Hello!
We are traveling to Rome and would like to do a day trip to Naples / Pompeii. We are trying to determine whether it would be better to do a paid tour or to travel independently.
Has anyone experienced that day trip from Rome? Any recommendations??
Thank you!!
Bernadette
YES! I HIGHLY recommend "Amalfi Coast Destination". I have absolutely zero affiliation.
They were recommended to us a number of years ago, when we went to Italy for our first time. Totally independently (and frugally). Rome/Tuscany/Venice/Rome. In Tuscany, we stayed for a week in an agritourismo, and had a rental car for a week.
We were finishing with 4 nights in Rome (after having spent a night there when we first arrived). An aquaintance advised us to use one of those days to do a day trip to Amalfi, and gave us the name of the person she had used -- singing his praises.
So, we arranged it with him. Now the company is a bit larger...
For our one day, we took an early train from Rome to Naples. He met us at the station (sign in hand). We enjoyed a lovely ride in a Mercedes minivan (the height is important to get better views over the railings along the A. Coast). Spotless windows, wearing a jacket/tie, excellent English, and extremely informative.
He drove along the coast (I don't recommend you do it in a rental car -- your eyes will be glued to the road, and won't be able to enjoy the views nearly as much). He dropped us off for some free time in Amalfi and in Positano. A few stops along the way, too, for photo ops. He took us to an out-of-the way restaurant for lunch (on our own), and then to Pompeii. He waited while we had a couple of hours there. We used the RS audioguide to toured it ourselves.
Then he returned us to the train, about an hour before our train (which I think was for about 6:00) back to Rome.
We were quoted a price via email when we were arranging it, and paid cash at the end of the trip (plus a modest tip).
It was such a wonderful experience, that when we stopped in Naples during a cruise, 4 years ago, with a friend who hadn't been there, we did the same trip again. It was a different driver, but just as excellent. He picked up and returned us at the cruise port. Again, it was a highlight of our trip.
It was nice not to have to deal with the potential pickpockets in Naples. Although we carried the cash on us during the excursion, we never felt like that was a problem... you could keep it in a money belt and you'd be fine to access it in the car at the end of the trip. I cannot remember how much we paid, but it seemed like an extravagance the first time... but well worth it. The second time, I knew it would be worth it, and it was.
Good luck!
Cheers,
Vivian
We did this day trip independently in March, 2015 (me, sister, brother-in-law and three teens aged 14, 16 and 18). The objective was to visit Pompeii's ruins and hike Mount Vesuvius. We were first timers to Italy.
The day started early from Rome Termini to Naples via high speed train, and then to Herculanium where we caught a private mini-bus to Mount Vesuvius. Once there we hiked to the top. The views were spectacular, but it was cold and windy so we didn't dawdle. We made it to Pompeii Scavi by mid-day where we had lunch before visiting the ruins. By late afternoon we were on the Circumvesuviana Train back to Naples, where we caught the high speed train for our return to Rome.
It's a doable day trip - albeit a long day. I would still do it independently because I like having schedule flexibility but in hindsight, I would have done two things differently; 1) I would have hired a guide for the Pompeii site. Although we were able to navigate through the ruins using maps and the Rick Steves audio tour, a guide would have made the visit so much more informative and efficient. (We got lost several times due to closed off work zones). Guides are available for hire right outside the entrance to the ruins and there are numerous threads on this site with more detail and recommendation about that. 2) I would have made a stop at the Naples archaeological museum to see the artifacts from Pompeii that are on display. In order to work this into a day trip, I would have incurred the wrath of the teens by scratching the Mount Vesuvius visit.
Note that we purchased the high speed train tickets between Naples and Rome in advance to get the best price. Those tickets are reservations for a specific seat on a specific train, and are not transferrable or refundable so you are locked into departure times for that aspect of the trip.
Another option for you to consider is a visit to the ruins at Herculaneum instead of Pompeii. The travel time to/from Naples is slightly shorter than Pompeii, and the site is smaller.
Thank you both for the quick responses - this is SO helpful!!
How did you find your tour guide in Naples??
