Florence to Pompeii

While some trains from Florence to Naples require a change in Rome, others do not. Since you know your schedule, there's no downside to booking a non-refundable ticket ahead for savings on this route. Got to the Trenitalia website to to this, but make sure of your dates and times; once booked, the cheapest tickets (Super Economy) cannot be changed for any reason. Even on the English version of the website, you need the Italian names of stations, which in your case are Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Firenze SMN) and Napoli Centrale. http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en

From Naples to Pompeii, you take the Circumvesuviana train. This is like a "bus on wheels"; no advance tickets are possible or necessary. If there are no seats, you stand. You want the Pompeii Scavi stop.

The Archeology Museum in Naples is one of my very favorites, and even though I saw it in 1994 and not since, remains one of my most vivid travel memories. So in my opinion, it's a must see; I liked it far more than Pompeii itself. Obviously, others have difference experiences.

Unless I missed something, your question needs more detail for anyone to reasonably answer it with advice that would be meaningful.

So, when is this all planned for ? Pompeii can get really hot, especially in the Summer months, so arriving at 2pm is probably not the best time in July or August, for example, but more reasonable in April or May. Also, depending on your interests, you can spend hours at Pompeii, so you would be getting a late start whenever you go.

If you are really talking about just one day, perhaps reverse the order. Go to the museum shortly after you arrive in Naples, and then spend the night and head to Pompeii the next day. Depending on how much time you want to devote to the visit, you might want to spend one more night in Naples, or just catch a later train to Rome.

Personally, if you are going all that way, why not consider heading towards Sorrento, Amalfi coast etc, rather than just going all that way, only to leave and not enjoy that part of Italy.

As for if the musuem is worth seeing, that would be up to you and your tastes, but if you are going all the way to Pompeii to see the ruins, then yes, the museum is worth seeing.

As to trains, just check the schedule. You don't have to change trains, just pick the right one. The train will likely stop in Rome, but will continue on. In the opposite dirction, from Naples to Rome the trip is about an hour

Everything you've asked is doable, but not sure many would do it the way you've proposed.

If you are still in the planning stages, consider other options.

pm,

A few thoughts.....

1. The "best way" is usually by train. There's a direct departure leaving Firenze SM Novella at 08:08, arriving Napoli Centrale at 11:00 (time 2H:52M, current Super Economy fares listed at €39 PP). If you're willing to commit to a specific train, date and departure time, buying those tickets in advance will save you some money. The price will only increase. When you arrive in Naples, walk downstairs to the Garibaldi station and buy tickets for the Circumvesuviana for the trip to Pompeii Scavi (about another hour to Pompeii - watch your valuables when on that train). I believe there's luggage storage at Pompeii, but can't recall the details.
2. If you have a few days, you could either stay in Sorrento or Naples, depending on what other touring you want to do. If you're mostly interested in Naples, then stay there as that will make the ongoing trip back to Rome a bit easier.
3. Yes, the Archeological Museum is definitely worth seeing, especially as many of the artifacts removed from Pompeii are there, so visiting both places ties things together nicely. If you want a more detailed look at the history, you could hire one of the excellent local guides such as Pina Esposito or Gaetano Manfredi for Pompeii or the Museum (or both).
4. I suppose a visit later in the day is "doable" as long as you have sufficient time before the site closes for the day. As someone else mentioned, it would help to know what time of year this trip is taking place. You could always get an earlier departure from Florence than the one I mentioned above.

Yes, the Archeology Museum in Naples is certainly worthwhile, as are other sites and experiences in Naples. Many would advise visiting Pompeii first thing in the morning, when you are fresh, can spend an extended time, don't have to worry about it getting dark while you are there, and can avoid the afternoon heat, especially during the summer. It is a very extensive site, literally a whole city. I agree that in order to provide you any real guidance, it would be good to know what month you will be in Italy, how many people you are, and whether your schedule and interests might include more time in the general Naples-Pompeii-Sorrento-Amalfi Coast area.

Thanks everyone for the great ideas and considerations.

We are going in mid-July, and likely will get there just after noon. I hear from everyone that it's crazy hot then, but we won't have many options due to already having booked hotels in Florence and Rome on either end of our window. I guess we'll drink lots of water and slap on the sunblock!

And take a hat.