Mount Vesuvius

Bonnie, just my personal take but Pompeii is vast enough that I don't advise combining it with Vesuvius or Herculaneum. It also would help if you'd give us a look at your larger itinerary? Where are you staying the the night before you do Pompeii and where are you staying the night of your visit?

We skipped Vesuvius as seeing it looming over one of the cities it buried was more poignant than climbing the thing itself.

We climbed Mt Vesuvius but not the same day as we went to Pompeii . I personally think that would have been too much.
We went from sorrento and bought tickets for van tour at the train station. We waited quite awhile for more people to buy tickets. I don’t recall the company but all they do is drive you as far as they can and then you hike to the top on your own.

We enjoyed it a lot as the views are beautiful.

bonnie,

This website shows the options for reaching Vesuvius - https://www.visitpompeiivesuvius.com/ . Whether you choose to get their on your own or with a tour, you'll still have to hike up to the top. It's not a difficult hike and you can stop and rest on the way up. As I recall, walking down the hill was harder on my knees.

Thanks for the input we have plenty of time to do both as we are staying in Pompeii. Our dilemma was who to go with to reach the top. We understand you don’t get driven to the top and that is great as we regularly hike and climb In The western US.
The two places mentioned in Rick Steves book both take you up and give you about 70 minutes at the top. Is that enough? If it’s not then we should take the public bus so we could catch any one of the busses after we are through totally exploring on top.. So I guess my next question is those of you that have been there is 70 minutes enough time at the top.?

We took the public bus to the drop off point. Although there isn't alot to do up there, 70 minutes seems a little short for time. It takes about a half hour to walk up, plus you can go even further around the crater if you like. Hang out for a few pictures and take in the view then walk back seems like that is more than 70 minutes... Remember what your bus looks like as it gets hectic when buses pull in, turn around, park, then depart in a rather small area. As I recall, they also drop you off in a different place than where they pick you up.. If you Google Map it, you can see where the buses park and the path up to the top. I enjoyed the excursion!!!

Thanks that is very helpful information we are looking forward to our trip to the top and the view. Now all we need is good weather on that day.
Thanks for the amount of time at the top feedback and the public transportation advice.