Vesuvius crater in winter: last entry at 15:00 and a ticket with 2 hours of leeway
From November to February the Gran Cono, the Vesuvius crater trail, admits visitors from 9:00 to 15:00. A standard ticket gives you 2 hours of leeway on your slot, a trial rule brought in because of road and shuttle delays.
At a glance
- Winter hours
- November-February: 9:00–15:00
- Ticket
- Online only: €10 plus booking fee, about €11.68
- Leeway
- 120 minutes before or after, with a standard ticket
- Last minute
- In your name since 11 April 2026, ID checked
- Route
- About 4 km there and back
- Shuttle
- From the 800 m to the 1,000 m level: €1 each way
What to know
- From November to February entry runs from 9:00 to 15:00. In March it moves to 16:00.
- Your visit must end within 1 hour of the last entry time.
- Tickets are sold online only, at vesuviopark.vivaticket.it.
- The trail closes automatically under an orange weather alert or higher.
What changed in 2026
| Rule | How it works |
|---|---|
| Standard ticket | Enter from 120 minutes before to 120 minutes after the printed time, within opening hours |
| Last-minute ticket | Enter from 30 minutes before to 15 minutes after |
| Named tickets | Since 11 April 2026 last-minute tickets are checked against ID |
| Limit | 360 people an hour, groups of 20 every 10 minutes |
The Park brought in the leeway in July 2026 as a trial. Traffic and shuttles were making people miss their slot even when they had booked.
Tickets
- Standard: 50 every 10 minutes, on sale 30 days ahead.
- Last minute: 10 per slot, on sale 30 minutes ahead, only over the Wi-Fi near the entrance.
- Refunds: automatic if bad weather closes the trail.
How to get there
- By car: park at the 800 m level. You cannot park on the 1,000 m square.
- From there take the Municipality of Ercolano shuttle: €1, about 4 minutes.
- On foot it is 1.8 km, about 30 minutes.
- By train: Circumvesuviana, the local commuter train, to Ercolano Scavi, then a taxi or private shuttle.
The trail is about 4 km there and back. The upper crater rim, on the north and east sides, stays closed to the public. Public toilets on the square are currently unavailable.
Tip: with last entry at 15:00, book a slot by 13:00. That leaves room for traffic and the shuttle.
Plan your trip
- Mount Vesuvius from Naplesfull guide to the climb
- Naples to Herculaneumruins to pair with the crater
- Naples to Pompeiihow to get there and hours
- Naples in Novemberweather and what to do
Frequently asked questions
What are the Vesuvius opening hours in November?
In November, December, January and February entry to the crater trail runs from 9:00 to 15:00. Your visit must end within an hour of the last entry time.
Can I enter Vesuvius before my ticket time?
Yes. A standard ticket lets you enter up to 120 minutes before or after the printed time, within opening hours. The rule is a trial. Last-minute tickets have a tighter window.
Can I buy Vesuvius tickets on site?
No, tickets are sold online only at vesuviopark.vivaticket.it. Last-minute tickets are bought near the entrance, still online, over the Wi-Fi: 10 per slot, 30 minutes ahead.
Is Vesuvius open when it rains?
The trail closes automatically under an orange or higher alert from the regional Civil Protection. Your ticket is then refunded to the card you used, within 60 days.
Where to stay at the foot of Vesuvius
23 places to stay in the Vesuvius 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.
