daytrip from Rome to Pompeii

No - I'm sure Frank or Larry can give you more info but there are trains leaving all day. The Eurostar takes a little more than 2 hours one way - When you buy a Eurostar ticket you get assigned seating; other trains take longer - and on Regional or intercity Trains there is open seating - no reservations (or seating assignment required).

"Reservations" on a train in Italy are different than how we interpret the word in the US... but you do not need "advance" reservations to go from Rome-Naples!

If you're taking a day-trip you will certainly have to get one of the early trains, and of course return late in the day. That's a LONG "day trip" and I've done it with friends a couple of times. We left close to 7 AM and returned about 9:30 PM.

Ciao,
Ron

Nancy, you do need seat reservations on the high-speed trains but as Ron says, it's not like in the U.S. When you buy your ticket, the seat reservation comes with it. Next, there are 50 trains a day going from Rome to Naples so there are plenty of trains.

CLICK HERE to see an early morning schedule. There are earlier trains if you wish. Take a look at the 7:25am Eurostar AV run. 1hr. 27min. It's one of the faster runs. 36.10Euro. You can take the slightly slower ICPlus train for 19.50Euro. No seat reservations necessary for the ICPlus train but you can pay 3Euro at the station for seat reservations. It's wise to do so.

At Rome Termini, you can easily make your ticket purchases at the self-service kiosk. Very easy. The machine will prompt you in English, take care of your seat reservations and will accept your credit card.

Once at the Naples station, you go down to the lower level and catch the private Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii. It's a local and there are no reservations. You just buy your ticket, get on and take any available seat.

Nancy, be prepared for a LONG day! If you leave Rome fairly early, it could still be about 21:00 before you get back. Pack lots of water.

Cheers!

Thanks for everyones help. When I get on the morning train should I also purchase my return ticket at the same time or is it ok to wait until I'm ready to return.

Nancy - purchasing your return ticket is really dependent on your flexibility - and the price point.
If you buy your tickets the day before (both ways) you may be able to get an AMICA class ticket (if AMICA seats are still available). If you do this you can save 20% on your round trip tickets.

If you want to play it by ear, as you're not sure what time of day you'll be coming back, then wait and buy return tickets at the station. If this is the case, I would certainly know when the trains are leaving (TrenItalia site) and thus you won't be waiting around at the station... Good Luck!

Ciao,
Ron

If you're not absolutely married to seeing Pompeii but would be open to seeing different ruins, consider Ostia Antica, about 45 minutes from Rome. (Google for more info on it.) Pompeii as a day trip from Rome is a serious commitment, with much of the time eaten up by the train ride to/from.

We were there just a couple of weeks ago and it's pretty amazing.