Rome to Vesuvius day trip-advice please

I don't think it is possible to buy Circumvesuviana tickets in advance, just buy them before you go downstairs to board the train (ticket booths are just before turnstiles leading to stairs).

I haven't been near Vesuvius in April, but I would check weather forecasts before you set off.

Perhaps your your guide or RS staff can give you some assistance on logistics.

You won't regret the choice to climb Vesuvius! Its still one of my favorite memories from Italy. Your itinerary sounds very manageable. Don't feel rushed but do try to catch the faster trains (if not, just sit back and enjoy the colorful people getting on/off the trains...its an experience in itself).

The busses leave about every 20-30 minutes to climb Vesuvius so I don't think you'll need to book in advance. Just catch the next one leaving. Do bring cash with you as the one we used didn't accept credit cards. Even in June the busses for the climb were not packed, just a nice steady flow and plenty of open seats so I would expect the same on your trip.

Please don't miss Ercolano when you go. Its so much better preserved than Pompeii, less crowded/touristy and still under excavation so it gives a great look at just how deeply everything was buried.

The weather in April should be a very nice temperature for you! We did the climb in early June and it was hot (Boiling at Pompeii, and slightly cooler due to some clouds and a breeze while we were on vesuvius).

Hiking boots would be helpful. Something with a nice tread to it. (but only if they suit the rest of your trip.. don't lug around heavy boots just for use on this single day!) We were in sneakers and aside from our feet sinking into the sandy pumice a few times we did just fine. A small pack with some drinks and snacks is great, but don't over do it since its a pretty easy trek back down and the busses run frequently.

In case you haven't seen them, these documentaries are great for learning about the volcano and Ercolano before you go:

Pompeii – with Mary Beard ( One of the world's most respected (and my favorite) roman historians)
http://youtu.be/mnIY6AE4m6E

Life and Death in Herculaneum (again with a well respected roman historian)
http://youtu.be/3_wfTPdp3_k

Mt Vesuvius (a bit dramatic in execution, but this documentary gives lots of science behind why Vesuvius is now considered the world's most dangerous volcano).
http://youtu.be/7xhucNGq108

I wondered if we could get the Circumvesuviana tickets at Termini station in Rome, or whether we would have to wait until Naples. I understand the trains and tickets are plentiful, but I figured it would be so great not to miss the 9:09 train...but we will be as flexible as we have to be.

You are right about checking it the day before we leave to see if Vesuvius will be open due to volcanic activity, but even if we already bought our tickets to Naples, we could always tour there for the day, even go to the museum that has the art from Pompeii...and we really just want to do the hike.

For the entire Italy trip, we will be wear "typically American" Merrell Moab Ventilators. These are low shoes but have excellent tread, should be fine for the hike from what I have read. You are right, we do not want to bring hiking boots for just this and Cinque Terre. I hiked the entire Cinque Terre before the trail damage in 2006 using low Salomon day hikers.
Thank you for your responses so far...very helpful!

I should add I am 52 and my husband is 60, but we are both very active.

Pastelholic, everything I've read about this "hike" indicates that it's only 20 minutes or so to the top from shuttle stop - not long or especially difficult at all unless you're not in moderate physical shape - so I wouldn't worry about taking all the stuff you would for a trek, say, from the base of the volcano the top. In April, it's also unlikely to be very hot up there, and more likely to be chilly and maybe somewhat windy.

Wear sturdy shoes with a good tread, bring water, a jacket and a camera. You might need a hat if it's cool and windy or just to keep the sun off even if it's not particularly hot.

Circumvesuviana tickets are not available in Rome - that system isn't operated by Trenitalia - so purchase those at Napoli Centrale: purchase your tickets upstairs; Garibaldi Station for the train is downstairs.

You'll want the Napoli - Sorrento train line, and current schedules are here:

http://www.eavsrl.it/web/sites/default/files/allegati/Orario%20Napoli%20Sorrento%20con%20Pozzano%20e%20Scraio%20e%20viceversa.pdf

You will have plenty of time to stop for pizza and visit Herculaneum if you decide to do that. I think one would be hard-pressed to spend much more than an hour on the walk up and down Vesuvius. I didn't see evidence of a "hiking area" – i.e., a place with a variety of trails. I just saw one path up and down. Good shoes would be helpful, although I saw people in heels or flip-flops. In some areas, there's a fair amount of loose gravel, so shoes with good tread would help.

And I would encourage you to visit the excavations at Herculaneum. It really is a unique experience.

There are 9 trails within Vesuvio National Park ranging from short, easy walks to strenuous 10K+ treks and longer, if trails are combined.

Just in case anyone is interest in longer hikes, here's the trail guide in English:
http://www.parks.it/parco.nazionale.vesuvio/Eiti.php#2-0

And here's a nice brochure for anyone at all who is intending on visiting the park:

http://www.parconazionalevesuvio.it/pnv/home/download/brochure_ENG.pdf

Quick Update and thanks--everyone's responses were so helpful and interesting. Very much appreciate this forum!

Progress: Booked super economy tickets online for Freccirossa fast train from Rome to Naples, it was a simple process. I called our credit card company in advance to tell them to expect the charge or the purchase would have been declined.

Luckily, our hotel is easy walking distance to Termini train station. Will get early train to Naples, then take Circumvesuviana train etc. and get the bus to Vesuvius as you suggested.

When we're done there, we will tour Herculaneum. We had considered Pompeii, but it seemed too difficult to do all of it and still get back to Rome at a reasonable hour. Maybe we will have a little time for pizza in Naples after that, but we cannot miss our Frecciarossa return train or we will have paid in advance for no reason, because it is a non-refundable, non-changeable ticket. If Vesuvius is deemed unsafe that day, we will just go to Naples and Herculaneum, perhaps reconsider Pompeii.
We will take your advice and not get our Circumvesuviana tix in advance. That gives us flexibility, I suppose (won't have to worry about elapsed time between ticket purchase and validation time-unless I have misunderstood the process).

Just got a pocket-sized Nikon camera that is easy to conceal and will come in handy to capture the breathtaking views we expect to see atop Vesuvius. The camera selection process could warrant an entire thread on its own...but I had forgotten to mention having a camera with me was a given. I did not want to have a conspicuous one on the train, or something heavy to manage. We do not carry smartphones, so using a cellphone camera was never an option.

I look forward to watching the YouTube videos you posted. Again, thanks for all of your thoughtful posts. You have helped make our upcoming trip better.