Best way to do overnight trip to see Pompeii from Rome

Most people choose Sorrento as their base for seeing Pompei. Sorrento is stunning as it sits on the dramatic cliffs overlooking the beautiful blue Mediterranean. From Rome catch a fast train to Naples (Napoli Centrale). Exit the train and go downstairs (or just follow the signs) to the little Circumvesuviana commuter train and hop on. Sorrento is the end of the line. Choose a hotel there and enjoy the seaside. The little train will stop at Pompei town or Pompei Scavi - make sure you choose Scavi. If you REALLY must have a tour guide there will be a plethora of them hanging around the station as you exit the Circumvesuviana at Pompei Scavi. It's really not a difficult thing to do at all.

That sounds like a great plan! You might even get to see the Archeological museum in Naples too! But alas, I have no recommendations for you on the rest....

I'm not sure its wise to split a day or have a one-nighter stay in a hotel. I'd avoid switching hotels when they are so easily connected by train.

I'd stay in Rome on Monday and dedicate Tuesday to seeing Pompeii.

We visited Pompeii as a day trip and climbed Mt. Vesuvius and had plenty of time to spare to return to our hotel in Rome the same day.

From the main train station in Rome (Roma Termini) catch a train to Naples Centrale station (1 hour ride). When you reach the Centrale station follow the signs down the stairs and down a corridor for "circumvesuviana". Buy a ticket there for the circumvesuviana at that location (its a separate rail line from the regular trenitalia trains and sold separately...kind of like a "toll road" here in the states). It should be less than 5 euro to go to Pompeii on this train.You will get off the train at the Pompeii Scavi stop. (There are two stops for Pompeii so make sure you hop off at the right one.

The regular trains leave about every 30 mins.The train ride from Naples Centrale to Pompeii will take 45 mins.

There are also express trains that leave every few hours and they'll get you there a bit faster...but just pick the next train departing the station as the difference in time isn't dramatic.

Allow 4 hours to see Pompeii, an hour for a lunch break and 2hrs each way for the train rides to the site and back to Rome. Its an easy 8 hour daytrip.

Tim
That is an interesting idea. Do you have any idea when the sites at Pompeii close (i.e. trying to figure out what trains to book)

Another idea -- leave your bags in Rome and just carry a change of underwear + toothbrush + medications in a day bag; train to Sorrento for an overnight, Circumvesuvia to Pompeii early in the morning and return to Rome mid-afternoon (after pizza in Naples ?)

I like Laura B's idea, I often do that. Take the train to Napoli Centrale in the afternoon, go to Sorrento and have a nice evening, then see Pompeii early the next day (before it gets too warm). Archeological sites tend to close a little before sunset, but if you leave before 1pm, you should have time to go to Napoli for lunch, the Archeological Myseum, and go back to Roma,

Thanks all. Very helpful. Decided to take the 10 am high speed train to Naples getting in a little after 11, taking the local to Pompeii. I figure, worse case, we are there 12-12:30. Plenty of time for touring, lunch, etc. Taking the high speed train back, leaving Naples Centrale at 7 so leaving Pompeii probably around 5:30 - 6. Back at Roma Termini at 8 pm - time for retreat to Campo de Fiori and dinner at a local trattoria. We are staying at an airbnb in Campo de Fiori. Plenty of time for a late night - we have an 11 am tour of Colosseum/Forum, etc at 11:30 Wednesday. Decided to upgrade train travel to premium to soften impact on our old bones (I'm 71, wife is 65) and make day travel a little easier. The great benefit of the dollar/euro conversion rate now - can do things we couldn't think of a year ago.