Pompeii from Naples: how to get there, tickets, opening hours and how much time you need
The ruins of Pompeii are the favourite day trip for anyone staying in Naples: 40 minutes by train and you are walking the streets of a Roman city buried by Vesuvius in AD 79. How to get there without getting off at the wrong stop, which ticket to choose and how to plan the day.
At a glance
- From Naples
- Circumvesuviana Naples–Sorrento line from Porta Nolana or Garibaldi, stop Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri, about 35–40 minutes
- Winter opening hours
- From 15 October to 15 March 9:00–17:00, last entry 15:30
- Summer opening hours
- From 16 March to 14 October 9:00–19:00, last entry 17:30
- Closed
- Only 25 December and 1 January: Pompeii is also open on Mondays
- Ticket
- €20 ancient city only; €25 Pompei express with the suburban villas (Villa of the Mysteries) and Villa Regina; €2 for EU citizens aged 18 to 25; free under 18
- Free
- The first Sunday of every month (very crowded)
- Tickets
- Named, online only on vivaticket.it (authorised reseller) or at the ticket offices and kiosks on site
- Time needed
- At least 3–4 hours; a full day if you also want to see the Villa of the Mysteries
- Backpacks
- Only small bags allowed, maximum 30 × 30 × 15 cm
How to get there from Naples
The easiest way is the Circumvesuviana train (the local commuter railway), Napoli – Sorrento line. It leaves from Porta Nolana station and stops at Garibaldi, beneath the Central Station (Piazza Garibaldi). In about 35–40 minutes you reach the Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri stop, a short walk from the Porta Marina entrance.
Watch the stop: the station called just Pompei (on another line) is in the centre of the modern town, about 2 km from the ruins. The right one is Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri.
Circumvesuviana trains are frequent but often crowded: in summer and at weekends set off early, before 9:00. This is why people planning several day trips (Pompeii, Herculaneum, Sorrento) often choose to stay in the Central Station area, where all the trains leave from.
Which ticket to choose
Tickets changed on 12 January 2026:
| Ticket | What it includes | Full price |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient city only | the ruins of Pompeii, without the villas outside the walls | €20 |
| Pompei express | ancient city, Villa of the Mysteries, Villa of Diomedes, Villa Regina at Boscoreale with the Antiquarium, shuttle | €25 |
| Pompeii Plus | Pompeii, Oplontis, the villas of Stabiae, the Stabiae Museum, shuttle; valid 3 days | €30 |
For European Union citizens aged 18 to 25 the reduced ticket costs €2; under 18s go in free. On the first Sunday of the month entry is free for everyone, but it is very busy. Tickets are named and there is a limit of 20,000 visitors a day.
Don't miss
- The Forum, the main square, with Vesuvius in the background.
- The frescoed houses: the House of the Faun, the House of the Vettii, the House of the Menander (which houses are open changes: check the map at the entrance).
- The baths and the shops: the thermopolium, the ancient "snack bar", and the bakeries.
- The Amphitheatre, the oldest surviving Roman amphitheatre in stone.
- The Villa of the Mysteries (Villa dei Misteri), outside the walls, with its great red frieze: it is included in the Pompei express ticket.
Tip: Pompeii is huge and there is little shade. Bring water, a hat and comfortable shoes, download the map before going in and pick 10–15 places to see: trying to see everything in one day is impossible. In winter last entry is at 15:30, so leave Naples by 11:00.
Pompeii or Herculaneum?
Pompeii is much bigger and gives you a sense of an entire city. Herculaneum (Ercolano), 20 minutes from Naples on the same line, is smaller and better preserved, with wood and upper floors still visible: you can see it in 2–3 hours. If you are short on time or travelling with children, Herculaneum is more manageable.
How to plan the day
- Morning: early train from Garibaldi, in at opening time at 9:00.
- Lunch: bring something with you or eat at the places near Porta Marina.
- Afternoon: the Villa of the Mysteries if you have the express ticket, then back to Naples.
- Evening: pizza in the historic centre or on the seafront.
Other day trips on the same line
- Herculaneum20 minutes from Naples, same line
- Vesuviusbus from Pompeii or Herculaneum
- Sorrentoend of the same line
- National Archaeological Museum of Napleshome to the mosaics and frescoes from Pompeii
Frequently asked questions
How much is a ticket to Pompeii in 2026?
€20 for the ancient city only and €25 with the Pompei express ticket, which also includes the Villa of the Mysteries and Villa Regina. Free for under 18s and on the first Sunday of the month.
Are the ruins of Pompeii open on Mondays?
Yes. Pompeii is closed only on 25 December and 1 January. Only the park's other sites, such as Oplontis and Stabiae, are closed on Tuesdays.
Which Circumvesuviana stop for the ruins of Pompeii?
Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri, on the Naples–Sorrento line. Don't get off at the Pompei town station, which is about 2 km away.
How much time do you need to visit Pompeii?
At least 3–4 hours for the main sights; a full day if you also want to see the Villa of the Mysteries.
Where to stay for your day trip to Pompeii
47 places to stay in the Central Station area on Napolibnb.it, the Naples holiday-rental portal: you contact the host directly, with no booking fees. Every listing shows its official CIN code.
