How to Plan the Best Day Trip to Pompeii from Rome

A day trip to Pompeii from Rome is very doable, especially if you book the high-speed train. 

That’s what we did, and it was worth the extra cost over the other options out there.

I’ll get into all of your options for visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site, how to get to Pompeii from Rome, and whether it’s all even worth the effort to visit Pompeii.

You can do a day trip from Rome to Pompeii.

Pompeii is 150 miles from Rome. The high-speed train is a great way to watch those miles breeze by with a view.

Some travelers even combine trips to Pompeii and Herculaneum in one full day, starting in Rome, the Eternal City.

I wouldn’t recommend that unless you’re truly short on time, as you may get some ruins fatigue if you go that route.

I WOULD recommend starting with Pompeii, even if you do have time for both, as it truly is something you need to see in person to understand what happened here.

How to Get From Rome to Pompeii: The Best Way

Take the high-speed train from Roma Termini station, or Rome Termini, to Napoli Centrale, or Naples Centrale. This is the most efficient use of your time.

From there, take the commuter train to Pompeii. Google maps was super confusing here, sending us to what was listed as the L1, which is a Naples local metro train. You don’t want this.

You also don’t need to take a bus. Your maps may tell you to do that, too. 

Look for signs for the EAV instead to get a ride on the Circumvesuviana. Tickets are available at the station, so there’s no reason to book in advance as you plan your trip to Pompeii.

I’ve read that this train gets super crowded and many travelers don’t love it because of that and the lack of climate control. We were there in November and didn’t have that issue. We got seats right away there and back.

I imagine summertime experiences may be different and a bit more…humid.

Take the Circumvesuviana train to the Pompeii Scavi/Villa Dei Misteri station. You may see it written as “Pompeii Scavi” elsewhere. That’s the same thing.

Our ride was about 35 minutes with a few stops, but I’ve read that it can take up to 45 minutes. You’ll be within a short walk of the archaeological site from your final stop.

Note: Carry some cash for that local train ride. We didn’t have an issue with a credit card payment buying tickets, but the cashier next to us was working with a broken machine. It was less than three euro during our trip, so you don’t need deep pockets for this option. 

Guided Tours for Your Day Trip to Pompeii From Rome

Guided tours are an alternative to the Rome to Pompeii train. While most of the best day tour options will still get you there on the train, some bloggers are all over the idea of having someone show you around the complex. 

It’s huge and can certainly feel overwhelming, so I don’t want to knock that too much.

We were thankful we didn’t have one the day of and I’ll tell you why.

When it started pouring, we were able to get ourselves to relative safety (and warmth!) inside the museum on-site.

The large and small private group tour folks had to deal with it whether they were prepared with ponchos or not.

This wasn’t some Seattle drizzle. This was a downpour.

That said, I’m all about tours to make it easier on you or if you’re unable to get yourself to something this bucket listy on your own. This adventure is easy to DIY, but I get that tours make trips here even more accessible, even if you’ll have less free time at the site.

Here are some highly-rated options that would hopefully come with some sunny skies, including some that involve wine:

How long is a day trip from Rome to Pompeii?

The length of your day trip to Pompeii will depend on how you choose to visit the site. Guided tours can last anywhere from nine to 13 hours.

If you’re traveling without a guide, you can make your visit shorter (or longer!) depending on your stamina for the site. 

Three hours will allow you to see the highlights at a normal pace and see sites like the suburban villas outside of the main tourist circuit.

Two hours in Pompeii may be pushing it, but it can be done if you familiarize yourself with the site ahead of time. You’ll just need to prioritize your trip, as there’s quite a bit of distance in between sites.

Potential Costs for Your Day Trip

The cost of your trip to Pompeii depends on how you choose to get there. The Rome to Pompeii fast train starts around $20 if you include the local train in Naples in your total. 

Expect to pay quite a bit more if you decide to go to Pompeii from Rome on a guided tour. 

Tickets to Pompeii itself start around $19. I recommend paying a few extra dollars to see the suburban villas.

What to See Once You’re at Pompeii

Unless you want to wander aimlessly, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the map of Pompeii to help you plan your visit. This is especially true if you’re short on travel time and want to be efficient about it. 

Note: Download the official map on your device before you arrive so you’re not waiting for anything to load. I didn’t and had to waste some time getting it to open at the site. 

I’ll go into some of the more popular and most striking sites below, but you can truly walk through the site in a way that moves you. The map link above also comes with three different walking routes. 

The Forum (Foro de Pompeya)

You couldn’t miss this spot if you tried. This is likely where you’ll start on your day, and likely the most crowded spot.

I get it. Pompeii is a bucket list item for many travelers, and the Forum, or the Civil Forum, was the heart of ancient Pompeii. This was the center of market and political activity. It was where folks gathered to do all of their business. 

It’s also where you’ll find remains of the main temples, including the Temple of Jupiter and the Temple of Apollo. You’ll see little more than columns and stone platforms today, but I’m sure you can use your imagination.

The Forum Baths

This is just one example of ancient Roman baths in Pompeii, but it’s the best preserved. That’s thanks to years of restoration work giving visitors a better idea of one of the locals’ favorite activities. You’ll find these behind the Temple
of Jupiter.

Back in the day, there were separate entrances for men and women. The women’s side was actually being renovated at the time of the volcanic eruption. 

Fun fact: If you love a good Roman bath, visit the Stabian Baths, or Termas Estabianas. These were the largest of the five baths in Pompeii.

The Villa of the Mysteries (Villa dei Misteri)

Pompeii’s suburban villas are absolutely worth the effort. I highly recommend you get the access ticket that includes the Villa of the Mysteries, our favorite spot in the ancient city.

Outside of what you’ll see in archaeological museums, this is where you’ll see the most complete frescoes and structures still standing in Pompeii.

The name comes from what you’ll notice about the frescoes. They appear to depict an initiation into some kind of mystery cult. If you know anything about me, know that I can’t get enough when it comes to cults.

It’s a bit of a walk to get there, but expect loads of steps on tours to Pompeii from Rome anyway. That also means you’re unlikely to see many people here. They don’t want to work as hard as you.

READ MORE: Love mysterious sites? Check out my guide to the Venetian Lagoon, including creepy Torcello.

The Villa of Diomedes

This is another suburban villa you’ll pass on your way to the Villa of the Mysteries.

While it’s not nearly as impressive in terms of the art and structural integrity of the ruins, there’s a surprising green space here that’s worth a look from the highest point.

Based on its size, this was likely a luxury villa. A total of 36 people were found here, including one body that was draped in numerous gold coins, medals, and rings. You can’t spend your money when you’re dead, people.

House of the Faun

This one was under restoration during our visit, but I’d recommend a trip even if that was the case during your trip, too. It’s a great way to see the meticulous work done here to bring back even a fraction of what life was like for people back then.

The house was one of the largest in Pompeii, which means its inhabitants were likely rich folks who liked showing off their wealth in the form of impressive mosaics.

The home was named after the statue of the Faun outside. There’s a replica there today, but you can see the original at the archaeological museum in Naples. 

House of Paquius Proculus

We had to make a stop at this one because of the dog standing guard out front. From the photo, you already know I’m talking about a mosaic. Other art found inside suggests this was the dwelling of a rich couple.

The Amphitheater

You’d think this is where all the tourists would be, but that isn’t the case thanks to its location at the archaeological site.

It’s way at the far end away from any of the main entrances, so you’ll get to play your own gladiator games without much interference.

We had just toured the Colosseum in Rome the day before so weren’t as impressed as we should have been, but it still stands that this is one the oldest surviving amphitheaters in Italy.

The Antiquarium of Pompeii

We took refuge in this museum during the downpour upon arrival and probably spent more time than we needed looking at the modest exhibits.

If you really have a thing for archaeology museums, the National Archaeological Museum of Naples is miles better.

You’ll need to pass through Naples on your way to and from Pompeii if you follow my suggestion to DIY your trip on the high-speed train. Just leave some time on either end for the museum if you’re interested.

Most visitors pass through here to see the casts of victims caught in the eruption. I found them quite haunting as a stark reminder of the human tragedy that happened at this site before it was a tourist attraction.

Extra Tips for Your Day Trip to Pompeii

You made it to Pompeii. Now what? Here are a few more tips to make for the best Pompeii tours, whether you’re with a guide or not:

• It’s worth buying Pompeii tickets in advance. It’s one of the most popular tourist sites in Italy, and its accessibility on even a half-day trip to Pompeii from Rome makes it that much more crowded.
• Make sure you’re showing the right tickets. I showed the guys at the booth tickets for Herculanean and nearly had a panic attack when they told me I had the wrong day. Various “Mamma mias” ensued when we all realized my error.
• Bring rain gear. We had one umbrella to share and rain jackets and boots that weren’t as weather-proof as we thought. None of it was a match for the deluge that occurred. It was short-lived, but the damage was done.
• Bring sun gear. There’s very little cover at the site. If you’re visiting on a hot, sunny day, bring your own cover. Wear sunglasses and a hat. Carry more water than you think you’ll need.
• Pack snacks. There’s one cafeteria-style option inside the park, but otherwise, you’ll have to leave the site if you want anything substantial. Bring some fuel to keep you going when those distances on your map start to feel super far.
• Save room for pizza. If you only need a couple of hours in the park, it may be worth snacking until you can make a late lunch. That way, you can grab some pizza in Naples instead of the lesser Pompeii options.
• If you must eat, you have some options. Na’ Pasta and La Verace are the two I’ve seen recommended by other travel folks, but I can’t vouch for either. As I said, the food in Naples is comparable to the best food cities in Italy.

Is it better to see Pompeii or Herculaneum?

It’s better to see Pompeii if you want a true bucket list experience. It’s the more popular of the two for a reason. It’s incredible. 

I simply can’t tell you to skip Pompeii in favor of Herculaneum. This is a take I’ve seen on other blogs and it’s a real head-scratcher.

Pompeii is the one that will make you feel quite small from the enormity of not only the site but the tragedy here. 

If you have a level of stamina I don’t, it is possible to see Herculaneum and Pompeii on the same day. 

Fun fact: You can take the same train you would back to Naples but get off at the Ercolano Scavi station, instead.

We didn’t do this, and I’m glad we didn’t. We wanted some time back in Naples after our Pompeii trip, so we visited Herculaneum on a second trip.

Herculaneum is an impressive site that won’t take nearly as much time as Pompeii, but I worry you won’t appreciate it as much if you smash it in at the end of your Pompeii day trip. 

That said, we were done with Herculaneum in about a full hour, and that didn’t even feel rushed. The site is definitely still worth the effort if you have extra time. It’s much more well-preserved, so you can better see how those rich people lived (and died). 

It’s just much smaller. The two don’t compare.

More Things to Do Near Pompeii

If you need more ideas for things to do in Rome, I have a guide to three full days in Rome.

Outside of Herculaneum, here are a few more ideas for things to do near Pompeii when you’re done cruising those ancient alleyways:

• Eat the pizza in Naples. Yes, pizza in Naples is delicious, which makes the city among the most delicious in Italy. If you think it’s overrated I feel sad for you. Read my guide to Naples for all of our favorite pizza spots.
• See the rest in Naples. The city is more than pizza, although it’s definitely that. The guide I shared with you gets into the goods about the best scenic stops, museums, and one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe. 
• Visit Mount Vesuvius. We didn’t do a day trip to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius from Rome, but it’s even simpler if you’re visiting Herculaneum. Get tickets for the Vesuvio Express, a shuttle that travels up and down Vesuvius.
• Hit the coastal city of Sorrento. Sorrento is under an hour from Pompeii, so it can be a feasible add-on to itineraries in the region. Eat all of the lemon things and take in all of the sunshine in this Mediterranean beauty.

You can also do Pompeii and Amalfi Coast in one day, but it will be a very long day.

A day trip to Pompeii and Amalfi Coast from Rome means a lot of time on the transportation side of things. If you insist on making this happen, a guided tour is likely your most efficient bet.

READ MORE: You can be in Florence in about an hour and a half from Rome. Check out my Florence guide!

Where to Stay on Your Trip to Pompeii

You should stay in Naples, Sorrento, or Rome if you want to see Pompeii.

As this is a guide to day trips from Rome, you likely already know what we did on our own trip. I just wouldn’t recommend our accommodations in Rome because they were awful.

Check out the map below to browse accommodations in Rome:

Is Pompeii worth a day trip from Rome?

Pompeii is worth a day trip from Rome despite what you’ve heard about Herculaneum as the better option. Pompeii’s size can feel overwhelming, but going in with a plan can make your visit feel more manageable.

I felt the site met my expectations. As one of the most important sites in Italy, it’s a must-see for history buffs, too.

You could return twice and see all new things on a trip to Pompeii, too. In fact, I may need to make that happen since I smelled like a wet dog for a good portion of my visit.

Planning more Italian travel? Check out these guides:

• An Itinerary for Bologna, One of My Favorite Cities!
• How to See the Florence Duomo Without Stress
• Bologna: Reasons to Visit the Foodie City
• A Detailed Guide to Colorful Burano
• Visit Verona for More Than Romeo and Juliet

Need more inspiration for Europe? Read these next:

• How to Plan Your Next Trip to Poland
• I Went to the Motherland With Mom. How it Went!
• Go Chase the Best Iceland Waterfalls
• Love Christmas? Visit Colmar, a Holiday Miracle
• How to Spend a Weekend on the French Riviera

Want to see more?