Circumvesuviana guide: the Naples–Pompeii–Sorrento railway
From Naples: Pompeii Tour with Ticket, Guide, and Transfer Included
What is the Circumvesuviana and where does it go?
The Circumvesuviana is a regional railway operated by EAV connecting Naples (Napoli Garibaldi, lower level) with Pompeii (30 min, €3.30), Herculaneum (20 min, €2.60), and Sorrento (70 min, €5.40). It also serves several branches toward Sarno, Poggiomarino, and Baiano — check your direction before boarding. Trains run approximately every 30 minutes from ~06:00 to 22:30.
What the Circumvesuviana actually is
The Circumvesuviana is a regional railway network that circles the south and east slopes of Mount Vesuvius, connecting Naples to the small towns and cities between the city and the Sorrento Peninsula. It has been operating since 1890 in various forms. The name means “around Vesuvius” — the main line makes a circuit from Naples around the volcano to Sorrento.
For tourists, it is the primary public transport link to three of the most visited sites in Campania:
- Ercolano Scavi (Herculaneum) — ~20 minutes from Naples
- Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri (Pompeii) — ~30 minutes from Naples
- Sorrento (rail terminus, connection to Amalfi Coast) — ~70 minutes from Naples
The train is cheap, frequent, and functional. It is also old, often crowded, rarely air-conditioned on regular services, and runs with notable unpunctuality. Understanding this before you travel means the experience matches expectations.
How to find the platforms in Naples
The Circumvesuviana uses a specific set of platforms at Napoli Centrale that are not immediately obvious. From the main FS/Trenitalia concourse, follow signs for “Circumvesuviana” or “EAV” (Ente Autonomo Volturno — the operating company). The platforms are one level below the main Trenitalia hall.
You will pass through a distinct ticketing area with EAV ticket windows and machines before reaching the platforms. This is an entirely separate system from Trenitalia — Trenitalia tickets are not valid here.
Ticket machines accept cash and cards and have an Italian/English interface. EAV ticket windows are typically faster than the machines during busy periods. Buy and validate your ticket before boarding.
Validation: Orange ticket-validating machines are at the platform entrances. Swipe or insert your ticket before the barrier. Plain-clothes inspectors do check on board.
Key stations on the Naples–Sorrento line
Napoli Garibaldi — the Naples terminus (underground lower level)
Portici-Ercolano — general Ercolano/Portici area (not the archaeological site)
Ercolano Scavi — for Herculaneum (excavations). Exit and walk uphill ~10 minutes to the entrance. The station name is the giveaway — “Scavi” means excavations.
Torre del Greco — mid-point town, not a tourist site
Torre Annunziata — for the Villa of Poppaea (Oplontis). See Oplontis for details. Rarely visited by independent travellers.
Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri — for Pompeii (excavations). This is the correct station — not the town of Pompei (with one ‘i’), which has a different Trenitalia stop on a separate line further away from the site.
Castellammare di Stabia — coastal town, connection for the peninsula
Sorrento — the line terminus. Bus connections to the Amalfi Coast (SITA) depart from outside the station.
Guided Pompeii day trip with expert archaeologist from NaplesThe branches (and why they matter)
The Circumvesuviana has multiple branches diverging from the main Naples–Sorrento axis. This is the source of most tourist confusion:
- Naples → Sorrento line: Serves Ercolano Scavi, Pompei Scavi, Castellammare. This is what tourists need.
- Naples → Sarno line: Runs south-east of Vesuvius toward the Agro Nocerino. Does NOT stop at Pompei Scavi.
- Naples → Poggiomarino line: Another branch south-east. Does NOT stop at Pompei Scavi.
- Naples → Baiano line: Goes inland toward Nola and the eastern hills. Does NOT stop at tourist sites.
Critical check before boarding: The destination display above each train’s door and the announcement boards on the platform show the final destination. If it says “Sorrento” you are fine. If it says “Sarno,” “Poggiomarino,” or “Baiano,” do not board. At Garibaldi, multiple platforms serve different branches simultaneously.
Honest assessment of comfort and reliability
The regular Circumvesuviana rolling stock is predominantly from the 1980s and 1990s. The trains are functional but not comfortable:
In summer: Many carriages have no working air conditioning. A packed train in July or August can reach 35–38°C inside. This is a real problem for a 30–70 minute journey. The Campania Express solves this (at four times the cost).
Seating: On busy morning services (09:00–11:00 from Naples), trains can be standing-room only. If you have a large backpack or suitcase, hold it — overhead racks are limited and inconvenient.
Delays: The Circumvesuviana runs on a network that shares some infrastructure with freight, and maintenance is ongoing. Delays of 15–20 minutes are common. Delays of 30–45 minutes happen several times per week. Complete cancellations are less common but do occur. There is no reliable real-time information system — the departure boards at the platform are the best indicator.
Pickpockets: This is a factual issue that deserves clear information. The highest-risk stretch is from Napoli Garibaldi to roughly Portici-Ercolano — the first 10–15 minutes of the journey when the train is packed with tourists in the urban corridor. Phones are the most common target. Keep your phone in a trouser pocket or inside your bag, not in your hand. Do not use your phone in the packed carriage aisle. This is a minor precaution that eliminates essentially all risk.
Buying tickets
At the EAV ticket office (windows): Open from early morning. Queues can develop during tourist season, especially around 08:30–10:00 when everyone is heading to Pompeii.
At EAV vending machines: Italian/English interface. Accepts credit cards. May require the card to be chip-and-PIN rather than contactless.
At a tabaccheria: Some tobacco shops near Napoli Garibaldi sell Circumvesuviana tickets. Less reliable but avoids queues.
Unico Campania integrated tickets: Cover both ANM (Naples metro/bus/funicular) and EAV (Circumvesuviana) for a set time period. Available from ANM and EAV machines. Check unicocampania.it for current pricing.
Campania ArteCard: The 3-day and 7-day passes include unlimited Circumvesuviana travel. If you are visiting Pompeii, Herculaneum, and multiple Naples museums, calculate whether the ArteCard saves money overall. See Campania ArteCard worth it for the full calculation.
The journey to Pompeii step by step
- Find the EAV/Circumvesuviana level at Napoli Garibaldi (follow signs down from main FS concourse)
- Buy ticket at window or machine: €3.30 for Pompei Scavi single
- Validate ticket at orange machine on platform entry
- Check departure boards for next train toward “Sorrento”
- Board and ride ~30 minutes (5–7 stops)
- Exit at Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri (announced; watch the station signs)
- Exit station, turn left, walk ~400 metres on Via Villa dei Misteri to the Porta Marina entrance
The same process works for Herculaneum (exit at Ercolano Scavi, walk uphill ~10 minutes) and Sorrento (ride to terminus).
Pompeii skip-the-line entry with round-trip Naples transferReturning from Sorrento or Pompeii
From Pompei Scavi: Trains toward Naples (direction “Napoli”) run every 30 minutes. The last train is around 22:00–22:30.
From Sorrento: Any train leaving Sorrento heads toward Naples. The terminus is the end of the line — no direction confusion here. Last trains are around 22:30–23:00.
Continuing from Pompeii to Sorrento: Take the train toward Sorrento (~30 minutes further from Pompei Scavi station). Pompeii is roughly the midpoint of the line.
From Pompeii to Vesuvius: EAV bus 5001 from outside Pompei Scavi station goes up to the Vesuvius car park (Quota Mille). See getting to Vesuvius for the schedule and practicalities.
Frequently asked questions about the Circumvesuviana
Is the Circumvesuviana the same as the Naples metro?
No. The Circumvesuviana is operated by EAV; the Naples metro (Lines 1 and 2) is operated by ANM/Trenitalia. They share the Garibaldi hub but are entirely separate networks with separate tickets and platforms. The Circumvesuviana platforms are underground, one level below the main FS concourse.
Can I buy Circumvesuviana tickets online in advance?
EAV does not offer advance booking for standard single fares — you buy on the day. The Campania Express (seasonal) can be booked in advance at eavsrl.it, and this is recommended in high season (July–August) when the trains sell out.
What happens if I get on the wrong branch?
If you accidentally board a train toward Sarno or Baiano, exit at the first stop and wait for the correct Sorrento-direction train. The branches share tracks from Garibaldi for the first section before diverging. Getting off at Ercolano Scavi instead of Pompei Scavi is the other common error — both are real sites, but different ones.
How do I get back to Naples from Sorrento if I miss the last Circumvesuviana?
Taxi from Sorrento to Naples is €80–100 (40–60 km depending on route, 45–70 minutes). There is also an EAV bus network, but night service is minimal. The last Circumvesuviana from Sorrento is typically around 22:30 — check eavsrl.it for the exact last departure before a late evening in Sorrento.
Does the Circumvesuviana stop at Naples airport?
No. The airport is not on the Circumvesuviana network. For airport transport, use the Alibus or taxi. See Naples airport to city for details.
Frequently asked questions about Circumvesuviana guide: the Naples–Pompeii–Sorrento railway
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