Pompeii is the day trip from Rome that travellers ask about most, and it works: a fast train reaches Naples in about 1 hour 10 minutes, and the local train to the ruins takes about 35 minutes more. It is a long day, so start early. Herculaneum and Vesuvius are on the same side of the bay, and each has a free Mappu audio guide with a map.
A whole Roman city buried by Vesuvius in AD 79: the Forum, the theatres, bakeries and shops, the plaster casts of the victims and the frescoes of the Villa of the Mysteries.
Smaller and far quieter than Pompeii, with houses that still have their upper floors, carbonized wood and bright mosaics.
The volcano that buried both towns. A path climbs from the car park near the top to the rim of the crater, with the whole Bay of Naples below.
Check opening hours and tickets on the official sites before you go:
From Mappu’s partners, if you would rather have a guide. The free audio guides above work without them.
Partner links (Airalo, Amazon, Booking.com, GetYourGuide, Klook, Tiqets, Trip.com, Viator, Welcome Pickups): if you book or buy through them, Mappu may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Yes. With a fast train to Naples and the Circumvesuviana, the trip takes about 2 hours each way, which leaves half a day for Pompeii. Start early and check the last train back.
Pompeii for the scale of a whole Roman city; Herculaneum if you have about two hours, would rather avoid crowds, or want houses with their upper floors. Mappu’s “Pompeii or Herculaneum?” page compares them.
No. The trains are simple, and Mappu’s audio guides to Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius are free. A guided tour helps if you want an archaeologist with you or skip-the-line entry.
Travel times are typical timetable times from the rail operators; check the day’s timetable. The facts about each site come from Mappu’s guides and the sites’ official websites. Trenitalia, EAV (Circumvesuviana), Vesuvius National Park. Last checked on .
