Rome Attractions
Pompeii is one of the most amazing historical sites in the world, offering a rare look into life in ancient Rome.
Once a busy and thriving city, it was suddenly buried under ash and rock when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Hidden for centuries, the town remained well-preserved, allowing us to see its streets, houses, and artwork almost exactly as they were over 2,000 years ago.
Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an open-air museum where visitors can walk through history. Among Pompeii’s ruins, you will see grand theaters, ancient shops, and even the remains of people caught in the eruption.
For anyone interested in history or adventure, visiting Pompeii is an unforgettable experience.
This article shares everything you must know before booking your Pompeii tickets.
Top Tickets
Pompeii has a daily visitor limit of 20,000, and tickets sell out quickly—especially during peak season. To secure your entry and ensure a hassle-free visit, it’s best to book in advance.
# Standard Pompeii Express ticket
# Guided tour of Pompeii
# Pompeii tours from Naples
What’s ahead
Things to know before booking tickets
You can book tickets to Pompeii either online or at one of the three official ticket offices of the Pompeii Archaeological Park located at the entrances Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro and Piazza Esedra. However, it is better to get them online because you can avoid long lines at the ticket counter and choose your preferred time slot. Online tickets are also often cheaper. Immediately after purchase, you’ll receive your ticket in your email—no need to take a printout. On the day of your visit, you can show your online ticket at the entrance and walk in.
Pompeii ticket prices
A self-guided entry ticket to Pompeii costs approximately €23 without an audio guide and €32 with an audio guide for visitors aged 18 and above.
For a more immersive experience, you can join a guided tour led by a local expert. This tour lasts about two hours and costs €44.
| Pompeii Express | Pompeii Plus | |
| Tickets without audio guide | €23 | €27.50 |
| Tickets with audio guide | €32 | €35.50 |
Pompeii Express tickets
The self-guided Pompeii ticket is the most affordable and popular choice for visitors.
There are two types of self-guided tickets: Pompeii Express and Pompeii Plus.
- The Pompeii Express ticket provides complete access to the ancient city’s main ruins.
- The Pompeii Plus ticket includes access to additional sites, such as the Villa of the Mysteries, the Villa of Diomedes, and the Villa Regina with Antiquarium.
Most tourists opt for Pompeii Express. You can also add an audio guide to whichever ticket you opt for.
You must pick up and return the audio guides at the official desk in Porta Marina Superiore. The audio guides do not work with Bluetooth headphones.
On the day of your visit, you can show your mobile ticket at the Porta Marina Inferiore (Piazza Esedra) entrance.
Pompeii Express with an audio guide
Adult (18+ years): €32
EU Citizen (18 to 24 years): €15.80
Child (up to 17 years): €11.50
Guided tour of Pompeii
The ruins of Pompeii cover a vast area, and there is little onsite information to help you fully understand the significance of what you’re seeing.
To truly appreciate the scale and history of this ancient city, we suggest a guided tour.
An expert guide enhances your experience by:
- Helping you navigate the site efficiently so you don’t waste time searching for key exhibits
- Ensuring you don’t miss any of Pompeii’s most important highlights
- Providing in-depth knowledge, fascinating stories, and historical context
The guided tour recommended below starts at 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM and lasts two hours.
You’ll meet your guide near the Pompeii Ticket Office at Piazza Porta Marina Inferiore, right in front of Hotel Vittoria.
Tours are available in English, Italian, French, Portuguese, Japanese, Spanish, and German. You can select your preferred language when booking.
Ticket Prices
Adult (18+ years): €46
Youth (6 to 17 years): €24
Child (up to 5 years): €3.50
Related: Visit Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast from Rome
Even though it costs more than the regular entry ticket, a guided tour of Pompeii is worth it for the expert insights, help navigating the ruins, and the enhanced level of engagement.
Must read
- Heard of the masturbating man of Pompeii?
- Interesting trivia about Pompeii ruins
Free tickets to Pompeii
As established by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, admission to all monuments and historical sites in Italy, including the Pompeii Excavations, is free on the first Sunday of every month. Regular opening hours apply on these days.
However, if you’re traveling with children, seniors, or a large group, it’s best to avoid visiting on the first Sunday, as the site can be extremely crowded.
Free tickets on the first Sunday of the month can only be obtained at the physical ticket office.
However, if you want to book reduced tickets (ages 18-25), free tickets (under 18), and free “Tourist Guide” tickets, you can book them online in advance.
Other categories eligible for free admission must collect their tickets in person at the Archaeological Park box office by presenting a valid ID.
Pompeii’s Funny Bone: Graffiti in Pompeii included jokes, comments on girlfriends, announcements about the writer’s sex life, etc. Check out some of the funniest Pompeii graffiti.
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, one accompanying family member, and 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.
What is the arrival time for visitors at Pompeii?
Pompeii tickets are not timed, so you can enter the attraction anytime during the day. The last admission to Pompeii is 90 minutes before closure.
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 the day before your visit for a full refund.
Where is the ticket office at the venue?
Pompeii has ticket offices at all its three entrances – 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. It is best to buy your Pompeii tickets online to skip the ticket counter queues.
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 historical ruins?
Yes, Pompeii is a fantastic destination for kids, especially if you choose a private guided tour designed for children. These family-friendly tours, which usually last two hours, include interactive storytelling to keep young visitors engaged.
Is it safe to visit Pompeii’s volcano?
It is safe to visit Pompeii volcano—the archeological park monitors gas emissions and ensures public safety. However, all visitors must 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?
If you have the basic entry ticket, you can walk and explore the Pompeii ruins at your own pace. You can read the instructions and a short explanation of each exhibit.
Related: Opt for a Pompeii and Amalfi coast tour to enhance your experience
Visual Story: 13 must-know tips before visiting Pompeii
How to go from Rome to Pompeii
Pompeii is located in Campania, Italy, about 23 km (14 miles) southeast of Naples, at the southeastern base of Mount Vesuvius. Its strategic position near the mouth of the Sarno River played a crucial role in its history—though it was tragically affected by the volcanic eruption. Get Directions
There are three main ways to travel from Rome to Pompeii:
By Train: The fastest and most convenient option.
By Bus: Best if you’re already in Naples.
By Tour: Ideal for a hassle-free experience, with transportation included.
Distance Between Rome and Pompeii
The distance from Rome to Pompeii varies depending on your mode of travel:
- By Road: 250 km (155 miles), taking approximately 2.5 hours by car.
- By Train: 212 km (132 miles), but due to a train transfer in Naples, the journey takes about 2.5 hours.
Many visitors opt for a day trip from Rome to Pompeii, allowing enough time to explore the ruins before returning to the capital.
Pompeii by Bus
Taking a bus from Naples to Pompeii is an option, but it’s recommended only if you’re already in Naples.
- SITA local buses depart from Nuova Marina port in Naples every 30 minutes.
- Tickets cost around €3 one way, and you can purchase them from the SITA office at Nuova Marina port.
- The bus ride to Pompeii takes approximately 35 minutes.
Train from Rome to Pompeii (Best Option)
A day trip to Pompeii by train is the fastest and most convenient way to visit from Rome.
This journey consists of two train rides:
1. Rome to Naples by Train
- 16 high-speed trains (Frecciarossa or Frecciabianca) depart daily from Roma Termini station to Naples Centrale station.
- Booking a high-speed train saves time, making the journey to Naples in about 1 hour 10 minutes.
2. Naples to Pompeii by Train
- From Naples Centrale, take the Circumvesuviana train towards Pompeii.
- Circumvesuviana trains depart every 30 minutes.
- The ride to Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri station (the closest stop to the ruins) takes about 45 minutes.
- The station is just 50 meters (164 ft) from Pompeii’s entrance.
Guided Tours from Rome to Pompeii
Many travelers prefer a guided day trip from Rome or a coach tour from Naples to avoid the hassle of checking train schedules and booking tickets. These tours usually include round-trip transportation, skip-the-line entry, and a professional guide, making for a seamless and informative experience.
Know more about the Naples to Pompeii train and make the best use of your time!
How to avoid crowds at Pompeii
When visiting Pompeii, there are two main areas where you’ll want to avoid crowds:
1. Ticketing lines
During peak months, waiting times at the ticket counters can range from 30 minutes to an hour. The best way to skip the long lines is by booking your Pompeii tickets online in advance. This saves time and ensures a smoother entry.
2. Inside the ruins
The busiest time inside Pompeii is between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm when large tour groups flood the site. To avoid congestion:
- Arrive at the archeological park as soon as it opens at 9 am.
- Explore lesser-known areas first and visit the main attractions later in the afternoon when the crowds thin out.
- Use a Pompeii map to navigate and avoid high-traffic spots.
- Large tour groups usually leave by 12.30 pm – 1 pm, making it a great time to explore the must-see sites at a more relaxed pace.
Best & busiest times to visit
- Low Season: November to March (fewer crowds, cooler weather)
- High Season: April to October (busier months, especially mid-summer)
- Busiest Months: May and August (expect heavy foot traffic)
Some tourists prefer to go from Sorrento to Pompeii by train. Follow the link and learn why!
