Hi fellow world travelers,
I will be based in Rome this upcoming August and am hoping to do a day trip to Pompeii, via public transport. I have read that it is possible, albeit a long day, to wake up in Rome, travel by train (via Naples) to Pompeii, view the site, and then head back on a train to Rome (via Naples). I have seen mixed reviews online about whether or not it is possible to also include in this day trip a visit to Herculaneum. All of this would be via public transport.
Does anyone have any personal experience of this sort? I would ideally love to see both sites in one day, but I just want to make sure that it is actually viable.
I need to be back in Rome by the night (i.e. I can't sleep in Pompeii or Naples), but besides from that, it's just two adults on this trip.
Thank you for your input.
Posted by
215 posts
We visited Herculeaum on our way from Positano back to Rome. We wanted to do Pompeii but didn't have enough time. Hurcleaum is much smaller and only took us about 1 hour 15 min. I was told Pompeii easily you can spend 3 hours there. The Frecciarossa train is very fast from Rome a little over an hours so you can arrive into Naples and take a taxi to Pompeii then catch a train back after.
Posted by
Portland
3603 posts
To me, the question is not whether it would be possible, but would it be advisable to try to attempt such a strenuous undertaking. Pompeii will be very hot, and there is no shade. In my opinion, a visit to Herculaneum combined with a stop at the Archaeological Museum in Naples would make for a more satisfying and less arduous day.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11359 posts
To me, the problem with doing both will be the heat. If you get to Pompeii on the earliest possible train, it might be bearable for 2-3 hours. By lunchtime, it will be intolerably hot. Going on to Herculaneum you would be in the hottest hours of the day. Do one or the other.
Posted by
11213 posts
Focus on Pompeii. It is a large site and you will be tired by the end of your visit due to the heat. Bring water and wear a hat as you’ll be out in the sun the whole time.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4911 posts
I agree with the others that the determining factor is the unbearable heat at that time of year. You really shouldn't underestimate it. While technically possible to visit both places, I would really recommend against it. The suggestion to see one site ( my preference would be Pompeii) and then visit the Archeological Museum in Naples ( if time and energy permit) is a good one.
Posted by
SF Bay Area
697 posts
Even without the heat, Pompeii is a large and wonderful site, and I wouldn't want to overload myself with another site the same day . We spent 4.5-5 hours there, and I would not have wanted to do Herculaneum the same day. We spent about 2 hours at Herculaneum several days later. We were there in April.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
1005 posts
I agree that you should choose one or the other. I would do Pompeii despite the midday heat. As Rick explains in his guidebook, take the early fast train from Rome to Naples, leaving Rome Termini around 7:30 a.m. At Naples, transfer to the Campania Express, which is a special train for tourists that is air-conditioned and much less crowded than the Circumvesuviana commuter train that runs on the same tracks. The Express doesn't run often, but there's one leaving Naples at 9:09 a.m. that will get you to Pompeii around 9:45. For your return to Naples, the first Express doesn't leave Pompeii until 3 p.m., so you may want to take the regular Circumvesuviana back to Naples. If you can squeeze time in Naples to see the Archaeological Museum with all of the artifacts discovered at Pompeii, it will add so much to your experience. Rick has free audio tours of both Pompeii and the museum--download them to your smartphone before you leave and use them during your visit.