I really feel like most individuals who go to southern Italy entertain a Pompeii day journey in some unspecified time in the future. Shockingly, I’ve met many who fail to really take it (often as a result of they’re overwhelmed with town middle of Naples).
In the present day’s put up, due to this fact, will clarify all of the methods to combine Pompeii into your journey—for those who miss one, you may attempt one other. I’ll additionally focus on variations and similarities between Pompeii and Ercolano (aka Herculaneum), one other metropolis destroyed through the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.
Whether or not you intend to go to Italy quickly or someday within the considerably distant future, I hope my recommendation will get you pumped to your journey to Pompeii.
The way to Attain Pompeii from Naples
The commonest Pompeii day journey sees you touring from Naples to Pompeii and again in a single day. Right here’s the place the confusion begins. Though you must enter a particular space of Napoli Centrale practice station and board a practice generally known as the “Circumvesuviana,” the car you enter is neither branded nor notably good. It’s simply an peculiar second-class Italian practice automotive.
Which is okay: The journey from Naples to Pompeii is lower than an hour, relying on which practice you are taking. Right here’s one other tip, to that finish. Attempt to take one of many categorical providers between Naples and Sorrento, which can get you to Pompeii with out stopping at each single station. These will likely be denoted as such on the departure board simply exterior the Circumvesuviana ticket gates.
Methods to Go to Pompeii
Take a day journey from Naples
The simplest option to go to Pompeii is to do as I described within the part above: As a self-contained day journey from Naples. Word that for those who comply with this plan, it’s doable to nest in a cease in Ercolano (whose deserves I’m going into later on this article) both in your option to or again from Pompeii.
Be a part of a gaggle tour
An much more senseless option to take pleasure in Pompeii day journey is to not go independently in any respect. Whether or not you ebook a Skip-the-Line Pompeii Tour from Walks of Italy, select a distinct tour firm or avail one of many supply your lodge is providing, a tempting option to beat the tour teams that crowd Pompeii is to hitch them.
Cease on the way in which again from Amalfi
The unhealthy information? Except you allow the Amalfi Coast extraordinarily early within the morning, your journey (through Sorrento) again to Naples will likely be a hellish nightmare. The excellent news? In the event you do go away very first thing within the morning, it’s simple to cease at Pompeii (and doubtlessly Ercolano) in your method again to town.
Spend an evening in Pompeii
Who says you have to restrict your Pompeii day journey to only a day? Whereas not one of the resorts or Airbnbs within the neighborhood of Pompeii are a lot to write down house about, there’s one thing to be stated about having fun with the final environment with out having to hurry by way of it.
Go to from farther afield
As a result of Naples is related by high-speed practice to many different locations in Italy, it’s doable to take a day journey from different cities in Italy to Pompeii. Whereas Rome (which is round an hour from Naples through HSR) is the obvious alternative, it’s additionally technically doable to take a Pompeii day journey from Milan, Florence or Venice.
Pompeii vs Ercolano
Though I’ve taken greater than half a dozen journeys to Italy, my 2021 go to was really my first time in Pompeii itself. Beforehand, I solely go to Ercolano (Herculaneum), one other close by metropolis that additionally succumbed to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. I selected Ercolano on the advisement of Francesco, an Italian good friend of mine who’s an architect and a historian.
So far as why he really helpful Ercolano, somewhat than a extra normal Pompeii day journey? “The homes in Ercolano have two tales,” he defined, including that they had been in usually higher situation than their counterparts in Pompeii. “Nicely, at the least most of them.” As we explored the ruins, he additionally remarked that Ercolano appeared barely much less crowded than Pompeii, though each (having now visited Pompeii) had been madhouses are far as I may inform.
Different FAQ About Visiting Pompeii from Naples
Are you able to do Pompeii in a day?
You’ll be able to completely do Pompeii in a day! The easiest way to efficiently execute that is to depart Naples no later than 8:30 so that you could arrive in Pompeii by the point it opens at 9. Shopping for your ticket to Pompeii on-line may even assist you save time. After having fun with Pompeii within the morning, you may eat lunch at one of many eating places close to the practice station.
Is a day journey to Pompeii price it?
A day journey to Pompeii is totally price it, contemplating how simple it’s to succeed in Pompeii from Naples. Alternatively, for those who plan to go to Pompeii from elsewhere in Italy, chances are you’ll discover the time, cash and vitality you expend to be too nice for the joys of a day journey to Pompeii.
Are there day journeys from Rome to Pompeii?
Many organized excursions go away Rome for Pompeii, however you may as well take the journey by yourself. To take action, journey a high-speed Italo or Frecciarossa practice from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale, then switch to the Circumvesuviana. Return to Rome the identical day, or keep in a single day in Naples.
The Backside Line
No matter how you are taking it, a Pompeii day journey will likely be a spotlight of your journey to Italy. That is very true for those who’re a 90s child like me, and attended faculty when renewed consideration gave the impression to be paid to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius almost two millennia in the past. No matter whenever you grew up, after all, it’s not possible to stroll alongside the cobbled streets of Pompeii (or close by Ercolano) and never really feel moved. Together with the Amalfi Coast, Capri and/or Ischia islands and Naples itself, Pompeii is likely one of the prime highlights of Italy’s deep south.
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications equivalent to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the way in which. His weblog, Depart Your Day by day Hell, offers a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays overlaying the extra esoteric elements of life as a traveler.
