We were quoted 180 Euros for roundtrip Sorrento to Pompeii and then an additional charge for our private tour. Is this the going rate? Can anyone suggest a reputable car service? Thanks.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
There are licensed guides onsite. I would just take the train, it's practically door-to-door for Pompeii Scavi.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16762 posts
I'm with Zoe: just take the train from Sorrento ( 30 minutes; easy and inexpensive) and hire a guide when you get there.
Posted by
Chicago
8703 posts
Going from Sorrento to Pompeii is the easiest travel on earth. You just board the local commuter train for a few Euro and get off at Pompeii Scavi which lets you off practically at the door of the site. If you want a tour, hire a guide there. There are some private tours that are worth 180 Euro because transport is difficult; this is not one of those. To charge 180 PLUS a guide fee is absurd. It is also an easy site to do on your own if you have a good guide book but you need either a guide or a book as the site is not well signed. One advantage of a guide is that they can let you into some locked houses and spaces that need supervision and so are not left wide open.
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6598 posts
Absolutely, take the train. Quick and cheap. You also might check to see if RS still has an arrangement with Mondo Tours; it was in the Italy guidebook last year. We signed up for one of the tours, but not enough people showed up. The guide did, however, spend about 45 minutes giving those of us who were there a wonderful overview of the site and its history, for no charge. I don't remember what it would have cost if he had actually taken us in and led us around, but it must have been pretty reasonable or I wouldn't have signed us up!
I just looked it up in our guidebook: at the time, the Mondo tour was €12 each (may have been €15 when we were there), plus the €11 entry fee to Pompeii. Check it out; it's a bargain.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1898 posts
We did this YEARS ago...and paid 100E for both of us. We stopped into a travel agency in Sorrento and signed up for a day tour. We went to Pompei, and then Mt Vesuvio. Had to pay for entry into Pompei, and lunch (which my hubby and I brought with us and had a picnic while others got guided into some place to eat)
The bus was air conditioned, and the guide was amazing. We had wireless headsets in Pompei as she guided us up and down the most important sites. The wireless sets let us wander and walk at our pace.
When we got to the bottom of Vesuvio, we had the option to walk up to the top, or stay in the bus...of course we walked up (not difficult at all)
Prices probably have gone up in the last years, but I'd recommend you also check at a travel agency (there was one by the train station in Sorrento when we were there - down a side street) to check on a tour.
We met the bus in a parking lot at 8AM and got back about 4PM after a wonderful full day of sightseeing...with lots of info while on the bus trip to and from both sights. We learned a lot!
Key wording in your question: PRIVATE TOUR. With that, I can see them charging 180. Take a group tour and save $$