Timed entry, best routes, which areas are open, and the reality of visiting a 66-hectare archaeological site.
Plan your Italy trip →Official site: ticketone.it (search "Pompeii"). Standard entry: €18. Timed entry in 15-minute windows. Rarely sells out completely, but popular 9-10am slots can fill in peak summer. Book 3-5 days ahead to be safe.
From Naples: take the Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Piazza Garibaldi to "Pompei Scavi - Villa dei Misteri" station. 36 minutes, €2.80. The entrance is literally outside the station. From Sorrento: same line, opposite direction. 30 minutes.
From Rome: high-speed train to Naples (70 min), then Circumvesuviana. Full day trip, easily doable.
Minimum: 2-3 hours for the highlights (Forum, House of the Faun, Via dell'Abbondanza, Amphitheatre, Garden of the Fugitives).
Ideal: 4-5 hours. You'll see 80% of the open areas at a comfortable pace.
Full day: 6-7 hours covers virtually everything open, including Villa dei Misteri.
There is almost NO shade. In summer, temperatures on the exposed stone streets hit 40°C+. Bring: hat, sunscreen, 2 liters of water, comfortable walking shoes (cobblestones are uneven and ankle-twisting). There's one cafe inside the site — overpriced but necessary.
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