a few hours in Pompeii and lunch in Naples?

Posted by trunnelle13 on 07/23/25 10:05 PM

I'm planning a day trip to Pompeii from Rome with my 16 year old son and active 83 years young mother (she may out-pace the teenager). My anticipated plan is to book an early speed train to Naples, then find our way to Pompeii for a few hours (will probably book a guided tour). I love the idea of a late lunch or early dinner (depending on our time spend in Pompeii) in Naples. I would love to visit one of the Katie Parla recommended Napoli eateries. After our meal, we would return back to Rome.
I have hesitated booking a tour because I don't want to be tethered to their itinerary and I really don't want to end up at a super touristy "historic pizzeria" that's in cahoots with the tour company.

If anyone has experienced a day like this or has any helpful suggestions, I'd be appreciative. If you know a tour that includes a speed train trip to Naples and a tour of Pompeii, but allows flexibility of time, then please let me know.
TIA!

Posted by dartmouthgirl

canada

07/24/25 11:35 AM

31 posts

Hello!
We've done a version of this: 7:40 am departure from Rome to Naples, then the Circumvesuviana to Pompeii. We were back in Naples for lunch and returned to Rome on the 5:55pm departure. Plenty of time. We did not use a guide in Pompeii: instead, we relied on the Rick Steves audio tour of Pompeii, which suited us quite well. The caveats: we did this in late November when there were no crowds, a little rain and no heat. The experience would have been different in summer/early fall. We carried bottled water and were happy to have the stability of hiking shoes.
Happy planning!

Posted by Katherine

Atlanta, GA, USA

07/24/25 11:58 AM

881 posts

I like that plan that dartmouthgirl shared, because it might be fun to explore the historic center (or even a museum) that afternoon.

I DO want to share that if it's a normal (yet wonderful) restaurant in Naples, they usually aren't open between lunch and dinner. I mean, restaurants don't usually open until 1pm for lunch and you could probably sit down to eat until at the LATEST maybe 3pm, but I would be wary of any restaurant that is open at 4-5, because no Italian eats a meal then in normal circumstances. But I bet if you had a tour in Pompeii you would be making your way back to Naples around 1ish, so you would be in perfect timing! You would be back in Rome in time to freshen up at your lodging before normal dinner time!

On the tour front, maybe you can find a tour that instead of taking you to a restaurant lets you wander in Naples for lunch in a particular area? I bet you could find a great restaurant within about a 10 min walk from whatever that "area" might be.

Posted by hiredman

San Diego, California, USA

07/24/25 05:35 PM

1563 posts

If you don't opt for a guide I would recommend the RS book and maybe the audio tour depending on your preferences.

Also I would recommend the good recent 3 part PBS documentary on the current excavations which can usually be found on Youtube. And when you visit don't miss the Via dell’Abbondanza exhibit where you get to climb and walk on a platform set-up over the current excavation in progress. If it's not Sunday you get to watch people as they work to uncover the ruins and see still partially buried rooms and columns. (On Sunday everyone's gone and you just get to see the site.) It exits you at the snack bar and bathrooms when you exit.

The heat and fatigue from uneven stones and big steps up and down is a real thing so pace yourself and have plan because there is way more than you can see in a day.

Have a great visit!
=Tod

Posted by Tim

Wyckoff, NJ, USA

07/24/25 06:09 PM

8413 posts

Month of year? Crowding, sun, heat, and Circumvesuviana's packed cars are all issues.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/pompeii-day-trip-from-rome-2c38f926-9036-480d-95fd-403dd7694e4a

When some people write "tour" they mean a private guide, who would actually deliver better food options than you could find on your own. But many people underestimate the cost of a personal guide. If you have to get yourself to Pompeii Scavi by two trains, why not do it all on your own? I suggest you add up the travel times, to be sure you are up for such a rushed day.