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Taxis Available in Pompeii?

Hi there! I have a tour set for 9 a.m. in Pompeii with a local tour guide in a couple of weeks. I was originally planning to take the local Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento to Pompeii (the Campania Express isn't avail that early in the morning) but since I'll be traveling with my husband and two kids this time around, I thought it would be best to take a taxi due to the horrible reviews I've read about the crowded, run-down trains with plenty of pickpockets. My question is whether taxis are readily available while in Pompeii for our return trip to Sorrento? Or do you recommend booking a return service with the taxi company ahead of time? I've seen some old posts on this but nothing recent about taxis to and from Pompeii. Thanks for your help in advance!

Posted by
7277 posts

I’d just take the Circumvesuviana
It’s no different than riding BART or NYC subway
You’ll be getting on an empty train leaving Sorrento and you won’t have luggage
It’s not as scary as a lot of people seem to think

Be sure to validate your tickets

I’d guess a taxi will be $$$, it’s about 30-40 minute drive

If you are really that worried here is a company you can book a driver with
https://www.topexcursionsorrento.com/?portal_referer_id=46

Posted by
55 posts

Thanks Christine for the link. I've read that a taxi one way is about 26-32 Euros. For a family of four, that doesn't seem too bad. I'm thinking the private transfer would be much more expensive but I will check it out. Thank you!

Posted by
3471 posts

You could also check with your guide to see what they would charge to arrange transportation to and from Pompeii, or perhaps get a referral.

We had a good experience with Top Excursions in April of this year - wow, only 2 months ago!

Posted by
7987 posts

There are a few small hotels in the vicinity of the Porta Marina entrance to Pompeii, but it's not really a fruitful area for licensed taxis to sit or cruise - I think because of the Circumvesuviana station there. You have to take into account the probability that the taxi has to return empty from Sorrento, and factor that into possible costs. There may be more cabs near the Amphiteatro entrance, but that would be in urban, modern Pompeii city, and those drivers may be reluctant to take an out of town fare - I don't know. BTW, you can't re-enter Pompeii with same-day tickets, so I'd assume you can't go back to the Circumvesuviana if you exit at Amphiteatro!

I also think your (perfectly accurate statements) fears of taking the Circumvesuviana without luggage are out of proportion to reality. I suspect you may never use public transportation in your daily life at home. We found riding the Circumvesuviana with large suitcases to be stressful, but that was not about personal physical safety. After we began our five nights in Sorrento, we rode the Circumvesuviana a few times and it was just another commuter train trip. Even the very local bus to Sant' Agata was very crowded.

That said, and because it cost us a 15-Euro cab ride for the half mile (!) from the Circumvesuviana to our Sorrento Hotel, we were happy to have the desk clerk at the Ambasciatori order a black car from their land partner to take us back to the Naples rail station for 90 Euros (a few years ago.) I avoid both AirBnB and Uber, so I can't offer comments on those aspects of local transportation.

Posted by
51 posts

A taxi to Pompeii Scavi from the Naples train station runs between €75-€100 one way as of June 2022. I emailed the four taxi companies listed on the Napoli taxi pricing sheet to ask them. One said €75-€85 and the second said €100 and two didn't respond. The €26-€32 you cite is from the Rome2rio.com site which is wildly inaccurate.

I emailed that site to tell them their prices are likely 5-10 years old.

I was considering doing this for €30 but not triple that.

I know you asked about a taxi from Pompeii but figured it’s probably the same fare going back to Naples.

Posted by
9436 posts

alcoh, Lanialii (the OP) is staying in Sorrento, not Naples. Naples is closer to Pompeii Scavi than Sorrento is so i assume a taxi would be more than €75-€100.

I agree with Christine and Tim, the Circumvesuviana is not as scary as some people say. In fact, we don’t think it’s scary at all (even with luggage), we actually enjoy riding it. And it is not scary at all compared to BART.

Posted by
7987 posts

I'm pretty sure the OP is considering a taxi, as a matter of family convenience, from their hotel in Sorrento to Pompeii. But maybe they are talking about stopping at Pompeii on the way to Sorrento, which many posters here do - partly because Pompeii seems to have very reliable luggage storage.

I might have added that there's a learning curve (which the OP is, quite reasonably, trying to avoid) to going to Pompeii from Sorrento. Just like American towns that are reluctant to finance government salaries with taxes, tickets to the Circumvesuviana have been outsourced to the news-stand in the Sorrento Circumvesuviana station entrance. Of course, it's easy to ask for a return-trip to Pompeii even if you don't speak Italian. Then you have to find the machine near the train that "validates" the ticket, which each passenger needs to do to legally travel.

That said, I see that Pompeii is on the (2017) Naples Fixed-Rate Taxi Schedule, at 100 Euros.
https://www.napoliunplugged.com/tariffe_taxi_2017

Anyone staying in Naples needs to download a copy of that sheet, because the (ironica typeface) "luxury" taxi drivers will try to charge you something other than the fixed rate! One way to reduce that stress is to have your Naples hotel call your departure taxi for you, have the doorman give the driver the destination, and get the fare quote for you. Even Rick's favorite Sorrento taxi company took an off-meter ride that cost us 15 Euros for a very short in-town trip. This is way of life in southern Italy.

Posted by
14 posts

We were in Sorrento mid-May and used lots of taxis for our group of 6 (which included my 83 year old mother with other age ranges of 21 - 58). That being said, we ended up using the Circumvesuviana when we went to Pompeii. My original plan was for the Campania Express, but the frequency of trains was limited (and we missed the one we planned on taking). Keeping in mind we went to Pompeii the 2nd week of May (on a Friday), everyone was aware of the potential pickpocket situation and we had no problems. The trains were moderately crowded with lots of younger people and some tourists and were not air conditioned (as I recall).

As a family/group, we have travelled together several times overseas and never had any problems with pickpockets (and we do not use money belts). Of course, luck has probably been on our side. In addition to a medium sized Travelon bag, I also use a small Michael Kohrs belt/fanny pack to hold essential items (glasses, tissues, tickets, small bills/change, etc.) and never had anyone touch it. I know fanny packs are a no-no in these parts, but they really are great for keeping essentials close at hand.

Posted by
55 posts

Thank you everyone for your helpful and current information about the taxi prices. It definitely sounds like the cost has gone way up since that article I read on Rome2Rio site. I'm glad to receive updated information from all of you. My husband and I have traveled to Italy and other European countries, using public transportation (trains, buses, metro, etc.) and never had issues. However, this is our first time to Southern Italy and because we are traveling with kids (their first trip to Europe), I was looking at convenience. We aren't as concerned about our physical safety but mainly the slick fingers of pickpockets and the crowded trains with no A/C in the middle of summer. Of course, we'll be wearing our money belts and nothing fancy. But based on your feedback, sounds like we will just rough it out and take the Circumvesuviana train. I'm waiting for a quote from the private transfer company, but I'm sure their rates will be quite high. In any case, I think this trip will be a great life experience for our kids. Thanks again! Always great to check with expert travelers.

Posted by
7277 posts

Maybe you’ll get lucky and have an accordion player on your train ;)

Posted by
55 posts

@ChristineH - Yes, that would be wonderful! Looking forward to our version of our Amazing Race, which begins in less than two weeks!! Fingers crossed we all stay healthy and safe.