What would be the most efficient way to get to Mt Vesuvius and Pompeii from Naples, and back in 5-6 hours?
Preference is not to hire a driver if we can do it with public transportation
Which order makes the most sense?
We realize we will not have the time really advised to enjoy both sites to the fullest
Thank you
Lesley
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15798 posts
Even if you're starting at the Naples train station, you can't really do both. You will have views of Vesuvius from Pompeii and just about everywhere else around Naples Bay. It's about 30-40 minutes by train from the station to Pompeii, but the train only runs twice an hour and isn't always on time. If you allow an hour each way, that leaves you only about 4 hours. I believe there's a bus you can get at the entrance to Pompeii that does a round-trip of 2.5 hours to Mt. Vesuvius. Just walking from the Pompeii entrance to some of the more interesting parts will take 15-20 minutes. At best that leaves you a half hour to tour a small part of the site.
I believe Herculaneum is closer to Mt. Vesuvius, and it's a smaller site than Pompeii. However, it's about a 10-15 minute walk downhill from the train station.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
I agree that it's not possible to visit both Pompeii and Vesuvius in 5-6 hours from Naples using public transportation. I did both in one day from Sorrento (shorter train ride than from Naples), and it took me an entire morning and afternoon. It takes much more time than one would think to ride a bus up to Vesuvius, climb to the top and then return.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
thank you for the replies....and what if we could hire a driver? any recommendations?