3 Ways to Day Trip to Pompeii from Rome

Pompeii is a city frozen — or rather, seared — in time. And if you are a history enthusiast, or just want a glimpse into what real life was like for the average Roman 2,000 years ago, it’s very much worth it to plan a visit if you’re in the area. 

Luckily, visiting Pompeii from Rome is easy to do, and a custom-designed itinerary can make incorporating a day trip simple, fun, and stress-free. 

Founded in 600 BC, Pompeii was a busy middle-class port and center of commerce. Over 20,000 people lived there, and the streets were bustling with people, chariots, bars, bakeries, restaurants, shops of all kinds, hotels, and at least 30 brothels. 

The city had been thriving and growing for nearly 700 years when Mt. Vesuvius (only 5 miles away) erupted, destroying the city and suffocating its inhabitants within mere minutes, then blanketing the town with up to 20 feet of hot ash over the course of hours.  

As horrific as that day was, the strange way the city and its residents were entombed is what allowed archeologists some 1,700 years later to get such a clear picture of life in Pompeii. The city was accidentally discovered in 1599 by an architect working on a canal project. Large-scale excavation began in 1748, revealing an astonishing treasure trove of preserved historical finds. 

If you are planning a vacation to Italy, I highly recommend making the trip to Pompeii from Rome. It’s a fascinating and very do-able day trip. Here are 3 ways you could do it – choose the one that best fits your travel style! 

See Pompeii From Rome Independently

Your best bet when taking a day trip to Pompeii from Rome is to take the train. Frecciarossa high-speed trains depart hourly from Roma Termini station to Napoli Centrale station. The journey only takes about 70 minutes. 

Upon arrival to Napoli Centrale, switch to the Circumvesuviana. This is a commuter train that makes frequent stops between Napoli and Pompeii. Tickets are €3.60 and you’ll get there in about 30 minutes. Just remember to disembark at the Pompei Scavi stop and not the Pompei stop! 

Alternatively, you could hire a taxi from outside the station and get to Pompeii in about 20 minutes (about €30). 

If you have a car, you can drive to Pompeii from Rome in about 2 ½ hours. There are several parking lots near the excavation site within easy walking distance of the entrance. Note: I would not recommend renting a car if this is just a day trip, but it could make sense if you are leaving Rome and Pompeii is just one of your stops along the way to another destination.

Once you arrive, make your way to the ticket desk. Tickets to enter the Pompeii site are €16.00, which covers the main site and special exhibits, plus an extremely useful English-language guide-booklet. (An audio guide is also available for €8.)  

If you want to get there on your own but hire a guide once you arrive, keep reading for some suggested guided visit options.

Try A Guided Group Tour

There are a couple of great options for a guided group tour. 

If you really want to go all-out and include additional famous Italian views in your day trip,  Walks of Italy offers a fantastic all-day itinerary to Pompeii: Pompeii Tour from Rome with Amalfi Coast Drive and Positano. The tour includes transportation in a luxury mini bus, a guide-led visit to Pompeii, a drive along the Amalfi Coast (one of the world’s best scenic drives!), with a stop in the beautiful town of Positano. It’s a long day (7 am-8 pm), but considering how much you can see in one day, it’s definitely a day well spent. 

Mondo Guide also has an excellent value option at just €15 per person. The shared tour is 2 hours and meets daily at 11:00 at the Hotel/Ristorante Suisse, just down the road from the Porta Marina entrance into Pompeii. 

Enjoy A Private Tour

There are a couple of ways to make an absolutely incredible day of a visit to Pompeii from Rome. 

If you would prefer to get to Pompeii on your own but want a private tour or small shared tour with your travel companions once you’re there, Pompeii Tour by Antonio Somma offers a 2-hour private tour. The cost of the tour depends on the number of participants. My family of 6 explored Pompeii with Antonio (that’s us in the photo, above!). He really made the city come to life for us! 

If you want to stick to exploring Pompeii and want all travel taken care of, I recommend the Private Pompeii with Luxury Car from Rome tour. You can be picked up at your hotel and driven in comfort to the ruins, where you’ll be met by a professional guide. 

And, if you’re in the mood for a truly sumptuous experience — including walking Pompeii tour, food, wine, and a tour of Positano and the Amalfi coast, all just for you and your family or travel companions — then you can’t go wrong with this exclusive private tour from Rome. 

Stop At The Naples Archaeological Museum

A very-much-worth-it add-on! 

Many people assume that they’ll be able to see tons of art while they’re in Pompeii, but this isn’t really the case. For a really robust historical dive and a look at most of what was preserved from the digs (including frescos, mosaics, and sculptures), you’ll want to make a stop at the Naples Archaeological Museum.

It’s easy to incorporate a visit. When you connect from Pompeii back to Naples, you have the option of taking the metro to the museum. Then, when you’re done, you hop back on the train and head back to your home base in Rome!

The Joy Of Visiting Pompeii From Rome Your Way

Visiting Pompeii from Rome is an accessible day trip that offers an astonishing window into everyday urban life in the ancient Roman Empire. From businesses and meeting places to public baths and private homes, the excavated ruins of Pompeii connect you with all that was so human and real about those who lived and died there. 

And however you decide to visit — independently, with a group tour, or with a private tour — with a custom-designed itinerary, I can take care of all the planning, scheduling, and ticket-buying, so you can set off from Rome stress-free and concentrate on the wonders of this ancient city.