Best Way to See Pompeii

We visited Pompeii in April and used Walks of Italy. We actually used the same company for 5 other tours (Rome) and were thoroughly impressed. Their tour guides are enthusiastic, well-educated (many seemed to have PhDs in their respective fields) subject matter experts in every sense of the word. The guide we had for Pompeii was an archaeologist, and there wasn't a question asked he couldn't answer. I'd use them again in a heartbeat. Worth every penny! Enjoy your trip!

We just hooked up with one of the guided tours offered by the company at the train stn. It was 3 hrs and hit the highlights. You could certainly go it alone with a map - if you don't want the expense of a tour, there may be an audio tour you can rent there, or perhaps the Rick Steves audio app has a Pompeii walking tour (I have the app on my ipod, which is in the car right now, so I can't check :) )

A year ago March, we walked through Pompeii on a beautiful day with high temps about 60. Very few people there, a pleasure. Brought a picnic lunch and ate among the ruins. We did utilize the Rick Steves Pompeii podcast & it was fun, actually made us feel like we were in the show. But in hindsight we'd hire a guide next time--probably one right at the gate or at the train station--because almost nothing is marked, the map provided is almost worthless, and I know we missed a fair amount.

We may be back in Sorrento next March but think we will visit the Archaelogical Museum in Naples, which supposedly is the bookend to Pompeii.

We took the Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento and toured on our own using the Rick Steves audio tour. It was easy and you can move at your own pace. A visit to Vesuvius completed our day and we were back in Sorrento for the evening. We also visited the Archeological Museum in Naples the next day. I enjoyed reading Pompeii by Robert Harris prior to our visit. It's historical fiction but gives a perspective of the eruption and destruction from residents in the city.

We picked up a guide at the entrance. We prefer live guides simply because they answer questions and they can tailor it to your interests. The written word in a guide book is limited.

I agree if you are in Sorrento there is no reason to book a tour in advance. Just hop on the CV train and get off at Pompeii Scavi station. The gate to the site is just down the road across from a cafe. You can also grab the bus up to Vesuvius from this station making it easy to do both in the same day.

Plan to pay cash at the gate. You can use a card but if there are lines you can jump in the cash only line.
Bring maps and a guide book just in case but as others have mentioned you can usually hire a guide for a couple hours right at the gate. Most are students or teachers and they are very knowledgeable.

Tips: You don't actually have to pay for tours. As an extreme budget traveler, I often wander behind paid tours listening in to the commentary while pretending to study something else. You can also chat people up on the train to see if anyone else plans to hire a guide and do so as one group splitting the cost. This only works when they charge by the hour and not by the person but you get the idea.

You can print some maps and history guide from this page, which also has ticket info, directions, and hours.
http://www.pompeiisites.org/Sezione.jsp?titolo=MAPS+AND+GUIDE&idSezione=6796

Thanks for the advice, will certainly look into our options!

Tips: You don't actually have to pay for tours. As an extreme budget
traveler, I often wander behind paid tours listening in to the
commentary while pretending to study something else.

Sorry, Mandy, but that's not good form. It's not fair to take advantage of what others booked and paid for. I know what Rick's guides might think of that? Please; if you want a tour then do the right thing and pay for the privilege.

Must agree with Kathy. I have also noticed that many guides are well aware of who is with their group, and address the problem promptly.

I think many of us, hearing an interesting remark from a guide, will pause for a moment but then politely move on.

I really think it is a form of dishonesty. What someone's expertise but don't want to pay for it. Hate to think what else an extreme budget tourist might steal along the way.