How to get to Pompeii from Rome
Pompeii is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the past of this city petrified by the lava of the Vestubio. How to get there from Rome? Take note!
Views of Pompeii | Vladimir de Vico
If you're planning a visit to Pompeii from Rome, you've made the right choice. The archaeological site and the Italian capital are less than 250 kilometres apart, which can be covered by car, bus or train.
Want to know the best way to get to Pompeii from Rome, how long it will take and what budget you need? Here's how:
Tour to Pompeii from Rome with Mount Vesuvius or Positano (according to season)
Day trip with skip-the-line entrance to Pompeii Archaeological Park
An adventure from Rome to Pompeii by climbing Vesuvius in summer or visiting Positano in winter with lunch included.
Start your journey from Rome to iconic Pompeii, where an archaeologist guide will take you on a tour of the ruins of this city buried by Vesuvius. From ancient homes to petrified bodies, every detail reveals the story of this tragedy.
After exploring Pompeii, depending on the season, you can climb Mount Vesuvius in summer or visit Positano in winter. Both options offer a unique experience and are guided by local experts who will provide you with detailed information about the area.
Whether you choose the volcano adventure or the Positano exploration, you will always be accompanied by a guide who will answer your questions and provide you with additional information about the sites visited.
Recommended if... you want to immerse yourself in Pompeii's rich archaeological history and explore the natural charms of the region while enjoying a lunch of typical dishes.
Most convenient: arrive by road on a guided excursion from Rome
To visit Pompeii from Rome in one day, the most practical and safest way is to book a Pompeii excursion from Rome that is worry-free: tours to Rome from Pompeii include a private bus or minibus ride that makes no stops in between and drops you off at the gate of Pompeii's archaeological site.
They include skip-the-line entrance tickets and a guided tour conducted by aprofessional tour guide who will accompany you throughout the day. If you prefer, you can also include lunch in the itinerary or even a stop in Naples or Vesuvius.
In short, everything is organised so that you don't have to waste time on transport logistics: once you have booked the tour, you will receive the exact address of the meeting point from where the bus departs (usually somewhere in the centre of Rome) and you will be back the same day a few hours later.
Useful information
- Duration of the trip: approximately two and a half hours.
- Price of the excursion: From 100 € (including entrance fees and guided tour)
- More information: Excursions to Pompeii from Rome
From Rome to Pompeii by train
If you don't like tours or simply prefer to see Pompeii on your own, a good way to get there from Rome is by train. Trains leave from Termini Station and arrive in Naples**(there is no train station in Pompeii**), so you'll still be about 23 kilometres from the Pompeii archaeological site and you'll need to take an extra bus to get there, which can take over half an hour.
Note that there are high-speed trains that will get you there in just over an hour, but prices obviously go up (regional trains, with many stops in between, are the cheapest but take up to an extra hour).
As for frequency, at peak times there can be up to one train every half hour, but my recommendation is to check the official train website to get an idea of the timetable and journey time that suits you best before making your choice.
If you show up at the station without having taken or checked the tickets, you run the risk of having to settle for the fast train (paying a lot) or the slow train (paying a little but losing more time on the journey).
Interesting facts
- Journey time: 1 hour and 20 minutes for the fastest, high-speed train.
- Price of the train ticket: From 25 ¤ each way (the longest, regional train)
- More information: Trenitalia
How to get from Rome to Pompeii by bus
Since going by train would require you to go through Naples first, going directly to Pompeii by bus will save you a transfer. It is true that it is the longest route, as it can take well over three hours, but on the plus side you can save a bit as it is the cheapest mode of transport.
Availability and frequency is more limited than the trains, so I recommend you check the website beforehand to organise your time and make the most of your time in Pompeii. Remember also that if you choose this option, you will have to buy the tickets for Pompeii on your own (and I recommend that you do it online and in advance to avoid long queues and ensure availability).
Useful information
- Journey time: 3 hours and 20 minutes
- Price of the bus ticket: From 17 € each way
- More information: Flixbus
Rent your own car for more freedom
If you're travelling around Italy and you have a rental car, you'll definitely have more flexibility in your schedule and movements, you'll be able to move around whenever you want and even complete your visit with a stop in Naples or Vesuvius.
If you have to rent a car just to go to Pompeii, I don't recommend it at all: taxes, insurance, petrol and parking will make the budget of renting a car skyrocket and it doesn't make much sense.
If you still choose this option, you should know that the roads are in very good condition, that the arrival to Pompeii is very well signposted and that, as always, Google Maps will be a good ally to guide you with the best route, traffic conditions and arrival times. Have a good trip!
Useful information
- Journey time: 2 hours and a half approximately
- Car rental price: From 60 € per day + taxes, fees and petrol
- More information: Rentalcars