Pompeii, always a full day??

Haven't done Pompeii from Rome, but with the new fast trains it does appear possible to be back in Rome early. Depart Rome 07:25 and arrive Naples 08:52. Take Circumvesuviana at 09:09 or 09:28 and arrive Pompeii at 09:28 or 09:58. Depart Pompeii on Circumvesuviana at 13:55, 14:22 or 14:48 and arrive Naples at 14:32, 14:47 or 15:27. Depart Naples at 15:10 or 15:41 and arrive Rome 16:37 or 17:15. Those options would give you 4 to 5 hours at Pompeii. This is based on July 11 schedules, so check schedules again closer to your travel date.

Thanks Frank, so it can be done!! We are trying to go on July 16. Anyone out there actually do this trip in less than all day with public transportation? I would think 3-4 hours would be enough anyway if hot and humid. We are not achealogical students:) Oh, that is also the one day our family will not be second guessed as Americano in our shorts and sneakers carrying our cameras!! But lets not beat a dead horse!!

We spent about 3 hours at Pompeii. It's helpful to have a guide. The maps are hard to decipher. We joined an "unofficial" guide for 10E a person. He showed us the major stuff and told us some funny stories. Do yourself a favor, wear shorts and sandals, and take lots of water! It will be hot. Another option if you want to see ruins, but not spend all day is to go to Herculaneum. It's closer to Rome too. It too us about 1.5 hours to go through Herculaneum.

Thanks Margaret. I would like to find a guide like that. Also would like to get back to Rome by 6pm, as it is our last night there. I am thinking it can be done.

Lisa....we've done Pompeii as a day trip from Rome....if you get up early, you shouldn't have trouble getting back to Rome by 6.

I've been to Pompeii three times and finally made it to Ostia Antica, the ancient port of Rome this year(see Rick's ravs). It was a one hour one euro subway/train trip and we spent about three hours there. It's cooler as it's by the sea. We couldn't go to their museum as it was closed for lunch. It's different than Pompeii but equally enjoyable and was one of our favorite days (including our 20 yr old daughter's). I felt there was even more wandering to do and become immersed in the site. Get the map. You'll see the table the fish monger cut fish on, the theatre still used and the mosiacs from the baths. check out their site at www.ostia-antica.org

Yeah, don't overlook Ostia Antica. Very convenient to Rome and absolutely beautiful. And if memory serves, the train ride between Rome and Naples is not particularly scenic. The museum at Ostia is no great shakes, but there are great museums in Rome with ancient Roman items.

You can use Google Earth to compare the two sites. If you type in "Ostia Antica, Italy" in the search window, for some reason it takes you to a point NE of the actual site. Go to the SW to a bend in the Tiber River to see the site. To find Pompeii, type in "Pompei Scavi, Italia" NOTE - only one "i" at the end of Pompei.