National Archeological Museum and Pompeii in one day on way to Sorrento from Rome

Look at www.sharedtours.com. On this site, Mondo Tours offer a series of tours for Rick Steves readers that might meet your needs. There may be limitations on days of the week, and in some case also having the right number of people signed up to fill a vehicle.

Where are you going on Monday? If you are headed back to Rome, a 3-hour stop in Naples for the museum might be an option. If you visit Pompeii on the way to Sorrento on Saturday you can enjoy relaxing in Sorrento on Saturday evening and then see the originals of Pompeii artwork in Naples on Monday. (Clearly, we prefer slower, more restful touring.)

Thank you for your helpful input.

We are going to Capri on Monday overnight and going back through Naples on Tuesday when the museum is closed. :(

Yes, we were staying in Sorrento. We took the Circumveuviana from Sorrento to Pompeii. Then later in the day, we took the same into Napoli to the Museo. It's a long day, and if you want to see EVERYTHING in Pompeii it probably won't be possible. Make sure you check the hours of operation for the Museo.

Word of Caution: As RS Italy book says, the Circumvesuviana (picture NYC subway around Bay of Naples, with much the same ambience), keep your hands in your pockets. That train is like a Pickpockets Convention.

Well, it took us until our third visit to Sorrento to get to the NAM but Pompeii got seen twice (and Herculaneum once) +so you can see where our priorities lie. Be warned that Pompeii can get very hot so the earlier you get there the more comfortable -- carry water, plan to take a break at the little onsite cafeteria building or at cafes outside the site.

Why not go the museum en route to Sorrento on Saturday and then do Pompeii en route to Naples on Tuesday? Personally, I think trying to do both in one day is a bit much. I definitely wouldn't try to do a tour of the Amalfi Coast, go to Naples for the museum and then BACK to Sorrento in one day. The coast really deserves an entire day.

We were at the scavi when it opened in the morning and found that it became much busier as the day went on.

Thank you all for your good input.

If we had to skip one thing, would the NAM be the one to go or The Amalfi Coast Tour? This whole thing has been a bit frustrating to figure out. Too many things to do and not enough time.

Personally I would skip the Amalfi Coast tour and concentrate on the NAM and the ruins. The coast is beautiful, Positano and Amalfi are attractive, have not been to Ravello, hear it is the most attractive of the towns. But it is a long and tiring drive even in a bus, for a day trip. I would plan on going back to Italy another year and spending time on tha Amalfi Coast, rather than dashing through it on a bus this time around.

The NAM is amazing and worth more than a couple of hours. Some fine mosaics and all the original statuary from Pompeii. I would suggest going to the ruins first, then to the Museum.

If time permits go and visit Herculaneum, a much smaller site than Pompeii, but I find it more interesting as many of the buildings are intact and mosaics in situ.

Thank you, Lesley.

Edmond, did you have you luggage with you on the Circumvesuviana? Did you go to the hotel first and drop your luggage and then go to the sites?

Has anyone used the lockers or the luggage storage at Pompeii, the NAM, or the train station? Is it safe?

I've used the free luggage storage at the Porta Marina entrance to Pompeii. Based on my experience, I consider it safe. No experience with luggage storage in Naples or at the Pompeii Scavi train station.

My recollection is that there was no/limited luggage storage at the NAM but we did leave bags at Napoli Centrale (€6 per bag ?) Have taken Circumvesuviana with bags several times -- think subway/city bus at rush hour -- but we got off the train with the same bags we started with. Sooo much nicer without bags!!

You might consider Herculaneum instead of Pompei. Smaller, probably less crowded, and a couple of hours would be sufficient to see it. Luggage storage might be an issue, though.

Do you Laura B, (or anyone) have any experience with the boat transfer from Naples to Sorrento?

I’m wondering if that is a better option, or if a private transfer from the train station would be a good idea, and how much that might cost.

Would a private transfer be an option from Pompeii to Sorrento?
Moving around with bags has got me concerned.

Sorry, never took the boat (but keeping it in mind for another trip) --just Circumvesuviana and once the bus from Naples Airport.