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Hiring Private Guide in Pompeii

We will be in Naples in July and plan to visit Pompeii on July 23. If we get to Pompeii by train, can we find private guides or do we need to book one in advance? Would anyone know the approximate cost of hiring a private guide for my party of 2? I don't want to book a tour from Naples, as it appears that there is a lot of wasted time due to picking up guests at various hotels.

Posted by
870 posts

http://pompeiisites.org/en/

Group tours [2 hours] led by official guides [lanyards on their necks with names and credentials] cost €10/pp, starting when a group of 8 to 10 are assembled. Private tours run about a total of €130.

You need to get to Naploli Central, then downstairs to Garibaldi and buy tickets for one of the trains to Pompeii Scavi:

https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/naples-to-sorrento-train-schedule

https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/campania-express-train-schedule [more comfortable but less frequent]

Posted by
5954 posts

We just returned from Italy and did the Shared Tour with Mondo Guides (RS recommended) 15€- it was excellent.
You meet the guide at Pompeii.
Tour starts at 11 so easy to get there on time from Naples.

https://www.sharedtours.com

Posted by
34 posts

Thanks for the info. Do you know if guides are pretty readily available? My husband wants to just get there and then hire a guide, but I'm afraid of getting there and not being able to find one. I imagine July 23 would be pretty busy...

We will be in Naples for 3 days, so we are planning to purchase the Campania Artecard.

I also want to go to Mount Vesuvius and climb to the crater. Any suggestions on the best way to get there from Pompeii?

Posted by
32171 posts

ji,

I'd suggest having a look in the RS Italy guidebook for suggestions on reliable local guides. At that time of year, I'd suggest booking a guide in advance. A couple that come to mind are Gaetano Manfredi and Pina Esposito. They will likely be at the top end of the price scale.

You could take your chances and hire one of the guides that are usually waiting at the entrance to Pompeii, but I'm not sure how busy they might be at that time of year.

Posted by
301 posts

In his Italy guide book, Rick Steves said he's coordinated with Mondo Tours for a discount. We booked through them in advance (the day before) at www.SharedTours.com. They charged 15 Euros per person (there is also a 15 Euro entrance fee) and met everyone in the (small) group near the Pompeii entrance.

The best thing about using them in my opinion was that we skipped the line to get in. The guide said it would otherwise be a 45 minute wait. The entrance line was long enough for me to believe her.

The guide gave us a good orientation of the archeological area. But we stayed after the tour and used the downloadable Rick Steves audio guide for additional info.

The train from Naples or Sorrento stops practically at the area's door. So getting there on your own is easy.

Wear a broad brimmed hat, very comfy shoes, and bring snacks and water (there are places to fill your water bottles during the tour). You can buy food and drinks inside, too. It's a big day in the sun and on your feet if you take the time. And I found it worth the time.