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Pompeii – tickets, prices, discounts, free entry, guided tours, what to see

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Thousands of years ago, Pompeii was a summer holiday destination for the rich and famous of the Roman Empire.

However, a deadly volcanic eruption in 79 AD made Pompeii a heart-breaking historical showpiece.

In less than 24 hours, Mount Vesuvius volcano reduced Pompeii to ashes but preserved it for eternity.

Pompeii is renowned for its exquisitely preserved sculptures, mosaics, and frescoes that reveal details about the aesthetic and creative preferences of the era.

The city’s architecture, which includes the amphitheater, houses, temples, and forums, displays the layout and style of a Roman town.

And like all Shakespearean tragedies, the Pompeii ruins are sad yet beautiful.

This article covers everything you must know before booking Pompeii tickets.

What happened at Pompeii

Watch this animated video to understand how Mount Vesuvius volcano destroyed the whole of Pompeii within 24 hours.

The cheapest and most popular Pompeii ticket costs €24 for every visitor.

The guided tour of Pompeii ruins, where a local guide takes you around for two hours, costs €44.

Pompeii tours with transport from Rome and back are priced at €157.

Follow the link to see the different types of Pompeii tickets.


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Free tickets to Pompeii

On the first Sunday of every month, visitors can enter Pompeii for free. 

If you are a backpacker or a group of friends, the free tickets to Pompeii are worth it.

It gets very crowded, and we don’t recommend visiting on the first Sunday of the month if you are traveling with kids, elders, or large groups.

In such a case, we suggest you either book the Pompeii Fast Track ticket (most popular!) or the guided tour of Pompeii.

Disabled visitors from the European Union and their companions qualify for free entry to Pompeii all through the year.

If you are differently abled, we suggest you go from the entrance at Piazza Anfiteatro, which has facilitated access for visitors.


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Pompeii tickets

Your experience at Pompeii ruins depends on the type of Pompeii ticket you buy and when you buy it.

Where to buy tickets to Pompeii

You can get your Pompeii entry tickets at the venue or buy them online much in advance.

If you plan to get them at the attraction, you must get in the ticketing window queue at Porta Marina Gate, the main entrance of Pompeii ruins.

Depending on the time of the day (and month), you may have to wait in the ticket counter line for an hour or more to buy your ticket.

Pompeii Crowd
This is how Pompeii looks on an average day. So you can imagine, the long waits at the ticketing counters. Image: Getyourguide.com

The second and better option is to book tickets to Pompeii ruins online.

When you buy Pompeii tickets in advance, you save yourself a lot of waiting time by skipping the ticket counter queue. 

These tickets are also known as Pompeii ‘Skip the Line’ tickets.

How online Pompeii tickets work

When you buy Pompeii entry tickets online, they get emailed to you within minutes of the purchase.

On the day of your visit, show the email you received at the IBT Information Point near the Porta Marina Inferiore entrance. You can show it on your smartphone – no need to take printouts.

Visitors can pick up their audio guides and ‘illustrated book about Pompeii’ at the IBT Information Point.

Then, you walk into the Pompeii ruins through the skip-the-line lane.

Pompeii ticket discounts

The Pompeii Fast Track ticket, the cheapest and most popular ticket, costs €24 for all adults 18 years and older. 

Kids 17 years and below get an 85% discount on their Pompeii tickets, and they must pay only €3 for entry. 

EU citizens aged 18 to 24 get almost a 75% discount – they only pay €6.50 for their entry.

While availing of these Pompeii ticket discounts, please have a valid photo ID card ready.

Cheapest Pompeii tickets

These tickets are the cheapest and most popular amongst tourists visiting Pompeii ruins. 

You must show this Pompeii ticket on your mobile at the “Porta Marina Inferiore (Piazza Esedra)” entrance on the day of your visit. 

While booking your ticket, you must choose from the morning timeslot starting at 9 am and the afternoon slot beginning at 1 pm.

The morning slot ticket gives you access to Pompeii anytime until 1 pm, and the afternoon slot ticket gives you access from 1 pm until closure.

Ticket Prices

Adult Ticket (18+ years): €24
EU Citizen Ticket (18 to 24 years): €6.50
Child Ticket (up to 17 years): €3

Pompeii guided tour

Pompeii Guided Tour

Pompeii ruins are spread over a large area, and there isn’t much information you can see or read when standing in front of the attractions.

If you want to make sense of the magnitude of what you are witnessing, booking a guided tour of Pompeii makes a lot of sense.

Hiring an expert who knows about the ruins helps in multiple ways:

– You don’t waste your time trying to find the exhibits
– You don’t miss out on any of the highlights of Pompeii ruins
– Guides share more in-depth knowledge, exciting stories, etc. about the ruins

The Pompeii guided tour we have recommended below starts at 10.30 am and 12.30 pm and lasts two hours.

You will meet your guide next to the Pompeii Ticket Office on Piazza Porta Marina Inferiore (in front of the Hotel Vittoria)

The guided tour of Pompeii is available in English, Italian, French, Portuguese, Japanese, Spanish, and German.

You can choose your preferred language on the tour booking page.

Ticket Prices

Adult Ticket (18+ years): €44
Youth Ticket (6 to 17 years): €25.50
Child Ticket (up to 5 years): €3.50

If you have children, check out this guided Pompeii tour customised for kids.

Prefer an archeology expert to take you around the Pompeii ruins? Check out this small group guided tour with an archeologist.

If you don’t mind spending extra for an exclusive archaeologist guide, you can book your own ‘Skip the Line’ 2-hour private tour of Pompeii.

Rome to Pompeii day trips

Pompeii is 150 miles (241 km) south of Rome, well within a long day trip from the city.

Tourists who don’t want to handle the hassles of transport prefer to book day tours to Pompeii. 

These roundtrips to Pompeii start from the city around 8 am and last around 11 hours. 

As part of the package, visitors get free WiFi on the bus, skip-the-line access to Pompeii ruins, an audio guide, and assistance at all points from Touristation staff.

The most popular tour from Rome to Pompeii includes a half-mile (.8 km) hike to see Mt. Vesuvius’ crater. 

When the hike isn’t possible during winter, you get a quick tour of nearby Naples city. 

If you want to keep it simple and only see Pompeii ruins, check out this roundtrip from Rome.

If you want to visit Italy’s two most exciting tourist attractions in a single day, check out the Pompeii + Amalfi Coast tour.

Visual Story: 13 must-know tips before visiting Pompeii


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Pompeii tickets FAQs

Before planning their Pompeii visit, tourists have many questions about Pompeii entry tickets.

We try and answer them here.

Can I purchase tickets to Pompeii online?


Visitors can buy Pompeii tickets online. You can get the cheapest and most popular Pompeii tickets, the guided tour, or the tickets with transport from Rome to Pompeii and back. When you buy them in advance, you don’t have to wait in the long ticket counter lines and save yourself a lot of time and energy.

Do I need advance tickets for Pompeii?

Even though it is optional to buy Pompeii tickets in advance, we recommend you buy them before visiting the attraction. If you already have the tickets when you reach Pompeii, you can avoid standing in the long lines at the ticketing counter.

Regular or ‘Skip the Line’ tickets for Pompeii?


All Pompeii tickets, when purchased online, are ‘skip the line’ tickets because they help you skip the queue at the ticket counter.

Where is the ticket office at Pompeii?


Pompeii has three ticket offices – in Porta Marina, in 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. We highly recommend you buy your Pompeii tickets online

If I buy an online ticket, which entrance should I use?


When you buy Pompeii tickets online, you can access Pompeii 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 Pompeii ruins with my ticket?


Each ticket only allows one entry into the Pompeii ruins.

Can we buy same-day Pompeii tickets?


Yes, you can purchase same-day (or next day’s) Pompeii tickets. You can do this from the ticket counters at the venue, or if you want to save yourself waiting time, you can buy them online. During peak hours, this waiting time at the ticket counter lines can go up to an hour, so we recommend buying them online

With a Pompeii ticket purchased online, can I enter the ruins straight away?


Suppose you have bought your Pompeii tickets online. In that case, you must show the voucher you received in your email to the dedicated online ticket desk at the ‘Porta Marina Superiore’ or ‘Porta Marina Inferiore.’ They will give you a physical ticket, with which you can take the skip-the-line lane and enter the ruins.

Are Pompeii ruins tickets timed?


Pompeii tickets were not timed.

How much discount do kids get on Pompeii tickets?


The Pompeii tickets for adults cost €24. The reduced price for kids 17 years and below is only €3 – a discount of 75%.

How much discount do European Union citizens get on Pompeii tickets?


EU citizens between 18 and 24 years qualify for a discount of more than 70%. The cost of their Pompeii ruins ticket is only €6.50 per person.

Can kids visit Pompeii ruins?

Some of the exhibits at Pompeii are not suitable for kids – some are too graphic, and some are sexual. However, there is so much exciting stuff for kids that it would be criminal to keep them away from Pompeii. If you are visiting Pompeii with kids, we recommend this guided tour customized for kids.


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How to go from Rome to Pompeii

Pompeii ruins are in Campania, Italy, 14 miles (23 km) southeast of Naples.

Pompeii’s location is at the southeastern base of Mount Vesuvius, which didn’t go in its favor when the volcano erupted.

The ancient Roman city had been strategically built at the mouth of the Sarnus (modern Sarno) River. Get Directions.

There are three ways to get to Pompeii – take a train or a bus or book a tour, including transportation.

Distance between Rome and Pompeii

Pompeii is 250 km (155 miles) from Rome by road.

If you travel by road, you can cover this distance in about two and a half hours.

The railway distance is only 212 km (132 Miles), but because you have to change trains in Naples, the train journey also takes two and a half hours.

Pompeii by bus

A bus is a recommended option only if you are already in Naples.

SITA local buses leave Nuova Marina port in Naples to Pompeii every half hour.

The bus ticket, which costs a little less than €3 one way, can be bought from the SITA office at Nuova Marina port.

The journey time is approximately 35 minutes.

Train from Rome to Pompeii

Pompeii day trip by train is the best option if you are holidaying in the Italian capital.

This trip to Pompeii has two legs:

Rome to Naples by train

Every day, there are 16 trains which leave Roma Termini station in Rome for Naples Central station.

If you buy a Rome to Naples ticket on a high-speed train (Frecciarossa or Frecciabianca), you can save travel time.

Your train from Rome will arrive at the Naples Centrale station, which is meant for inter-city trains.

Important: Book Rome to Naples high-speed train tickets at least a week to ten days in advance for cheap rates. If you book a day or two before your Pompeii visit, the return tickets can cost you 60+ Euros per person. In such a case, it is much wiser to book a Rome to Pompeii day trip, which includes transportation.

Naples to Pompeii by train

Once you reach Naples, you must get onto a Circumvesuviana train towards Pompeii.

From the Naples station for inter-city trains, you must get to the adjacent station from where Circumvesuviana trains depart.

The frequency of Circumvesuviana trains is one every half hour.

Need help with the transfer at Naples station? Watch this video:

You must get off the Circumvesuviana train at Pompei Scavi station, located 50 meters (164 ft) from the entrance to Pompeii.

The journey from Naples central to Pompei Scavi (also known as Pompeii train station) is approximately 45 minutes.

Important: Some tourists don’t want the hassle of finding Rome to Pompeii train times, booking tickets, etc. So, they opt for either Pompeii day trips from Rome or Pompeii coach tours from Naples.


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Pompeii opening hours

On weekdays, Pompeii ruins open at 9 am, and on weekends, they open at 8.30 am.

In the peak months of April to October, Pompeii closes at 7 pm, and the attraction closes early at 5 pm. 

From November to March, Pompeii closes at 5 pm.

The last entry is 90 minutes before closing time.

Note: Since tourists combine nearby archaeological sites such as Herculaneum, Oplontis, Boscoreale, and Stabia, they visit Pompeii ruins. Their timing is similar.

Pompeii’s archaeological area is closed on three days – 1 January, 1 May, and Christmas on 25 December.


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How long does Pompeii take

Pompeii is 44 square hectares and will take more than two days to explore. 

However, if you were to focus only on the highlights of Pompeii, you need three hours.

If you are traveling with kids and seniors, a similar highlights-only tour will last four hours.

Note: Many tourists want to know if it is possible to combine the Pompeii visit with Herculaneum ruins. Yes, it is possible.


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Best time to visit Pompeii

The best time to visit Pompeii is before 10 am.

Coaches start bringing in large tour groups by 10.30 am and crowd the ticketing counters, the lines to enter the ruins, and its famous attractions.

The next best time to visit Pompeii ruins is 3 pm because, after lunchtime, the massive crowd has started to leave or has already left.

During the peak season, the ruins are open till 7 pm, so even if you start at 3 pm, you get four hours to explore. 

During the non-peak months, the ruins close at 5 pm.

Note: If you stay in Rome or Naples, it is almost impossible to reach Pompeii by 10 am. This is all the more reason for you to book your Pompeii tickets in advance so that you can enter the ruins the moment you arrive.

How to avoid the crowd at Pompeii

There are two places where you may want to avoid the crowd:

At the ticketing lines

Pompeii Ticket Line
Pompeii is one of Italy’s busiest tourist sites and lines at the ticket counters can get really long. Image: Tourscanner.com

According to the management at Pompeii ruins, during the peak months, one may end up waiting in the ticket counter lines for a minimum of 30 minutes and an hour (pic above).

Why buy Pompeii skip the line tickets

The only way to avoid the long lines at the ticketing counters of Pompeii is by buying Pompeii tickets online, in advance.

Inside the ruins

Pompeii is crowded from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm and it is best to avoid star attractions of Pompeii ruins during this period.

Use the Pompeii map, and avoid the crowd-pullers.

Tourists visiting as part of group tours get back to their coaches by 12.30 pm to 1 pm.

Once they all leave, you can get back to exploring the must-sees in Pompeii.

Low season: November to March
High season: April to October
Busiest months: May and August


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Pompeii tours from Naples

Many tourists decide to visit Pompeii while they are staying in Naples.

Since there are many convenient ways to get to Pompeii from Naples, Pompeii tours are pretty popular.

Naples to Pompeii is a half-hour journey – around 24 Kms (15 Miles).

From Naples: Half-day visit to Pompeii

This tour from Naples to Pompeii starts at 10 am and lasts four hours.

The package includes:

  • Transport from Naples to Pompeii and back
  • An archeologist guide
  • ‘Skip The Line’ entry to Pompeii

Ticket Prices

Adult Ticket (18+ years): €64
Youth Ticket (4 to 17 years): €48
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free

If you want to take a half-a-mile trek to see the Volcano, which killed everyone in Pompeii, opt for the Pompeii entry + Mt Vesuvius tour.

If you want a day-long tour, look no further than the Pompeii and Amalfi Coast day-long tour from Naples.


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Sorrento to Pompeii tours

If you are in Sorrento and want to visit Pompeii, you have two options – take the train or the bus.

Sorrento to Pompeii by train

The cheapest way to do this is to book your Pompeii ticket in advance, and on the day of the visit, take the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii.

Circumvesuviana trains run between Sorrento and Naples and, in 20 minutes, can drop you at Pompeii. Train schedule

Entry to the Pompeii ruins is very close to the Circumvesuviana station.

The train times between Sorrento to Pompeii are very convenient – one every 30 minutes all day long.

If you don’t want the hassle of buying the train tickets, you can book this guided tour of Pompeii, which includes Circumvesuviana tickets.

Sorrento to Pompeii by bus

If you don’t want to take the train from Sorrento, you can opt for the coach tour.

Since Sorrento is a small town, you will be picked up from your hotel at 10 am.

Distance from Sorrento to Pompeii is 26 Km (16 Miles), and travel by road takes approximately 45 minutes.

At Pompeii, your guide will be waiting for you.

After a two-hour guided tour of the ruins of Pompeii, you will get back to your vehicle and get back to your hotel.

Ticket Prices

Regular Ticket (4+ years): €74
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free

If you are starting from Sorrento and prefer an 8-hour day tour, check out this Pompeii ruins + Mt Vesuvius trek.


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From Positano to Pompeii

The distance from Positano to Pompeii is about 35 Km (22 Miles).

To get to Pompeii ruins, you have three options – public transport, your car, or a coach tour.

Public transport

You can take a local bus from Positano to Sorrento and the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii Scavi station.

After the 40-minute bus journey and 20 minutes on the train, you will be right at the entrance of the Pompeii ruins.

Private transport

For approximately €200, you can get a private driver to pick you up from your hotel in Positano and drop you at Pompeii.

They then wait for you while you enjoy the ruins and drive you back.

Whatever your mode of transport from Positano to Pompeii, you will still need a ticket to enter the ruins.

Book a coach tour

The best and most convenient way is to book a coach tour from Positano to Pompeii.

This tour, which starts at 8 am, includes:

  • Transportation both ways
  • Entry tickets to Pompeii
  • Entrance fee to Mt Vesuvius
  • English speaking guide

Ticket Price: €179

If you want something more adventurous, check out this Pompeii and Vesuvius boat tour.


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Pompeii ruins map

If you have booked a guided tour of Pompeii, you don’t need a map.

However, if you don’t have a guide to take you around the vast archaeological area of Pompeii, you must get a map.

A Pompeii map will help you save time and ensure you don’t miss the important exhibits.

A map will also help you find tourist facilities such as washrooms, cafes, smoking areas, souvenir shops, etc.

Download the PDF version of the best Pompeii map.

We also recommend this Pompeii Guide (booklet).

Graffiti in Pompeii included jokes, comments on girlfriends, announcements about the writer’s sex life, etc. Check out some of the funniest Pompeii graffiti.

Must read
Heard of the masturbating man of Pompeii?
Interesting trivia about Pompeii ruins

Sources
# Pompeiisites.org
# Naplespompeii.com
# Roadaffair.com

The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy.

Tourist attractions in Rome

PompeiiColosseumVatican Museums
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Capitoline MuseumCastel Sant AngeloBorghese Gallery
Catacombs of RomePantheon RomeMamertine Prison
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Catacombs of San SebastianoCatacombs of PriscillaCallixtus Catacombs
Museum of IllusionsPalace of Castel GandolfoZoomarine Rome
Trevi FountainCapuchin CryptVilla d’Este in Tivoli
Domus AureaOlympic StadiumPalazzo Colonna
Villa AdrianaBioparco di RomaDoria Pamphilj Gallery
Basilica of San GiovanniNational Etruscan MuseumStadium of Domitian
Da Vinci ExhibitionLa Traviata OperaPalazzo Cipolla

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This article was researched & written by

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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