Hi. We will be leaving in a few weeks for Italy, and I had a question concerning getting from Rome to Pompeii on Sept 23. Is essentially the easiest way to travel is to take a Eurostar from Rome Term to Naples Central Station and then buy tickets on the Circumvesu station to Pompeii Scavi? I read about a direct train, but I don't think there is one. Also, can the 3-day Artecard be purchased in the Naples station, and used as your ticket on the Circumvesu? Lastly, do you think we would have time to both see pompeii and go up mt. vesuvius that day traveling from Rome? Thanks and sorry for so many questions.
Posted by
Huntington Station, NY, USA
16 posts
Hi, Justin. I've never heard of a direct train to Pompeii and I do believe that you can buy your ArteCard at the Naples station and use it on the Circumvesuviana but I hope that someone who's actually done that will confirm it. I wanted to advise against visiting Vesuvius on the same day as Pompeii. The Pompeii site is so vast and the cobblestoned streets so rugged that you'll probably be pretty weary by the time you've seen all you want especially in combination with your trip from Rome. If you're interested in Herculaneum, which covers a much smaller area than Pompeii, the Vesuvius trip would be a better companion activity. But whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Justin, you have described the journey to Pompei correctly. High-speed to Naples and the Circumvesuviana train to Pompei-Scavi (Italians spell Pompei with one i). There is no direct train. Fare from Naples to Pompei is 2.40E so it won't break the bank. I'm not sure about the Artecard.
Posted by
Washington, DC, USA
571 posts
I'd like to second what Donna said, above. Despite having read extensively about it, I was utterly shocked at the size of Pompeii. We spent many hours there totally fascinated. It's a long day and lots of walking. Mid-afternoon we left Pompei Scavi by train for Ercolano station where we had a short walk to the much smaller, but somewhat different Herculaneum excavation. I thought it was a great complement to Pompeii, and just a couple hours there was sufficient to see everything and be back at our hotel by dinnertime. (I should note that back at the hotel, the staff were shocked to hear we walked from Ercolano station to the ruins. Apparently they considered the area to be seedy, but we didn't ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe making the walk during late afternoon September daylight.)
Posted by
Florence
362 posts
I was fascinated by Pompeii - I can see spending a whole day there easily as it is huge. A visit to the Naples National Archaeological Museum is a great compliment and you'll see a lot of the art that has been removed from the site.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
694 posts
Justin you can buy the Artecard at the Naples train station, not to far from the Trenitalia ticket desk there is a kiosk that has a sign that says Artecard, we bought some there last year.
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon, USA
944 posts
Yes, there is a direct train Rome to the trenitalia train station in Pompeii. Its just that the Station is a 20 to 30 minute walk to the Pompeii site.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Watch out in the train station because there will be people grabbing your luggage right out of your hand...they want to be your "luggage porter" and they want to be paid. Just don't let go of your luggage. Also there were people milling about around the ticket machines...they also want to help and they want to be paid. FYI - just keep your wits about you.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
I posted above that there is no direct train to Pompei Scavi. That is correct. Francis posts that there is a Trenitalia train to Pompei. That is also correct. There are two train stations in Pompei. The Circumvesuviana train takes you to the ruins. As Francis indicates, the Trenitalia station is not near the ruins and is in the nearby town. You can walk the 30 minutes to the ruins or take a taxi from the station. Not sure about a bus.