Is it worth it - Trip to Pompeii and Amalfi from Rome?

Having 1 unscheduled day in Rome sounds wonderful -- you'll have time to relax, stroll, eat, enjoy. I wouldn't waste that precious time in a car or train.

If in Rome I would consider taking the train to Ostia Antica and tour those ruins. Ostia Antica is the old Roman port city, though it's not on the water anymore. The trip is about 45 minutes, IIRC, then maybe a 10 minute walk to the ruins.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/pompeii-day-trip-from-rome-2c38f926-9036-480d-95fd-403dd7694e4a

Any chance you'll never be in Italy again your entire life?

In your other threat about heat in Florence and Rome, you've already received numerous pieces of advice about how to manage the heat. Nowhere in there did you see anyone advising you to go to Pompeii where you would spend several hours during the hottest part of the day with little shade and no air conditioning. I'm a little surprised that you ran out of things to do in Rome after 3 days. But I would strongly advise that you look into some of the suggestions in the other thread. Save Pompeii and the AC for a future trip during months that aren't brutally hot.

We are in Rome for 4 nights and have an entire day that's unscheduled.

Please take this with the good humor that is intended "turn to page 2 of the guide book" there is lots more to do in Rome.

If not already on your radar, check out Ostia Antica. More shade, less crowds and a city with ruins contemporary to Pompeii. It's an easy Metro ride from central Rome

We only had three nights in Rome on our trip to Italy in 2016 and did the day trip to Pompeii by high-speed train and have no regrets. If you’re also interested in the Amalfi coast would it be possible to take the high-speed train to Naples on your own then pick up a tour (either group or private car) of Pompeii, Sorrento and Positano from there? It would save on the driving time in the car. We were there in September so can’t comment on the weather.

Thank you for your thoughts/advice.

Unfortunately, with kids we think summer is the only time we will have a chance to visit Italy. That's why we booked the trip in June vs. July/Aug and leave the day school ends. I am definitely convinced that Amalfi Coast doesnt make sense.

But, I think Pompeii (leave Rome by 8am) and grab pizza in Naples (we are foodies) might be worth it.

I think you'll have fun no matter what you decide to do. Report back when you return and let us know how the pizza was!

We stopped in Naples on our Way to Sorrento from Rome just for the Pizza, it was a fun adventure and I think your kids will really enjoy it. We took the fast Train from Rome to Naples. In Naples you can take the Campania Express from the Naples Train station (Bottom floor) which ultimately goes to Sorrento, with a stop in Pompeii and is Air conditioned, unlike the regional train that would normally take you. The thing with the Campania is it only runs four times a day, so if you get to Naples around noon, you can grab Pizza and get on the 3:30 to Pompeii spend 3 hours there then hightail it back to Rome. If you take the Regional train then it would be more flexible.
https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/campania-express-train-schedule

We went to da Michelle Pizza by Cab from the Train station (Be careful the area around the train station is super sketch). I love these two and follow their travels they have good instructions on the whole pizza situation in Naples.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reTFeWvja94

Hats, sunscreen and water are a must it is very hot in the Summer . We purchased a tour at the ticket counter at Pompeii.

5 years ago we waited in line an hour for seating for lunch pizza in Naples. My point is just that you are not in control. YMMV. FWIW, there are many Neapolitan-certified pizza ovens in the USA.

Another vote for Ostia Antica. We did a private tour prior to BOE14 in late April. Weather was good, minimal crowds for a Saturday and our guide had a passion for Ostia. Private tour wasn't inexpensive but she met us at our hotel and included taxi fare to the train and train tickets in the cost. I've misplaced her contact info but she's on the internet. Name is Francesca Maria Castertano. She''s licensed and has a degree in anthropology. Highly recommended.

What about Hadrian’s Villa and Tivoli? We really enjoyed both and they are very close. Also, how about Herculaneum instead of Pompeii? Not as large but just as awesome…Pompeii can be excruciating in the heat——not many places to escape the sun. Agree that Ostia Antica is wonderful and when we were there 7 or 8 years ago, it was not very crowded. One last thing: not sure what you do plan to see in Rome those 3 days, but we think the catacombs (and the Appian Way ) and Nero’s Golden House are well worth a visit.

I've done this as a bus tour from Rome and would do it again. It's a long day but worth it.

Another vote for Ostia Antica. Easy day trip from Roma. Did that in April of this year.

Pompeii would be a long day down and back, better visited from Sorrento - but you know that. Also the museum that contains the trinkets from Pompeii is in Naples (Naples Archaeological Musuem) and provides a great deal of contex about life before or after touring Pompeii itself.

We did a day tour of Positano, Sorrento and Pompeii, leaving via train from Rome about 7:30, arriving in Naples, where we met our driver for the day. It was a great experience, although busy, but we really enjoyed it. We were back in Rome in time for showers and dinner. We booked through See Amalfi Coast. They also helped us book a private tour guide for Pompeii.

Is it possible? Yes. Is it worth it? No.

It’s a poor return on your time and money for what ends up being sort of checklist sightseeing. You’ll “see Pompeii” but what are you getting out of that couple hours when it’s most crowded and hot (for real, it’s brutal sun.) You’ll “have pizza in Naples” but not have time to experience Naples. I’ve had Neopolitan pizza in Naples and Rome and they were both excellent. A road trip to Amalfi Coast towns at this time sounds even worse. You’ll likely spend most of the time sitting in a long line of traffic. Not to mention these side trips are long, challenging days for younger kids. You might have a mutiny on your hands ;) If you felt like getting out of Rome there are other options that are less of an investment (Ostia, Appian Way, Orvieto.)

If you really want to experience this part of Italy (and I highly recommend) then just start planning your next trip. Rome has another day in it for you, I swear. As foodies, are you doing a food tour at all? This would be right up your alley. Perhaps do a little self-curated exploring of Trastavere or Testaccio. Find a place with a good apperitvo spread, you’ll be in heaven.

Another no vote for doing it as a day trip from Rome. With 4 nights, you only have 3.5 days in Rome; my personal minimum for first-timers. There is a LOT to see there, and as you're already concerned about the August heat, you don't want to be doing that at a dead run to get it all in. As well, Pompei is sort of a lousy choice where the heat is concerned. I was miserable there the 1st time, in a long-ago July, and it was plenty warm in October my 2nd time. No way would I want to do it via road and spend 6+ hours sitting in a vehicle that could be better spent exploring Rome. Your kids might be not be happy with that. If you HAD to do it, do it by rail to cut some of the time.

You can get perfectly good pizza in Rome. :O)

Anyway, I'd save the Naples/Pompei/Herculaneum/Sorrento/Amalfi Coast for a future trip when you can give it the time it deserves, and when you can stay in the region.