the god Neptune with Amphitrite. It is striking to see these buildings because it is evident how far the lava reached and how what was left underneath it was preserved with mosaics.

Visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum is something you will never forget and I am sure it will be an experience you will be able to tell all your loved ones about.

But among the tips for visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum that you should keep in mind, it is important for you to know that you will be visiting an archaeological site that is also a kind of cemetery: you will see many corpses, completely blurred by lava, so sensitivity is required.

Although it is an impressive archaeological park, it is also not a place to celebrate, so it is best that you go with a deep interest in history and to understand how those people who died in those two cities lived.

You should also be aware that there is a lot of sun and walking, so try to wear comfortable shoes, plenty of water and put on sunscreen so that it will not affect you at any time.

Worried about your pocket? Nothing to fear. If you are already in Naples, you have most of the way done and Pompeii and Herculaneum are not far away, so you won't have to pay anything exorbitant.

In fact, the most comfortable option is for you to go on a tour that includes all expenses, such as food, entrance fees to the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as transportation. This way you will save a lot. But if you choose to go on your own, it is also a good decision, because train tickets usually cost around 3 €.

In general, an excursion including the two archaeological parks of Pompeii and Herculaneum with a tour guide costs around 70 €. Of course, this will depend on whether it is all-inclusive or if there are additional costs, because the entrance to the ruins costs 16 €.

Also the cost of the packages will vary depending on how it is offered: independent excursions to Pompeii and Herculaneum are usually more expensive than if you do the tour to both sites in one day.

If you want to visit the Amalfi Coast on the same day, the cost of the excursion will increase, but you will probably end up saving time and energy. You will certainly be able to choose the best plan for your finances.

The Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were razed to the ground after the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius and that is why today we see their ruins on that site. Naples is the closest city to all these archaeological sites, so if you are there it would be a shame to miss all this paradise.

It is an incredible contrast, because in Naples you will have a modern and traditional city while in Pompeii you will feel like you are traveling back in time.

From Naples there are many excursions and trains, every day, to Pompeii and Herculaneum so you have nothing to fear and instead, there will be hundreds of options for you to choose the one that best suits you.

My recommendation is to set aside at least one day to thoroughly see all the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, because I am sure you will never forget it. This entire archaeological park has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. When you're in there admiring every single ruin of those cities you'll understand why.

Want to go on your own to the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum? No problem. Fortunately there are good public transport routes with which you can get there via trains. My advice is to go first to Pompeii, the farthest ruin, and then to Herculaneum, located much closer to Naples.

If you are in Naples, the best thing to do is to take the Circunvesubiano train. To do so, you should enter the Circumvesuviana station in Piazza Garibaldi and take the line that will take you to Pompeii.

Follow the route to Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri station. Just in front of it you will find the Porta Marina Superiore which is one of the entrances to the archaeological park.

In the direction of Herculaneum, you can take the same line in the direction of Naples and get off at Ercolano Scavi station. There, you will only have to exit on via 4 Novembre and walk about five minutes to the entrance of the archaeological site. You can't miss it.

If you go on a private tour with a tour guide, it will most likely include at least lunch. It is common for tour operators to rent parts of restaurants and you can enjoy an exquisite Neapolitan meal, with lots of sea and vegetable flavor.

But don't worry if you go on your own, because if you are wondering where to eat on your excursion to Pompeii, you will find plenty of options. My advice is to eat once you finish the tour in Pompeii and before going to Herculaneum.

Since you are in Italy, it would be great to check out the Trammiere trattoria, where you can taste the best pizzas. Also in Na Pasta you can order a very traditional and inexpensive pasta, so you can recharge your batteries and continue your tour in the afternoon.

Would you be surprised if I tell you that in the archaeological finds of Pompeii they have even found wine? Don't let the charm of the ruins go to waste: if you need something that is right next to the archaeological park of Pompeii, then the Caupona restaurant is your best option.

You'll love this place because it's set in ancient Pompeii and serves dishes that they think were eaten before the eruption in 79. Even the waiters are dressed as Romans! It's a lot of fun.

Although they were once populated cities, today Pompeii and Herculaneum are archaeological centers that have a fixed entrance and maintain a schedule.

They are large spaces where you can admire many constructions that were paralyzed in time, but that does not mean that they are not an attraction. For this reason, it is usually better to hire an excursion that will look for you, take you there and guide you while you are visiting the parks.

Outside the parks the attractions of the areas are not so many, although further towards the Amalfi coast there is a lot to see and you can even take the best tourist buses of Naples that have routes out of the city.

If you go to Pompeii and Herculaneum on your own because you want to manage your time and try to save some budget it is also a great option, but you will probably have to spend more on food, entrance fees and transportation, plus you won't have a guide to accompany you.