Rome to Pompeii: Organize your day trip


 

If I had to imagine Pompeii, I would picture it as a city bustling with life, colors and fragrances.

 It is not difficult to visualize it, positioned near the Sarno River and on the coast of the Gulf of Naples.
 
Thanks to the port, Pompeii became a strategic place suitable for trade and war and overtime it became a thriving and developed city.
It was also the ultimate holiday resort for the ancient and illustrious Romans.
 
At least, until the catastrophic eruption swept it away during 79 A.D.
After this disastrous event, Pompeii was lost, buried under meters of ash, lapilli and bitumen.
Since then it has been rediscovered and excavated so that we can better understand what happened, yet there is only so much I can tell you in this article. You must go and visit it with your own eyes!
 
To make the most of your visit to this Unesco World Heritage site and to organize your day trip keep reading!

Getting to Pompeii

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Ruins by Mister No – Wikimedia Commons

The archaeological park of Pompeii is one of the most visited sites in Italy and in the entire world. The remains of the ancient city arise in the south of Naples, near the modern city of Pompeii, 262 km away from Rome. Thanks to its position, is easily reachable from the surrounding cities either by train, car or bus.

If you are planning a day trip from Rome, you must consider 2 ½ – 3 hours of travel both to and from Pompeii.

Rent a car in Rome

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From Rome to Pompeii by Francesca Saputo – Google Maps

Near the archaeological site of Pompeii there are places that are worth visiting.
Renting a car is perhaps one of the best ways to do it, because this way you can decide where and when to stop.
 
The only things to consider are the traffic and the hours you will need to reach the destination from Rome.
You can contact the rental offices present at the Termini Station or even  through their website.
Those arriving by car from Rome usually follow the A3 in south-east direction. Following the signs to the “Pompei” exit to arrive at “Pompei Scavi”.
 
Parking lots outside the archaeological area are well indicated. Beware of abusive parking attendants.
Remember
Always keep in mind that it is necessary to have a valid credit card and a driving license to rent a car in Italy.
More important is to plan the route of your journey using a sat nav or Google Maps so you won’t get lost.

Take a train to Pompeii

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Roma Termini Station by Ingolf – Wikimedia Commons

To reach the excavations of Pompeii, you can also travel by train. With departure directly from Termini Station.
 
The train journey includes arrival at the Napoli Centrale railway station.
 
You can choose between:
 
  1. Freccia Rossa which takes only 1 hour and 10 minutes;
  2. Intercity train which takes 2 hours and 3 minutes;
  3. Regional train that takes 3 hours. Even if it is the least expensive, the train stops at all the stations along the way. It will seem like an endless journey, so be patient!
 
I advise you choose from the first two options. Leave early in the morning, so you have plenty of time to visit the park and do everything at your own pace.
Once you reach Naples Central Station, you will have to take the famous Circumvesuviana train. This small train leaves from Naples Piazza Garibaldi to Pompeii.
 
 Follow the signs, and take the escalator that will lead you to an underground station. You will arrive in the interchange area called “Napoli Piazza Garibaldi”.
Remember
Trains to Pompeii – Sorrento leave almost always from platform 3. Pay attention to the message on the display announcing the train arriving. Be sure to take the train to Sorrento!
Where to buy tickets
 You can buy tickets in advance through the Trenitalia website, directly at the office located inside the Termini Station, or from the self-service ticket machines.
Tickets for the Circumvesuviana train currently cost € 2.60. They cannot be bought online. You can buy them only at the Naples Central station (remember to buy also the return tickets).
 
When buying return tickets to Rome, you’ll have to stay on a schedule and limit your time in Pompeii to come back on the pre-booked train.
I recommend booking a one way ticket from the self-service ticket machine at the Naples Central Station so that you can come back more spontaneously.
Remember
The train will take 30 to 36 minutes to reach Pompeii Scavi – Villa Dei Misteri from Napoli Piazza Garibaldi.

Travelling via Shuttle Bus

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Shuttle bus by Koefback – Wikimedia Commons

There are many shuttle buses to Pompeii that depart from Rome. Usually they leave from Piazza dei Cinquecento or near the Termini Station.

These buses are cheaper; return prices are usually around € 60 per person.

Travel hours used to reach Pompeii may vary depending on the traffic and the intermediate stops,  it will take about 8 hours in total for you to reach the site.

Get a shuttle bus ticket in advance online to save time  and if you are lucky, you can take advantage of their promotional offers and discounts.

Once you have purchased your ticket you will receive an itinerary to follow with the exact address of the place of departure.

Remember

Usually shuttle buses to Pompeii leave early in the morning to maximize time spent at the city.

Arriving at the Archaeological Park

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Lithography of Pompey by F. Federer – Wikimedia Commons

The archaeological site of Pompeii covers a very huge area. The site extends over 66 hectares of land and seeing it properly takes half a day at least.
 
The buildings are many, considering that inside there are around 1,500 domus (ancient houses of Roman origins).
 
What to visit

Here is what you absolutely cannot miss:

 
  1. The amphitheater: built around 70 A.D. is the oldest amphitheater built in Italy. Here, the gladiators fought in front of an audience of about 20,000 spectators;
  2. House of Venus: in this domus you will find the fresco of the patron goddess of the city of Pompeii.
  3. Villa dei Misteri: is one of the largest buildings brought to light so far, composed of 90 rooms.
  4. Casa del Fauno: this huge private house occupies an entire block, housing the most beautiful mosaics found so far.
  5. House of the tragic Poet: famous for its mosaic at the entrance. The mosaic represents a chained dog and the words “cave canem” which translated “beware of the dog”.
  6. Macellum: it was the main market of the city; the frescoes present the products that sold at the market;
  7. The Forum: the main square that connects the Basilica, the Temple of Jupiter, the Granary and the Macellum;
  8. The Antiquarium: situated near the Temple of Venus. Is an exhibition site for archaeological remains from the ancient city of Pompeii. Inside you will find several rooms displaying different archaeological artifacts.
  9. The Necropolis: built near the city along with groups of burials and funerary monuments. The main necropolis are located near Porta Ercolano, Porta Vesuvio, Porta Nola and Porta Stabia.
  10. Garden of the Fugitives,”L’Orto dei fuggiaschi”: where you can find the plasters of the bodies that were preserved from the eruption. Note their facial expressions of pure fear…

Garden of the Fugitives at Pompeii, image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

 
The distances to cover are many. For this reason I recommend you to wear comfortable shoes and suitable clothes, and to bring a packed lunch and water with you, because the restaurants there are very expensive and not for the right reasons.
 
Although it may seem tiring, visiting the park is very easy. The city has three different entrances:
 
  1. Porta Marina
  2. Piazza Esedra (Piazza Porta Marina Inferiore)
  3. Piazza Anfiteatro (Piazza Immacolata)
 
If you don’t know where to start, here you will find 3 possible routes to follow and directions about the time it will take for you to walk along them.
 
In this way, depending on the time you have, you will be able to admire all the beauties of the ancient urban centre of Pompeii and you won’t lose the most important places.
 
You can download the map of the route you prefer and the guide in your language.
 
Access for the disabled
The archaeological site of Pompeii has a “Pompeii for everyone” itinerary, especially for people with physical disabilities.
 
The route is 3.4 km long with departure from Porta Adriana up to the sanctuary of Venus. This route also allows parents with strollers to visit the entire area more comfortably.
 
The park is also functional for deaf people; who, thanks to a special guide will be able to fully appreciate the beauty of the park.

Timetables and prices

 
 From 1 April to 31 October: Weekdays from 9.00 am – 6.00 pm, Weekends from 8.30 am – 6.00 pm
From 1 November to 31 March: Weekdays from 9.00 -15.30, Weekends from 8.30 – 15.30
 
YOu can purchase the tickets at the Archaeological Park offices (You will find them at the entrance )and also from the ONLINE TICKETING SERVICE
The ticket price is € 15.
The reduced ticket price is  €2 (for European Union citizens between 18 and 25 years old)

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