Pompeii Ruins: Tickets, Hours, and Essential Visitor Guide

The Pompeii Ruins offer a breathtaking look into life before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Ensure a smooth visit by purchasing tickets in advance.

Thousands of years ago, Pompeii was to Italy what Las Vegas is to the U.S.

A summer holiday destination for the who’s who of the Roman Empire, a deadly volcanic eruption in 79 AD made Pompeii what it is today—a land of ruins.

In less than 24 hours, Mount Vesuvius’s volcanic fumes and brimstone reduced Pompeii to ashes, preserving this once-fun city for eternity.

Today, what remains are exquisitely preserved sculptures, mosaics, and frescoes, each of which reveals details about the era’s aesthetic and creative preferences.

Here’s everything you must know before booking your Pompeii tickets.

Top Tickets

# Pompeii Fast Track ticket
# Pompeii guided tour
# Pompeii tours from Naples
# Sorrento to Pompeii tours
# Positano to Pompeii tickets

It’s highly recommended to book your Pompeii Ruins tickets in advance. These tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.

Key takeaways

Pompeii was a luxurious Roman holiday destination until Mount Vesuvius erupted cataclysmically, killing all of its inhabitants in 79 AD

Today, the city is a UNESCO Heritage site full of well-preserved ruins such as homes, temples, and an amphitheater that showcase ancient Roman life

Book your Pompeii tickets in advance to avoid long queues and make the most of your visit

Enhance your experience with a guided tour, where Pompeii experts will share fascinating stories and insights about the city’s history and culture

Did you Know?
Pompeii, along with Rome’s Ostia Antica, is considered to be the world’s largest archeological site. Pompeii alone is spread over 150 acres of land!

What’s ahead

Map

Things to know before booking tickets

You can book tickets to Pompeii either online or at the venue. However, we advise purchasing tickets online to avoid long lines and last-minute disappointment, especially during peak times. Online tickets are often cheaper, and booking in advance lets you choose your preferred time slot. Once purchased, you’ll receive an e-ticket via email—there is no need to take a printout. Simply show your e-ticket at the ticket office on the day of your visit, and you’ll be directed to your guide.

Free tickets to Pompeii

On the first Sunday of every month, visitors can enter Pompeii for free. 

If you are a backpacker or a group of friends, the free tickets to Pompeii are worth it.

However, if you are traveling with kids, elders, or large groups, avoid visiting the attraction on the first Sunday of the month.

In such a case, we suggest you either book the hugely popular Pompeii Fast Track ticket or the guided tour of Pompeii ticket.

Disabled visitors from the European Union (EU) and their companions qualify for free entry to Pompeii all through the year.

If you are differently abled, we suggest you go from the entrance at Piazza Anfiteatro, which has facilitated visitors’ access.

Pompeii tickets

Your experience at the Pompeii ruins depends on the type of Pompeii ticket you buy and when you buy it.

The cheapest and most popular Pompeii ticket costs €24 per visitor. The guided tour of Pompeii ruins, where a local guide takes you around for two hours, costs €44.

Similarly, Pompeii tours with transport from Rome and back are priced at €157.

Cheapest Pompeii tickets

The Pompeii Fast Track ticket is the cheapest and most popular amongst tourists visiting Pompeii ruins. 

On the day of your visit, you must show this Pompeii ticket on your mobile at the “Porta Marina Inferiore (Piazza Esedra)” entrance. 

While booking your ticket, you must choose from the morning timeslot starting at 9 am and the afternoon slot beginning at 1 pm.

The morning slot ticket gives you access to Pompeii anytime until 1 pm, and the afternoon slot ticket gives you access from 1 pm until closure.

Ticket Prices

Adult (18+ years): €24
EU Citizen (18 to 24 years): €5.50
Child (up to 17 years): €3

Buy This Ticket

Recommended


Pompeii guided tour

Pompeii Guided TourPin
Image: Madametussauds.com

Pompeii ruins are spread over a large area, and there isn’t much information you can see or read when standing in front of the attractions.

If you want to understand the magnitude of what you are witnessing, booking a guided tour of Pompeii is a good idea.

Hiring an expert who knows everything about the ruins also helps in the following ways:

– You don’t waste your time trying to find the exhibits
– You don’t miss out on any of the highlights of Pompeii ruins
– Guides share more in-depth knowledge, exciting stories, etc. about the ruins

The Pompeii guided tour recommended below starts at 10.30 am and 12.30 pm and lasts two hours.

You will meet your guide next to the Pompeii Ticket Office on Piazza Porta Marina Inferiore (in front of the Hotel Vittoria)

The guided tour of Pompeii is available in English, Italian, French, Portuguese, Japanese, Spanish, and German.

You can choose your preferred language on the tour booking page.

Ticket Prices

Adult (18+ years): €44
Youth (6 to 17 years): €25.50
Child (up to 5 years): €3.50

Buy This Ticket

Frequently asked questions about tickets

Here are some questions tourists frequently ask before purchasing their tickets for Pompeii.

Does the archeological site offer free tickets?

Children aged up to 17, disabled EU citizens, and one accompanying family member, as well as ICOM members, can enter the ruins for free.

Can I buy tickets at the venue?

Yes, tickets are available on-site at the ticket office. However, due to the high demand, there will be long queues, and popular timeslots may sell out quickly.

Do we need to print online tickets?

Visitors can present their tickets on mobile devices, but printed tickets are also accepted at Pompeii. On the day of your visit, you can show the tickets on your mobile at the “Porta Marina Inferiore (Piazza Esedra)” entrance and walk in.

What is the arrival time for visitors at Pompeii?

While the attraction’s times are 9 am to 5 pm, the last admission will be no later than 4 pm. Arrive at least 20 minutes ahead of your preferred timeslot, keeping in mind the time for a thorough security check before entry.

What is the late arrival policy?

Entry to latecomers will not be entertained, and refunds are not guaranteed.

Does Pompeii offer discounts for locals?

The attraction offers discounted admission to citizens of EU and EEA countries aged between 18 and 25 years.

Does Naples City Pass include access to the attraction?

Yes, the Naples City Pass is a cost-effective option to explore the fascinating ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum’s ancient cities.

What is Pompeii’s refund policy?

This attraction of Rome has a flexible cancellation policy. You can cancel your ticket until 11:59 pm on the day before your visit for a full refund.

How to reschedule the ticket?

The attraction does not allow you to change the date and time of your visit under any circumstances.

What is the rain policy?

The attraction is an all-weather experience, so all tickets are final.

Where is the ticket office at the venue?

The site has three ticket offices: in Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro, and Piazza Esedra. Ticket sellers outside the main entrances are just vendors trying to make a quick buck—do not buy from them. Always buy your Pompeii tickets online. 

If I buy an online ticket, which entrance should I use?

When you buy Pompeii tickets online, you can access the attraction via the dedicated online ticket desk at Porta Marina Inferiore. Just show your smartphone ticket, exchange it for a physical ticket, and take the skip-the-line lane to enter the ruins. If you go to the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance, you won’t be able to skip the line.

Can I re-enter the ancient ruins with my ticket?

Each ticket only allows one entry into the Pompeii ruins.

Can kids visit the Pompeii ruins?

Some of the exhibits at Pompeii are not suitable for kids – some are too graphic, and some are sexual.

Is it safe to visit Pompeii’s volcano?

Yes, it is safe to visit Pompeii volcano—the archeological park monitors gas emissions and ensures public safety. However, all visitors need to adhere to the instructions and follow the trail.

Are there toilets in Pompeii?

Toilet facilities are available at the three entrances – Anfiteatro, Piazza Esedra, and Porta Marina. Additional toilets are also available near the Casina dell’Aquila, the Antiquarium, Quadriportico, The Chora Cafe, the Villa of the Mysteries, and before the entrance to the Antiquarium below the Temple of Venus.

Can you walk around Pompeii without a tour?

Yes, if you have the basic entry ticket, you can independently walk and explore Pompeii ruins at your own pace. You can read the instructions and its short history at each exhibit. Nevertheless, you may miss out on many stories, anecdotes, and trivia that a local guide may share during a guided tour.

Rome to Pompeii day trips

Pompeii is 150 miles (241 km) south of Rome, well within a long day’s trip from the city.

Tourists who don’t want to handle the hassles of transport prefer to book day tours to Pompeii. 

These roundtrips to Pompeii start from the city around 8 am and last around 11 hours. 

As part of the package, visitors get free WiFi on the bus, skip-the-line access to Pompeii ruins, an audio guide, and assistance from Touristation staff at all points.

The most popular tour from Rome to Pompeii includes a half-mile (8 km) hike to see Mt. Vesuvius’ crater. 

When the hike isn’t possible during winter, you can get a quick tour of nearby Naples. 

How to go from Rome to Pompeii

Pompeii ruins are in Campania, Italy, 14 miles (23 km) southeast of Naples.

Pompeii’s location is at the southeastern base of Mount Vesuvius, which didn’t go in its favor when the volcano erupted.

The ancient Roman city had been strategically built at the mouth of the Sarnus (modern Sarno) River. Get Directions.

There are three ways to get to Pompeii: take a train or a bus or book a tour which includes transportation.

Distance between Rome and Pompeii

Pompeii is 250 km (155 miles) from Rome by road.

If you travel by road, you can cover this distance in about two and a half hours.

Although the railway distance is only 212 km (132 Miles), because you have to change trains in Naples, the journey takes two and a half hours.

You can also go on a day trip from Rome to Pompeii to explore the ruins.

Pompeii by bus

A bus is a recommended option only if you are already in Naples.

SITA local buses leave Nuova Marina port in Naples to Pompeii every half hour.

The bus ticket, which costs a little less than €3 one way, can be bought from the SITA office at Nuova Marina port.

The journey time is approximately 35 minutes.

Train from Rome to Pompeii

Pompeii day trip by train is the best option if you are holidaying in the Italian capital.

This trip to Pompeii has two legs:

Rome to Naples by train

Every day, 16 trains leave Roma Termini station in Rome for Naples Central station.

Buy a Rome to Naples ticket on a high-speed train (Frecciarossa or Frecciabianca) to save travel time.

Your train from Rome will arrive at the Naples Centrale station, which is meant for inter-city trains.

Naples to Pompeii by train

Once you reach Naples, you must get onto a Circumvesuviana train towards Pompeii.

From the Naples station for inter-city trains, you must get to the adjacent station from where Circumvesuviana trains depart.

The frequency of Circumvesuviana trains is every half hour.

Need help with the transfer at Naples station? Watch this video:

You must get off the Circumvesuviana train at Pompei Scavi station, located 50 meters (164 ft) from the entrance to Pompeii.

The journey from Naples central to Pompei Scavi (also known as Pompeii train station) is approximately 45 minutes.

Note: Some tourists don’t want the hassle of finding Rome to Pompeii train times, booking tickets, etc. So, they opt for either Pompeii day trips from Rome or Pompeii coach tours from Naples.

Pompeii opening hours

The Pompeii ruins open at 9 am every day. It closes at 7 pm during the peak months of April to October and at 5 pm from November to March. 

From November to March, the last entry to Pompeii is at 3.30 pm, and from April to October, it is at 5.30 pm.

The Pompeii archaeological area stays closed on 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December.

The best day of the week to go to Pompeii is from Monday to Thursday. From Friday to Sunday, you can expect more crowds.

Note: The Herculaneum, Oplontis, Boscoreale, and Stabia have opening and closing hours similar to Pompeii’s, facilitating more tourist footfall in the region.

Insider tip! Pompeii has three entrances. Porta Marina is the most popular and is closest to the train station Pompei Scavi—Villa dei Misteri. Piazza Anfiteatro is just opposite the Porta Marina and is not as crowded. Piazza Esedra is the best option if you are coming from Naples or Salerno by car, as there are many parking slots close by.

How long does the tour take

Pompeii is massive, and if you want to see only the highlights, you need at least three to four hours. 

That being said, you need at least two days to explore everything on display at Pompeii.

Walking around for long in Pompeii ruins can be challenging for kids and seniors. We suggest you wear sturdy shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a carry bottle of water. 

Since the ruins have no shade, we suggest carrying an umbrella as well.

Note: Many tourists want to know if combining the Pompeii visit with the Herculaneum ruins is possible. Yes, it is possible!

Trekking up Mt. Vesuvius is totally worth it for several reasons. Experiencing the area’s natural history and seeing the crater up close is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The jaw-dropping vistas over the Bay of Naples and the surrounding regions add to the incredible value of this trek. It is best to explore Pompeii’s ancient ruins early in the morning and then spend the afternoon hiking Vesuvius for fascinating views.

Best time to visit Pompeii

The best time to visit Pompeii is before 10 am.

Coaches start bringing in large tour groups by 10.30 am and crowd the ticketing counters, the lines to enter the ruins, and its famous attractions.

The next best time to visit Pompeii ruins is 3 pm because, after lunchtime, the massive crowd has started to leave or has already left.

During the peak season, the ruins are open till 7 pm, so even if you start at 3 pm, you get four hours to explore. 

During the non-peak months, the ruins close at 5 pm.

Booking your tickets online in advance, reaching the site as soon as it opens or late in the afternoon, deciding on the exhibits you will see, and opting for guided tours are some of the best ways to plan your visit to Pompeii.

Note: If you stay in Rome or Naples, reaching Pompeii by 10 am is almost impossible. Hence, book your Pompeii tickets in advance so you can enter the ruins hassle-free when you arrive.

How to avoid the crowd

There are two places where you may want to avoid the crowd:

At the ticketing lines

Pin
Image: Tourscanner.com

According to the management at Pompeii ruins, during the peak months, one may have to wait in the ticket counter lines for a minimum of 30 minutes to an hour (picture above).

Pin

The only way to avoid the long lines at the ticketing counters of Pompeii is by buying Pompeii tickets online in advance.

Inside the ruins

Pompeii is crowded from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, and it is best to avoid the star attractions of Pompeii ruins during this period.

Use the Pompeii map, and avoid the crowd-pullers.

Tourists visiting as part of group tours can get back to their coaches by 12.30 pm or 1 pm.

Once they all leave, you can get back to exploring the must-sees in Pompeii.

Low season: November to March
High season: April to October
Busiest months: May and August

Did you know?
Pompeii remained undiscovered for nearly 1,500 years. It was only accidentally unearthed during the digging of a water tunnel in 1599. It would take another 100 years for the site’s real excavation to begin.

Pompeii tours from Naples

Many tourists decide to visit Pompeii while they stay in Naples.

Pompeii tours are pretty popular since there are many convenient ways to get to Pompeii from Naples.

Naples to Pompeii is a half-hour journey—around 24 Kms (15 Miles).

From Naples: Half-day visit to Pompeii

This tour from Naples to Pompeii starts at 10 am and lasts four hours.

The package includes:

  • Transport from Naples to Pompeii and back
  • An archeologist guide
  • ‘Skip The Line’ entry to Pompeii

Ticket Prices

Adult (18+ years): €64
Youth (4 to 17 years): €48
Infant (up to 3 years): Free

Buy This Ticket

Sorrento to Pompeii tours

If you are in Sorrento and want to visit Pompeii, you have two options: either take the train or catch the bus to the ruins.

Sorrento to Pompeii by train

The cheapest way to do this is to book your Pompeii ticket in advance and take the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii on the day of the visit.

The Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri station is the closest station to access Pompeii ruins. 

Porta Marina is located opposite this train station.

Circumvesuviana trains run between Sorrento and Naples and, in 20 minutes, can drop you at Pompeii’s station. Train schedule

The train times between Sorrento and Pompeii are very convenient—one every 30 minutes throughout the day.

Sorrento to Pompeii by bus

You can opt for the coach tour if you don’t want to take the train from Sorrento.

Since Sorrento is a small town, you will be picked up from your hotel at 10 am.

The distance from Sorrento to Pompeii is 26 km (16 Miles), and travel by road takes approximately 45 minutes.

Your guide will be waiting for you at Pompeii.

After a two-hour guided tour of the ruins of Pompeii, you will get back to your vehicle and get back to your hotel.

Ticket Prices

Regular (4+ years): €74
Infant (up to 3 years): Free

Buy This Ticket

From Positano to Pompeii

The distance from Positano to Pompeii is about 35 Km (22 Miles).

You have three options to get to Pompeii ruins: public transport, your car, or a coach tour.

Public transport

You can take a local bus from Positano to Sorrento and the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii Scavi station.

After the 40-minute bus journey and 20 minutes on the train, you will be right at the entrance of the Pompeii ruins.

Private transport

For approximately €200, you can get a private driver to pick you up from your hotel in Positano and drop you at Pompeii.

They then wait for you while you enjoy the ruins and drive you back.

Whatever your mode of transport from Positano to Pompeii, you will still need a ticket to enter the ruins.

Book a coach tour

The best and most convenient way is to book a coach tour from Positano to Pompeii.

This tour, which starts at 8 am, includes:

  • Transportation both ways
  • Entry tickets to Pompeii
  • Entrance fee to Mt Vesuvius
  • English speaking guide

Ticket Price: €179

Buy This Ticket

Pompeii ruins map

You don’t need a map if you have booked a guided tour of Pompeii.

However, if you don’t have a guide to take you around the vast archaeological area of Pompeii, you must get a map.

A Pompeii map will help you save time and ensure you don’t miss the important exhibits.

A map will also help you find tourist facilities such as washrooms, cafes, smoking areas, souvenir shops, etc.

Download the PDF version of the best Pompeii map.

We also recommend this Pompeii Guide (booklet).

Essential Information
# Walk carefully, as the ruins date back thousands of years.
# Only service dogs are allowed inside.

Photo of author
Researched & written by
Jamshed is a versatile traveler, equally drawn to the vibrant energy of city escapes and the peaceful solitude of remote getaways. On some trips, he indulges in resort hopping, while on others, he spends little time in his accommodation, fully immersing himself in the destination. A passionate foodie, Jamshed delights in exploring local cuisines, with a particular love for flavorful non-vegetarian dishes. Favourite Cities: Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Dublin, Prague, Vienna

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