Getting to Pompeii from Naples: trains, buses, transfers and driving
Naples: Round-Trip Shuttle Bus to Pompeii
What is the best way to get from Naples to Pompeii?
The Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Garibaldi (lower level) to Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri. Journey ~30 minutes, €3.30 single. Trains every 30 minutes from around 6:00 to 22:00. The Campania Express (seasonal, ~€12) is more comfortable. Both drop you within 400 metres of the Porta Marina entrance.
Your transport options at a glance
Getting from Naples to Pompeii is one of the simpler logistical questions in Campania tourism. The Circumvesuviana train is cheap, frequent, and drops you within 400 metres of the main entrance. Most visitors use it without issue.
The complications: the regular Circumvesuviana trains are crowded, often delayed, and without air conditioning in summer. Pickpockets are present. And there’s a confusing array of tour packages that bundle transport and entry. This guide explains all options clearly.
Option 1: Circumvesuviana train (regular service)
Cost: €3.30 single (€6.60 return) Journey time: ~30 minutes Frequency: Every 30 minutes, roughly 6:00–22:00 Station: Napoli Garibaldi (lower level, EAV Circumvesuviana platforms) Exit at: Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri
This is what most independent travellers use. It is the cheapest and most frequent option.
How to find the platforms at Napoli Centrale: Enter Napoli Centrale from the main Piazza Garibaldi entrance, or from inside the metro. Follow signs for “Circumvesuviana” or “EAV”. Go down one level from the main FS hall. The EAV platforms are separate from the Trenitalia platforms.
Buying tickets: At EAV ticket windows (usually less queue) or machines (Italian/English interface). You can also buy on the Unico Campania app. Validate the ticket before boarding at the orange machine on the platform.
Which train to take: Look for trains in the direction of Sorrento. These trains stop at Pompei Scavi. Do not take trains toward Sarno, Poggiomarino, or Baiano — these run on different branches and do not stop at Pompei Scavi.
From Pompei Scavi station to the entrance: Exit the station, turn left onto Via Villa dei Misteri. Walk straight for approximately 400 metres (5 minutes, flat). The Porta Marina entrance is clearly signed.
Honest assessment of the Circumvesuviana: The trains are old, often lack air conditioning, and peak-hour services (9:00–11:00) are packed with tourists and locals. The line is a well-documented pickpocket zone — keep bags in front and zipped. Delays of 15–30 minutes are common. None of this is a reason not to use it, but go in with accurate expectations.
Guided Pompeii tour including train transport from NaplesOption 2: Campania Express
Cost: ~€12 single from Naples Journey time: ~30 minutes (same route, fewer stops) Season: Typically April–October; check schedule at eavsrl.it Station: Same Napoli Garibaldi platforms
The Campania Express is a tourist-oriented service operated by EAV (same company as the Circumvesuviana). It uses newer rolling stock with air conditioning and reserved seats, and stops only at the tourist destinations: Ercolano Scavi, Torre del Greco (occasional), Pompei Scavi, Castellammare di Stabia, and Sorrento.
Is it worth the €8.70 premium over the standard train?
In July and August: yes. The regular trains in peak summer are genuinely unpleasant — standing room only, no air conditioning, 32°C inside the carriage. The Campania Express is a significantly better experience.
In April, May, September, October: the regular trains are more manageable. Unless you’re particularly sensitive to crowds, the standard service is fine and saves money.
For families with children or elderly travellers: the reserved seating and air conditioning on the Campania Express are worth paying for.
Option 3: Private transfer
Cost: €60–90 one-way, €120–160 return for up to 4 passengers Journey time: ~45–60 minutes (depending on Naples traffic) Where to book: GetYourGuide operators or local taxi companies
Private transfers make sense for:
- Groups of 3–4 where the per-person cost approaches the train price
- Families with young children and stroller/luggage
- Elderly or mobility-limited travellers
- Anyone staying outside central Naples who doesn’t want to go to Garibaldi first
Private transfers typically include door-to-door pickup from your hotel and drop-off at the Pompeii entrance. Return transfers can usually be pre-booked with a specific pickup time.
Compare costs: For two adults, the train (€6.60 return each = €13.20 total) versus private transfer (€160+ return) — the premium is substantial. For four adults, it narrows to €26.40 train versus €160 transfer. The train is almost always the better deal for groups travelling light.
Round-trip transfer from Naples with skip-the-line entryOption 4: Tour minibus from Naples
Cost: Typically included in tour packages at €45–90 per person (includes guide, entry, transport) Journey time: ~45–60 minutes Pickup: Usually at a central Naples meeting point (Piazza Garibaldi or your hotel)
Many organised tours from Naples include transport by air-conditioned minibus. This is more expensive than the train but includes the guide, entry, and occasionally lunch or other site combinations (Vesuvius, Herculaneum).
If you’re booking a full guided tour of Pompeii anyway, the minibus transport is often included automatically. Compare the total cost against train + guided site tour to see what makes sense.
Option 5: Driving
Journey time from central Naples: 35–50 minutes (depending on traffic) Motorway: A3 Napoli–Salerno, exit Pompei Parking: Multiple lots near the Porta Marina and Piazza Anfiteatro entrances, €3–5/day
Driving makes sense if:
- You’re already based outside Naples (Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Positano)
- You want to continue directly to Herculaneum, Vesuvius, or the coast after Pompeii
- You have significant luggage
Do not drive from central Naples if you’re staying there. Getting a rental car out of Naples traffic is time-consuming, motorway tolls add cost, and returning the car at the end of the day is another logistics layer. The train from central Naples is faster door-to-door.
Note on ZTL: Pompeii town itself has some ZTL restrictions. The motorway exit and parking lots are outside the ZTL. Follow signs for “Scavi di Pompei” parking and don’t follow GPS blindly into the town centre.
From Sorrento (reverse direction)
Pompeii is equally accessible from Sorrento as from Naples on the Circumvesuviana:
- From Sorrento to Pompei Scavi: ~30 minutes, €3.30, frequent service
- The train heads toward Naples; Pompei Scavi is the stop before Herculaneum
If you’re based in Sorrento, Pompeii is a natural half-day or full-day trip. See Sorrento as a base for more on using Sorrento as a hub.
Getting from Pompeii to Vesuvius
After Pompeii, the most common next stop is Vesuvius. See getting to Vesuvius for the bus route from Pompei Scavi station. The EAV 5001 bus departs from outside the station and takes about 30 minutes to the Vesuvius car park (~€3).
Round-trip Pompeii pickup with organised entryThe Circumvesuviana experience: what to actually expect
The Circumvesuviana is one of those transport experiences that generates strong reactions. Some visitors find it perfectly functional; others are frustrated by delays, crowds, and perceived safety concerns. Here’s an honest, calibrated account:
The rolling stock: The trains range from 1980s-era carriages (common on the main Napoli–Sorrento line) to occasional newer rolling stock. On a hot day in August, an older carriage without air conditioning can reach 35–38°C inside. This is genuinely unpleasant for a 30-minute journey. The Campania Express solves this; the regular service does not.
Seats: On busy morning departures (9:00–10:30 from Naples), trains are often standing-room only with luggage. If you have a large backpack or suitcase, hold it rather than placing it on the overhead rack — both for security and because the racks are often full.
The pickpocket zone: This is a factual issue, not an exaggeration. The specific risk period is the stretch from Napoli Garibaldi station to the first few stops. Work phones are the primary target. Keep your phone in a front trouser pocket or bag pocket, not in your hand. The risk diminishes significantly once you’re seated and the train has left the main Naples urban area.
Delays: The Circumvesuviana is not renowned for punctuality. Delays of 15–20 minutes are common; 30–45 minute delays happen a few times a week. On rare occasions, services are suspended for a stretch. There is no reliable real-time information system equivalent to London TfL or Paris RATP. The best practice: check the departure board at the platform and ask platform staff if in doubt.
The signal to get off: “Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri” is announced over the intercom, but audio quality on older trains is poor. Watch the station signs as you pull in. The station has a clear sign. The stop before it is Torre Annunziata (for Oplontis).
Returning from Pompeii
Returning to Naples after your visit involves the reverse journey, but with a few practical notes:
Which train: From Pompei Scavi station, any Circumvesuviana train displayed as heading to “Napoli” or “Napoli Garibaldi” is correct. Check the destination board on the platform.
Continuing to Sorrento: If you’re heading to Sorrento after Pompeii, trains continue on the same line (Pompei Scavi is about 25 minutes before Sorrento terminus). This makes Pompeii a natural mid-point between Naples and Sorrento.
Continuing to the Amalfi Coast: From Pompei Scavi, take the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento terminus (~25 min), then SITA bus from Sorrento toward Positano and Amalfi. See Amalfi Coast from Naples for full logistics.
To Herculaneum: Circumvesuviana from Pompei Scavi toward Naples, exit at Ercolano Scavi (one stop, 8–10 minutes). Natural for same-day combinations. See Herculaneum guide.
To Vesuvius: EAV bus 5001 from outside Pompei Scavi station to the Quota Mille car park. See getting to Vesuvius for the bus schedule.
The route from Sorrento to Pompeii
Sorrento is the other major hub for Pompeii day trips. From Sorrento:
By Circumvesuviana: From Sorrento terminus, any train toward Naples stops at Pompei Scavi after approximately 30 minutes. Trains run frequently from around 6:30. Ticket: €3.30.
The Sorrento→Pompei journey is identical in time to the Naples→Pompei journey, which makes Sorrento an equally valid base for Pompeii access. See Sorrento as a base for more on using Sorrento as a Campania hub.
Frequently asked questions about getting to Pompeii from Naples
Is there a direct train from Naples Central to Pompeii?
The Circumvesuviana is a separate rail network from FS Trenitalia. You cannot take an FS national rail train directly to Pompei Scavi. The Circumvesuviana platforms are in the lower level of Napoli Centrale station (separate ticket, separate platforms). Regional FS trains exist on a different line (Napoli-Salerno) stopping at Pompei town, which is a different station further from the site.
Can I use a Naples transit pass for the Circumvesuviana?
Standard ANM metro/bus day tickets do not cover the Circumvesuviana (EAV network). The Unico Campania integrated tickets cover both networks — check the UnicoCampania website for current pricing. The Campania ArteCard includes free Circumvesuviana travel.
How early can I take the train to Pompeii?
The first Circumvesuviana trains toward Sorrento depart Napoli Garibaldi around 6:00–6:30. The Pompeii site opens at 9:00. Arriving by 8:50 is ideal; the earliest trains give you time for breakfast in Pompei town before entry.
Is there a night service back to Naples from Pompeii?
The last Circumvesuviana trains back to Naples from Pompei Scavi run until around 22:00–22:30. After that, taxis are available from Pompei town (about €35–45 to central Naples). Check the current EAV timetable at eavsrl.it for exact last-departure times.
What if the Circumvesuviana train is delayed or cancelled?
Delays of 15–30 minutes are common; cancellations are less frequent but happen. If a cancellation occurs, wait for the next train (usually within 30 minutes) or take a taxi from the adjacent taxi stand at Napoli Garibaldi. There is no useful bus alternative from central Naples.
Frequently asked questions about Getting to Pompeii from Naples: trains, buses, transfers and driving
How long does it take to get from Naples to Pompeii by train?
Where do I catch the Circumvesuviana in Naples?
Is the Circumvesuviana safe?
What is the Campania Express and is it worth it?
Can I drive to Pompeii from Naples?
Are there direct buses from Naples to Pompeii?
What does a private transfer from Naples to Pompeii cost?
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