Day trip to Pompeii or Stay in Naples before Cinque Terre

I'm not sure of the tour prices for this trip but you can easily do your own day trip. From Rome to Naples, the high-speed ES-AV train takes 1hr10min. Fare is 44E. You can go on the IC train for 22E but the trip takes 2hrs. Once in the Naples Garibaldi train station, go downstairs and locate the train station for the Circumvesuviana train. This is a train system not operated by Trenitalia. For about 1.5E each way, it's a 30 minute train ride to the Pompei-Scavi stop which is adjacent to the runs. Next, you really have a train ride to get to the CT from Naples. First, you take the train back to Rome (ES-AV or IC depending on how fast you want to get there), change trains in Rome and then its just over 4hrs from Rome to the middle of the CT. You can see all this on www.trenitalia.com. the English button. I do know about a 1-day bus tour to San Gimignano and Siena from Florence. It costs 52E. My wife and I have been on this one. If you want more info, send me a PM.

stacey, Visiting Pompeii from Rome is certainly possible, but it will be a LONG day. I'd suggest leaving fairly early, so that you have enough time to look around the site. When you reach the ticket offices at Pompeii, you'll likely be approached by local Guides. If your budget will allow, a Guide will be able to provide a really good sense of the history of the site. Check the website for Gaetano Manfredi as he's an outstanding Guide! The trip from there to the Cinque Terre will be a bit of a long day, but not too bad. As the previous reply indicated, the ES/AV train from Naples to Rome is just a short trip. There's a direct train from Roma Termini to La Spezia Centrale (southern gateway to the C.T.) with a travel time of about 3H:45M and that's the one I'd use. Happy travels!

Ken..would you do the day trip or just go ahead and check out of hotel in Rome, go to Naples/or Pompeii and stay and then head up to cinque the next day..

We recommend taking Rick's tour of Pompeii and the have enough time to see Herculaneum too. Pompeii is wonderful but you can really see how deep everything was buried in Herculaneum and all the structures are still in place.
We also would stay in Rome and take the train and the Circumvesuviana, and with the Rick Steves' book it is very easy to follow. It's a lot of walking but we are in early 70's and did it with no problem.

Ken..would you do the day trip or just go ahead and check out of hotel in Rome, go to Naples/or Pompeii and stay and then head up to cinque the next day..

Hey Jerry/Stelly we are practially neighbors! I have Rick's Europe book, and I didn't see Pompeii....so it must be in another book...or if you can send me the link to what you are describing.. So sounds like you prefer the day trip vs unpacking and going to Naples to stay. Thanks for the input.

Bottom line, Naples is not a pleasant place to stay. It'd be a heck of a long day to go to Pompeii from Rome in the morning, tour the site, return to Rome and then go on to CT and then hike to your hotel. And where will your luggage be all this time? I'd do Pompeii as a day trip from Rome and go to CT the next day.

stacey, To answer the question that you posted twice, my preference in the same situation would be to visit Pompeii as a day trip from Rome, although it will be a long day. You'll be able to see Pompeii, but I doubt there would be time to visit the Archeological Museum in Naples where many of the artifacts from Pompeii are displayed. It would be annoying (for me) to check out of the Hotel in Rome just to spend one night in a Hotel in Naples. If you have a couple of days to spend in Naples, the situation would be different. After the day trip, return to your Hotel in Rome for one night and then leave for the Cinque Terre the next morning. Regarding staying in Naples, I quite enjoy it there although it's a bit more of a "cultural experience" than other parts of Italy. Of course it's important to choose a nice area and Hotel.

Ken..sorry about the question twice..I am not sure how that happened... THanks for the input!

I actually did this daytrip and although it was a long day, it was worth it! We booked a coach tour that included a quick stop in Naples, but unfortunately did not include the Archeological Museum. We then spent about 3 hours walking around Pompeii with a guide. I agree that you should just head back to Rome and then to CT the next day, less hassle with lugging suitcases and checking in and out of hotels.

Stacey, what we chose to do a few years ago was to take the train to Naples, change to a regional and go to the town of Pompeii. We spent the night at the Hotel Amleto, which I recommend, and then had the whole of the following day at the excavations. The town of Pompeii is nice and very relaxing after being in Rome. We spent the night again before taking the train back to Rome. It was very nice to do this way, because we could take our time and we really got to see it all. Also, before you go, read the book "Pompeii" by Robert Harris. Historical fiction that really gives you a good idea of the culture, living conditions and politics of Pompeii. Have a great trip! Mimi
PS, Don't eat at a restaurant named Mimi's in Pompeii. It was the only bad food we've eaten in all of the trips to italy!

Thanks for the tips (and on the restaurant too!

What websites are trustworthy to book day tours through? I'd like to do a day tour to Pompeii from Rome, but am a little weary on booking online without knowing anything about the companies.