Does anyone know of any tours that go to both Pompeii and Paestum on the same day? I read about the Monetti Family in Rick’s Italy and they offer a 10 hour tour of Pompeii, Paestum, and a buffalo farm for lunch, but looking for others that might do a similar tour. We will be leaving Rome early morning May 28 by train and plan to stay 4-5 nights in Praiano. Looks like we could get to Naples by 9:00 AM. Thought we could really save some time by doing both of these on one day if the timing works. Or we could take the speed train to Salerno and try to do a tour from there. Maybe someone has a better plan? Thanks for any suggestions!!
Posted by
6514 posts
What is departure day like? I wonder if you could do one on the way in and one on the way out. While maybe physically possible, I would have a tough time doing both in one day. You really don't need a tour, the main thing is managing luggage storage.
Also, if you cut one night from Praiano, you could stay in Salerno for a night and do one on arrival day, the next on the morning before heading to Praiano.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
13248 posts
How many is 'we' ? Dealing with baggage could be a problem if 'we' is more than 2 people.
If you were to ask my opinion, it would be that you are trying cram too much into one day for it to be enjoyable.
There is 'logistically possible' vs. 'enjoyable vacation day'.
Posted by
Bay Area SF & Uppsala Sweden 🇸🇪
1542 posts
We will be leaving Rome early morning May 28 by train and plan to stay
4-5 nights in Praiano. Looks like we could get to Naples by 9:00 AM.
Hi Denise, So, I"m going to agree with Joe, logistically possible, but it's a long day, and you're giving up a lot of time in Pompeii to make it to Paestum. I would not sacrifice time in Pompeii !! as you're staying in the area. (BTW, I seem to recall there's now a direct train from Rome to Pompeii, not sure what the schedule or timing is like.)
You could also take the Circumvesuviana from NAP to Pompei, leave your luggage at the main entrance and do a 1/2 day tour upon arrival. Trust me, there's a LOT more to see than can be seen even in a day. We took the 9:30AM group tour with Askos tours, which was fantastic. She was an engaging, knowledgeable archaeologist, quite amazing really. The crowds really grew by noon. Here's my TR from December, 2025. We stayed nearby in the town of Pompei, about a mile from the main entrance but near another entrance. We loved it so much, we went into the ruins 3 days! And don't miss the overhead walkway to view the New Dig, it's described in TR here, along with our hotel details. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/great-trip-to-pompeii-naples-over-new-years-december-26-january-2nd-2026.
Then you could do Paestum at the end of your trip - You could easily reach Paestum from Salerno for a 1/2 day, I'm sure Askos Tours would be happy to accommodate you.
Good luck and let us know what you decide. PS, It's likely to be hot at the end of May - Or, come in the evening before to Pompei, stay at Hotel Forum and get an early start at the ruins?