Plan Your Visit to Pompeii: Tickets, Hours & Tips

Everything you need to plan a great visit to Pompeii, Italy, in one place.

Circumvesuviana train platform for Pompeii

How to Get to Pompeii?

Pompeii is well-connected, so you rarely need a car. The Circumvesuviana commuter line links Naples and Sorrento to the ruins in about half an hour, dropping you a short walk from the entrance. From further afield, a high-speed train to Naples connects to that same line, and organised day trips bundle transport with entry. Pick the option that matches where you are staying and how much you want to plan.

From Naples

Take the Circumvesuviana toward Sorrento and get off at Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri, about 35 minutes from Naples Centrale. Trains run frequently through the day, and the Porta Marina gate is a short, signposted walk from the platform.

From Rome

Pompeii works comfortably as a day trip from Rome. Take a high-speed train from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale (about 70 minutes), then change to the Circumvesuviana for Pompei Scavi — roughly two and a half to three hours door to door. Leaving Rome by 8 am gives you a full day at the ruins with time to spare.

If you would rather not manage two trains and a connection, a guided day trip from Rome bundles the transport, entry and a guide into one booking, and gets you to the gate without the planning.

From Sorrento

Sorrento sits on the same Circumvesuviana line, about 30 minutes from the ruins. It makes an easy, scenic base for pairing Pompeii with the Amalfi Coast, and trains run in both directions through the day, so you can fit the visit around your other plans.

If you are driving, exit the A3 motorway at Pompei Ovest for the Porta Marina entrance. There are several paid car parks within a few minutes' walk of the gates, typically around €5 for the day. Parking fills quickly in peak season, so arrive early or take the train instead.

How Long Do You Need at Pompeii?

Two to three hours covers the essentials at a brisk pace — the Forum, the House of the Faun, the Amphitheatre and the plaster casts. That is enough if Pompeii is one stop in a busy day.

Half a day, around four hours, is the realistic minimum to see the main city without rushing. This is what most guided tours run to.

A full day suits a Pompeii Plus ticket and the Villa of the Mysteries, or anyone who likes to read every information board.

Pompeii covers 44 hectares and the streets are uneven Roman basalt, so this is a walking day — most visitors cover five to seven kilometres inside the excavations. A guide is the difference between seeing the highlights in the time you have and wandering past them.

Plan smart

Make the Most of Your Day

A little planning goes a long way at a site this size. Know your route, your tickets, and your timing before you arrive.

€20 Express ticket

35 min From Naples by train

Typical visit 2–4 hrs

9 am Daily opening

Plan with the FAQ

Visiting Pompeii: The Essentials

A visit to Pompeii is one of Italy's most rewarding day trips, and a little planning makes all the difference. Whether it is your first time or a return visit, this guide covers everything you need, from opening hours and ticket prices to getting there and practical tips, so you can make the most of your time among the ruins.

Pompeii is open every day except 1 January, and 25 December.
Opening hours are 9 am–7 pm (April–October) and 9 am–5 pm (November–March); last entry is 90 minutes before closing.
Standard adult tickets cost €20 in 2026; under-18s are free and EU citizens aged 18–24 pay €2.
Entry is free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month.
From Naples, it is a 35-minute Circumvesuviana train ride, then a 5-minute walk to the gate.
There are three entrances: Porta Marina (closest to the station), Piazza Anfiteatro, and Piazza Esedra.
Most visitors spend 2–4 hours on site; it is mostly outdoors, so wear comfortable shoes.
Booking tickets online in advance is strongly recommended, especially in peak season.

The Forum

Start at the Forum, the city's main square near the Porta Marina gate. Once ringed by temples, markets, and public buildings, with Vesuvius rising behind, it is the natural place to get your bearings and the most photographed view in Pompeii, so it makes an ideal first stop.

See all the sights

House of the Faun

One of Pompeii's largest and grandest homes, named for the bronze faun statue in its courtyard and famous for the Alexander Mosaic found here. It shows how the city's wealthiest residents lived, and it sits on an easy route across the site between the Forum and the amphitheatre.

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The Amphitheatre

At the far end of the park stands the oldest surviving Roman stone amphitheatre, built around 70 BC to seat about 20,000 spectators for games and shows. It is a quieter corner that rewards the walk, so save some energy to reach it before you leave the site.

More to explore

Step Into a City Frozen in Time

Pompeii is not a museum behind glass. It is a real Roman city you can walk through, street by street.

79 AD Year Vesuvius erupted

163 acres Size of the site

2/3 How much is excavated

3 Park entrances

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Pompeii ticket prices

A Pompeii Express Ticket adult costs about €20 and covers the main park for one day; under-18s go free and EU citizens aged 18 to 24 pay €2. The Pompeii+ ticket (€25) adds the suburban villas, and a combo with Herculaneum (about €45) is valid for 48 hours. Booking online secures your date and lets you skip the queue, which matters most in spring and summer.

When Pompeii is open

Pompeii opens daily at 9 am, closing at 7 pm from 16 March to 14 October and at 5 pm from 15 October to 15 March. Last entry is 90 minutes before closing, so arrive with time to spare rather than cutting it fine. The site is closed on 1 January and 25 December.

Summer (16 March – 14 October): 9 am to 7 pm, last entrance 5:30 pm
Winter (15 October – 15 March): 9 am to 5 pm, last entrance 3:30 pm
Closed: 1 January and 25 December

How to reach Pompeii

The simplest route is the Circumvesuviana train to the Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri stop, about 35 minutes from Naples and 30 from Sorrento, then a 5-minute walk to the Porta Marina gate. From Rome, take a high-speed train to Naples first, around 2.5 to 3 hours in total. Day tours include transport, so you can skip the planning entirely.

Pompeii Ticket Options in 2026

Features	Express €20	Pompeii Plus €25	Combo around €45
Main archaeological park	✓	✓	✓
Suburban villas (Villa of the Mysteries)	✕	✓	✓
Includes Herculaneum	✕	✕	✓
Valid for	1 day	1 day	48 hrs
Under-18s	Free	Free	Free
Best for	A focused half-day	A focused half-day	A focused half-day
	See tickets	See tickets	See combo

Pick your gate

Pompeii has three entrances: Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro, and Piazza Esedra. Porta Marina is closest to the train station and the most popular, so if you arrive by Circumvesuviana, head there, follow the signs, and you will be inside the ruins within a few minutes.

Skip the gate queue

Travel light

Bags larger than 30 x 30 x 15 cm must be left at the free cloakroom near the entrance, so bring only what you need for a few hours. A small daypack with water, sun protection, and a phone for photos and your ticket is all it takes. Bring photo ID too. Pompeii tickets are nominative and staff check the name against your ID at the turnstiles.

Facilities & FAQs

Visitors walking along a stone street in Pompeii

Pace yourself

The site is bigger than it looks, and the stone streets are uneven. Plan a loose route, rest in shaded spots, and do not try to see every house. Picking a handful of highlights makes for a far more enjoyable visit.

See the top sights

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Step-free accessible path through the Pompeii ruins

Wheelchair and stroller access

Pompeii's streets are original Roman stone and often uneven, so it is not fully wheelchair-friendly. A marked step-free route called "Pompeii for All" covers about 3.5 km and reaches many key sights, including the Forum and the amphitheatre. It also makes the visit easier for strollers and tired legs.

Visitor facilities near the Pompeii entrance

Toilets, food, and facilities

Toilets, a café, and a bookshop sit near the main entrances, but there is almost nothing for sale once you walk deep into the ruins. Use the toilets and fill your water bottle before you set off, and pack a few snacks if you plan to stay a few hours.

A family with children exploring the ruins of Pompeii

Visiting with kids

Pompeii is a hit with children if you keep it short and focused. Aim for about two hours, head straight for crowd-pleasers like the amphitheatre and the plaster casts, and bring water and snacks. Watch small feet on the uneven streets and raised crossing stones.

Planning Your Visit — FAQs

What are Pompeii's opening hours?

9 am–7 pm 16 March–14 October and 9 am–5 pm 15 October–15 March. Last entry is 90 minutes before closing. Closed Jan 1 and Dec 25.

How much are tickets?

Express Pompeii ticket is €20. Under-18s go free, EU citizens aged 18–24 pay €2, and the first Sunday of each month is free.

How do I get to Pompeii?

Take the Circumvesuviana train to Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri, about 35 minutes from Naples, then walk 5 minutes to the gate.

What is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn are ideal for mild weather and thinner crowds. Whatever the season, arrive near 9 am to beat the heat and groups.

How long do I need?

Plan for 2–4 hours. Two hours covers the highlights; half a day lets you explore at an easy pace.

Is Pompeii accessible?

Partly. The step-free "Pompeii for All" route covers about 3.5 km, though the ancient streets are uneven.

Ready to Lock In Your Tickets?

Choose skip-the-line entry or a guided tour and secure your date before the busy season fills up.

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