how to visit vesuvius by car

How to Visit Mt Vesuvius: by Car, Bus & Tours (+Useful Info & Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: February 2, 2024

Mount Vesuvius volcano is one of the most iconic natural landmarks in southern Italy. Whether you are traveling to Naples , Sorrento, or the Amalfi Coast , a visit to Vesuvius is really a must. But how to get to Mt Vesuvius and what to expect?

In this guide, we share all the best ways to get to the Vesuvius crater – by car, bus, and organized tours. In addition, we include all the practical information and useful tips for your visit.

Whether you are looking for the best tour to Vesuvius from Naples or Sorrento, want to take a bus to Vesuvius from Pompeii or Ercolano, or rather visit the volcano on your own, this guide should answer all your questions and help you plan a fun, memorable visit. Find out!

TIP: If you have no time to read the entire guide and find the planning overwhelming, this bus + ticket combo from Ercolano is the cheapest way to visit Mt Vesuvius. If you don’t want to worry about transport and see more in a day, this is one of the best day tours that visit Vesuvius volcano as well as the Pompeii archeological site from Naples or Sorrento .

This tour is one of the best-rated options for those looking to visit Mount Vesuvius from Amalfi Coast . Further below, you can find more details about all the available bus transfers and tours .

READ ALSO: Best Day Trips from Naples

Visiting Mt Vesuvius – OVERVIEW:

• Location & map
• What to see & do
• Great Cono hiking trail
• How much time do you need
• Opening hours
• How to visit by car (+ parking info)
• How to visit by bus
• Visiting with kids
• Useful tips

Where is Mount Vesuvius + Map

Mt Vesuvius is located near the city of Naples in southern Italy. The nearest town is Ercolano , from where it’s just 13 km to the top of Mt Vesuvius (about 30 minutes drive). The official entrance to the Vesuvius site is at Piazzale di Quota 1000, Ercolano .

The driving distance from Naples or from Pompeii to the top of Mt Vesuvius is about 23-25 km and the drive takes about 40 minutes.

Below, you can see the map indicating driving times and distances to Mt Vesuvius. Here you can see the exact location of the parking and the entrance to the volcano site.

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

What to see and do at Mount Vesuvius

Mt Vesuvius is one of the largest volcanos in Italy and the only recently active volcano on the European mainland. Its last eruption dates from 1944 , and it wasn’t nearly as bad as the one in 79 AD which was responsible for the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Nowadays, Mount Vesuvius and the area around it is a protected national park. You can get very close to the crater and it’s a really impressive sight! You’ll quickly realize why this is one of the most popular places to see in southern Italy.

Visiting Mt Vesuvius involves a short climb from the entrance to the crater rim , which takes about 10 minutes. Once you reach the top, you can follow a wide path on the southern rim of the crater. This is an easy hiking trail that has some flat sections, but also a few stairs.

All in all, the climb and the hike aren’t too strenuous, but it sure helps to wear closed shoes with a good grip.

There are various lookout points along the caldera where you can get quite close to the crater and get a good look inside. The colors here are so vivid, and often, you can also see some steam coming out from the depths of the volcano. On the other side, you have far views of the Bay of Naples .

TIP: If you are looking for more things to do near Mt Vesuvius, you may want to consider visiting some wineries nearby. Some tours (see here ) also include a lunch stop at the vineyards on the slopes of the volcano.

The Great Cono hiking trail

The hiking trail around Mount Vesuvius crater – the Great Cono – is indicated on local maps as nature trail n.5 “Il Gran Cono”. It’s a 4 km (2.5 mi) loop hike that takes about 3 hours.

In the past, it was possible to hike the entire perimeter of the crater. However, a big part of that trail has been closed for quite a while now. For some reason, they still have the signs showing the entire loop hike at the entrance of Mt Vesuvio National Park, but locals told us that it’s not at all clear if or when it will reopen.

At the moment, you can only do part of this trail – from the entrance at Piazzale di Quota 1000 along the south side of the caldera and back the same way. But no need to worry that you are missing anything – the scenery is impressive and you get a good view of the volcano crater.

Either way, the entire loop hike around the Vesuvius crater rim would take over 3 hours. So even if the trail would be open, you could only do it if you are visiting Mt Vesuvius with your own car since most tours foresee only an hour at the top (more info below).

Facilities at Mt Vesuvius

There aren’t many facilities at Mount Vesuvius. There is a small ‘ shop ‘ at the entrance where you can buy souvenirs. They also sell sandwiches, drinks, and ice cream.

You’ll also see a few kiosks at the top next to the crater rim where you can get some souvenirs or get a drink . We saw several groups tasting limoncello here.

You’ll also find a few picnic tables at the top.

There are no public bathrooms at Mt Vesuvius.

How much time do you need to visit Mt Vesuvius

Not including the travel time, you need about 1 hour to visit Mt Vesuvius from the moment you enter the site. This gives you sufficient time to walk to the top and explore all the viewpoints along the crater rim, but without lingering around too much.

If you want to take it easy, hike all the way to the last accessible viewpoint (and back), count about 1.5 hours for a visit. This would give you plenty of time for photo stops and maybe even a quick drink at one of the shops at the top.

If you also add the travel time, you need about 3-4 hours to visit Mt Vesuvius. This will depend on where you are coming from – Naples, Ercolano, or Pompeii, and how you travel – by car, bus, or with a tour.

If you opt for a Mount Vesuvius tour that also includes a visit to Pompeii or Herculaneum, you should count about 8 hours for a visit.

TIP: If you visit Mt Vesuvius by car, you can also stop for lunch/ wine tasting at one of the vineyards on the slopes of the volcano ( see here ). This would add 1.5-2 hours to your visit. However, it’s best to do any wine-tasting tours with a guided tour, so that no one has to drive and you can actually enjoy the wine. There are quite a few Mt Vesuvius tours that also include a visit to one of the vineyards (see here ). Depending on what else your tour visits, it can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours.

When is Mt Vesuvius open

Mt Vesuvius crater can be visited daily the whole year round. At the moment of the last update, the opening hours are as follows:

• January – February: 9 am – 3 pm.
• March: 9 am – 4 pm.
• April, May & June: 9 am – 5 pm.
• July – August: 9 am – 6 pm.
• September: 9 am – 5 pm.
• October: 9 am – 4 pm.
• November – December: 9 am – 3 pm.

Good to know: The ‘closing’ times are actually the last scheduled entry times. You have to exit no later than 1 hour after the official closing time. So for example in summer, you can enter at no later than 6 pm and stay until 7 pm.

Mt Vesuvius Tickets

Unless you are visiting Mt Vesuvius with a guided tour or opt for this bus + ticket option from Ercolano or from Pompeii , you will need to reserve a ticket in order to enter the site around the volcano crater. They work with timed entrance tickets and you can only book them online .

Luckily, the rules when you can actually enter have recently been loosened. You can now enter the site 30 minutes before and up to 90 minutes after your scheduled time (so, for example, if you book a ticket for 10 am, you can enter anywhere between 9.30 am and 11.30 am). But be sure to check the official site in case anything changes again!

You can reserve Mt Vesuvius entrance tickets on the official website . The tickets often sell out for specific time spots, especially in the afternoon, so if your schedule isn’t flexible, it’s best to book at least a few days in advance.

Good to know: You have to reserve Mt Vesuvius tickets online in advance – there is no ticket office at the top. And there is also no Internet connection here. If you didn’t book upfront, the best way to visit is by an organized tour since they seem to have access to a separate booking system.

When driving to the top, we saw some signs at the local restaurants advertising Mt Vesuvius tickets. So it might be possible to get them last-minute as well. But if you want to pay a fair price and not have to stress about it, it’s best to simply book your tickets online in advance.

PRO TIP: When you book your tickets online, print them out. If you don’t have access to a printer, be sure to take screenshots of every single ticket. Since the Internet doesn’t work at the entrance, you won’t be able to retrieve your online booking on the phone.

Visiting Mt Vesuvius by Car & Parking Info

If you have a car, the easiest way to visit Mount Vesuvius is by simply driving there. The road is rather narrow and winding, but it’s not too bad. However, you can expect to meet lots of big tour buses along this narrow road, so be prepared for some stressful driving. The views along the way are quite nice, but if you want to enjoy them, it’s best to stop at the parking areas of a few restaurants on the way to the top.

However, visiting Vesuvius by car is not as straightforward as it looks. And it becomes even more complicated if you are planning on driving here with a rental car.

This is because parking at the top is very limited . In fact, you cannot park your car at the very top where the entrance to the crater site is. This is a drop-off zone for tour buses and shuttles, and no parking for private vehicles is allowed here. So you’ll have to park at a dedicated car park further down the mountain – see below for more information.

Parking at Mt Vesuvius

There’s a dedicated roadside parking about 2km down the road before you get to the volcano crater . However, parking space here is also limited and you have to reserve in advance. Furthermore, once you park your car here, remember that you will have to make your way to the top (more about it further below).

Good to know: There is no way to pay for parking at the top. In fact, the situation is similar to the Mt Vesuvius tickets. There is no Internet connection and so you cannot just drive there hoping to book a spot upon arrival. And they do check! So you really have to book everything in advance and print or screenshot all your bookings.

It is essential to book your Vesuvius parking in advance and you have to do it on this website .

This is where it becomes interesting. First, you have to create an account, which is rather easy. But then, in order to reserve a spot, you have to provide the license plate of your car. So if you are renting a car and don’t have this information, you won’t be able to reserve parking at Mt Vesuvius until you actually have a car. And by then, the timed slots for the volcano visit and/or parking might be fully booked. This shouldn’t be an issue if you have at least a few days before your visit.

If you succeed in securing your reservations for the parking and the Mt Vesuvius visit at around the same time, you’re good to go. Except when you arrive at the parking, you realize that nobody respects the parking spots allocated by the booking system. So your reserved parking place will likely be taken by someone else.

Just ignore this and park at any of the free spots – it’s what everyone does, and we did it too. The only thing that really matters is that you have a reservation and can prove that you have paid for parking.

Getting from the parking to the volcano crater

After parking your car, you still have to get to the top where the entrance of Mt Vesuvius crater site is located. As already mentioned, the entrance is located about 2 km (1.25 mi) uphill from the parking.

While you can walk to the top, I really do not recommend it. It’s a long uphill walk of about half an hour one way. You have to walk on the main road which is also used by tour buses passing by all the time. And the scenery is not really spectacular enough to justify it.

Instead, you can pay a few euros extra and take a shuttle bus from the parking to Mt Vesuvius (and back). When you come back after your visit, you can just hop on the shuttle bus that will take you back down to the car parking.

Good to know: There was a big wildfire at Mt Vesuvius in 2017 (nothing to do with the volcano itself). It destroyed lots of trees and other vegetation on the slopes of the volcano. So the scenery along the road to the top now looks quite barren.

How to Get to Mt Vesuvius by Bus

It’s also possible to get to Mt Vesuvius by bus. However, this is not public transport, but shuttle buses that are organized by private companies.

Because there are regular shuttle transfers, it is easily possible to combine a visit to Herculaneum with that of Mt Vesuvius or Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius on the same day .

So even if you don’t have a car, you can take a train to either Pompeii or Herculaneum, visit the archeological site, have lunch, and then take a shuttle bus to Vesuvius Volcano. Or – depending on the available departure times – you can visit Mt Vesuvius first and the archeological site later on the same day. See below for more information about buses from various starting points.

Bus from Ercolano to Mt Vesuvius

The closest place from where you can take a bus to Vesuvius Volcano is Ercolano (known for the archeological site of Herculaneum). Buses depart from Ercolano Scavi railway station every 40 minutes starting from 9.30 am. The driver will instruct you on when to be back at the bus, but generally, they give you more than sufficient time to explore the volcano site.

You can book a bus ticket for Vesuvio Express in advance. However, keep in mind that this ticket is just for transportation, so you still need to book the Mt Vesuvius ticket as well. Instead, it’s better to just get this bus transfer that already includes a Vesuvius ticket .

Even people who have a car sometimes decide to take this bus to Vesuvius since parking in Ercolano is easier (and if you visit Herculaneum anyway, you can just leave your car at the car parking there until you are back).

Bus from Naples to Vesuvius

It is also possible to visit Mt Vesuvius from Naples by bus . Buses depart from Piazza Garibaldi in Naples (central station) and you can book a ticket here . These buses give you about 2 hours of free time at the top of the volcano.

Note that this is just a bus ride, so it also doesn’t include Mt Vesuvius tickets! If you are looking for an all-in option, you can book a tour. This 4-hour tour departs from Naples and includes transportation as well as entrance tickets to Mount Vesuvius.

Bus from Pompeii to Vesuvius

Another option is to take a bus from Pompeii to Mt Vesuvius. Also here, you have several options.

You can simply book a bus transfer that includes Vesusvius tickets . Or you can joing this small-group tour from Pompeii that includes a bus transfer, Mt Vesuvius tickets, and a guided tour.

Buses to Mount Vesuvius from Pompeii depart from the Scavi Porta Marina Superiore entrance, which is right next to the railway station as well.

Visiting Mt Vesuvius with a Tour

One of the easiest ways to visit the Vesuvius volcano is by joining an organized tour . The main advantage of coming with a tour is that you have nothing to worry about – driving, parking, or reserving the timed entrance tickets.

The main disadvantage of going with a tour is that – depending on the tour – your time at the top can be a bit more limited. However, most tours are usually well-organized giving you the right amount of time to walk along the crater and enjoy the best views.

Good to know: Since you don’t need that much time to visit the site of Mount Vesuvius, most tours that come here also include a visit to some other popular sites nearby. The most popular tours are those that start in Naples and combine Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius on the same tour, but there are other options as well. Below, you can see our hand-picked selection of the best Mt Vesuvius tours.

Best Mt Vesuvius Tours

There are so many tours that can bring you to Mount Vesuvius that it can be really overwhelming to figure out which one is best for you. Some tours bring you to a place but don’t include a visit inside, whereas some others include transport and tickets, but no guided visit, and there are tours that include everything.

Before you book, be sure to double-check detailed descriptions of what these tours actually include and pick one that best suits your interests.

Here are a few of the best-rated Mt Vesuvius tours from Naples:

• Mt Vesuvius only – includes bus transfer and tickets to Mt Vesuvius.
• Mt Vesuvius & wine tasting – the best-rated tour in its category.
• Mt Vesuvius & Pompeii – the best-value tour to these 2 popular sites.
• Mt Vesuvius & Herculaneum – includes Mt Vesuvius and Herculaneum visits.
• Mt Vesuvius, Pompeii & Herculaneum – this tour includes a guided visit to Pompeii and Herculaneum, also lunch and wine tasting, but it only drives up Mt Vesuvius without actually visiting the crater.
• All-in private tour – this is the only tour that I found that actually includes a visit to all 3 sites (Vesuvius, Herculaneum, and Pompeii). It’s also possible to book this tour from the Naples cruise terminal.

Here are the best-rated Mt Vesuvius tours from Sorrento:

• Mt Vesuvius, lunch & wine tasting .

Here is one of the best tours that visit Mt Vesuvius from Amalfi Coast:

• Mt Vesuvius & Pompeii .

Here is the best-rated Mt Vesuvius tour from Rome:

• Mt Vesuvius & Pompeii – this is the most popular day tour that visits Mt Vesuvius from Rome.

Visiting Mount Vesuvius with kids

If you wonder if you can visit Mt Vesuvius with kids, the answer is yes, of course. However, you should know that the trail is not accessible to strollers, and parts of the hike are a bit steep.

So your kids will have to walk, or – with babies and toddlers – you’ll have to carry them.

Visiting Vesuvius with children is not difficult, but you need some patience with the little ones and you’ll have to help them on the steeper parts of the trail and also on the stairs. Also, be sure that your children stay with you at all times because going off the official trail could be very dangerous!

All in all, I think that kids from about 4-5 years old should be able to do the walk next to the rim without too much help. The most challenging part is actually at the beginning – the 10-min uphill walk from the entrance to the crater rim. Once you reach the crater, the trail is more or less flat, with a few stairs here and there.

Tips for visiting Vesuvius Volcano

• Book in advance! The volcano site can only be visited with a timed-slot online reservation and the same counts for the parking. The lack of an Internet connection makes it impossible to book anything once you are already at the top.
• Be sure to use bathroom facilities before going to Vesuvius. At the moment, there are no public bathrooms at the top.
• There are a couple of souvenir stands at Mt Vesuvius. Some of them also sell drinks. But that’s pretty much it as far as facilities go.
• Bring some drinking water . If you are visiting Vesuvius with a tour, see if they include lunch. Otherwise, and depending on your overall itinerary, you may want to also pack some snacks .
• Wear comfortable closed shoes. When you visit the Mount Vesuvius crater site, you’ll have to do some uphill/downhill walking on a dirt track. Sensible shoes are a must.
• Take a jacket/ sweater with you as it can be quite cold and windy at the top. In spring, or in the fall, you’ll often need a jacket here, and in winter, you might also want to pack gloves and a warm hat. In summer, you’ll often be ok in shorts and T-shirts, but – depending on the weather – it might be smart to take a light sweater with you as well.
• If you can, try to plan a visit on a clear cloudless day, but don’t worry too much about the weather and just make the best of what you get. We couldn’t even see the volcano from a distance on the day of our visit. Yet, the crater itself was perfectly visible when we arrived at the top and we could even enjoy some nice views of the surroundings as the clouds were moving all the time.

So, this is our guide to visiting Mount Vesuvius. I hope that it gives you a better idea of what to expect and helps you plan a nice visit!

If you are looking for more information about the Naples – Amalfi Coast area, be sure to check our other guides to this part of Italy – see below!

More travel inspiration for Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Capri

• Best things to do in Naples (all the musts + map)
• Where to stay in Naples (best areas)
• One day in Naples (detailed itinerary)
• Best day trips & tours from Naples (top sights for first-time visitors)
• Naples to Amalfi Coast (all transport options explained)
• Amalfi Coast itinerary
• Tips & Tricks for First Visit to Amalfi Coast
• Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast
• Amalfi Coast vs. Cinque Terre
• Hiking the Path of the Gods
• Best things to do in Capri
• Best things to do in Anacapri
• Where to stay in Capri
• Capri from Sorrento (travel info + 1-day itinerary)

READ ALSO: Naples, Amalfi Coast, Capri Itinerary for 10 Days

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Some travel inspiration for Italy:

• Best places to see in Italy
• Italy itinerary for 2 weeks
• Best cities to visit in Italy
• Best things to do in Rome
• Hidden gems of Rome
• Best things to do in Venice
• Best things to do in Florence
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• … for more destinations all over Italy, please see our Italy travel guide . For general tips, check out our step-by-step guide for planning a trip to Europe .

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Saturday 13th of May 2023

Hi Jurga, thanks for this guide. It's so useful. We are going by car and booked parking and park entry already. Do you think we can visit Pompeii and or Herculaneum on the same day as well? What do you recommend? Thank you!

Monday 15th of May 2023

Hi Sepe, depending on when exactly you are going to Vesuvius, you can most likely visit either Herculaneum or Pompeii. It would be a bit rushed to do all three in a day, unless you start very early and rush through. But visiting Mt Vesuvius and one of these archeological sites is definitely doable and will make a great day trip. PS Whatever you decide, be sure to book those tickets (or a guided tour) in advance! We visited Pompeii with a guide and I can highly recommend that - otherwise, it's overwhelming. We stayed inside to explore a bit more after the tour, so it was the best of both worlds.

Luisa Rodriguez

Friday 12th of May 2023

I plan to visit Mt Vesuvius. Is there a public bus [EAV] from Mt Vesuvius to Ercolano Scavi?

@Jurga, yes I know about this ROUNDTRIP option but my question is for a one way bus from Mt Vesuvius [a public bus not a private company] to the Ercolano Scavi train station.

Hi Luisa, as far as I know, this bus from Ercolano is as close to public transport as it gets. Hope this helps.

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How to go to Vesuvius: 5 ways to reach the Naples volcano

Vesuvius, according to Neapolitans, is the protector of their city. It might sound ironic, especially when we know how potential this volcano is from the proof of Pompei or Herculaneum. But people still want to climb Mount Vesuvius, maybe for the adrenalin or maybe for its breathtaking natural beauty.

There are many ways how to reach Vesuvius, but I‘m going to write about the most popular and the most comfortable ones. Just before that list, I‘d like to give some useful tips for the ones who are planning this trip:

• Wear comfortable shoes. You‘ll be climbing so, flip-flops, sandals or ballerinas are not the best choices. First, your feet might get really tired and the second, you might slip and even hurt yourself.
• Even though it's almost never raining in Naples check the weather. If it will be raining heavily it‘s not permitted to climb the crater, to ensure the security of tourists.
• There is an entry fee to Vesuvius national park – 10 euros, that is not included in any private transports company costs. The ticket is free for the children who are not taller than 1.2m. And, also, that ticket includes a guide in Italian or English.
• You‘ll take about 1:30 hour to visit the crater.
• Since you‘re on top of the Mount Vesuvius don‘t miss a chance to try Lacrime Cristi wine made out of the grapes that are growing on this volcano. You can try it after you‘ll be done visiting the crater, at the bar near the bus stop.

And here there are, Top 5 ways how to get to Vesuvius:

5 - Go to Vesuvius with a private bus

Some private bus companies occupy in tourist transfers from Naples to Vesuvius and back. The cost is more or less 15 euros per person. (Still, you‘ll have to buy the entry ticket separately.) Good thing is that these companies bring you just near the entry and later they‘ll pick you up from the same spot and bring you straight back to Naples.

Find out how to book ❯

4 - Go to Vesuvius with public transport

3 - Go to Vesuvius by car

You can come with your own, rented car, which I do not advise because in Naples there‘s a lot of traffic and to drive up to Mount Vesuvius is quite complicated. Also, you have to leave the car at the paid parking spot and from there you have to walk quite a lot. Although there is a shuttle bus (for which you have to pay too) from the parking lot to the ticket store, I don‘t think it‘s the most convenient way, because there are just too many things to think about.

But if you really want to enjoy a visit to Pompeii in the relaxation and intimacy of a private vehicle you can do it by booking a tour. Amalfidriver , for example, organizes a private tour of Pompeii and Herculaneum that can guarantee the comfort of a car trip but without the worry of parking, driving stress or anything else.

2 - Climb Mount Vesuvius

1 - Visit Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius

In my opinion, the most comfortable and quite cheaper way to travel to Vesuvius is from Pompei or Herculaneum. Just near the Ercolano Scavi or Pompei Villa dei Misteri Circumvesuviana train station, there are a few companies offering transfer to Vesuvius and back. The cost is about 7/10 euros both ways and if you‘re already thinking to visit one of these historical sites I‘d suggest you to: visit Pompei (or Herculaneum) first, and after that take the bus to Vesuvius. This way is cheaper and the busses from these cities are leaving to the volcano much more often.

I hope that these few tips about the trip to Vesuvius will come in handy and you‘ll find your best way to visit Mount Vesuvius on this list.

Visit Vesuvis with Naples Pass: a card for Naples public transport and attractions

During your trip in Naples you will need to use public transport in order to visit Vesuvius . A smart way for tourists to do this is to buy the Naples Pass .

Visit Vesuvius with Naples Pass ❯

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Visit Mount Vesuvius: everything you need to know

• 1st June 2020 7th May 2020
• Travel Tips

Are you planning to visit Mount Vesuvius but can’t find enough reliable information? Let us take care of it! Here is everything you need to know if you want to climb Mount Vesuvius to the crater’s top: travel tips, information , how to reach it and the most frequently asked questions all contained in a single article!

The Mount Vesuvius was the first volcano ever described in History during the eruption “of Pompeii” on 79 AD. It is “The Volcano”. Not only: the Mt Vesuvius is considered the most dangerous volcano on planet earth due to hundreds of thousands living on it. It must be in your bucket list if you like Outdoors and Scenery! The views from the lips of the crater to the Bay of Naples, Capri and the peninsula of Sorrento are unforgettable. On a clear day, it is hard to say whether is better to look inside the crater or stare out to the infinity.

“ The secret for harvesting from existence the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment is:  to live dangerously! Build your cities on the slopes of Vesuvius !” F. Nietzsche

Table of Contents

IS IT SAFE TO VISIT MOUNT VESUVIUS?

In a word – yes. The last eruption took place in 1944. The volcano is technically speaking active, but there are usually warning such as earthquakes in the case of a volcanic event. It is really unlikely that Mount Vesuvius would wake up all of the sudden during your hike up the crater. Would I want to buy property on the side of this volcano? No!

HOW LONG DO I NEED?

Any time from 3 hours up. It will depend on your choice of transport. Essentially: the driving part from the town of Torre del Greco to the beginning of the trail takes about 45 minutes each way. The hiking part takes 90 minutes, including walking up and down and wondering at the top to enjoy the great views of the main crater “Gran Cono” and the Bay of Naples.

TICKET OFFICE OPENING TIME:

From March to October from 9 am to 6 pm April, May, June and September from 9 am to 5 pm July and August from 9 am to 6 pm From November to February from 9 am to 3 pm

You must buy tickets at least 90 minutes before closing time. This is how long you generally need to walk to the top of the crater and back. Bring cash!

IS IT A HARD WALK?

You can only reach the top of the crater by hiking. The trail to reach the top of Mount Vesuvius has a moderate-high difficulty. It is steep and quite uneven. There are no benches to sit nor there is any shade. Would any member of the group suffer from a medical condition there is a café at the “Piazzale” before the entrance to the trail where one can have a drink and wait.

WHEN IS BEST TO VISIT MOUNT VESUVIUS?

Traveling  off-season in Italy  has several advantages. But Mt Vesuvius during the winter can inaccessible due to bad weather or even snow. Leisure Italy recommends to avoid the extremes: it would be ideal to visit Mt Vesuvius either from the beginning of April until mid-June or from the end of August until the end of October. Especially during springtime, the yellow and the purple of the Brooms and the Valerian is a joy for the senses. To stay away from the crowd, we recommend being there at the opening time: there hardly is any visitor at the ticket office before 9.30 am. Another factor is the visibility from the top of the crater: the weather can shift quickly up there, so be prepared. Unfortunately this is unpredictable. The rule is: if you cannot see the crater from the bottom, do not climb up there!

WHAT TO BRING?

The height of the cone of Mt Vesuvius is 1,281 meters (over 4000 feet). Wear walking shoes, bring water, a wind-jacket, sunglasses and a hat. Sandals are OK but your feet will be dirty with ashes and lots of little pebbles will end under your feet. Toilet paper can be very useful given the conditions of the chemical toilets up there. By the way, use the toilet before you go! Also, be aware that at the beginning of the trail you will be offered some wooden sticks to help you visit Mount Vesuvius. It seems complimentary but you will be asked for money on the way back.

IS THERE FOOD AND WATER UP THERE?

There is a small coffee/gift shop before the trail starts. It works if you need a snack or a drink. It can also be a good spot to rest would any member of the group not feel to climb to the top. Do not expect to find any real meal up there.

DO I NEED TO HIRE A GUIDE TO VISIT MOUNT VESUVIUS?

The admission fee includes a short commentary by a local guide. That takes place once you reach on foot the top of the crater. Official guides will offer complimentary shared tours in multiple languages. This introduction takes about 5/10 minutes and it takes place every few minutes. Then you are free to discover on own. It is possible to walk half the way around the lips of the volcano. You cannot walk all the way around. You do not need to have your private guide.

CAN I VISIT MOUNT VESUVIUS AND POMPEII ON THE SAME DAY?

The answer is yes, but it is quite ambitious. Especially if you are not using the services of a tour company the time factor is against you: Pompeii is larger than you expect, reaching the top of Mount Vesuvius can take longer than you expect. You may want to consider the visit to Mt Vesuvius and Herculaneum on the same day, this latter being much smaller than Pompeii. You can check the difference between Pompeii and Herculaneum in this article . The other factor you shall keep on mind is the weather. The visit to Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii (or Herculaneum) is going to be smooth during Spring and Fall, it can be challenging during the Summer. If you are planning to  visit Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii on the same day here is our recommended tour.

HOW DO I REACH THE TOP OF MT VESUVIUS?

If you are planning to visit Pompeii or Herculaneum on the same day our recommendation is to hire a private tour to make the best of your time. If you are not concerned by time here are several solutions:

If you come from Naples:

• by car, you can drive the A3 toll highways toward Salerno, exit at Torre del Greco and follow the brown sign “Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio” – about 1 hour to the top
• by bus, take the  EAV bus service from Piazzale Piedigrotta  in Naples – about 1 hour to the top

If you come from Pompeii:

• take the A3 toll highway toward Naples, exit at Torre del Greco and follow the brown sign “Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio” – about one hour;
• by bus: you can either use the public  EAV bus service or one  of several private bus tours offered immediately outside the train station – about one hour to the top. Private bus-tours are more slightly more expensive but it normally includes the admission fee to the crater

If you come from Sorrento:

• by car, take the SS 145 toward Naples, then take the A3 toll highway, exit at Torre del Greco and follow the brown sign “Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio” – about 90 minutes;
• by public transport: take the train  “ Circumvesuviana” f rom Sorrento to Pompeii Villa Dei Misteri – 30 minutes train ride, a train every half hour. From here follow the instructions above from Pompeii

If you come from Positano:

• by car, take the SS 145 toward Naples, take the A3 toll highway, exit at Torre del Greco and follow the brown sign “Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio” – about 90 minutes;

by public transport: take the  SITASUD bus from Positano  to Sorrento and then follow the information above from Sorrento

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELERS

There only is one road to visit Mount Vesuvius to the crater’s edge. If you are driving yourself you are obliged to park about 2 miles away from the ticket office. From this parking you can either walk (not recommended) or take the shuttle taxi service (small individual fee to pay on board) from the parking to the ticket office. Once you have your ticket the shuttle will bring you further up where walking trail starts, this area is called the “Piazzale”. If you are part of an organized excursion or you are using any bus service you are not going to need the shuttle taxi service. More information about the access can be found on the  Mt Vesuvius National Park official web site .

OTHER VOLCANOES IN THE AREA?

Absolutely yes! The Phlegraean Fields  is a supervolcano a few miles west of Naples. It consists of 24 craters with plenty of hydrothermal activity. This area was also used as a thermal resort by the Roman Imperial family: marvel at the outstanding archaeological remains visible everywhere in this area. Visiting the Phlegraean Fields can be a relaxing off-the-beaten-track stop during your Italian journey. The volcanic island of Ischia is a lovely place to stay and enjoy natural springs. On the mainland you can see spectacular geysers at  La Solfatara , but at present (April 2020) this small volcano with a camping-ground inside is not open to the public.

Did you know that? The famous Neapolitan song “Funiculì Funiculà” was written to celebrate the opening in 1880 of the first funicular cable car that reached the top of Mount Vesuvius. Unfortunately this cable car was destroyed during the last eruption in 1944 and never reopened to the public.

The visit to Mount Vesuvius can be the perfect excursion from Naples or Sorrento or Positano , and it combines with a tour to Pompeii or Herculaneum on the same day. Another great idea could be that of visiting Mount Vesuvius pairing a relaxing  lunch at one of the wineries in the National Park of Mt Vesuvius. Please check our favorite wine tasting here .

We hope this article will be useful for your unique travel experience: have fun! Please share this article if you believe it was of helpful and interesting!

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The Ultimate Travel Guide

A Complete Guide to Mount Vesuvius: Facts, History, and How to Visit

Mount Vesuvius is a volcano located in the Campania region of Italy. It is best known for its eruption in 79 AD, which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum and resulted in the death of more than 16,000 people. Despite its deadly history, Mount Vesuvius is a popular tourist destination and can be visited by tourists interested in learning more about this historic site. In this blog post, we will provide a complete guide to Mount Vesuvius, including facts about the volcano, its history, and how to visit it.

Discover Mount Vesuvius

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Imagine discovering a city that was completely and unexpectedly preserved in time. The great eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD covered Pompeii with ash up to 13 feet in depth, preserving it forevermore as an exhibit for all mankind’s history books!

Before this destructive eruption, Mount Vesuvius laid dormant for centuries and has remained relatively calm. In this guide, we’ll provide a brief history of the volcano, including a history of its eruptions, if we should expect it to erupt again, and how you can visit the volcano in person.

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See what cities and towns made our top 25 Italian vacation destinations. Can you guess number one?

Mount Vesuvius’ most famous eruption, and its first, occurred in 79 AD, when the volcano violently erupted, destroying the nearby cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The eruption was so powerful that it caused the collapse of the volcano’s cone, and the resulting debris flow buried Pompeii beneath 6-13 feet of ash and pumice nearly 6 miles away!

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius was one of the deadliest volcanic eruptions in European history, and it is estimated that more than 16,000 people died due to the eruption.

After the 79 AD eruption, Mt Vesuvius remained active for several years, with several small to moderate eruptions taking place. The last major eruption occurred in 1631, and since then, the volcano has been mostly dormant.

Despite its deadly history, Mount Vesuvius is now a popular tourist destination, and it is possible to visit the volcano, Pompeii, and Herculaneum.

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD was caused by a buildup of magma beneath the volcano. This magma eventually became so hot and pressurized that it exploded, causing the collapse of the volcano’s cone and the resulting mudflows that buried Pompeii and Herculaneum.

It is believed that the magma chamber beneath Mount Vesuvius is still filled with magma, and there is a risk that the volcano could erupt again. However, it is not currently considered to be an imminent threat.

Pompeii was destroyed in just 24 hours by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The first phase of the eruption lasted for about 19 hours, during which time a large column of ash and pumice was ejected from the volcano. This column eventually collapsed, creating a deadly mudflow that buried Pompeii beneath 6-13 feet of ash and pumice.

The second phase of the eruption lasted for about 5 hours and was characterized by a much smaller column of ash and pumice. This column eventually also collapsed, creating a second mudflow that buried Herculaneum.

In total, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius lasted for about 24 hours and resulted in the death of more than 16,000 people.

No, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius did not take place at night. The first phase of the eruption began around 1:00 pm on August 24th, 79 AD, and the second phase began around 6:00 pm.

The idea that Pompeii was destroyed at night is from modern movies and not based on historical facts.

Yes, some people did survive the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii. It is estimated that between 1,000 and 2,000 people were able to escape the city before it was buried beneath ash and pumice.

However, many people did not survive, and the remains of some of these victims have been preserved in the ash. Pompeii is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visitors can see the preserved remains of some of the victims of the eruption.

Pompeii is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is possible to visit the site and see the preserved remains of the city. Pompeii is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy, and it receives more than 2.5 million visitors each year.

When you visit Pompeii, you can see the preserved remains of homes, temples, public baths, and even some of the eruption victims. You can also see the lava flows that destroyed the city and Vesuvius in the distance.

Visiting Pompeii is a unique and memorable experience, and it is easy to see why it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy.

Mount Vesuvius is located in the Campania region of Italy, just 7.5 miles southeast of Naples and nearly 6 miles north of Pompeii.

Mount Vesuvius is a stratovolcano, which is a type of volcano that is characterized by its steep sides and conical shape.

Yes, Mount Vesuvius is still active, and it is considered to be one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. However, it is not currently considered to be an imminent threat.

The short answer is yes; Mount Vesuvius is an active volcano that will likely erupt again. Geologists believe the volcano is overdue for an eruption, but they’re not certain when it will blow again. Thankfully, the Vesuvius Observatory is constantly monitoring the volcano’s seismic activity.

How to Visit Pompeii From Rome

Heading to Rome and want to visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii? This is the best way to do it.

The best way to reach Mount Vesuvius is by car or taxi. There is no direct public transportation to the volcano, but there are several tour companies that offer day trips from Naples.

You’re free to climb the volcano, and it’s not even that difficult of a hike. Tours drop you off close to the top of Mt Vesuvius, and it took us around 35 minutes to reach the crater’s summit. The views are worth making the short trek.

Mount Vesuvius is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world, and it has a long, textured history. If you’re looking to add an adventure to your Italy trip itinerary, visiting Mount Vesuvius is a great option. You can learn about Pompeii’s destruction, hike to the top of the volcano, and even visit the nearby Herculaneum. Have you been to Mount Vesuvius or Pompeii? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below!

About Todd O'Rourke

Todd is an award-winning writer and filmmaker who co-founded Compass and Pine with his dog Leg. Together, they have traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, with their base of operations in Philadelphia.

He started Compass and Pine after living in Vicenza, Italy for three years and falling deeply in love with the country, the people, and, of course, the food.

His favorite city is Florence, Italy, and his favorite National Park is Olympic in Washington.

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Visiting Mount Vesuvius from Naples on your own

Posted on Last updated: March 12, 2024

Categories Europe , Guides , Italy

Visiting Mount Vesuvius is a hefty task, so before we start, I have to ask you something: Are you sure it’s a good idea? I mean, Vesuvius is the only active volcano in continental Europe and is considered among the most dangerous ones on the planet. Are you ready to take that risk?

I’m joking, of course. Not about the active part; it really is an active volcano and a dangerous one nonetheless; however, volcanos don’t just erupt out of the blue. There are plenty of signs when something like that is about to happen, so visiting Vesuvius is as safe as possible.

Being in Naples and not making the Vesuvius hike is a blasphemy. It’s one of the world’s legendary volcanos and a worthy bucket list item – also an excellent way to burn some of those Naples pizza calories.

Why is Mount Vesuvius famous?

Before we start our journey, let’s learn more about the place we are about to explore. Visiting Mount Vesuvius is not only a journey in nature but also a journey back in time.

The infamous volcano is best known for its  catastrophic eruption of 79 AD . Considered one of the biggest disasters of the ancient world, the eruption decimated the nearby cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum , freezing them forever in time (they are both worth a visit, but this is another story).

With more than 40 eruptions in the last 2000 years, Mount Vesuvius is destined to spew some lava again ( maybe sooner than later ), so you better waste no time and visit this natural behemoth while you still can.

How to get to Vesuvius from Naples

Mount Vesuvius is located around 25km (15mi) from Naples and, being one of the area’s biggest attractions, is relatively easy to reach.

Train + Bus

The most convenient way to reach the volcano is via the Circumvesuviana train. You catch it from the  Garibaldi Square station  but keep in mind t’s, not the regular train station but the one next to it (there are plenty of signs, so you’ll find it easily). Now you have two options (both on the blue line to Sorrento).

If you want to combine Vesuvius with Pompei, get a ticket to  Villa dei Misteri  (aka Pompei Scavi). The journey lasts around  40 mins  and costs  2.80 EUR .

This station is right in front of Pompeii archeological park. You can visit the ancient city first or go to Vesuvius and check it out on your way back (keep in mind that both attractions need around 3hrs each to explore).

Close to the station, you’ll find the EAV bus heading to the top of the volcano (if you can’t find it, ask someone from the restaurants around). Yes, visiting Mount Vesuvius is made as easy as possible. The bus ticket cost  3.10 EUR , and the journey lasts about  45 mins . To get back, you need the same bus, so make sure you take a photo of the bus schedule.

If you go this route, ensure you have your Vesuvius tickets  bought online . Unfortunately, you can’t buy tickets at the gate, and the internet at the top is patchy.

Option number 2 takes less time but is a bit more expensive. You get the same train but disembark at Ercolano Scavi station ( 2.20 EUR ,  15 mins ). In front of the station (to the left), you have Vesuvio Express. Round trip tickets cost  10 EUR , and you also pay for the entrance tickets there ( another 10 EUR ). Once at the top, you have 90 minutes to get to the crater, explore it, and return. If you miss your bus, it’s possible to get the next one from the same company ( if there are free seats).

   See Also:   Explore Magnificent Venice in Just 3 Days

Getting to the top by car is also possible, but you’ll have to park in the lower parking (only busses are allowed to the top one), which adds another 30 minutes of hiking.

There’s something poetic in driving yourself up to a volcano sounds so cool, right? The most convenient tool for finding the finest rent-a-car in Italy is definitely  Discover Cars . They compare all offers among 500 rent-a-car providers to help you find the best one.

The last option is the most hassle-free one. If getting there on your own seems like too much trouble, you can always book a tour and let professionals deal with everything.

This tour  will take you from Naples straight to the top of Mount Vesuvius (top parking, that is, you still need to walk the last part). It will sort out all tickets and transportation and will help you get a guide on the top (they are included in the entry ticket). Keep in mind, though, that since it’s a group tour, you have limited time on the volcano.

This one  will combine the volcano with the ancient city of Pompeii (a must-see!). Since you made the trip, why not check the two attractions linked by history forever? Pompeii is a one-of-a-kind place considered among the country’ s top  UNESCO World Heritage Sites . The tour provides transportation from Naples (or Sorrento), entry tickets, and a knowledgeable guide that is vital in Pompeii (unless you want to roam around aimlessly).

   See Also:   The best of Florence in just 3 days

What to expect at the top of Mount Vesuvius

As you see, visiting Mount Vesuvius is not a super easy task (tourless, that is). You already made your way to the entrance (hopefully have online tickets), and now comes the physical part. There’s a 1km (0.6mi) hike to reach the crater. Don’t worry; it’s not an extremely steep or hard hike. It took me around 20 minutes. 

Although my physical levels are slightly over the average ones, I saw plenty of old folks on the way up, so you have no excuse to quit it. After all, you’re hiking Mount Vesuvius – there has to be some sweat.

On the way up, there are a few stops where you can get a souvenir or something to drink/eat (overpriced, of course). Once you see the crater, you can continue the path around the lips of the volcano but don’t expect to see anything different. The trail ends with a coffee shop, and the views are no better than those at the beginning (even worse if you ask me).

Visiting Mount Vesuvius from other cities

From Sorrento  – It’s the same as it’s from Naples. You get the Circumvesuviana headed to Naples and follow the same directions. You can also use  this tour  (including Pompeii) and have everything sorted out. Another alluring option is to get a  premium package  and travel to the ancient sites by boat.

From Rome  – Visiting Mount Vesuvius from Rome is too much hassle to do by yourself. If you’ve rented a car, you need to navigate the insane Italian traffic and park 30 mins away from the entry point of the volcano.

Using trains to get to Naples and then to Vesuvius is possible but would take a lot of time… and you need to get back too.

The only convenient way to make this trip is via  a group tour  that will handle transportation and tickets. You will explore Pompeii too and have a sure way back to Rome.

From Positano  – The only options are via private car or a tour. The car ride takes around 90min. You need to take the SS 145 toward Naples, take the A3 toll highway, exit at Torre del Greco, and follow the brown sign “Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio” (better turn on your GPS).

Online tours to Vesuvius are limited, and they all include Pompeii in their itinerary.  This one  is a good choice.

Hiking Mount Vesuvius FAQ

You don’t need guides to visit Mount Vesuvius. There are guides on the spot, and they can give you a complimentary introduction to the place, but you really don’t need them. You are free to roam and explore yourself.

There are a few coffee/souvenir shops on the way up that have toilets.

Absolutely. Mount Vesuvius may be an active volcano, but volcanos don’t just spew lava out of the blue. Vesuvius is under constant observation, and you can be sure that if it’s close to eruption, you won’t be allowed anywhere near it. As for the hike, it’s extremely safe too. The path is wide, and there are high parapets, so I don’t see any chance for unfortunate incidents.

The entrance ticket costs 10 EUR. If you go the cheapest way, from Naples, it would cost you exactly 21.80 EUR. (2×2.80 EUR Circumvesuviana train + 2x 3.10 EAV bus + 10 EUR entrance fee).

That’s all from me, now you know how to hike Mount Vesuvius.    ———————————— If you haven’t planned your trip there yet, find out how I plan my trips! ———————————— I have  48 bucket list ideas for Italy. See my impossible bucket list of 1700+ adventures!

Is Vesuvius on your bucket list?

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How to Visit Pompeii & Vesuvius in One Day

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Visiting Mount Vesuvius & Pompeii in a Day

You cannot pass through central Italy on a road trip without making the detour to Naples to visit Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii. Both are iconic Italian landmarks and share a remarkable, if devastating history.

If you are wondering whether you can visit Pompeii and Vesuvius in one day, then you will be delighted to know it is possible, and even easy if you follow our guidance and tips.

In our guide, we’ll share information about visiting both sites, how to get there and move between them, where to park and lots of other travel tips for Vesuvius and Pompeii.

Pompeii & Vesuvius Facts

Mount vesuvius facts.

• Vesuvius in 2013 was 1281 meters tall. After each eruption, the size of the cone changes.
• The volcano also has a semicircular ridge called Mount Somma that rises to 1132 m. The valley between the cone and Mount Somma is called Valle del Gigante or Giant’s Valley.
• Mount Vesuvius is considered to be one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world because of its proximity to the city of Naples and the surrounding towns on the nearby slopes.
• It is one of three, yes three, live volcanoes in Italy, the other two being Mount Etna in Sicily and Stromboli, which is one of the Aeolian Islands.

Pompeii Facts

• Mount Vesuvius destroyed the city of Pompeii, a city south of Rome, in AD79 in about 25 hours. Because  Pompeii  was buried so quickly by volcanic ash, the site is a well-preserved snapshot of life in a Roman city.
• It is believed that around 30,000 people died from the eruption of Vesuvius in AD79. There were 2,000 survivors.

Is this your first time visiting Italy? Get all the information you need in our Italy Travel Guide , including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there and practical tips to help you have the best trip!

Getting to Vesuvius and Pompeii

Directions to mount vesuvius national park.

If you plan to visit Vesivius by car, the best way to approach is via the A3 Napoli-Salerno motorway and exit at Torre del Greco or Ercolano. For parking at the top, the co-ordinates are N40°49’42” / E14°25’36”.  However, the only way you will get a parking spot here is to arrive well before 9am when the ticket office, 1km down the hill opens. Otherwise, you’ll have to find parking at the foot of Vesuvius, where many private parking lots also offer a round trip shuttle service to the trail head.  

If you are coming to Mount Vesuvius by car from north of Naples, your sat nav may try and take you through the city as it’s about 2 seconds quicker…do not do this, it will be stressful and take much, much longer due to the appalling traffic conditions and roads.

If you’re using public transport, get a train to the Circumvesuviana Pompei Villa dei Misteri station from Naples or Sorrento and take the shuttle bus from Pompeii to Vesuvius, where you will be dropped at the ticket office.

Directions to Pompeii

If you’re visiting Pompeii by car, take the A3 Napoli-Salerno motorway and exit at the Pompei Ovest exit. The Pompeii Archaeological Park is clearly signposted from here.

All the roads mentioned here are suitable for cars, campervans and large motorhomes. As always, be mindful of pot holes and abilities of other drivers !

Where to Stay & Park

Hotels & parking at mount vesuvius.

The closest hotel to the ticket office and summit is Parco Vesevus . This 4* hotel has fabulous views of the Bay of Naples towards Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, just 20 miles south. Stay here and continue the drive up the very bendy road to the car park from where you can start the hike to the summit the following morning.

If you’re touring Italy in a motorhome or campervan , it is possible to stay overnight at various places on the road up to the summit. Stay  here  and you’ll enjoy a quiet night.

If you are in a large motorhome, we would strongly suggest visiting Vesuvius first as you will be able to park without a problem. This means being there at 9am sharp. The parking for motorhomes at Pompeii is larger with many more spaces.

Hotels & Parking at Pompeii

Park your car or campervan at Camping Zeus , literally a 5 minute walk from the entrance to the Pompeii archaeological site. The cost is €5/€8 per hour for parking a car or motorhome (on a campsite pitch) respectively. The parking receives good reviews online, the entrance is manned and the parking area is very secure. It is a 500m walk to the Porta Marina entrance of Pompeii from here.

You can also stay the night at Camping Zeus if your preference is to visit Pompeii first. The cost for an overnight stay in a campervan or motorhome with EHU is around €20 in low season.  This also includes a free pass for the ZTL (low emissions) in Pompeii for motorhomes over 7m. You can pitch a tent here too for around €15 a night.

If you prefer a bricks and mortar hotel for your Pompeii stay, we suggest Hotel Zeus . On the same site as the parking and campsite, this simple hotel offers everything you need for an overnight stay and day trip to Pompeii.  It’s also on the doorstep of the local Circumvesuviana train station of Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri, if you’re thinking of using public transport

If all of this seems like too much effort, consider guided tours or day trips from Naples or Sorento.

Things to Know About Visiting Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius

It is entirely possible to see both Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii in a one day trip. The downside to this is that whichever one you visit second will be very busy by the time you get there. You could take a long lunch and visit your second option later in the afternoon but be mindful of closing times and any onward journey arrangements. 

If you are using your own transport but can’t get to Mount Vesuvius early in the morning, then it makes sense to park near Pompeii and use the shuttle bus to Vesuvius from the train station. 

RELATED POST: Southern Italy: Discover the Best 33 Places To Visit

Mount Vesuvius

Is mount vesuvius safe to visit.

Yes.  Mount Vesuvius last erupted in 1944.  Scientists and Vulcanologists monitor the volcano very closely and know what signs to look for if an eruption was imminent.  The hiking trails would be closed if there was any concern for safety and this would be shared via the Mount Vesuvius website .

When is the best time to visit Mount Vesuvius?

You can visit Vesuvius at any time of the year. Check the weather first as there may be snow or high winds; the summit will be closed to visitors if the guides consider the conditions dangerous.

If you want the spectacular views of the Bay of Naples, April to September will be best and early in the day, as often cloud will form around lunchtime.  

Be aware that it will be super busy in July and August.

Vesuvius opening hours are:

• January, February, November, December:  09:00-15:00
• March and October: 09:00-16:00
• April, May, June and September:  09:00-17:00
• July and August:  09:00-18:00
• Mount Vesuvius is closed on 25th December, 1st January, 1st May

What do I need to visit Mount Vesuvius?

• Warm clothing; don’t make the mistake of going in August and thinking it will be hot. You will be at an altitude of 1300m, expect it to be chilly even when it’s hot in Naples.
• Decent footwear – sturdy trainers would be suitable.
• Water; you can buy drinks at the top but the cost is extortionate!
• You don’t need a walking pole or stick; there are people at the entrance who will try and rent you these for a couple of euro, it will be wasted money.

How fit do I need to be to climb Mount Vesuvius?

You need to be mobile and not suffer from any respiratory problems . The Mount Vesuvius hike will take around 30 minutes of fairly steep ascent along a well defined fine gravel path. You can take it as quickly or slowly as you like and stop often, although there is no-where to sit down.

Anything else I need to know about Mount Vesuvius?

• There are no toilets at the top and no-where private to go, make sure you use the loo before setting off.
• Mount Vesuvius tickets cost €10. You must stop at the ticket office to buy your ticket, this is about 100m before the parking and entrance. You can pay by credit card or cash, although they may tell you initially you can’t pay by card as the machine does not work. This is reported frequently on TripAdvisor, with the advice to say you have no cash, at which point a card will be accepted!
• The cost of entry includes access to a guide, they speak both Italian and English. When you get to the top of the climb, you will enter through a small wooden hut and here is where the guides hang out, make sure to talk to them as they are a wealth of information that you would not discover otherwise.

Experience & Hike Mount Vesuvius

As mentioned before, this is a steady uphill hike for around 30 minutes before you plateau out onto the rim. The rim is very clearly defined with a path about 75% of the way round. Much of the route is lined with wooden barriers to stop you trying to climb in.

Consider a  visit to the crater with a volcanologist tour guide  who can share the history of this still live volcano and take you off the beaten track on the other side of the rim!

Do not expect to see fire and brimstone spewing out of the crater; you will see steam and can feel the heat coming off the crater in waves.  The rock is quite grey and uniform, so not great for pictures unless you have some photography skills, which I don’t!

However, turn around and marvel at the view over the Bay of Naples; here you will get amazing images. You may be just above any clouds which will add additional interest to your pictures.

Enter at 9am and you’ll be able to spend 45 minutes or so, wandering along the rim without seeing another soul.  As you start the descent, the crowds coming up will be quite large as all the bus and coach tours arrive from Naples and surrounding towns.

It may be busy driving down the road, until about the half way point due to the sheer number of large vehicles trying to arrive and depart. Take care when driving to and away from Vesuvius and accept it may take a bit of time.

If you love wide open spaces, Vesuvius will call to you, and you’ll love looking into the smoking crater of this slumbering giant. Hiking up Vesuvius is not particularly adventurous but it is a live volcano!

When is the best time to visit Pompeii?

Visiting Pompeii is possible all year round.  Pompeii opening times are;

• April to October: 0900-1930pm (last entry at 1800)
• November to March:  0900-1700 (last entry at 1530)
• Pompeii is closed on 25th December, 1st  January, 1st May

What to know before visiting Pompeii?

• You will be approached by people selling tickets on the road outside the entrance to Pompeii; don’t buy form these people, they will charge you extra for services they often do not provide and because they generally will only accept cash you have no comeback.  The money they make does not go into supporting the ongoing work at Pompeii in any way.
• Entrance is free on the first Sunday of every month although expect it to be super busy!
• EU citizens under 25 only pay €2.
• Get your  Fast Track Pompeii tickets here .

Experience Pompeii

Seeing the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii is one of the reasons people visit Italy . A huge site, with new discoveries made regularly, you could easily spend a whole day, or longer, wandering and looking at every house, villa, statue and artefact.

But you can easily filter some of that out and make for the must sees of the Roman Forum, Amphitheatre, House of the Vetti and the small museum. If you want a taste of how the Romans lived and are interested in the bigger picture, a couple of hours is enough.

The Pompeii site is likely to be very, very busy but you will learn lots from your audio guide about the Roman way of life and the tragedy that happened at Pompeii.  It is a fascinating and instructive tour which will answer all your questions about the tragedy that befell this Roman city.

A Pompeii tour will give you much more information than the audio guide and you’ll have access to expert who can answer all your questions. Take a  private tour or a small group Pompeii tour with an archeologist  and explore Pompeii like a local.

The Pompeii ruins are remarkably well-preserved and it feels similar to a modern day town in terms of layout using a grid system, central squares, temples and houses of differing sizes and grandeur.  You can still see plasterwork and painted walls in some of the buildings, the bath house being a particularly good example.

Don’t forget about Herculaneum! Much smaller than the Pompeii Archaeological Park (about a tenth) Herculaneum is the lesser-known, but no less fascinating neighbour and was actually rediscovered ten years before Pompeii. Just a 30 minutes drive north on the E45 you should visit if you can. Get your  Herculaneum tickets he re.

If you loved Vesuvius, then you should see Mount Etna! Read about hiking Mount Etna here.

Looking for more Italian travel inspiration? Check out these top posts…

The Ultimate Bucket List Italy Road Trip

A Bucket List Amalfi Coast Road Trip

Sicily Road Trip – Itinerary, Tips & Map

Savoring the Flavor: The Best Self-Guided Bologna Food Tour

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Driving in Italy – Everything You Need to Know

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Mt. Vesuvius: Everything You Need to Know

Brandon Shaw Last Updated: November 3, 2022

Mt. Vesuvius is one of the largest volcanoes in Europe. Its claim to fame is the eruption in 79 AD that destroyed Pompeii and the surrounding ancient cities of the Roman Empire. Visiting Mt. Vesuvius can be a bit challenging, but not to worry. We got you covered. Read on to find out all you need to know about how to see Mt. Vesuvius.

Brandon’s Travel Tips :

Consider bookmarking this article into a “ Pompeii or Mt. Vesuvius” folder in your browser. This way you can circle back to it while planning your trip.  Whether you are in Naples or taking a day trip from Rome to Mt. Vesuvius, take a look at these articles below for your trip and check out our Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius day trip from Rome and let us do all the heavy lifting.

• Top Beaches along the Amalfi Coast
• 15 Foods to try on the Amalfi Coast and Where to eat them
• Top Attractions & Things To See Around The Amalfi Coast
• Visiting Pompeii: Everything you need to know

What This Article Covers

Mt. vesuvius overview.

• Mt. Vesuvius Facts
• Hours, Ticket Prices, and RSVP

Mt. Vesuvius Tour Options

How long to budget for your visit, history of mt. vesuvius.

• 5 Things You Have to See

Where to Eat Nearby

Getting to mt vesuvius.

Located in the Gulf of Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius is a stratovolcano most famous for its eruption in A.D. 79, which destroyed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

In the last 17,000 years, the volcano has had eight major eruptions. The eruption in A.D. 79 killed more than 16,000 people, spewing lava and ash over the local towns.

Why is Mount Vesuvius famous? Though the A.D. 79 eruption killed tens of thousands of people, the towns it destroyed can still be uncovered today in remarkable detail. Though it was thousands of years ago, the eruption’s volcanic ash was able to cover up bodies and artifacts during the disaster, acting as a shield of sorts.

Ironically, the thing that led to the death of so many is what keeps their stories alive today. When you  visit Pompeii , you can see bodies, faces, clothing, and other artifacts preserved from the day of Mount Vesuvius’s tragic eruption. Keep reading below on how to see Mt. Vesuvius.

Mount Vesuvius Facts

• Where is Mount Vesuvius? Campania, Italy
• How tall is Mount Vesuvius? 4,203 feet tall
• When was Mount Vesuvius’s last eruption? March 1944
• Is Mount Vesuvius active? Yes. Read on to learn more.

Hours and Ticket Prices

How to see Mt. Vesuvius? Why of course you enter the Vesuvius National park. There is a flat admission fee and then you can stay inside as long as you want. Since the volcano is quite big, you can take your time and see the site at your own pace.

Mt. Vesuvius Hours:

• (Jan, Feb, Nov., Dec.) 9 AM – 3 PM
• (March, Oct.) 9 AM- 4 PM
• ( April, May, June, Sept.) 9 AM- 5 PM
• ( July, August) 9 AM- 6 PM

Admission : 10€ | 8€ for under 25 years old with valid ID

We are a tour company, so we always recommend giving tours, not only to keep our lights on but also because we believe it is by far the best way on how to see Mt. Vesuvius. You can definitely  DIY Mt. Vesuvius, but you will definitely get much more out of your time with a local, expert guide. Check out some options:

Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius Day Trip: From Rome

Have you ever walked through the ruins of an ancient city then climbed up the volcano that destroyed it in the first place? Probably not. That’s why we offer the experience of a lifetime with our Day Trip from Rome to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius.

Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius Day Trip: From Amalfi Coast

Staying in the Amalfi Coast? Don’t feel like doing the heavy lifting to organize transportation and a tour? We got you covered. We offer this private tour to give you an experience that you can take at your own pace.

Short Answer : 2 hours

As you can imagine, visiting a volcano might not be the quickest thing to do. It is literally a mountain that you climb up. The National park offers 9 different paths that you can take to get to the top with some being quicker than others. Therefore I recommend that you budget a minimum of 2-3 hours to get to the crater. You can also take your time and spend the entire day up there. They are broken down into the following:

• Circular nature trails ( Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8)
• Panoramic Path ( Number 6)
• Agricultural Path ( Number 7)
• Educational Path ( Number 9)

Mount Vesuvius formed due to the collision of the Eurasian and African tectonic plates, roughly around 25,000 years ago. Though several eruptions occurred prior to 79 AD, this eruption is widely considered one of the most catastrophic volcanic eruptions of all time.

In 62 AD, a powerful earthquake destroyed a great deal of the Bay of Naples area, Pompeii included. Much of that destruction was not even repaired, come the 79 AD eruptions.

The Most Famous Eruption of All Time

The events of the 79 AD eruptions are famously recounted by Pliny the Younger in two letters written to another historian named Tacitus. Combined with geological evidence, much of the information we have now about Mount Vesuvius and its 79 AD eruptions is thanks to Pliny the Younger, the only surviving eyewitness account of these events.

In the letters, Pliny the Younger describes the last days of Pliny the Elder, his uncle. As Pliny the Younger writes, Pliny the Elder noticed early volcanic activity occurring across the Bay of Naples and organized a rescue mission. He describes how his uncle died due to a mass of sulfurous gas.

One of the best Mount Vesuvius facts: the term “Plinian eruption” comes from the account of Pliny the Younger. These eruptions created a column of volcanic ash and gasses that can rise miles into the earth’s atmosphere and into the stratosphere. These eruptions are also widely known as “Vesuvian eruptions.”

Mount Vesuvius Subsequent Eruptions

Geologists believe there were three significant Mount Vesuvius eruptions prior to the one in A.D. 79, most famously one in 1800 B.C., which engulfed a number of Bronze Age settlements. Until about 1631, geologists and historians believe the volcano erupted about a dozen times, with varying severity.

In 1631, however, the volcano entered a period of frequent volcanic activity. From 1631 to the end of the nineteenth century, Mount Vesuvius erupted fifteen times, most violently in 1872. The most recent eruption occurred in 1944.

Could Mount Vesuvius Erupt Again?

Yes, Mount Vesuvius is considered an active volcano. It very well could erupt again. Mount Vesuvius sits on top of an extremely deep layer of magma that goes 154 miles into the earth.

So, the next Mount Vesuvius eruption will happen, and it won’t be pretty. Geologists think that the volcano is overdue for an eruption.

Luckily, the Vesuvius Observatory is constantly monitoring the volcano’s seismic activity. So, if it were to happen again, the local communities would have more warning and would have enough time to evacuate.

Top Things to See At/Near Mt. Vesuvius

If you go to Mt. Vesuvius, chances are you will want to climb the volcano. There are many other sites in this area that were affected directly or indirectly by the volcano itself. Below are some sites to visit when you are in the area.

This is usually what most people are striving to arrive at. It is quite a walk, but the trails ( see above) leading up are not that intensive. The fastest way up is to take trail number 5 ” il gran cono”. This trail starts at 1,000 meters which means you will have another 130 meters to head up to the top.

There is definitely something powerful about climbing up a volcano. If you have already visited Pompeii at this point and seen the destruction it caused you will remain even more in awe of what havoc nature can produce.

Considered to be the most famous city in the world that was destroyed, if you were not planning on visiting, then I would like to almost beg you to reconsider. This is not because I am a history nerd ( I am), but by visiting Pompeii you will see literally an entire city that was uncovered.

Pompeii was a booming port city in the Ancient Roman Empire. The fate of all that changed on August 24th, 79 AD when the volcano Mt. Vesuvius erupted and shot a 10-mile high mushroom cloud of ash and pumice into the stratosphere. Those who were not killed by the missiles of pumice coming down or the lava were wiped out by the toxic gases that took over the area, essentially suffocating everyone.

When Vesuvius erupted, the volcanic ash and mud shielded the city’s artifacts from destruction and preserved a ton of history. To this day, you can still see some of the bodies, clothes, and even places of business that have been preserved from the eruption. Ironically, this disastrous day for the Romans has created for the modern man an intimate look into what life was like in an Ancient Roman city.

Definitely check out our small group tours of Pompeii from Rome, Amalfi Coast and directly from Pompeii .

Herculaneum

Herculaneum is the little, lesser-known sister to Pompeii. Many people I speak with thought that Vesuvius only destroyed one city, Pompeii. Actually the volcano blast destroyed multiple cities. This little town was discovered by accident in 1709. Today it is listed together with Pompeii as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Simiiar to Pompeii, the ash and lava completely covered over the entire city and as a result, preserved everything from houses, to ornaments to people for posterity. One interesting point here is Villa dei Papiri which was uncovred in the 1990s where they found ancient papyri that preserve the texts of Greek philologists of the time.

If you decide to visit Herculaneum you will find smaller crowds and I would say a bit more of an intimate experience.

This town is located at the foot of Mt. Vesuvius and to the north of Pompeii. During the Roman Empire there were many villas and farms due to the rich, volcanic soil. When you visit, there are two main sites to visit: The antiquarium and Villa Regina.

The antiquarium was set up in 1991 and is located next to the archeological site of Villa Regina. The exhibitions there mainly focus on what life was like in the countryside that surrounded Mt. Vesuvius. During the excavations in the area, the discoveries were brought back to this museum to showcase.

The Villa Regina is a building. that was preserved by the ash and today gives us a solid idea of what villas looked like back in Ancient times. Even thought there isn’t much left, the remaining structure gives us a solid representation.

Mediaval Village Casamale

In Italian it is called, ” Borgo Mediavale di Casamale”. This is basically the historical center of the town Somma Vesuviana which is only medieval village within the perimeter of the Vesuvius National Park.

The wall which protects this little village was built in 1467 by Ferrante I of Aragon. The village was isolated from the surrounding area by two riverbeds which still exist today. This little village is known for the festival of oil lamps which takes place every four years. If you come and visit you will be taken back in time when life was simpler.

Inside of the park area itself, there are no restaurants. You will find however snack bars by the entrance of the park and also along the trails, so you can find something to eat if need be. There are also multiple picnic areas to stop along the way, so you can easily bring some food with you and eat it while enjoying the amazing scenery.

Cantina del Vesuvio €€- At the foothills of the volcano you will find this 30-acre vineyard creating great organic wines. They also serve lunch that includes traditional pasta dishes and meat dishes.

Ristorante Kona €€- This restaurant is located in Herculaneum which was completely destroyed by the eruption like Pompeii. Serving up great dishes for lunch and dinner, try and go around sunset for amazing views of the Bay of Naples.

Cantina Aragona €€- This restaurant is located in Somma Vesuviana and has something for everyone. I highly recommend their fish, but they also have a great pizza.

Villa Giovanna Pizzeria E Ristorante €€- This pizzeria is only around 2 miles from the park and has a great pizza. Remember that you are now in Naples country so you will be eating the pizza napolitano which is thick crusted pizza and is delicious!

Getting to Mt. Vesuvius without a car is a bit tricky, since there is not much around the area. However, I have written below the best ways to get there by car and by transport:

The high-speed train from Rome to Naples runs every 20 minutes. You can take the train from Roma Termini station to Napoli Centrale in just over an hour. Book on  Trenitalia  or through  Italo .  They are two competing train companies.  I prefer Italo.

From Stazione Centrale – Piazza Garibaldi, take one of the Circumvesuviana trains bound for Sorrento or Poggiomarino – via Pompei (for train times and ticket prices, visit  www.eavsrl.it ) and get to Ercolano Scavi station, from which taxis and private shuttles depart for the Vesuvius. Alternatively, from Stazione Centrale – Piazza Garibaldi take one of the Circumvesuviana trains bound for Sorrento or Poggiomarino – via Pompei and get off at Pompei – Villa dei Misteri train station, from which you can hop on one of the local EAV buses bound for the Vesuvius.

For you brave souls that will drive in Italy you first you will take the A1 direction to Naples. At the Ercolano exit, take via Bosco Catena and continue onto via G. Semmola and then onto via S. Vito. At the roundabout, take the second exit towards Contrada Osservatorio and continue onto the SP144 up to the car park located 800 metres above sea level (20 min, 9.8 km).

To get from the car park at 800 meters to the car park at 1,000 meters (entrance of the nature trail n°5 “The great Cono of Vesuvius”), you have two options:-

  On foot , along the SP144 for about 30 minutes (1.8 km)- 

With the shuttle service  managed by the Municipality of Herculaneum at a cost of € 1.00 each way (about 4 min)

From Amalfi Coast:

You will need to arrive in Sorrento and from there you grab the Circumvesuviana towards Naples train station. You get off at Pompei – Villa dei Misteri station and take one of the local EAV buses. The bus connection from Pompeii to Vesuvius is provided by EAV local services.  Check out their bus times page for more information.

Follow the same steps as above coming from Rome

About Brandon Shaw

Brandon is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He left the States to travel the world at 18 and never looked back! As an official Tour Guide of Rome and Certified Sommelier, he loves to travel the world and share these experiences with his readers.

Reader Interactions

Comments (6).

June 9, 2021

Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius Day Trip: From Rome link doesn’t work. Do you have another recommendation for a day trip from Rome? Thanks – Sarah

June 16, 2021

Thanks a million for spotting that. I think i fixed it. Here is the link. https://theromanguy.com/tours/italy/rome/pompeii-vesuvius-private-day-trip-from-rome

Its a private tour, so its more expensive. If you are looking for something on the cheaper side we have a small group tour of Pompeii which does NOT include Vesuvius but still very cool. https://theromanguy.com/tours/italy/rome/rome-to-pompeii-day-trip

July 3, 2021

Do you know where we can actually purchase tickets to enter Vesuvius national park? I’ve read some things that say due to covid you must buy them before you get there but all the websites I visit don’t have them available. We are looking at July 13 specifically. Thanks!

January 31, 2022

Hi! Shoot us an email info @ TheTourguy.com

November 18, 2022

Hello! I was just wondering if you’re able to climb Mt. Vesuvius during March? I’m getting a lot of contradicting answers!

Thanks so much ☺️

November 29, 2022

Mt. Vesuvius is open year-round, but the path can close at times due to bad weather or thick fog. It’s best to play it by ear and have a back up plan in case the weather doesn’t play nice. There is a great museum there you can visit if the weather isn’t great that day.

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Mount Vesuvius - Tickets & Tours

Vesuvio tickets, visit mount vesuvius and pompeii tours from naples.

Mount Vesuvius National Park is the active volcano near the city of Naples Italy. Tips, Vesuvio tickets and tours for visiting the volcano and the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Mt. Vesuvius, the volcano near Naples

The Volcano of Mount Vesuvius is located southeast of Naples . It is the second largest volcano in Italy, with a height of 1281 meters and a diameter of 8 kilometers. Vesuvius is a stratovolcano and has the shape of a cone. The slopes of stratovolcanoes are steep and have explosive eruptions. The layers are made up of different layers such as solidified lava, tephra and ash.

The great eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD

More eruptions of Mount Vesuvius

Roman cities such as Pompeii and Herculaneum were thus wiped out in the year 79 AD, but also in the centuries that followed, the volcano erupted several times, until the year 1631. After that year activity was still measured with small eruptions, but not very explosive anymore. The last minor eruption dates from 1944. Vesuvius is still active today and these activities are well measured.

Visit Vesuvius National Park

Mount Vesuvius National Park can now be visited and since 1995 it has the status of a national park. You will find hiking trails around and on top of the volcano to experience the special volcanic landscape. It is even possible to walk around the crater. Once you have reached the crater mouth after a tough uphill walk, you will occasionally see some smoke coming out of the crater, but no more than that. In addition, you also have a beautiful view of the city of Naples. Don't forget to book your Vesuvio tickets online.

Tip : Because visiting Mount Vesuvius is a logistical challenge, many visitors choose to book an organized day trip from Naples , whether or not combined with Pompeii or Herculaneum. Providers for Pompeii and Vesuvius tours with good reviews:

Video: What if the volcano would explode?

Where is mount vesuvius in italy.

FAQ Visiting Mount Vesuvius in Italy

By car you van drive up to 1 kilometer from the ticket office. From here you can take a strenuous walk towards the crater mouth of Vesuvius, where you will have a magnificent view of the area. You can also book organized bus excursions from Naples. More info about visiting Mount Vesuvius .

Pompeii allows a limited number of visitors per hour, so it may be useful to reserve your tickets online. However, most visitors opt for a guided tour, as this is the way to get to know the story behind the archaeological excavations of Pompeii. In this article you can read all about booking Pompeii tickets and tours .

The main attractions around Naples are the archaeological areas of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which became famous due to the eruption of the adjacent Vesusvius volcano. In the city of Naples itself, the beautiful family chapel Cappella Sansevero, the underground Naples of Napoli Sotterranea, the catacombs of San Gennaro and the archaeological museum are the most visited sights. In this article you can read all about the Top 25 Naples sights .

Most visited attractions

Top 25 Things to do in Naples

Pompeii: Tours & Tickets

Day trips from Naples

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How to Visit Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Mt. Vesuvius from Naples

Our tips for a day trip to the crater on Mt. Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum

Tickets for Pompeii+Vesuvius

Take advantage of your time in Naples to strike out beyond the city limits and explore some of the top sights in the surrounding area, including the volcanic crater on top of Mt. Vesuvius and the archaeological sites in Pompei and Herculaneum , the two spectacular Roman cities that buried under ash and mud when Mt. Vesuvius erupted thousands of years ago and have been preserved largely intact.

To best visit Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Mt. Vesuvius from Naples , you should dedicate at least two days to these sights. If you have limited time, however, you can fill a single day with a trip up to the peak of Mt. Vesuvius paired with a visit to one of the two archaeological sights, either Pompeii or Herculaneum.

We suggest visiting Mt. Vesuvius first thing in the morning , taking a break for a lunch featuring traditional products and dishes from the slopes of Vesuvius , and dedicating the afternoon to one of the Roman cities buried by the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD . You can also switch your day between morning and afternoon, especially if you book a private driver, and visit the archaeological ruins in the morning.

How to Visit Mt. Vesuvius from Naples

The peak of Mt. Vesuvius towers above the National Park of the same name, set just outside the Naples city limits. You can visit the crater with a guide or on your own, but either way there is a rather steep trail to the crater edge that takes about an hour to climb. Plan on at least 3 hours and try to avoid the hottest hours of the day in summer when the high temperatures, lack of shade, and steep climb can be less than pleasant.

How to Get to Mt. Vesuvius from Naples with Public Transportation

To reach Mt. Vesuvius from Naples via public transportation, first take the local Circumvesuviana train from the lower level of the Stazione Centrale train station in Piazza Garibaldi. Board the line to Sorrento and get off at the Ercolano Scavi or Pompei Villa dei Misteri stop. From here, take a taxi or one of the shuttle buses that take passengers up to the park entrance (tickets: EUR 22 round trip, including park entrance). From Pompeii, in addition to the shuttle buses, there is also a local EAV bus that departs every 50 minutes for Mt. Vesuvius.

How to Get to Mt. Vesuvius from Naples by Car

If you are driving, take the A3 highway and exit at Ercolano or Torre del Greco. Continue on along Via Cupa Monti and Via Vesuvio, following signs for the Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio. You can park at the staffed parking area located 800 meters up and continue with a shuttle bus up to an altitude of 1000, where you will find the park ticket office and the trailhead for the crater.

Once you have purchased your ticket at the park ticket office, you can either take the path to the crater's edge on your own or hire a volcanologist guide to take the Gran Cono trail that encircles the entire crater.

Information about Mt. Vesuvius Tickets Adults: EUR 10 Young people under the age of 25: EUR 8 Children under the age of 6 and the disabled with one assistant Opening Hours January, February, November December: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March and October: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April, May, June, September: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July and August: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The trail to the crater's edge is open daily all year round, but may occasionally close for adverse weather conditions or unsafe conditions. The trail is not accessible to those with limited mobility.

A Traditional Lunch Near Vesuvius

After visiting Mt. Vesuvius and before heading to Pompeii or Herculaneum, we suggest you stop for lunch on the slopes of the volcano, known for centuries for its fertile farmland and mild climate.

If you are a wine lover, you can visit one of the family-run wineries set at the foot of the volcano. La Cantina del Vesuvio, for example, is set virtually halfway between the mountain peak and the ruins of Pompeii and offers guided visits of the winery, tastings, and lunch. If you don't have a car, the winery also offers shuttle service to and from the estate.

Book a wine tasting lunch on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius

How to Visit Pompeii or Herculaneum from Naples

After your hike to the Mt. Vesuvius crater and a traditional winery lunch, you'll be ready to continue on to one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world : the ruins of Pompeii or Herculaneum. You may be tempted to try to fit in a visit to both in one afternoon, but the ruins are vast and visiting can be tiring, especially during the hottest days of summer. Unless you are particularly passionate about ancient history, we suggest you choose one of the two sites to visit and not try to take on both in a single day.

Consider that you will need at least 3 to 4 hours to visit the top sights in Pompeii .

Should I visit Pompeii or Herculaneum? The ruins of Pompeii are by far the larger and more famous site, but can also be more crowded. Herculaneum is home to equally spectacular ruins, but is smaller and less crowded so you can see more in less time. Herculaneum is also closer to downtown Naples. Pompeii offers a route suitable for those with limited mobility that begins at the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance and covers a large portion of the ruins. Regardless of whether you choose Pompeii or Herculaneum, we suggest you purchase skip-the-line tickets in advance to avoid a delay at the entrance.

You can reach Pompeii or Herculaneum with your car if you drove to Mt. Vesuvius, or with a shuttle and Circumvesuviana train. Get off at Pompei - Villa dei Misteri (the entrance to the archaeological park is located directly opposite the station) or "'Ercolano Scavi"' (follow the indications for Herculaneum, about a 10-minute walk from the station). If you plan on stopping for lunch at Cantina del Vesuvio or another local winery, you can request a transfer to your next destination in advance.

Here are our insider tips to visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum : Visit with a guide when possible: you can book a guide in advance or hire an authorized guide at the ticket window. Wear sturdy shoes and clothing suitable to the outdoors, and bring plenty of water and sunblock in the summer. Purchase skip-the-line tickets to avoid a long wait at the entrance.

Buy skip-the-line tickets to Pompeii

Buy skip-the-line tickets to Herculaneum

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices for Pompeii and Herculaneum Opening Hours for Pompeii: April through October: 9 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (last entrance 5:30 p.m.) November through March: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entrance 3:30 p.m.) Closed: 1 January, 1 May, 25 December Opening Hours for Herculaneum: From 15 October to 15 March: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entrance 3:30 p.m.) From 16 March to 14 October: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. (last entrance 6:00 p.m.) Closed: 1 January, 25 December Tickets: Pompeii : full-price ticket EUR 18; reduced ticket EUR 2 (students from 18 to 24 and teachers). Free entrance up to 18. Herculaneum : full-price ticket EUR 13; reduced ticket EUR 2 (students from 18 to 24 and teachers). Free entrance up to 18.

Group Tours of Mt. Vesuvius, Pompeii, and Herculaneum

An easy way to visit Mt. Vesuvius along with the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum is by joining a group tour from Naples .

These small-group, all-inclusive tours offer transport via comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles, a guide, and usually skip-the-line entrance to both the national park and archaeological areas. You can also choose a tour that includes a stop for lunch featuring traditional products from the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius.

If you'd rather not take on Neapolitan traffic, deal with public transport, or waste time with delays and lines, a group tour is a hassle-free option that offers excellent convenience for the price.

Private Tours of Mt. Vesuvius, Pompeii, and Herculaneum

For maximum flexibility and freedom, book a private driver for the day who can take you to any and all of these three blockbuster sights to visit at your pace and on your schedule. The benefit of a private driver is that your day is completely customizable and you don't have to stick to the schedule of a group tour or train and bus timetables.

Private transfer services to Mt. Vesuvius, Pompeii, and Herculaneum are more expensive than group tours or visiting on your own, but you if you are traveling with a group of friends or family, the cost can be quite reasonable.

For Those Who Want It All If you really can't choose between visiting Pompeii or Herculaneum, a private tour is an excellent solution to fit both sites in a single day. You can depart from Naples in the morning and stop by the ruins of Pompeii for a quick visit, then move on to Herculaneum for another brief tour. Afterward, you can end your day by climbing up to the crater's edge on Mt. Vesuvius to take in the view.

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Getting to Pompeii ruins, Herculaneum, and Mount Vesuvius

The easiest way to reach both Pompeii and Herculaneum is the Circumvesuviana train that runs between Naples and Sorrento. From the Circumvesuviana stations, you can easily walk to the ruins or catch a bus for the Mount Vesuvius National Park.

You can also arrive by car; there are parking areas and lots near the entrance to the ruins and the Vesuvius crater.

Getting to Pompeii and Herculaneum from Sorrento or Naples

The Circumvesuviana train departs from Naples and Sorrento and has stops near the archaeological parks in Pompeii and Herculaneum.

In Sorrento , the station is located in the center of town opposite Pizza Angelina Lauro and is the only train line between Sorrento and Naples , so you can't get on the wrong train! Trains depart about every 30 minutes and the trip to Pompeii takes about 30 minutes; for Herculaneum, the trip takes about 50 minutes.

You can take the same train from Naples for Pompeii and Herculaneum: trains depart from track 3 of the underground Circumvesuviana station beneath the Naples Central train station in Piazza Garibaldi . Check the display the indicates which train is departing and board the Sorrento - Pompei line, otherwise you may accidentally catch a train to Sarno rather than Pompeii!

Train schedules Naples - Herculaneum - Pompeii - Sorrento

Getting to the Ruins from the Circumvesuviana Station

Herculaneum.

If you are heading to the ruins at Herculaneum , exit the Ercolano Scavi station and walk along Via 4 Novembre for about 5 minutes to the entrance to the ruins.

Skip-the-line tickets to Herculaneum ruins

If you are headed to the ruins at Pompeii , the Porta Marina Superiore entrance is directly opposite the Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri station along the Circumvesuviana line, and the Porta Marina Inferiore ( Piazza Esedra ) entrance, where our recommended itinerary begins, is a few meters further down.

Skip-the-line tickets to Pompeii ruins

Transportation Chart

Download the PDF Guide (PDF 278 KB)

Getting to Pompeii and Herculaneum by Car

The highway A3 Pompei Ovest exit leads directly to the archaeological park entrance, and there are a number of parking lots near the entrances.

Getting to Herculaneum by car is a bit more complicated, as you have to navigate the traffic through the center of the modern town. Once near the entrance to the archaeological ruins, there are a number of parking lots.

Getting to Mount Vesuvius with Public Transportation

From the Circumvesuviana Pompei Villa dei Misteri station, take an EAV bus to the trail head on Mount Vesuvius, and proceed by foot to the crater rim. From the Circumbesuviana Ercolano station, take the Vesuvio Express shuttle.

Bus schedules Pompeii - Vesuvius Visiting the Crater on Mount Vesuvius

Getting to Mount Vesuvius by Car

If you are arriving by car, follow the signs and park at the parking area along the provincial road, the highest elevation private vehicles are allowed to drive. Here you have to pay for parking (EUR 5) and can buy round trip tickets for the shuttles that take visitors from the parking area to the ticket office for the Mount Vesuvius National Park. You can also walk up, but we recommend taking the shuttle up the steep climb. From the ticket office, continue walking along the road for about 1 kilometer to the trail head for the crater.

Arriving from Rome

You can also visit Pompeii and Herculaneum on a day trip from Rome. From the Rome Termini station, take a high-speed train to Naples (Italo or Trenitalia) and then proceed to the underground Circumvesuviana station for a train to Pompeii. It takes about 2 hours to get there in total.

Tours of Pompeii ruins from Rome

Arriving from Capri or the Amalfi Coast

From Capri , the easiest way to reach Pompeii is by taking the ferry to Sorrento and booking a tour or day trip with a private driver to Pompeii or taking the Circumvesuviana train. From the Amalfi Coast , you can join a tour from Amalfi or Positano , or book a private tour with a driver. If you want to take public transportation, you will have to take the Sita bus to Sorrento and then the train to Pompeii.

Tours of Pompeii ruins from Capri or the Amalfi Coast

Visiting Pompeii + Mount Vesuvius: Complete Guide

Visiting Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius is at the top of many Italy bucket lists: Pompeii is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world, and there is nothing like reliving such hauntingly powerful history in such a well-preserved place.

Peering into the crater of Mount Vesuvius and strolling the streets of Pompeii are both absolutely unforgettable experiences–but logistically, they require a few steps to pull off an excellent visit.

This guide to visiting Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius will cover everything you need to know before you go, how to get there, and also give advice on one of the most popular questions asked about visiting: should you book a tour for visiting Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius?

Table of Contents

What is the significance of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius?

What to know before visiting pompeii, what to know before visiting mount vesuvius, don’t forget about herculaneum, which should you visit first, pompeii or mount vesuvius, should you buy a guided tour for pompeii and mount vesuvius, getting to pompeii and mount vesuvius from naples.

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Have you heard the name Pompeii crop up when planning your trip to Italy and aren’t quite sure why it is such a big deal? No worries–this is the (very) short version why.

In the year 79 AD, Pompeii was a thriving, middle-class Roman city of around 15,000 people–until it wasn’t.

That summer, nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the city of Pompeii and 2,000 of its inhabitants, effectively preserving the city in its entirety as part of a massacre.

When Pompeii was rediscovered in 1748, it provided scientists and eventually tourists with an incredible window into middle-class Ancient Roman life. In nearly 2,000 years, Pompeii hadn’t been updated, taken over, evolved, or altered in any way–it was, and still is, literally a way to look back in time.

Today, Pompeii and the crater of Mount Vesuvius are both extremely popular tourist attractions in Italy and are absolutely unmissable if you’re going to be stopping anywhere near Naples on your trip.

First, know Pompei from Pompeii.

Pompei with one “i” is the modern city that is still home to around 25,000 people. Pompeii with two “i”s is the ancient city and is noted as “Pompei Scavi” on maps in the modern town.

You’ll want to dedicate several hours to Pompeii.

We naively expected that visiting Pompeii would be a lot like visiting other Roman ruins scattered across the former empire: impressive, but requiring a bit of imagination to imagine how things once stood.

That is not the case in Pompeii.

Pompeii is almost disturbingly well-preserved, and as a result, it takes hours to cover properly–you are exploring a former middle-class city, after all! Not only can you visit the forum, the courthouse, and the amphitheater, Pompeii is full of treasures like a fast-food restaurant, brothels, homes, kitchens, various other businesses, and even a (still-functioning) vineyard!

We recommend spending 3-4 hours in Pompeii if you take an average interest in history, and if you’re particularly interested in the history of Ancient Rome or Pompeii in particular, you’ll want to consider dedicating even more time.

If you don’t go on a guided tour, still make sure you have context for your visit.

It’s imperative to have some kind of context-giving material with you (preferably beyond the map with important sites marked given at the entrance) to get the most out of visiting Pompeii.

We personally downloaded the (free) Rick Steves Pompeii tour, and it was interesting but lacked as much detail as we would have preferred. You can also rent an audio guide at Pompeii for 6.5 Euros.

Wear comfortable shoes.

Visiting Pompeii requires quite a bit of walking, and the streets are full of deep crevices from the cobblestones. Save your feet and wear shoes that you’re comfortable walking in all day (especially if you’re going to be visiting Mount Vesuvius on the same day–more on that below).

If possible, eat before you arrive or bring your own food.

Unsurprisingly, the restaurants surrounding Pompeii are not known for their quality or competitive prices.

There is a picnic area in Pompeii, so if you’re going to be hungry during your visit, consider packing snacks!

If you get desperate, there is a restaurant in Pompeii that is located near the forum.

Bring water, especially in the summer.

Start from the Porta Marina entrance.

This will allow you to experience Pompeii in the most natural way and is also the starting point of many audio tours.

We made a mistake when visiting Pompeii and started at the amphitheater, and while we still had an amazing time, it definitely took us a bit longer to get our bearings by starting there.

Be prepared to be overwhelmed.

Pompeii is not only big, it’s also dense–there’s something new and fascinating around each cobblestone corner, and you can easily spend an entire day there without seeing every last inch!

If you come with the knowledge that you won’t see everything–and perhaps a list of what you don’t want to miss–you’ll be much more likely to walk away from your visit to Pompeii feeling like you made the most of the experience.

If you want to be sure not to miss a thing, consider joining a guided tour with an archaeologist , as well!

For the history buffs among us, book a guided tour of Pompeii with an archaeologist today!

The climb from the bus stop/parking lot isn’t difficult, but be aware of it.

If you get dropped off at the bus stop for Mount Vesuvius (which is where public transport, shuttles, and tours will bring you, and also the location of the parking lot), it’s about a 20-minute ascent to the crater of Mount Vesuvius, give or take.

On a clear day, the views of the Bay of Naples below are gorgeous, but the loose sand on the path means that you’ll want to avoid sandals and shoes that make it easy to slip and fall.

As for climbing Mount Vesuvius from the bottom: it’s theoretically possible for experienced hikers, though online information is scarce, but… why? I assure you that Italy, and even Campania itself, has far, far more beautiful and exciting hikes available.

Be prepared for a change in temperature, and bring an extra layer or two along with you.

Mount Vesuvius has its own, somewhat unpredictable micro-climate, so regardless of what the weather is in Pompeii or nearby Naples, be prepared for a shift when you visit the crater.

Though you may not need it, consider bringing a light jacket with you even in the late spring and early fall, as it is often much cooler at the crater than down below.

Aim to visit on a clear day.

The views of the Bay of Naples, the surrounding islands (including Capri), and the Amalfi Coast from the crater of Mount Vesuvius are stupendous.

On a clear day, it’s hard to say whether the views are better peering into the crater or staring out!

Mount Vesuvius closes for inclement weather and unsafe conditions.

This can include snow or ice blocking the path to the crater–so be warned that in winter especially, Mount Vesuvius may not always be open for visitors.

After you finish visiting the crater, reward yourself with a special glass of wine.

Italian wine is one of the delights of visiting just about everywhere in the country, and that includes Mount Vesuvius–wine is grown right on the side of the volcano!

There’s no better way to finish up a trip to the crater than with a glass of this very local wine that you can sip right on the volcano where it is grown.

At roughly 1/10 the size of Pompeii, Herculaneum is the lesser-known, but still remarkable, cousin of its famous neighbor, and was actually rediscovered a full decade before Pompeii.

Originally a Greek town (fancy a guess as to which figure from Greek mythology it was named for?), Herculaneum was buried by the same eruption of Mount Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii, but it was even better preserved–a feat that is difficult to imagine when walking the streets of Pompeii.

Herculaneum was also a wealthier town than Pompeii, so many of its homes and buildings are grander than middle-class Pompeii.

If you’re interested enough in Ancient Roman and Greek history to want to visit both sites, or if you’re short on time and don’t think you can do justice to Pompeii, consider visiting Herculaneum .

Herculaneum is even easier to combine with Mount Vesuvius than Pompeii is if you’re hoping to see two of these incredible places in one day.

We’ve visited them both and loved each–you can’t go wrong with a visit to either!

We personally chose to visit Mount Vesuvius first, and then headed to Pompeii in the afternoon, and were satisfied with that option. However, the opposite is totally doable as well, and there are pros and cons to both.

If you’re visiting in the summer–well, essentially pick which place you’re willing to deal with more heat at, and visit that one second!

Mount Vesuvius has no shade and requires a bit of physical exertion, so if you’re visiting in the height of summer, you should absolutely arrive as early in the morning as possible!

If heat is less of an issue when you visit, consider visiting Pompeii first, as the crowds will likely be heavier there as the day goes on.

If you’re staying in Naples, it is absolutely possible to visit Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius independently (more on that below), but if you would rather not deal with the hassle of handling your own transportation or would like the context that a tour provides, booking a day trip is an excellent option.

If you’re visiting from Rome, a tour is a near necessity from a logistics standpoint and we absolutely recommend booking one, though a shuttle is a slightly more budget-friendly option if you’d prefer not to have a guide.

This tour is extremely popular with over 2000 reviews on Walks of Italy, and is absolutely a safe bet if you’re looking to take an incredible, if long, day trip from Rome.

However, while that tour is considered among the best in the business for Pompeii day trips from Rome, it includes a drive along the Amalfi Coast instead of a trip to Vesuvius or Naples–which depending on your plans, might be an enormous benefit or a bit of a distraction.

If you’d rather visit Vesuvius than the Amalfi Coast, this tour is also incredibly well-reviewed and has been reviewed over 1200 times on Get Your Guide.

We personally chose to visit Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius independently while we were staying in Naples, and while we had an excellent time, there were a couple of snags that a tour would have solved for us: getting to Mount Vesuvius took a few steps and was a bit confusing, and we would have loved the extra context that a good tour guide could have provided in Pompeii.

When we visit again, we’ll be sure to book a tour at least for our time in Pompeii!

Book your day trip to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast OR your guided day trip to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius today!

By Public Transport and/or Shuttle Service

To get to Mount Vesuvius, take the Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Centrale (technically it’s a separate station attached to Napoli Centrale, but the two are attached) to Napoli Garibaldi.

You’ll need to buy your Circumvesuviana tickets directly from the counter–this train is not part of the larger Trenitalia system, and you’ll need to pay cash. The tickets are sold by region, and you’ll want to buy one for Ercolano Scavi, and then board the next train bound for either Sarno of Sorrento.

Once you reach the Ercolano Scavi station, turn to the left as you exit the station and you’ll see the small storefront for Vesuvio Express, the shuttle service leaves every 40 minutes for the entrance to the crater of Mount Vesuvius. The bus ticket also covers your entrance fee for Mount Vesuvius.

From the drop-off point of Mount Vesuvius, you can catch a public bus after your visit to the crater to Pompeii roughly every 50 minutes.

Alternatively, if you’re planning on visiting Pompeii directly from Naples you can take the Circumvesuviana train to the Pompeii station, and then take a public bus or tourist shuttle to Mount Vesuvius after your visit.

Parking is available both near the top of Mount Vesuvius and in front of Pompeii and requires a small fee in each place. You’ll also hit a toll driving between the two, so be sure to bring plenty of small bills with you if you choose to drive between Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius!

With a Tour

If you aren’t planning on driving and don’t want to deal with the headache of public transportation, consider visiting Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius by booking a tour! While the price will obviously be higher, a tour of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius severely improves the logistics of your day, eliminates the risk of getting lost and wasting precious sightseeing hours, and usually comes with a guide who can add invaluable context to the sights.

Book your guided day trip to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius today!

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

8 thoughts on “Visiting Pompeii + Mount Vesuvius: Complete Guide”

I was in Italy just a few months ago and even made it to nearby Naples. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to get to Pompeii or Ms. Vesuvius, but really wish I had. I’ve recently been considering a return visit to Italy and will definitely use this guide when I go. Thanks for sharing such great information.

Thanks Eden! Hope you get a chance to return to Italy soon! 🙂

We were in Italy this month and were planning to go to Naples and nearby Vesuvius, Pompeii, and Amalfi coast. We were planning to pickup a rental car at Naples airport, but someone warned us away from that plan and we elected to spend additional time in Firenze instead. We hope to bypass Naples on the train on some future trip to see the nearby gems.

More time in Florence is never a bad thing! Definitely hope you get a chance to see Naples and the nearby highlights on your next trip, though–it’ll be much more fun without a car. 🙂

Currently Vesuvius does not look as scary as we imagine it, but it is worth seeing it up close, because who knows when it will explode again 🙂

Ha, very true! Hopefully not for a very long time, though. 🙂

We are currently on the Amalfi Coast, having come into Napoli by train and renting a car near the station. Naples traffic is not for the faint of heart, but if you’ve driven or ridden a scooter in SE Asia, it’s nothing to worry about. And with a car we now get to travel around the area as we choose, including Vesuvio and Pompeii, so this is a valuable guide, thanks.

Glad we could help, Brian! It’s an amazing area to road trip if you’re comfortable with it, that’s for sure.

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14 tips for visiting Pompeii (plus how to climb Vesuvius)

Visiting Pompeii, the ancient Roman city in southern Italy that was destroyed by a volcano, is on a lot of people’s travel bucket lists – it had been on mine since I was little!

Before I visited Pompeii I felt quite overwhelmed, so I did a ton of research. Read on for tried and tested tips for how to visit Pompeii, along with some advice on how to climb Vesuvius.

This post contains affiliate links – all that means is that if you buy something as a result of clicking on a link in the post, I’ll receive a small commission that helps me with the costs of running this site. Thanks!

Tips for your visit to Pompeii

1. use public transport to get to pompeii.

Pompeii is in the Campania region of southern Italy, 15 miles south of Naples and 150 miles south of Rome. It’s 16 miles from the lovely resort town of Sorrento and 22 miles from Positano, on the Amalfi coast.

The best way to get to Pompeii from Naples or Sorrento is by the local train, called the Circumvesuviana. The best station for the ruins is Pompei Scavi – Villa Dei Misteri train station, on the railway line from Naples to Sorrento.

The train can be very busy and has a reputation for pickpocketing but there’s no reason to be scared. Keep your bag close and your wits about you and it’s perfectly safe and convenient.

Pompei Scavi station is less than five minutes’ walk from the Porta Marina main entrance to the ruins.

Pompeii from Sorrento

If you’re travelling from Sorrento or one of the other resorts along the coast, the easiest and cheapest way to get to Pompeii is to take the Circumvesuviana local train to the ruins. From Sorrento, the train takes between 25 and 30 minutes, which is almost certainly going to be quicker than driving or taking a taxi.

Pompeii from Naples city centre

Visiting Pompeii from Naples is an easy day trip, and Napoli’s great rail connections make the train the easiest way to get to the ruins.

I recommend catching the train from Porta Nolana station. Since Porta Nolana is the start of the Circumvesuviana line, you’ve got a better chance of getting a seat on what can be very busy trains. Get on a train that’s headed for Sorrento and get off at Pompei Scavi – Villa Dei Misteri.

Pompeii from Naples cruise port (Stazione Marittima)

If you’re arriving in Naples on a cruise ship, you’re likely to dock at Stazione Marittima. From there, you could walk the 1.2 miles to Porta Nolana station on the Circumvesuviana line. If you’d rather take a bus, the airport bus leaves from outside Stazione Marittima and stops outside Naples Centrale station for the Circumvesuviana line to Pompei Scavi – Villa Dei Misteri.

If you’d prefer a simpler option for your trip and not rely on public transport, there are shore excursion options.

If you’re planning to drive to Pompeii, it’s worth knowing that there are no official Pompeii car parks, but there are lots of places to park around Porta Marina and between the Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra entrances. One of the most recommended is Pompei Parking Zeus near Porta Marina.

2. Don’t take a big bag into the ruins

The level of strictness at Pompeii varies a lot but it’s best to assume that the staff won’t allow you to take large bags or luggage into the ruins. Anything above 30cm wide, 30cm tall and 15cm wide isn’t allowed – as a rough guide that’s a little bit smaller than the size you’d be allowed as a free bag on a budget airline. As well as being for security, it’s also to reduce damage to the ruins themselves from people rubbing against the walls with their bags. There were a small number of luggage lockers at the entrance when I visited but it’s best to leave bulky bags at your accommodation.

Even if you are allowed to take your bag inside, the massive size of the site means that trying to explore while carrying heavy luggage isn’t a great idea, and it’ll restrict you from getting inside some of the most famous buildings. The Lupanar (brothel) house with its famous wall paintings is a particularly tight squeeze.

3. Do take a water bottle

There are drinking water taps all the way along the main thoroughfare where you can refill your bottle with safe drinking water for free. You’ll be doing a lot of walking and it can be very hot. As a bonus, many of the taps are set above Roman troughs so you’ll get to feel a little bit like a real Roman.

4. Don’t worry about food and drink (but do bring snacks)

There are cafes, ice cream/drinks stands and souvenir shops outside all three entrances to the site, but there’s also a reasonably priced cafeteria with a good variety of sandwiches, pizza slices, salads and snacks inside the ruins, just behind the Forum. There are toilets upstairs.

You can also take your own food and drink into Pompeii, which is a good thing when the sheer scale of the place might mean you’re nowhere near the cafeteria when you get hungry.

Even if you don’t bring a packed lunch, it’s a good idea to take a snack or two, especially if you’re planning on spending the whole day in the ruins.

5. Don’t take one of the guided tours touted outside the ruins

– although they’re cheaper than the official guides they’re much larger groups (30+ people compared to around 15). There’s also a little office just outside the train station with an official-looking sign offering tickets – ignore it, the actual official ticket office is inside the gate.

If you’re visiting Pompeii at a busy time it may be a good idea to buy your tickets in advance . While the queue at the ticket office was relatively short when we visited in April, it can get very busy.

Visitor numbers are already capped at 15,000 on the monthly free entry Sundays and there’s talk of restricting the number of people who can go inside the archaeological site on normal days too in order to protect the delicate site for the future. Buying your ticket for Pompeii online means you’re guaranteed to get in. You can buy a maximum of 5 tickets in each transaction.

6. Do take a guided tour of Pompeii

Official Pompeii tourist guides tout as you’re queuing for tickets *inside* the gate at Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra, between 9am and 2pm. They wear a big official pass around their necks and offer tours in several languages. Tours tend to set off when enough people have gathered.

When we got in we were glad we’d gone on a tour as the ruins are huge and confusing with little signage – we wouldn’t have fully appreciated them even with an audio guide and definitely not with just the map and the guidebook.

If you want to be certain of getting on a tour in your language and at the right time, or if you want a private guide for your group you can book a tour in advance .

Most of the Pompeii tours that you can book in advance will include entry tickets. This small group tour with an archaeologist has great reviews and includes skip-the-line entry tickets.

We had a great guide who’d been a little boy when Vesuvius last erupted in 1944 and he really helped bring the city to life for us. You’ll move quickly and see a lot in two hours, but…

7. …don’t expect to see even the highlights of Pompeii in a couple of hours

With a 2 hour tour and 2-3 hours on your own you can get a taste for the city but Pompeii is easily worth a full day.

We arrived at around 10.30am and didn’t leave until closing time. The main sights are quite far from each other, particularly the larger amphitheatre and the Garden of the Fugitives where the main group of bodies are, and walking on the uneven roads can make distances feel even further.

8. Do get a map of the Pompeii site

While you’re at the entrance, do pick up one of the free maps of the Pompeii site. There’s nothing else really to orientate you when you’re in the ruins and the grid system means it’s easy to get lost.

9. Do wear good shoes

The roads are dusty and uneven underfoot and some of the stones are slippy so you’ll want something comfortable with decent grip. Pompeii is definitely not the place for heels. If you wear sandals, expect your feet to be absolutely filthy when you leave!

10. Do protect yourself from the sun

On sunny days, take a hat, sunscreen and some kind of cover-up. There’s very little shade throughout much of Pompeii (as most of the buildings don’t have a roof!), and the white stone can mean lots of reflected light. An umbrella or parasol could be a good idea. The last time I visited I didn’t see anywhere to buy sunscreen inside the site.

Like many places, summer weather in this part of Italy is becoming increasingly hot – during summer 2023 temperatures at Pompeii hit 40° celsius (104° Fahrenheit). I’d recommend trying to plan your trip to Pompeii to avoid heatwaves, but if it’s unavoidable, then consider getting to the site as soon as it opens so you can see as much as possible during the coolest hours of the day.

11. Do take the time to get some background before your trip

The more you can read up about Pompeii, the more you’ll get out of your visit. I watched a BBC documentary on YouTube and read Robert Harris’s novel  Pompeii before we left – not academic at all but it really helped me make sense of what had happened here when Vesuvius erupted.

If you want a more in-depth discussion of the myths around Pompeii and how people may have actually lived, Mary Beard’s book Pompeii: The Life of a Roman Town is excellent and easy to read.

Even if you plan to take a guided tour (and you should), it’d be useful to read the guide book in advance so you can make your own hit list of places you want to visit in Pompeii after the end of the tour.

The official, free Pompeii guide book and map that you get at the site (sometimes known as the red book) has recently been put online as a PDF .

12. Do get a different perspective

by visiting Herculaneum , a few stops along the Circumvesuviana train line from Pompeii and another easy trip from Naples or Sorrento. Herculaneum was also destroyed when Vesuvius erupted, but it’s much quieter than Pompeii. Herculaneum is also much better preserved and many of the buildings still have their upper storey intact.

The tragedy wrought by the eruption feels even more immediate at Herculaneum  – by the Roman shoreline are boat houses full of the skeletons of the people who tried to shelter there.

13. Do climb Mount Vesuvius

Visiting Pompeii is unmissable, but it’s an awe-inspiring experience to go to the top of Mount Vesuvius and see (and smell) the smoke that still rises up from the crater.

I chose to take a bus transfer from Ercolano train station to Vesuvius with Vesuvio Express, which was a really easy way to get there. You can book tickets for Vesuvio Express online .

From the upper car park it’s about a mile to Vesuvius’s crater, all uphill. It’s a fairly shallow gradient but it’s fine, dusty gravel underfoot so can be tough going. If it would help, you can take a walking stick from one of the guys at the entrance in return for a tip.

Wear shoes not sandals but don’t do what I did and wear your new white trainers – they’ll be covered in red Vesuvius dust and pretty much ruined by the time you get back!

There are a couple of souvenir shops which sell drinks and basic snacks, and another at the crater. When I visited Vesuvius there weren’t any public toilets anywhere on the volcano, and after overdoing it on hydration for the climb I ended up begging the shop at the car park to be allowed to use their (non-flushing!) toilet. Recent visitors say if you buy something at the shop or pay 1 euro, they’ll let you use their toilet, but that you might still have to hold your nose.

At the top, walk around the crater at least until you get to a jaggedy part with some steps as the crater looks different from different viewpoints. Try to spot Capri and Ischia on the horizon and Pompeii below and look out for puffs of sulphury-smelling smoke to remind you that it’s still an active volcano !

Our visit to Vesuvius took around 4 hours from leaving Ercolano station to returning back to Ercolano.

14. Make sure you give yourself enough time

There are lots of tours that let you visit Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius and Herculaneum in one day, but that seems very rushed to me.

We did it in two days – one full day for Pompeii and another where we visited Vesuvius in the morning and Herculaneum in the afternoon (travelling from Sorrento), and that felt about right to us.

The two archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum are both very moving (not least because of the body casts at Pompeii and the skeletons at Herculaneum) and for me it was worth taking some extra time so it wasn’t too overwhelming.

What happened at Pompeii?

In AD79, Mount Vesuvius erupted . The force of the explosion blew the entire top of the mountain off, sending rocks, ash and dust over 10 miles into the sky. The rocks and ash rained down on Pompeii for nearly a full day. Most residents had already fled the city but around 2,000 people (around a tenth of the population) stayed behind.

When, finally, a flood of thick volcanic ash, poisonous gases and superheated rock hit Pompeii at nearly 100 miles an hour, the residents who had stayed were asphyxiated , and the city was buried underneath millions of tonnes of volcanic debris.

The victims’ bodies decomposed where they’d died, leaving body-shaped spaces in the hardened ash. Almost 2000 years later, archaeologists were able to pour plaster into these spaces, revealing the last moments of the victims and creating Pompeii’s famous body casts.

Pompeii has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997 as a joint listing with nearby Herculaneum and the Villa Opolontis at Torre Annunziata.

If you’re planning to go to Herculaneum as well as visiting Pompeii (and you should), you can buy the Campania Artecard which will get you into both sites (plus a number of other sightseeing spots in the area) over the course of your visit. Read my full review to see if the Campania Artecard is worth it (spoiler – the 365 Lite card is an absolute bargain!)

Visiting Pompeii in 2024

The information below is correct as of 10 February 2024.

Pompeii opening times in 2024

During winter (dates up until 31 March 2024), Pompeii is open Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm, with the last entry at 3.30pm. Access to some houses is restricted after 4.15pm.

In the summer months (1 April until 31 October 2024) the site is open 9am to 7pm, with the last entry at 5.30pm. Access to some houses is restricted after 6pm.

Pompeii is closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and sometimes on May Day. If the site is going to be open on May 1, the authorities tend to announce it only a week or two in advance.

House of the Day

In summer 2023, a new “House of the Day” programme began, and it’s continued into the colder months. This programme gives you the chance to visit a house that isn’t normally open to the public. You can see the latest schedule on the Pompeii website.

How to buy tickets for Pompeii

For your trip to Pompeii you can either book your official Pompeii tickets online or go to the ticket offices at Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro and Piazza Esedra. There was a small queue when I visited in mid April so booking online could be a good idea during the hot summer months.

Tickets for the ruins cost €22.00 for an adult ticket for Pompeii and the surrounding villas, and €18.00 just for Pompeii. There’s a €1 booking fee for booking online.

Most guided tours will include a skip the line ticket .

If you’re planning to visit Herculaneum , the Archaeological Museum in Naples or other museums and attractions in the area then it might be worth buying a Campania Artecard . I’ve written a full review of the Campania Artecards, plus competitors like the Naples Pass and Pompeii Card .

Visiting Pompeii is free on the first Sunday of every month but it does get very busy! You can avoid the queues for free Pompeii tickets by booking them online .

How to visit Pompeii from Rome

It’s possible to visit Pompeii on a self-guided day trip from Rome thanks to Italy’s amazing high-speed trains. If you choose the fastest train from Rome Termini to Naples Centrale you’ll be there in 1 hour 13 minutes. Tickets are very reasonably priced if you book in advance. From Naples, take the local Circumvesuviana train to Pompei Scavi – Villa Dei Misteri.

As of July 2023, there’s a new direct Frecciarossa fast train service between Rome and the modern town of Pompei. The special train runs on the third Sunday of each month.

A guided tour from Rome , a direct coach transfer or even a private tour is another option for visiting Pompeii from Rome on a day tour.

When to visit Pompeii

Visiting pompeii in spring.

March, April and May can be the best time to visit Pompeii and all the other attractions in the area. March can be a little chilly with a few days of rain, but cooler temperatures are good for exploring the ruins.

Pompeii is open as normal on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, which in 2024 falls at the very end of March (Easter Sunday is March 31 2024). Trains and buses to Pompeii will also be running but to a holiday schedule with reduced frequency.

I visited Pompeii, Vesuvius and Herculaneum in mid April and thought it was the perfect time to take a trip to this part of Italy. The weather was warm and sunny but not too hot, and at Herculaneum in particular the spring flowers were beautiful. Summer opening hours start on April 1, giving you an extra two hours to explore (I needed it!).

Visiting Pompeii in summer

If you visit Pompeii in June, July or August, you’ll need to prepare for high temperatures, but there are some interesting extra events during the summer that could make summer the best time for you to visit the ruins of Pompeii.

During June and July, there are often theatrical and music performances in the Roman Teatro Grande or occasionally in the Amphitheatre.

Long, warm summer evenings allow for other events too, including evening walks, concerts and theatrical performances.

If you’re visiting Pompeii in early May, be aware that May 1 is officially one of the few days that Pompeii is closed, but that’s by no means set in stone. In 2023 the authorities decided to open on May 1 after all, with less than two week’s notice.

Visiting Pompeii in autumn

The autumn or early winter months of September, October and November can still be good months to visit Pompeii. September and October are both still warm and sunny, and the summer opening hours at Pompeii last until the end of October.

In November you can expect more rain in the bay of Naples and cooler, but still comfortable temperatures.

Visiting Pompeii in winter

December, January and February are the low season for tourism in the Bay of Naples, and if you visit during this time you should find the archaeological sites quieter than normal.

If you’re staying anywhere other than Naples you may find that shops and restaurants that cater mainly for tourists are closed for the winter, but prices are cheaper in the ones that stay open. Christmas in Naples looks absolutely magical, with lots of festive lights and crib displays.

If you’re hoping to climb Mount Vesuvius during your trip to Pompeii then it may be better to come during the slightly warmer months as bad weather or even occasional snow can make the hike up to the top hazardous.

Facilities at Pompeii

Toilets and drinking water are available inside the site. There’s a cafeteria near the Forum but it’s a good idea to take your own snacks, especially since the site is so large and you might be a long way from the cafeteria when you get hungry.

Which entrance to use for Pompeii

There are three entrance gates for Pompeii, all with a range of facilities:

• At the Porta Marina entrance (closest to the Pompei Scavi – Villa Dei Misteri train station where trains from Sorrento stop) there’s a ticket office, toilets and left luggage lockers.
• At Piazza Esedra, a little further along from Porta Marina from the station, there is a bookshop and toilets. There’s a small police station just outside the Piazza Esedra entrance.
• At the Porta Anfiteatro entrance (closest to the modern town of Pompei) there’s an ATM, bookshop, toilets and left luggage facilities.

Where should I stay for visiting Pompeii?

If you’re planning a trip to Pompeii, a big decision is where to stay. Most people choose to either stay in Naples or Sorrento when visiting Pompeii – both places have lots to do and are roughly the same distance from the ruins but they offer really different vacation experiences.

Since it’s such a big part of what to know before visiting Pompeii, I’ve put together another post with the best places to stay to visit Pompeii along with advice on areas, how to get to Pompeii from each place and what to expect.

Related posts

If you found this guide to visiting Pompeii useful, you might like these other posts about places to visit in the Bay of Naples.

• Where to stay when you visit Pompeii
• How to visit Herculaneum, the “other Pompeii”
• Which is better, Pompeii or Herculaneum?
• Great day trips from Sorrento
• Things to do in Ischia, an alternative to Capri
• Amazing Roman ruins to visit

I hope you’ve found this guide to visiting Pompeii useful. If you have any tips for visiting Pompeii, please let me know in the comments.

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About Helen

Hi! I’m Helen , and Italy is one of my favourite destinations. I’ve been fascinated by ancient Roman and Greek history since I was a kid and I love nothing more than combining a visit to a Roman site with experiencing Italy’s beautiful landscapes and cities.

I live near Manchester, UK and work full time, so I’m all about making the most of my annual leave with day trips, weekend getaways and short breaks.

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68 thoughts on “14 tips for visiting Pompeii (plus how to climb Vesuvius)”

Thank you so much for all of these tips, Helen! Thanks to you, it was easy to organize our trip to Pompeii and we had an amazing visit.

Hi Catherine, thanks so much for your comment, I’m so glad you had a great trip!

Thank you, very useful!

Thanks Sarah!

Hello Helen, Excellent articles, great tips and a lot of very helpful information!

We are going to visit there mid-November. We will for sure go with a tour as you suggested. You mentioned that there are official tour guides *inside” the gate at Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra, between 9am and 2pm. Are there always such tour guides available? We have 9 people. I want to make sure that we can join a tour. Or would you rather recommend us to book a tour in advance at “GetYourGuide”, which is more expensive(55euro) than the official tour guides (15euro). Thank you so much!

Hi Weihua, thanks for your message and I’m so glad you’ve found my site useful!

We were able to get on a tour fairly soon after buying our tickets, we had to wait for a couple more people to join but that didn’t take long. With 9 people though, I’d be tempted to be cautious and book a tour in advance.

Hello Helen! Thanks for all your practical tips. I just wanted to clarify your advice regarding the Vesuvius express bus and crater entry ticket. Did you mean that the combo ticket can only be purchased in person and doesn’t require an online reservation? Also, is there a discount if I get the Campania Artecard? One more question regarding the Campania Artecard, do you still need a reservation for Pompeii before arrival? Thanks!

Hi Helen! It used to be that you couldn’t buy the Vesuvius Express combination ticket including the entry ticket to the crater online, but they’ve recently updated their website and you can buy them together now. I’m afraid there’s no discount on Vesuvius Express tickets with the Campania Artecard.

You don’t need a reservation for Pompeii if you have the Campania Artecard, but you will need to show your Artecard at the ticket desk.

Hi Helen, Your blog is amazing and very informative. Thank you. One question: the Ercolano Scavvi trains seem to be only one every three hours. We would like to use Versuvio express for the transfer and park entry combo you recommend, but I can’t seem to find any more frequent trains. Any ideas where I’m going wrong? Thank you.

Maria, Norfolk

Hi Maria, thank you!

It sounds like you might be looking at Campania Express train times – the normal Circumvesuviana trains are much more frequent and while they’ll be much busier than the Campania Express trains, they’re absolutely fine. Just keep an eye on your stuff as pickpockets operate on the train. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Thank you Helen, Great information about Pompeii and how to make it happen. I’ll be visiting on May 28th and will write afterwards. All the best, Drake

Thanks Drake, hope you have a brilliant trip to Pompeii!

Really useul blog, thanks – we are heading to the Sorrento region in mid-May and your advice has been very helpful.

Thank you Jane, hope you have a wonderful trip to Sorrento!

Thank you for such helpful advice on such an overwhelming amount of possibilities! We’ll be in Sorrento and the surrounding environs in May, and your updated info, as well as links, have answered a lot of my questions / concerns. I look forward to following you for future and past suggestions!

Thanks Liz, hope you have a wonderful trip!

What fantastic tips and information. Wonderful to read and have taken screenshot of the train information. I’m in naples in September and going to do pompeii, herculeum and vesuvius on different days to get the best experience of them all. I really appreciate the work you have put in to help us would be travellers.

Thank you Josie, and that sounds like a great plan to get the most from your time at each site, especially if it’s still hot in September. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Thanks so much for a wonderfully comprehensive guide! We are visiting Pompeii and all of the other archaeological sites in April and can’t wait!

Thanks Joanne, I hope you have a wonderful trip 🙂

This is a spectacular guide. Extremely informative and helpful, thanks for taking the time to put it together.

Thank you Aurore, your comment really made my day!

Hi Helen Thanks so much for your really helpful guide! One question, do you have any advice for disabled access to Pompeii? Many thanks Dave

Hi Dave, thanks for your comment. The Pompeii authorities have set up a route which is accessible for people with motor impairments, so it’s relatively flat. There’s more information on that and a map here . There are audio guides which might be helpful for people with visual impairments. The site was trialling guided tours in Italian Sign Language but I couldn’t find any more information on this I’m afraid, and it seems like it was in Italian Sign Language only. I hope this helps.

This is so useful – thank you!

Is there anywhere you’d recommend to stay close to Pompei or Vesuvius? If visiting both sites is a two day event, I’m thinking it’d make more sense to stay nearer and avoid the two hour round trip from Sorrento or Naples.

I’ve just found your page on where to stay and it answers all my questions! Thank you!

You’re welcome, hope you have a fantastic trip 🙂

Very useful thank you.

Hello Helen, your blog is very useful. We visited Pompeii on 6th September so wanted to update you. They are no longer insisting that you follow one of the two routes. The arrows are still there, but within the designated areas you can wander about freely. I don’t think any more of the site is open though, for example the brothel is still closed. We made a mistake and bought online tickets from Tiqets rather than the official site, and they said we couldn’t enter until after 11.30,but on changing the QR code to an official ticket at Porte Marina we got in immediately. It also looked as though people were buying tickets at the office rather than online, although the website had not been updated to reflect that. We found it all pretty confusing to start with! The cafe at the Forum is doing takeaway only (which means everyone sits outside closer than they would be at tables in order to be in the shade..) and the toilets there are open.

Thank you for all the info! We stayed in Pompeii and followed your advise, we took our time to visit the Pompeii ruins in one day (… and even though a few places/sites were closed, it was definitely a great experience – we took our time to walk around, it was not crowded and we were able to see a lot in one full day), day 2 we spent in Vesuvius and Herculaneum! Fantastic

Thank you for the helpful tips! Great Blog

Thanks so much for updating this for covid info. My friend and I are travelling for one week to Sorento in October and we were uncertain how/when/what etc to visit Pompeii etc. You’ve just told us perfectly how to do it 😂. Hugs all round x

Thanks for your detailed information. We were supposed to travel last Month but due to Covid-19 this has been moved to next August. A little warmer than we had planned !! So the tips on water and light luggage will be useful. We were so disappointed to cancel but now have a whole year to find interesting info like yours to help us make the most of our trip. Thanks!

Hi Helen – Thanks for this post. We are planning a trip for Easter and your travel tips have been very helpful.

Thanks Jan, I hope you have a fantastic trip.

Hi, thank you for this information. We booked to go to Naples today, we arrive on Friday. I’m very much looking forward to visiting both sites & of course Mount Vesuvius. I’ve noted down your advice, thanks again 😁

I hope you had a great trip, if you have any tips from your visit please do share 🙂

Hi Helen, I agree your article is superb, very clear and informative. I’ve been busy writing little notes down. I’m looking forward to my visit in July with family.

Thank you Nesta! I hope you have a fantastic trip.

Great article, thank you. We did Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day, and loved the contrast between the two sites. And, just to let anyone else reading this know, there are now toilets in the upper car park at Vesuvius!

Excellent intel, hurrah for toilets at Vesuvius! Thanks for your comment 🙂

Hi Helen, superb article, very useful thank you. I and my three grown-up kids (teens and 20’s) are looking forward to a 3 day break in Septmeber. From your description I should have gone for a long week instead of a long weekend. Is there a way that you could set up an “if you enjoyed this article, click here to donate a £1”. I for one would make a contribution. Having purchased Eyewitness & Rough Guide books on the area, your precise info has been the best source so far. Very well done Helen. And thank you. Wishing you continued good travelling. Mark

Thank you for your very kind comment Mark, I hope you have a wonderful time in Italy 🙂

I am going to Pompeii tomorrow morning and am glad that I read your blog first. Very helpful! Thanks.

Thank you, I hope you had a great time!

Thank you so much for such great information . I particularly liked your advice on footwear, and how long to expect to spend at each of the sites. We’re going to Sorrento next week for 4 nights, so we’re gonna be pretty busy!

Thanks Diane, I hope you had a great time in Sorrento!

Currently Vesuvius does not look as scary as we imagine it, but it is worth seeing it up close, because who knows when it will explode again 🙂

True! Hopefully with technology we’d get some warning though!

Thank you Helen for taking the time to do this. Really helpful – precise and comprehensive. Pictures helped too and resources to learn about Pompeii before visiting. Great to know that Pompeii really does take a day to visit properly. Would you advise booking entry tickets ahead? We are going for the first time in mid June this year.

Hi Tamaris, thanks for your comment. The queue to get in wasn’t too bad when I visited in April a couple of years ago, but I don’t think it’d do any harm to book tickets online in advance, especially if you’re planning to visit at a slightly busier time of year. Hope you have an amazing time!

It is a great article! we are planning to visit in June first week and it will be most helpful. I do have a query though, we will be coming from Sorrento and will most probably hire a private car as we need to go to Naples later. Would you recommend getting the tickets beforehand or should we buy at the spot? We have two sons aged 12 and 10 and they are usually short of patience while standing in queues.

Thanks Harshita. If your sons are short on patience it’s probably a good idea to book the tickets online beforehand. Hope you and your sons have an amazing visit to Pompeii!

Thank you very much for this tips! Last time we visited Pompei there wasn’t a cafeteria inside and we had to carry around everything for a picknick. There was no water inside, too… pretty hard on a hot summer’s day!

We’ll visit Pompei this april and if there is any news I’ll let you know!

Oh goodness that must’ve been a tough one, we were constantly filling up our water bottles! Please do let me know if anything has changed when you visit in April, I hope you have a wonderful time.

Hi Helen I read your post letter by letter, your writing is precise and captivating. Me and my daughter (9) plan to visit Pompeii this May. My question is regarding food: can you bring a packed sandwich and eat during the visit? I mean like sit down on a rock, have a sandwich, a drink and keep going…Or fruits? Traveling with my daughter has taught me to always have something to nibble….

Hi, yes there are lots of places where you can sit down and eat a packed lunch – one of the amphitheatres would be a great spot! I always take snacks with me too 🙂 Hope you enjoy your visit!

This looks like such an amazing and unique experience! I’ve only ever heard of Pompeii from old roman and greek stories. I absolutely love visiting historic sites like this one. Thanks for the new travel destination inspiration!

Sending my love xx

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the post!

Hello, is it best to see Pompeii first and the Mount Vesuvius or does it not matter on the order? We will be coming from Sorrento. Is there a train back from Mount Vesuvius if we do that second? Thank you!

Hi, if at all possible then I’d recommend doing them on separate days as Pompeii is enormous and it worked better for us to team Vesuvius with a visit to Herculaneum. Herculaneum is amazing – if you’ve got the time I really recommend it. If you have to do Vesuvius and Pompeii on one day then I’d do Vesuvius in the morning and Pompeii in the afternoon. Go from Sorrento on the train to (modern) Herculaneum and take the bus trip to Vesuvius which leaves from just outside the station. When you get back to the station at Herculaneum, get the train from there to Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri station which is just outside the Pompeii ruins. Then a train back to Sorrento. Sorrento, Pompei Scavi and Herculaneum are all on the same train line so it’s an easy trip – we also stayed in Sorrento. Hope you have an amazing time!

Hi Helen, very helpulf your info, I have a question, Im going next september, do you think that I can do Pompeii and Herculaneum on the same day?

I think it really depends on your stamina levels, what kind of traveller you are and honestly how interested you are in the places themselves. If you get to Pompeii at opening time, do a tour and then hit the major sights that aren’t covered on the tour and go straight on to Herculaneum, it’s definitely do-able. I glad we had a bit more time at both places as I really enjoyed just wandering through the streets, taking it in, imagining what it was like to live there. Don’t underestimate how big Pompeii is though, the amphitheatre and the place where you’ll see most of the body casts are both at the far side of the site – visiting Pompeii is honestly like going on a mini city break. Hope this helps and you have an amazing trip!

I stayed in Pompei June 2017, visiting Pompeii, Herculaneum, climbing Mount Vesuvius and visited Sorrento, Capri, Ravello, and more. I just loved this area and I plan to go back in future during the spring. Although I loved Pompeii I enjoyed Herculaneum much more, there were less crowds and easier to get around. I also loved the fact they left what appears to be the original remains ( I may be wrong)of the citizens of Herculaneum in their final resting place in shops located in Bay Area. Also at Herculaneum there was a beautiful cat that really took a shine to me, and I named him Titus . I was told by the staff that this was the first time they had seen him be friendly with anyone including them. Titus even followed me around during my tour. Ahh memories. #memories #missingpompeii #missingherculaneum #titusthecat 🙂

Thanks for commenting! I think they are the original remains, I understood they removed some for testing but the others are original. So tragic, it really brings it home to you doesn’t it. Titus sounds awesome, I love to make friends with a cat on holiday 🙂

My daughter and I are traveling to Pompeii in August! I can’t wait. We were planning 2 Days here and then maybe catching a ferry to Capri.

Oh wow, you’ll have an amazing time. Definitely make sure you take a water bottle to refill though! Hope you and your daughter enjoy your trip.

Thanks a most helpful article.

Thanks Rachel, glad it was useful!

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How to Get From Naples to Mount Vesuvius

Mount Vesuvius is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world, and it’s also responsible for one of the worst natural disasters in human history: the complete destruction of the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 AD.

It’s 1200m high, and it’s only 27 Km away from Naples, which might sound a little bit scary since it’s been active for 40.000 years! Anyway, its activity mainly consists in underground gas and mud, and the last proper eruption was back in 1944. It’s one of the most monitored active volcanoes in the world, so any sign of suspicious activity is immediately detected, making any hike perfectly safe!

Climbing Mount Vesuvius and looking inside its crater is an unmissable experience. Its slopes are dotted with vineyards and farms providing a great stop to taste local products along the way!

 Below you’ll find some useful tips for visiting Mount Vesuvius during your stay in Naples.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission.

Table of Contents

How to get from Naples to Mount Vesuvius

Naples to Mount Vesuvius by Car

Take the A3 motorway named Napoli-Salerno until the Herculaneum exit. Once there, you’ll need to follow the signs to reach the National Park. You’ll find a parking lot below the entrance of the park and the ticket office (at 800m), so you’ll have to walk up for about 30 minutes following a steep path.

The parking lot has a fixed fee of 5 euros per day. If you don’t feel like walking uphill to reach the ticket office, there’s a shuttle bus leaving every 20 minutes and costing 2 euros. After getting your ticket, you’ll be right on the trail leading you to the crater (trail number 5), and the climb will take another 30 minutes.

Naples to Mount Vesuvius by Train/Bus

Take the Circumvesuviana train line from Naples (underground of the main railway station) and get off at Herculaneum or Pompeii Scavi. Once in Herculaneum, take the shuttle bus named Vesuvio Express right in front of the station: it will take you to Mount Vesuvius in 20 minutes at the cost of 10 euros. Click here for more information .

If you prefer to get off at Pompeii Scavi, take the EAV bus to get to the entrance of the National Park in about 50 minutes at the cost of 2,70 euros. If you take a bus, you’ll be able to get off at the entrance skipping the path connecting the public parking lot to the ticket office.

Naples to Mount Vesuvius on a Guided Tour

You can also join a guided tour combining more than one attraction on the same day. Visiting Mount Vesuvius with a guide is a great way to learn more about local history and geology, and it will allow you to save some time if you’re only staying in Naples for a few days. The best-guided tours from Naples are:

From Naples: Pompeii Ruins & Mount Vesuvius Day Tour From Naples: Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Vesuvius Day Trip Pompeii, Vesuvius, and Sorrento Day Tour from Naples Vesuvius: Mt. Vesuvius Summit and Wine Tasting Tour

Practical tips for visiting Mount Vesuvius

• Remember that you’ll have to pay a fee of 10 euros to enter the National Park. The fee is rarely included in the guided tours, so you’d better check before booking. Children shorter than 120 centimeters can enter the park for free.
• To climb up to the crater, take trail number 5, which is the most scenic. It’s called Gran Cono and it’s a 200m steep ascent.
• Wear hiking boots and comfortable clothes, and don’t forget to bring a sweater with you, even in summer. Remember that you’ll be on top of a real mountain, so the weather can suddenly change. If you’re not particularly fit, or if you have any health issues, the climb might not be suitable for you.
• Bring water and some snacks with you, and keep in mind there are no toilets up there!
• Save at least 2 hours for this visit to have enough time to take plenty of pictures and enjoy the view.
• Once at the top, you’ll find a couple of local guides who are available to give you a 10-minute class about geology. It’s free, so take advantage of this opportunity!
• Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen because there’s no shade up there!

Opening hours of the National Park:

Nov-Feb: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mar & Oct: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Apr-Sept: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Jul & Aug: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Pros for visiting Mount Vesuvius

• Great view of Naples, Pompeii, and the sea
• The thrill of climbing an active volcano
• Opportunity to learn more about local history and geology.

Cons for visiting Mount Vesuvius

• Not suitable for elderly people and/or young kids
• Steep climb
• Unpredictable weather

You might be interested in the following: How to spend 3 days in Naples A 2 -day Naples itinerary Best day trips from Naples Where to stay in Naples How to get from Naples to Pompeii How to get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast

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How to visit Mount Vesuvius independently

Vesuvius, together with Etna and Stromboli, is one of the three active volcanoes in Italy.

It is considered one of the symbols of the city of Naples, although in reality it is a real scarecrow for those who live in its immediate vicinity: its presumed first eruption, which occurred in the very distant 79 d. C., destroyed Pompeii, Herculaneum and the ancient cities of Stabiae and Oplontis.

Today, it is still considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in Europe due to its explosive eruptions. Nevertheless, it is the favorite destination of many visitors from all over the world.

Let’s see then, through the steps of the following guide, how to visit Vesuvius.

Monte Somma

The crater of Vesuvius today has a diameter that measures about 700 meters, a circumference of about 12 kilometers and a depth of 200 meters. In reality, it is a formation that includes two volcanoes: the Monte Somma (dormant) and the Vesuvius (Gran Cono). Since 1995, Vesuvius is a national park and you can walk up to its summit.

The best known and tourist route to follow on Mount Vesuvius is that of the Gran Cono, which leads through a steep path to the mouth of the crater. The asphalted road leads to about 200 meters from the top; from that point on, going along a spiral walkway around the mountain you can reach the crater.

Tourist guides

You can find volcanological guides, recognizable thanks to the gray / yellow suits, giving technical information and historical explanations, answering all questions and curiosities.

The explanation of the guides lasts about fifteen minutes, so after that you have plenty of time to enjoy the view of Naples and its surroundings, take pictures and buy lava stone souvenirs in the small shops present. You can then continue with the walk around the other half of the ring that surrounds the mouth of the crater.

The path can be a little steep, but there is a handrail and sticks can be purchased. Closed slip-resistant shoes are recommended because the path can be full of stones. It is a good idea to equip yourself with a windbreaker, hat and sun glasses and water bottle. Once at the top you can have a snack in the rest area with wooden benches.

The climb to the top costs about 10 euro. It is advisable to visit Vesuvius on working days, because on the weekends it is possible to find many organized groups and this can lead to traffic jams.

How to get to Vesuvius?

The EAV bus (the public transport line) connects the Archeological site of Pompei with the summit of Vesuvius.

The journey takes about 50 minutes and the ticket costs € 2.70.

[…] How to visit Mount Vesuvius independently […]

Hi – Thank you for this information. I am a book-ahead person wherever possible, but I cannot for the life of me find a site that sells simply entrance tickets. I can only find guided tours. We will be there Sunday May 7 and are planning on going to Mt. Vesuvius immediately after our two hour tour of Pompei that ends at 11:00. I so appreciate your expert advice.

Hi Catherine

It’s fairly straight forward. You can take the EAV buses from Pompeii

Piazza Anfiteatro 8:30 9:50 10:45 11:45 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 15:10 15:50 16:55 Villa dei Misteri 8:35 9:55 10:50 11:50 12:35 13:05 13:35 14:05 15:15 15:55 17:00 Porta Marina 8:38 9:58 10:53 11:53 12:38 13:08 13:38 14:08 15:18 15:58 17:03 Torre del Greco 8:55 10:15 11:10 12:10 12:55 13:25 13:55 14:25 15:35 16:15 17:20 Osservatorio 9:05 10:25 11:20 12:20 13:05 13:35 14:05 14:35 15:45 16:25 17:30 Seggiovia Q.750 9:15 10:35 11:30 12:30 13:15 13:45 14:15 14:45 15:55 16:35 17:40 Vesuvio quota 1000 9:25 10:45 11:40 12:40 13:25 13:55 14:25 14:55 16:05 16:45 17:50

The trip takes about 55 minutes, tickets cost EUR 3.10 one way and can be purchased on board on EAV bus.

and you can buy the park ticket entrance on

https://vesuviopark.vivaticket.it/en#where_to_buy

I hope this helps

Hi Antonio, thank you for your helpful article. I am hoping to climb Vesuvius with my girlfriend of the 1st June, however, the link seems to say it is already booked out for the whole day?

Do the tour companies book blocks of tickets in advance? I am just wondering if the only way to get to the mountain is now through a private tour?

Thank you again, Charles

It looks like it’s booked up only up to the 4th of June, it’s available from the 5th.

You can look at private tours locally, or as an alternative, go to Mt Faito for more beautiful views

https://www.sorrentohiking.com/the_paths/faito/

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The Great Cono

Museum and archaelogical areas, historical buildings and villas, the vesuvius national park is a world of biodiversity to explore step by step. plan your visit to the park and choose whether to hike through the trails surrounded by the green or visit the gran cono of mount vesuvius for an unforgettable experience..

The Vesuvius National Park consists of 11 paths for a total length of 54 km of walkway.

The Gran Cono

Going up the path of the Gran Cono is a unique experience, for the thrill of walking along the crater of an active volcano and for the view of Campania and Lazio you can enjoy.

The main route runs along the western side of the crater rim, while an alternative route, under construction, will allow you to travel along the entire circle of the crater with a guided tour.

Path N. 5 - A guide to visit the Crater of the Vesuvius.

The paths of the Vesuvius National Park

The extraordinary archaeological city of Pompeii, the ruins of Herculaneum, Oplonti, the recent ones of Somma Vesuviana, Villa Regina in Boscoreale, …

The heritage of the villae rusticae, farms and villa farms is very interesting.

Protected area

The volcano and its history, biodiversity and territory of the park

Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio

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How to get to Vesuvius: info by car, train, metro, bus, Circumvesuviana and plane

Information on how to reach the Vesuvius, the Gran Cono and the National Park by car, Circumvesuviana, metro, bus, train, plane and on foot.

Il Vesuvio is the volcano overlooking the Gulf of Naples and is one of the most popular tourist destinations for those arriving in the capital of Naples.

Tourists who decide to visit it can walk the suggestive path that leads them up to the Gran Cono , ie the internal crater, an area from which one can admire the most beautiful sight on the coast, the sea and the immense province of Naples. To get to the crater you must first arrive at the Piazzale at an altitude of 1000 meters from which the itinerary begins.

Here is the information on how to reach Vesuvius by car, by train, by subway, by circumvesuviana, by bus, by plane or by foot.

To reach Vesuvius on the highway it is necessary travel the A3 . Both from the north and from the south, take the Ercolano exit or the Torre del Greco exit.

From Ercolano it must enter Via Cupa Monti , after the roundabout take the third exit and stay on via Cupa Monti. At the new roundabout take the second exit, always to stay on the same street. At this point, we need to continue on via Vesuvio up to Contrada Osservatorio and continue following the signs up to the Vesuvio National Park.

From Torre del Greco proceed on the Strada Statale 18 Tirrena Inferiore / SR18 towards via Traversa I Vittorio Veneto and continue on via G.Marconi, continue on via Enrico De Nicola and then on via Vesuvio. At the roundabout, take the first exit and continue towards Contrada Osservatorio following the directions for Vesuvius.

In Circumvesuviana

You can reach the Gran Cono del Vesuvio using the Circumvesuviana that from Naples is located in Piazza Garibaldi in the Central Station. Take one of the trains Naples-Sorrento and get off at the station Ercolano Scavi or Pompeii Villa of the Mysteries . Consult all train times .

From Pompeii stop leave the tourist shuttles Tramvia Vesuvio of EAV , in the square in front of the station, or you can continue by taxi. More information on the official website (it may be necessary to book the shuttle in advance).

From the Ercolano stop you can take private buses or taxis.

From the Piazza Garibaldi Station in Naples you can take the Trenitalia train bound for Salerno and get off at Portici-Ercolano stop . From here, reach the ANM “Gianturco-San Pasquale” shelter, take line 5 and get off at the “Vesuvio” stop. Continue on foot. Keep in mind that line 5 has a very low frequency, waiting times are very long.

From the terminus of Piazza Piedigrotta in Naples the EAV Naples-Vesuvio bus which leads directly to the square at an altitude of 1000 meters from which the walking path begins for the Gran Cono. The line works every day, but is suppressed from the 1 January to the 28 February. Consult the official website for timetables .

From Naples you can take both the 1 line is the 2 metro line to reach the Garibaldi stop and from there take the Circumvesuviana or the Trenitalia regional train. Then, follow the directions in the appropriate previous paragraphs.

From Capodichino , where there is the Naples Airport where you land, take the Alibus to get to the Piazza Garibaldi Station and, from there, take the Circumvesuviana or the regional train, following our indications of the other paragraphs.

Walking route

Once you reach the square a 1000 altitude meters continue on foot following a pre-established path to reach the crater, ie the Gran Cono.

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How to Figure Out What Your Car Knows About You (and Opt Out of Sharing When You Can)

Cars collect a lot of our personal data, and car companies disclose a lot of that data to third parties. It’s often unclear what’s being collected, and what's being shared and with whom. A recent New York Times article highlighted how data is shared by G.M. with insurance companies , sometimes without clear knowledge from the driver. If you're curious about what your car knows about you, you might be able to find out. In some cases, you may even be able to opt out of some of that sharing of data.

Why Your Car Collects and Shares Data

A car (and its app, if you installed one on your phone) can collect all sorts of data in the background with and without you realizing it. This in turn may be shared for a wide variety of purposes , including advertising and risk-assessment for insurance companies. The list of data collected is long and dependent on the car’s make, model, and trim.  But if you look through any car maker’s privacy policy, you'll see some trends:

• Diagnostics data, sometimes referred to as “vehicle health data,” may be used internally for quality assurance, research, recall tracking, service issues, and similar unsurprising car-related purposes. This type of data may also be shared with dealers or repair companies for service.
• Location information may be collected for emergency services, mapping, and to catalog other environmental information about where a car is operated. Some cars may give you access to the vehicle’s location in the app.
• Some usage data may be shared or used internally for advertising. Your daily driving or car maintenance habits, alongside location data, is a valuable asset to the targeted advertising ecosystem. 
• All of this data could be shared with law enforcement.
• Information about your driving habits, sometimes referred to as “Driving data” or “Driver behavior information,” may be shared with insurance companies and used to alter your premiums.  This can range from odometer readings to braking and acceleration statistics and even data about what time of day you drive.. 

Surprise insurance sharing is the thrust of The New York Times article, and certainly not the only problem with car data. We've written previously about how insurance companies offer discounts for customers who opt into a usage-based insurance program. Every state except California currently allows the use of telematics data for insurance rating, but privacy protections for this data vary widely across states.

When you sign up directly through an insurer, these opt-in insurance programs have a pretty clear tradeoff and sign up processes, and they'll likely send you a physical device that you plug into your car's OBD port that then collects and transmits data back to the insurer.

But some cars have their own internal systems for sharing information with insurance companies that can piggy back off an app you may have installed, or the car’s own internet connection. Many of these programs operate behind dense legalese. You may have accidentally “agreed” to such sharing without realizing it, while buying a new car—likely in a state of exhaustion and excitement after finally completing a gauntlet of finance and legal forms.

This gets more confusing: car-makers use different terms for their insurance sharing programs. Some, like Toyota's “Insure Connect,” are pretty obviously named. But others, like Honda, tuck information about sharing with a data broker (that then shares with insurance companies) inside a privacy policy after you enable its “Driver Feedback” feature. Others might include the insurance sharing opt-in alongside broader services you might associate more with safety or theft, like G.M.’s OnStar, Subaru’s Starlink, and Volkswagen’s Car-Net.

The amount of data shared differs by company, too. Some car makers might share only small amounts of data, like an odometer reading, while others might share specific details about driving habits.

That's just the insurance data sharing. There's little doubt that many cars sell other data for behavioral advertising , and like the rest of that industry, it's nearly impossible to track exactly where your data goes and how it's used.

See What Data Your Car Has (and Stop the Sharing)

This is a general guide to see what your car collects and who it shares it with. It does not include information about specific scenarios— like intimate partner violence — that may raise distinctive driver privacy issues.

See How Your Car Handles (Data) Start by seeing what your car is equipped to collect using Privacy4Cars’ Vehicle Privacy Report . Once you enter your car’s VIN, the site provides a rough idea of what sorts of data your car collects. It's also worth reading about your car manufacturer’s more general practices on Mozilla's Privacy Not Included site.

Check the Privacy Options In Your Car’s Apps and Infotainment System If you use an app for your car, head into the app’s settings, and look for any sort of data sharing options. Look for settings like “Data Privacy” or “Data Usage.” When possible, opt out of sharing any data with third-parties, or for behavioral advertising. As annoying as it may be, it’s important to read carefully here so you don’t accidentally disable something you want, like a car’s SOS feature. Be mindful that, at least according to Mozilla’s report on Tesla , opting out of certain data sharing might someday make the car undriveable. Now’s also a good time to disable ad tracking on your phone .

When it comes to sharing with insurance companies, you’re looking for an option that may be something obvious, like Toyota’s “Insure Connect,” or less obvious, like Kia’s “Driving Score.” If your car’s app has any sort of driver scoring or feedback option—some other names include GM’s ”Smart Driver,” Honda’s “Driver Feedback,” or Mitsubishi’s “Driving Score”—there’s a chance it’s sharing that data with an insurance company. Check for these options in both the app and the car’s infotainment system.

If you did accidentally sign up for sharing data with insurance companies, you may want to call your insurance company to see how doing so may affect your premiums. Depending on your driving habits, your premiums might go up or down, and in either case you don’t want a surprise bill.

File a Privacy Request with the Car Maker Next, file a privacy request with the car manufacturer so you can see exactly what data the company has collected about you. Some car makers will provide this to anyone who asks. Others might only respond to requests from residents of states with a consumer data privacy law that requires their response. The International Association of Privacy Professionals has published this list of states with such laws.

In these states, you have a “right to know” or “right to access” your data, which requires the company to send you a copy of what personal information it collected about you. Some of these states also guarantee “ data portability ,” meaning the right to access your data in a machine-readable format. File one of these requests, and you should receive a copy of your data. In some states , you can also file a request for the car maker to not sell or share your information, or to delete it. While the car maker might not be legally required to respond to your request if you're not from a state with these privacy rights, it doesn’t hurt to ask anyway.

Every company tends to word these requests a little differently, but you’re looking for options to get a copy of your data, and ask them to stop sharing it. This typically requires filling out a separate request form for each type of request.

Here are the privacy request pages for the major car brands:

• BMW (BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce)
• Ford (Ford, Lincoln)
• GM (Cadillac, GMC, Chevrolet, Buick)
• Honda (Honda, Acura)
• Jaguar (Jaguar, Land Rover)
• Mercedes-Benz
• Stellantis (Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge)
• Toyota (Toyota, Lexus)
• Volkswagen (VW, Audi)

Sometimes, you will need to confirm the request in an email, so be sure to keep an eye on your inbox.

Check for Data On Popular Data Brokers Known to Share with Insurers Finally, request your data from data brokers known to hand car data to insurers. For example, do so with the two companies mentioned in The New York Times’ article: 

• LexisNexis  

Now, you wait. In most states, within 45 to 90 days you should receive an email from the car maker, and another from the data brokers, which will often include a link to your data. You will typically get a CSV file, though it may also be a PDF, XLS, or even a folder with a whole webpage and an HTML file. If you don't have any sort of spreadsheet software on your computer, you might struggle to open it up, but most of the files you get can be opened in free programs, like Google Sheets or LibreOffice.

Without a national law that puts privacy first , there is little that most people can do to stop this sort of data sharing. Moreover, the steps above clearly require far too much effort for most people to take. That’s why we need much more than these consumer rights to know, to delete, and to opt-out of disclosure: we also need laws that automatically require corporations to minimize the data they process about us, and to get our opt-in consent before processing our data. As to car insurers, we've outlined exactly what sort of guardrails we'd like to see here . 

As The New York Times ' reporting revealed, many people were surprised to learn how their data is collected, disclosed, and used, even if there was an opt-in consent screen. This is a clear indication that car makers need to do better. 

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Futuristic technology reveals secrets in ancient Vesuvius Scrolls

Ancient time capsules

“Human civilization,” says classicist Richard Janko, “is a very fragile thing.”

He should know. For nearly 40 years, U-M’s Gerald F. Else Distinguished University Professor of Classical Studies has relied on his scholarly insights, nearly infinite patience, and sharp eyesight to decipher the charred and brittle Vesuvius Scrolls, a process now being sped up by AI and three-dimensional CT (computed tomography) scans.

Early excavators in Herculaneum threw away many of the blackened lumps. Others unspooled the delicate relics but damaged them in the process. Only 270 survive untouched. Tens of thousands more scrolls, probably including lost masterpieces of literature, history, and philosophy, may still be entombed in Piso’s unexcavated personal library.

An eye for antiquities

Professor Janko has spent 40 years seeking to decipher the Vesuvius Scrolls. (Image courtesy of Richard Janko.)

Today, Janko is a juror for the prestigious Vesuvius Challenge. This annual contest (so far, $1 million has been awarded) spurs computer scientists to hone their skill at virtually unwrapping papyri and teasing out black letter shapes of ink from black backgrounds.

Antiquities have always been a part of Janko’s life. He was born in a 350-year-old thatch-roofed stone cottage in the village of Weston Underwood, two hours north of London. Walking in nearby fields as a child, he sometimes found shards of Roman-era pottery.

His youthful fascination with all things ancient got an early boost from two local men. One lent him books about ancient Greece. Like many of Janko’s classicist teachers, he had operated behind enemy lines in Greece for British intelligence during World War II. The other, a retired military colonel, gave him Greek and Latin books he had tossed in his garden shed, rolling them out in a wheelbarrow full of unwanted moldy texts.

“I was terribly happy to be given those books,” Janko recalls. “I knew from an early age that I wanted to study Greek, and I never wavered in that. Of course, deciding what you want to do when you’re very young gives you more time to get good at it.”

Fascinated by Philodemus

Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus was a Roman senator whose villa was destroyed by the volcano known as Mount Vesuvius. Philodemus was his in-house scholar. (Image: Wikipedia.)

Janko won his role as a Vesuvius judge thanks, among other things, to his books on Philodemus. “He was a controversialist whose writings continually quote and try to rebut works by his adversaries. In doing that, of course, he preserved their work, which otherwise would have been lost. He’s an exciting source from which to learn more about other early thinkers,” says Janko.

A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Janko earned his PhD at Cambridge. Before coming to the University of Michigan in 2002 and serving as his department’s chair from 2002-07, he held professorships at Columbia, UCLA, and the University of London.

“Richard is a consummate scholar of ancient Greek civilization, ranging from the Mycenean Bronze Age down to Greek culture in the early Roman Empire,” says U-M professor emeritus Bruce W. Frier, the John and Teresa D’Arms Distinguished University Professor of Classics and Roman Law. According to Frier, Janko’s “painstaking attention to detail” and “broad, new, and often startling insights” have made him one of the top scholars in his field.

Classicists hailed Janko’s 2001 translation of the Derveni papyrus, the oldest surviving European book dating to 340 BC and a commentary on the cult of Orpheus. “It’s as if Stephen Hawking or Einstein took the book of Genesis and interpreted the account of the world’s creation in terms of molecules and particles,” says Janko. “It must have caused a real scandal because you don’t do that to a religious text.”

Janko teaches courses in the ancient Greek world, Hellenistic Greek literature and papyri, and Homer and the Trojan War.

“I’m still struck by how many of my students became interested in the classics because of the Greek myths. They have immense power,” he says. (Classical Studies remain popular at Michigan. Sixty percent of all undergraduates take at least one such course, according to Janko, though the number of students majoring in Classics has fallen.)

So much to be done

Janko began studying Philodemus and the scrolls in 1985, after publication of his controversial book.

Janko’s study of Philodemus and the scrolls began in 1985, following the publication of his controversial book Aristotle on Comedy: Towards a Reconstruction of Poetics II. It contended that one of the Greek philosopher’s treatises was not lost but is summarized in a medieval manuscript. (The plot of the best-selling 1983 novel The Name of the Rose and the 1986 Sean Connery movie of the same name concerns that same book.)

By chance, Janko’s Aristotle book led him to the National Library in Naples, where the Vesuvius scroll fragments are kept.

“I saw a little article by an Italian scholar complaining that nobody had noticed his 1955 article about a papyrus from Herculaneum in which Philodemus rebutted Aristotle’s poetics. That led me to an article from 1909 where a German scholar also complained that nobody had noticed his 1865 article about this papyrus, so I decided I’d better go and look at it,” he says. “When I got there, I was astonished at how much research on the scrolls remained to be done.”

Toilsome work conquers everything

Mount Vesuvius rises above the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii. (Image: Encyclopedia Britannica.)

It took Janko about seven years to write each of his Philodemus books, the third of which was published in 2020. Early on, he deciphered shards of scrolls by tilting them at an angle in sunlight and squinting. After that, he faced the maddening challenge of putting words and letters together from a jigsaw array of fragments. The task became easier in the 1990s when the library purchased modern binocular microscopes and introduced infrared digital photography.

This odyssey of reconstruction might have defeated a lesser scholar. In a paper on the arduous process, Janko wrote “As Vergil feelingly put it, ‘labor omnia vincit improbus.’ [Ed. Note: ‘Toilsome work conquers everything.’] Only when clad in an armament of unremitting effort and the magic of numbers, harnessing fire-breathing bulls and facing down armed skeletons left and right, can one plough the field of these papyri and reap their harvest of new texts.”

Janko admits that sometimes, even he runs out of patience. When he gets frustrated, he walks in the woods or fields. “If the problem seems insoluble, I drop it for a year or two and then try again,” he says.

Janko believes future digs at the villa may exhume lost works of unparalleled value, such as histories, plays by Aeschylus and Euripides, works by the Greek poet Sappho, and epic poems on the Trojan War that fill in the gaps between the Iliad and the  Odyssey . Wealthy Romans often had libraries containing 40,000 scrolls or more. Piso’s villa boasted a tiered semicircular room resembling a lecture hall, and only one of its multiple stories has been investigated. It has plenty of room for a significant library.

Early Christian documents are unlikely to be found at the villa. Few additions appear to have been made to Philodemus’ library after his death in about 35 BC. Even by 79 AD, Christianity had hardly penetrated Italy, according to Janko.

Assembly line

Thanks to new technology, the Vesuvius Scrolls are finally giving up their secrets. (Image courtesy of Richard Janko.)

The rolled-up scrolls are finally giving up their secrets to new technologies because of the Vesuvius Challenge. But each papyrus has hundreds of layers. Because oven-hot gases and mud burned, crushed, and distorted them, they are never flat and must be manually reassembled one layer at a time.

Janko believes computer scientists will soon find a way to automate processing and organize the layers. Plus, with greater use of portable CT scanners and more communication between scholars and computer scientists on how to recognize ink, new texts and translations will appear at an increasingly swift pace.

Janko predicts that four of Philodemus’ remaining 270 scrolls will be read and translated this year.

He hopes the pace of the work picks up even more. After all, Vesuvius is an active volcano.

“That particular spot has been covered with molten lava several times since the AD 79 eruption. Vesuvius is quiet for now,” Janko says. But past experience teaches that it’s never quiet indefinitely.”

Karl Stone - 1957, 1959

I just finished reading the article, “The Race to Decode an Ancient Scroll, How scientists, gamers and Silicon Valley solved a centuries-old mystery – and changed papyrology forever,” by Tomas Weber, featured in the Scientific American April 2024 issue. Fantastic work employing, combining and creating modern technology to read these priceless ancient scrolls. AI hold so much promise when used to further knowledge in many diverse fields. But we must catch up with controlling it with legal boundaries to avoid its misuse.

David Krause - 1962, 1986

Very interesting article. Great knowing that fields of study like this are still being actively pursued at UM

Marvin Atkins - 1961 (Ph.D.)

Bravo! Certainly agree with your comment. I’ll probably switch part of my contribution to the Classics area and cut College of Engineering. Or, as a true Wolverine might say, give both of them a raise! Marv

Sushil Birla - 1997

I found this inter-disciplinary research very fascinating and inspiring. (Historically, academia have been “silo-ed”). The international collaboration is also inspiring and encouraging. Breaking down traditional barriers across nations and academic disciplines will lead us into a better civilization. This dimension of the story is even more exciting than the deciphering of the damaged scrolls.

Joellen Killion - 1970

As a Classics major, I am delighted to know that there is great hope of unraveling the mysteries of the Vesuvius treasures.

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2024 New York International Auto Show kicks off | Tickets, dates and how to attend

See the latest and greatest automobiles in the big apple.

Spring is here, along with the traditional end of the auto show season, the 2024 New York Auto Show . The show has been running since 1900, and this year's event will run for nine days (11 if you include the press preview!). You can check out all of our preview coverage here at Autoblog , but if you're in the Big Apple for Easter this year and you'd like to check it out, here are the details:

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N.Y. Auto Show: When

The New York Auto Show has its press and industry days on March 27 and 28. On Friday, March 29, the show opens to the public. The final public day will be April 7. Hours for the public days are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. except for the final day, which closes early at 7 p.m. Early access passes grant floor admission starting at 9 a.m. 

N.Y. Auto Show: Where

The show is once again at Javits Center. The exact address is 429 11th Ave, New York, NY 10001 . There are two main exhibit areas. On the third level is where the major car manufacturers will be showing off their vehicles. On the first level is an area to go for rides in EVs along with other stands showcasing classic cars, modified cars and more. 

N.Y. Auto Show: How to attend

Tickets are available online at this link . Pricing is $22 for adults (13 and older), $8 for children (3-12). Early access passes are $48 for adults and $18 for children. There are also discounted rates for groups and even guided tours available. 

Javits Center does not have any onsite parking, but there are various places to park in the area surrounding the convention center. Javits Center has partnered with Spot Hero, which helps find parking and get lower prices. Other options for getting to Javits Center include the subway and bus systems, as well as the New York Waterway Ferry. You can find out more about these options here .

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See how the Key Bridge collapse will disrupt the supply of cars, coal and tofu

The port of baltimore is the top port in the nation for automobile shipments.

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday cut off access to much of the city’s port — causing a suspension of vessel traffic that will disrupt a key trade lane and threaten to further tangle already-stressed supply chains.

The Port of Baltimore was the 17th largest in the nation by total tons in 2021 and an important artery for the movement of autos, construction machinery and coal. It handled 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo worth nearly $81 billion in 2023, according to Maryland data, and creates more than 15,000 jobs.

Top 10 imports and exports to the Port

of Baltimore in 2023

2023 total: $59B

electronics

commodities

2023 total: $22B

Iron, steel

Seeds, grains,

fruits, plants

Air and space

craft, parts

Coal, oil and

natural gas

Note: not seasonally adjusted. Vehicles excluding railways

and tramways. Nickel, aluminium, paper and wood include

derivatives of those commodities

Source: Census Bureau

Top ten imports and exports to the Port of Baltimore in 2023

Electronic machinery

and electronics

farmwork and

construction

Iron and steel

spacecraft, parts

Note: not seasonally adjusted. Vehicles excluding railways and tramways. Nickel, aluminium,

paper and wood include derivatives of those commodities

spacecraft,

bedding, lights

Note: not seasonally adjusted. Vehicles excluding railways and tramways. Nickel, aluminium, paper and wood include

On Tuesday, the Port of Baltimore said that vessel traffic would be suspended in and out of the port until further notice, but trucks would still be processed in its terminals.

“Baltimore’s not one of the biggest ports in the United States, but it’s a good moderate-sized port,” said Campbell University maritime historian Sal Mercogliano. It has five public and 12 private terminals to handle port traffic.

North Locust

Point Marine

Ports and terminals

Baltimore Port

Truck Plaza

Seagirt Marine

Dundalk Marine

Shipping channels

CSX Coal Pier

Francis Scott

Hawkins Point

Marine Terminal

“It does cars, it does bulk carriers, it does containers, it does passengers.” said Mercogliano. “So this is going to be a big impact.”

Baltimore’s the top port in the nation for automobile shipments, having imported and exported more than 750,000 vehicles in 2022, according to the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an industry group.

About three-quarters of the autos that travel through the port are imports, dominated by big-name brands, including Mazda and Mercedes-Benz. Most of the top companies have enough inventory sitting on U.S. dealer lots that any immediate impact on supply is unlikely, said Ambrose Conroy, chief executive of the consulting firm Seraph.

“It’s too early to say what impact this incident will have on the auto business, but there will certainly be a disruption,” said John Bozzella, president of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation.

The port ranked second in the country for exporting coal last year, according to the state of Maryland. But it’s not a huge global supplier of thermal coal, and the disruption can likely be made up by replacements from Australia or Indonesia if needed, said Alexis Ellender, lead analyst at global trade intelligence company Kpler.

Baltimore is also a niche port for the soybean trade, focusing mostly on high-value soy used in tofu, miso, tempeh and organic products, according to Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition. Most of those exports are destined for Asia, but Steenhoek doesn’t expect a big spike in tofu prices because several other U.S. ports also ship this sort of soy, including Norfolk, Va., Savannah, Ga. and Charleston, S.C.

All East Coast ports have become more important in recent years as the United States attempts to boost its trade with friendly nations and reduce geopolitical risks related to trade with China, which generally happens via West Coast ports, said Tinglong Dai, a Johns Hopkins Carey Business School professor and expert on global supply chains.

Baltimore port’s suspension is “one more disruption in an already-stressed system” for the global supply chain, said Abe Eshkenazi, chief executive of the Association for Supply Chain Management. Cargo will now have to be rerouted to other ports, which means figuring out where there is enough capacity to move things.

East Coast ports and shipping density

Ship traffic

Philadelphia

of Baltimore

5th-largest port

on the East Coast

for foreign trade

Newport News

Morehead City

East Coast ports

and shipping density

PENNSYLVANIA

The Port of Baltimore

5th-largest port on the

East Coast for foreign trade

Coal shipments will need to be rerouted to other ports, Kpler’s Ellender said. And Ryan Petersen, chief executive of the logistics company Flexport, posted on X that the company currently has 800 containers on a slew of ships heading for the port that will need to be rerouted, likely to Philadelphia or Norfolk.

The biggest problem Steenhoek sees from Baltimore’s shuttering is the knock-on effect to other ports. Many ships stuck in the port were destined to make stops at other U.S. ports to load and unload goods before heading overseas, a complicated logistical dance now scrambled by the bridge collapse.

“It just shows how you throw a wrench in the supply chain and the impact is not just confined to that one port,” Steenhoek said.

Tim Meko, Justine McDaniel and David J. Lynch contributed to this report. Editing by Kate Rabinowitz and Karly Domb Sadof.

Baltimore bridge collapse

Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship , sending at least eight people from a construction crew into the water. Follow live updates and see photos from the scene .

How it happened: The container ship lost power shortly before hitting the bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said. Video shows the bridge collapse in under 40 seconds.

Victims: Divers recovered the bodies of two construction workers who died , while finding other vehicles trapped and probably containing the other victims, officials said. They were fathers, husbands and hard workers . The entire crew aboard the container ship Dali survived . First responders shut down most traffic on the four-lane bridge after the crew issued an urgent mayday call. It saved lives, Moore said.

Economic impact: The collapse of the bridge, which severed ocean links to the Port of Baltimore, adds a fresh headache to already struggling global supply chains . See how the collapse will disrupt the supply of cars, coal and other goods .

History: The Key Bridge was built in the 1970s and spanned the Patapsco River. Rebuilding the bridge will probably take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars, experts said.

• Baltimore begins massive and dangerous cleanup after bridge collapse Earlier today Baltimore begins massive and dangerous cleanup after bridge collapse Earlier today
• Baltimore port workers are ‘living in a dream’ as harbor remains blocked March 28, 2024 Baltimore port workers are ‘living in a dream’ as harbor remains blocked March 28, 2024
• Rebuilding Baltimore’s Key Bridge will likely take years, experts say March 27, 2024 Rebuilding Baltimore’s Key Bridge will likely take years, experts say March 27, 2024

You can book luxury hotels, cruises, and vacation packages through Costco for a fraction of the cost

• Costco offers steep discounts on hotels, cruises, rental cars, and vacation packages for members.
• Members can book travel through the Costco Travel website.
• Costco offers perks such as waived fees for additional drivers on rental cars.

Your Costco membership can get you more than bulk packages of toilet paper and $5 rotisserie chickens.

If you're a Costco member, you can book hotels, cruises, rental cars, and all-inclusive packages online through Costco Travel .

The Costco Travel website offers vacation packages at luxury resorts in destinations including Tahiti, French Polynesia; Cancún, Mexico; Costa Rica, and Hawaii, and cruises with companies such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean , and Princess, at heavily discounted prices.

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A Costco Travel vacation package at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa in Maui, Hawaii, offers five nights for the price of four and includes the flight, rental car, a room with a partial ocean view, and the hotel's daily breakfast buffet.

The entire vacation package costs $4,851.45 when booked through Costco Travel. When booking the same room and dates directly through the Hyatt Regency's website, the hotel reservation costs $5,331.78 — without airfare to Maui or a rental car.

For smaller-scale trips, if you rent a car through Costco, additional driver fees are waived when renters book through Alamo, Enterprise, Budget, or Avis, Costco Travel's rental-car FAQs page says .

To book a trip, members need to make a profile on Costco Travel's website separate from the one they use to shop for other items.

Booking trips through any third-party website is inherently riskier than booking directly. If any unforeseen circumstances come up, it can be difficult to make changes or receive refunds.

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