If you’re visiting Naples, a trip to Pompeii is one of those things you just have to do.
This is exactly how to get from Naples to Pompeii by train, including which station to use, ticket costs and what the journey is really like.
It’s one of the most unique places we’ve ever visited, but it’s also one of the easiest day trips to get wrong if you don’t plan it properly.
We did this as a family of six using public transport, and while it’s very doable, there are a few things we wish we’d known beforehand.
This guide walks you through exactly how to get there, what it costs, and what to expect based on our experience.
If you’re planning your full trip, you can also read:
👉 3 Days in Naples: Our Itinerary (with Pompeii and Sorrento + Real Costs)
👉 How to get around Naples -a guide to using the metro, funicular and trains
Or browse all of our Italy guides here:
👉 See all our Italy blogs
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We paid €20 per adult for the Pompeii Express ticket, which covers the main areas of the site and is more than enough for most visitors. Under 18s can enter for free, although you may be asked to show ID, so it’s worth bringing passports for older children.
EU nationals aged 18–25 can get reduced entry for just €2, again with valid ID. Entry is also free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month, but it’s extremely busy, so expect large crowds and queues if you choose to visit then.
The easiest and cheapest way to get to Pompeii is using the Circumvesuviana train.
This is a local commuter train that runs between Naples and Sorrento, stopping at Pompeii along the way.
From where we stayed in Chiaia, we started at Napoli Piazza Amedeo station, which was just a couple of minutes from our apartment.
From here, we took a local train:
Napoli Piazza Amedeo → Napoli Garibaldi
This took around 10 to 15 minutes and cost €1.50 per person.
Once at Garibaldi, follow signs downstairs for:
Linee Vesuviane / EAV
This is where the Circumvesuviana trains depart from.
We bought our tickets at the station machine using card. There were staff around to assist, and it was really straightforward to use the machines. Once you have your ticket, you just scan it at the barrier to get through.
We paid €3.30 per person each way, including the kids.
From there, take the train:
Napoli Garibaldi → Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri
Direction: Sorrento
The journey takes around 35 minutes.
Make sure you get off at Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri. This is the best stop and only a couple of minutes walk from the entrance.
This is not a scenic or comfortable train experience.
It’s a busy commuter train used by both locals and tourists, and it can feel chaotic, especially at busy times.
We visited in April and it was still very crowded. We stood both ways.
There are no seat reservations, very little space, and the trains feel quite basic. Displays weren’t working and windows were partially covered.
One thing to be aware of is that the train pulls into Naples quite far down the platform. When you enter the platform, walk as far down as you can and stand near the line to give yourself the best chance of getting on.
Both times we used it from Naples, people were left on the platform because the train was completely full.
That said, it’s cheap, frequent and it gets you exactly where you need to go.
There were many tourists heading to Sorrento using the train and people did get on with luggage. Some stopped at Pompeii and used the left luggage storage at the station so they could explore before continuing their journey.
This is where we hit a bit of a problem.
We didn’t buy return tickets in advance, which I would definitely recommend doing.
When we went to buy tickets for the return journey, both machines were broken and the queue for the ticket desk was huge and very slow moving.
There is a small shop near the station entrance that also sells tickets, but they only accepted cash when we visited.
We did eventually get tickets, but it added a lot of unnecessary time and stress to the end of the day.
One thing we quickly realised in Naples is that cash is still used a lot more than in northern Italy.
We came across several places that only accepted cash, including ticket kiosks and small shops, so it’s worth bringing some with you.
Around €100 should be more than enough for most trips.
Pompeii is much bigger than most people expect.
Entry costs €20 per adult. Under 18s are free, but you may be asked for ID, so it’s worth bringing passports for older children or teens.
They didn't dispute our children's ages, but they did ask for my ID as the person booking. I hadn't brought the original, but they accepted a photo on my phone (yes I know you are always meant to carry your passports in Italy).
We chose the Express ticket and didn’t add an audio guide or tour. The Express ticket covers the ancient city of Pompeii and ancient villas - such a large area to explore.
Main areas were well sign posted on the history of what you were looking at. Anything else we just googled as went round.
Audio guides are available for around €8 if you want more detail.
Even without one, we spent hours exploring and still didn’t see everything.
We left Naples around 11am and didn’t get back until around 7pm.
Once you factor in travel, queues and walking around the site, this is easily a full day.
It’s also a lot more tiring than you might expect. There’s very little shade, uneven ground and a lot of walking.
If you’re planning your full trip, I’ve shared exactly how we fitted Pompeii into our 3 day Naples itinerary here:
👉 3 Days in Naples: Our Itinerary (with Pompeii and Sorrento + Real Costs)
This is where I’d definitely do things slightly differently next time.
You need:
Comfortable shoes
Water
Snacks
There is food available inside, but the queues were really long when we visited.
We actually chose to eat just outside the main entrance instead, which worked really well. There are a few casual food spots there and it felt much less hectic than eating inside the site.
For six of us, we paid around £50 for:
6 drinks
A large bottle of water
6 pizza slices
2 fried Italian snacks
It was quick, easy and gave us a proper break before heading back, and much better value than eating inside.
Definitely use the toilets at the entrance before you start exploring. It's a long walk back to the entrance or restaurant area at times.
Next time, I'd probably make up some sandwiches and bring some drinks with me.
Yes, 100 percent.
It’s one of those places that’s hard to explain until you see it in person. Walking through an entire ancient city that’s been frozen in time is something you won’t experience anywhere else.
But it’s not a relaxed day. It’s busy, tiring and full on.
We were back in Naples by around 7pm and completely exhausted, with no energy left for evening plans.
Doing Pompeii from Naples is actually really simple once you understand the train system.
It’s cheap, accessible and completely doable without a tour.
Just be prepared for crowds, a lot of walking, and a long day.
If you’re planning your trip,
I’d also recommend reading:
👉 How to Get Around Naples (Metro, Trains, Buses & Airport Transfers)
👉 Where to Stay in Naples: The Best Areas and One's to Avoid
And for more Italy routes and ideas:
👉 See all our Italy blogs
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