It is easy to visit Pompeii and Naples on a self-guided day trip by high-speed train from Rome but few would regret staying overnight in Naples and enjoy a less rushed visit.
It is possible to visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii on a do-it-yourself day trip from Rome. The fastest way to travel from Rome to Naples is by fast high-speed trains and then continue on the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii Scavi to see the archaeological site and ruins near Mount Vesuvius. To complete a busy full-day trip, visit the National Archaeological Museum in Naples in the late afternoon to see the most impressive art from the ancient city of Pompeii. Allow travel time of almost three hours each way — leave Rome early morning and return after dark. Alternatively, to avoid logistic stress, book a guided day tour from Rome or simply stay a night or two in Naples — local Napoli hotels and food are often much cheaper than in Roma.
How to Visit Pompeii on a Day Trip from Rome by Train
Using fast Italian trains makes it possible to visit the Pompeii UNESCO World Heritage-listed site near Naples on a very long day trip from Rome.
The basics for traveling to Pompeii from Rome on a day trip are:
- Expect to spend 2h30 to three hours travel time by train each way, including transfers from the high-speed trains to the slower regional train in Naples.
- The basic train route is Roma Termini station to Napoli Centrale on high-speed direct trains (1h15) — buy this trip ticket online. Transfer to a local Circumvesuviana train from Garibaldi (in the basement of the main train station) to Pompeii Scavi station (30 minutes) — buy this cheap ticket in Naples.
- Visit the Archaeological Site of Pompeii — buy time-slot reservation entrance tickets online (cheapest from TicketOne).
- Return to Naples by Circumvesuviana local train.
- Visit Naples — the best art from Pompeii is in the magnificent National Archaeological Museum (MANN), which is quieter in the late afternoon.
- Eat in Naples — food is good and very cheap.
- Return by fast train to Rome (or even better stay overnight in Naples — hotels are often much cheaper than in Rome.
By Train from Rome to Pompeii
When traveling by train from Rome to Pompeii on a self-arranged day trip, the only routing worth considering is by fast train to Naples and then the local train to the Pompeii Archaeological Park. Ignore any suggestions of other stations or multiple train transfers — none are worth the added potential aggravation.
A note on station names:
- Roma Termini — the central, main train station in Rome.
- Napoli Centrale — the central, main train station in Naples.
- Garibaldi — the local Circumvesuviana train station in the basement of Napoli Centrale. Garibaldi is also used for the metro lines 1 and 2, which are deeper below (or right next to) the main station.
- Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri station — the stop on the Circumvesuviana train directly in front of the Porta Marina main entrance to Pompeii archaeological site.
To simplify planning, let’s consider the final train first, as it requires minimal advance planning:
Local Circumvesuviana Train to Pompeii from Naples
The best way to reach Pompeii Archaeological Park from Naples is on the local train. The Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Porta Nolana station to Sorrento stops en route at Napoli Garibaldi in the basement of Napoli Centrale and at Pompeii Scavi – Villa dei Misteri station, which is directly at the main Porta Marina entrance gate to the park.
The Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento runs roughly every half hour with the traveling time from Napoli Garibaldi to Pompei Scavi just less than 30 minutes. Usually, the only stop en route is at Torre Annunziata-Oplonti.
As the Circumvesuviana train is a local commuter train, no seat reservations are possible and many trains are without air conditioning. Tap&Go may work for many credit cards but allows only one person per card. Personally, I always simply buy a paper ticket — the ticket windows are right at the ticket barriers. On my last three trips, I did the entire transaction in English and the ticket sellers know exactly where you want to go anyway. Buy two tickets and use the second for the return trip.
The Naples to Pompeii train ticket price is currently €3.30 one-way. An NA3 Tariff ticket (€4.10) is valid for 140 minutes and allows for transfer to other trains, buses, and metros in Naples, which is handy if planning more sightseeing on the return trip. (The metros to the Museo departs from deep below Naples station.)
To get to the Circumvesuviana train from the high-speed mainline trains at Napoli Centrale station — follow signs to the local or Circumvesuviana trains. The entrance and ticket barriers are one level lower than the main train station. Don’t go to the Metro, which is even deeper down below the main station.
Allow enough time for the transfer from the main station to the local train. Missing the commuter train is not an issue but missing the long-distance train is — allow 20 to 30 minutes.
→ See Cheap Transportation to the Pompeii Excavations near Naples for more details. If planning to visit Herculaneum rather than Pompeii, see Transportation to Herculaneum for details — a different train from the same platform goes there. It is nowadays rare for any train to stop at both Ercolano and Pompei Scavi.
Campania Arte Transportation and Entry Savings Ticket
If planning to see both Pompeii and the National Archaeilogical Museum in Naples (MANN), consider the 3-Day Campania Arte Ticket. It probably won’t save much money but even on just these two sites and the inclusion of local transportation to Pompeii and in Naples, it should cover costs and cut out the need for separate tickets. The Campania Arte Card is only available online as a mobile phone ticket.
→ See Save with the Campania Arte Card for details.
High-Speed Trains from Rome to Naples
Many trains are available several times per hour from Rome Termini station to Napoli Centrale (Naples Central Station). For day trips to Pompeii, or even Naples for that matter, using any but the fastest trains taking around 1h15 is saving at the wrong end. For advance reservations, these high-speed trains are often even cheaper than the slower trains that need over two or even over three hours for the same distance.
Both Italo and Frecciarossa trains operate on this route — Trainline is handy for price comparison of both companies and easy reservations in English. Search and buy only tickets for the Rome to Naples route — searching for Pompeii Scavi may add nearby stations, including Torre Annunziata-Oplonti, which will require another train transfer and extra ticket, or Pompei, which is inside the modern city and not convenient for a day trip.
Train fares vary widely, so always compare. Last-minute tickets are as expensive as €60 one way while booking two or three weeks in advance could easily give deals as low as €10 one way (but €20-30 more likely) with first-class tickets hardly more expensive for early reservations.
Seat reservations are always included when buying train tickets on Italian high-speed trains. Standing or buying tickets on the train is not allowed. First class usually includes a free coffee and a cookie served at the seat.
Two-for-one deals are often offered for early morning or late evening departures, especially when using first class.
Timing for Day Trips to Pompei from Rome
The fastest, organized guided tours from Rome to Pompeii are as quick as six hours but most of that time will be spent traveling. Day tours are usually around 12 hours and will include other sights (e.g. Herculaneaum, Amalfi Coast, and Naples).
If making own arrangements for day trip by train from Rome to Pompeii, calculate around five to six hours by train, around three hours at Pompeii, and more time in Naples if desired. Leave early morning and return to Rome after dinner.
The best time to visit Pompeii is early morning right at opening time but on most days it is not possible to reach Pompeii early enough by train from Rome. Time-slot tickets or a private guide make entry later in the morning easier. After lunch, Pompeii is usually much quieter with arriving at 14:00 a better option than arriving at 11:00.
Pompeii Scavi is open daily from 9:00 and closes at 17:00 from November to March and 19:00 from April to October. The last admission is 90 minutes before closing but many indoor sites may close an hour or even more before the park closing time.
→ Avoid a day trip to Pompeii on Tuesday when several smaller sights in Pompei and the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN) are closed.
There is more than enough to see in Naples after visiting Pompeii, whether returning to the city around lunch or late afternoon. The National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN) is the top sight to accompany a visit to Pompeii. The metro to MANN from Garibaldi is only one stop on Line 2 (use stop Cavour / Museo and a long connecting walk) or five stops on the more frequent Line 1 (stop Museo). Allow extra time for waiting for the train and finding the right way.
Just strolling in Naples city is also a very enjoyable way to spend any free time with many buildings reflecting the wealth that Naples enjoyed until the mid-19th century. Enjoy magnificent views of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples in the setting sun.
Food in Naples is cheap and good. Two eateries, well-known and in all guidebooks with reason, are very close to Naples station:
- It is worth queuing up for the pizzas at Antica Pizzeria da Michele (take a number, waiting for a seat is often faster and always nicer than taking out).
- Great but reasonably priced food is served at Mimi alla Ferrovia — reservations are only taken for four or more, so turn up early for dinner to secure a free table.
For More on Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Naples:
- Save with the Campania Arte Card on Sightseeing Ticket and Transportation — in 2024 only available as a mobile phone app — buy the Campania Arte Card online.
- Pompeii Excavations Archaeological Site: Top Tips on Visiting Pompeii, Buying Tickets and Booking Tours & Cheap Transportation to Pompeii. Note: New Pompeii Ticket system in 2024!
- Herculaneum Archaeological Site (Ercolano): Tips on Buying Tickets and When to Visit & Cheap Transportation to Herculaneum (Note in 2024: trains have changed — many guidebooks still have old information!)
- Day Trip from Rome: How to Visit Pompeii by Train from Rome
- Visit the National Museum of Archaeology in Naples – home to the Farnese sculptures and the best artworks, mosaics, and frescoes from the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
- Book Tours to Pompeii, Herculaneum, or both at Get Your Guide.
- Buy Italian train tickets in English at Trainline — however, often not possible for the commuter train to Ercolano or Pompeii — easy to buy at the station or use the Campania Arte Card.
