Rome to Naples, Archeology Museum, then Pompei?

Yes, it's feasable but you don't have to go back to the main train station after the museum. Just hop back on the circumvesuviana for another 10 minutes or so until you get to the pompeii scavi stop. I know they have a cloak room at the museum but I don't know if you can store your bags there. I can't remember for sure if they have baggage storage at Pompeii but I think they do. If this is the case you may want to do Pompeii in the morning while it is still cool outside, go to the museum in the afternoon, go back to Pompeii to get your bags then continue on to Sorrento. I agree with your husband about getting to Venice without delay. You never know what might come up and you don't want to miss your cruise. Donna

That itinerary is absolutely feasible! In fact in my opinion it's really the best way to do a day in the Naples area. If you want to get the most out of your visit check out the Pompeii Done Properly tour at www.walksofitaly.com. It's exactly that itinerary, and the guide meets you right at the train station. Hope that helps!

You really don't need a guide to do this type of trip. If you want a guide for Pompeii you can get one at the entrance. You won't need a guide for the museum and the train is very easy to use. The guides at Pompeii are very good and you can bargain with them about cost and length of tour. Donna

Thank you for good advice. Online research indicates that Circumvesuviana does not have a stop at the Museum, but it is no problem to return to the train station, and I feel better about attempting the Museum first, and then Pompei, and will be using Rick Steves' audio tour. Thanks again.

You're right, the circumvesuviana does not stop at the museum. The stop is about 3 blocks away so it's a very easy walk. Donna

Janet, we are planning to do this day trip from Rome when we visit next month. If you haven't done so, check out Rick's Rome book, he has a chapter on doing this daytrip with all the details about the trains and everything. There's a left luggage in the Naples station, in fact I was watching a you tube video of this today. I have also heard there is a left luggage at the Pompeii site. Have you considered just staying in Naples for the night. If you do so, that should leave you plenty of time to do the Archeological Museum in the morning before you leave for Venice.

Claudette, thanks, I'll check out the Rome book. I am disappointed to see on the Archeology Museum website that the mosaic collection and the Secret Room will be closed until sometime in November (we will be there late Oct.), but I think the frescos from Pompei will still be worth a visit.

here's a question that is only slightly off-topic: should one visit pompeii first, or naples first, if doing a day trip? obviously, one must get some pizza in naples, so that would be a factor as well.

If it's a day trip, I'd go to Pompeii first, and as early as possible to avoid the heat if it is a warm day, then back to Naples. The museum was easier to view for us after having been to Pompeii, it was easier to picture the context of some of the pieces. On our last trip we went to Pompeii in the morning, then to Naples and walked to Da Michelle for a later lunch and then walked the rest of the way to the museum.

ok, that makes sense.

I too would normally suggest swapping out the order of the day, doing the ruins first, then the Museum...but since you are going to Sorrento, do just as you have layed out. Travelling back and forth on the Circumvesuvia is very slow and wastes time. In regards to comments about not having to return to the station after the museum, I disagree. The National Archaeological Museum of Naples, where the artifacts from Pompeii are displayed, is a good walk from the station or get there by taking the Metro. You will need to return to the station, both to get your bags and that is the starting point of the Circumvesuvia. There is also a bag check area at Pompeii Scavi.