Major city · Italy
PompeiiPompei
Give the ruins one full day and book your ticket ahead (daily cap 20,000); sleep in Naples or Sorrento, not in Pompei town.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (32–35 °C on open stone), and the first Sunday of the month if you want quietavoid Jul–Aug (90–95 °F on open stone), and the first Sunday of the month if you want quiet
- Airport
- NAP
- Nights
- 1 (day trip from Naples or Sorrento)
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Italy and Malta ↗The region's headline sights run on timed tickets that sell out: book the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Uffizi, the Last Supper and Malta's Hypogeum before you fix train and hotel dates.
- Italy and Malta ↗Budget for per-night city taxes in Italy (up to about €10 a person in Rome), Malta's per-night environmental contribution, and Venice's day-visitor fee on peak days; none are included in most online room prices.
- Italy ↗Italy is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Italy ↗Historic centres are ZTL limited-traffic zones: cameras fine any unauthorised car that enters, often months later through the hire company. Park outside and walk in.
- Italy ↗Regional train tickets bought on paper must be validated in the machine on the platform before boarding; digital tickets carry a time and need no stamping.
- Italy ↗Venice charges day-visitors an access fee on selected peak days; check the city's official site if you are not sleeping there.
Pompeii is a buried Roman city, not a town: the archaeological park is the whole reason to come, and it takes a full day on foot over uneven stone. Most travellers base in Naples or Sorrento and arrive by the Circumvesuviana railway. The modern town of Pompei has beds and a pilgrimage church but little else.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pompeii, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Italy-wide
- SIM or eSIMTIM, Vodafone, WindTre and Iliad sell prepaid SIMs in shops and at airports; a passport and an Italian tax code (codice fiscale…Italy-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe unless signed otherwise; Rome's nasoni fountains run all day.Italy-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Coperto or service may already be on the bill; leave €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) a person or round up for good service.Italy-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Italy-wide
- SafetyThe park is safe and well patrolled; the real risks are heat, uneven stone and pickpockets on the crowded Circumvesuviana at closing time.
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €1 (≈ US$2).Italy-wide
- Emergency numbers112 Europe-wide emergency · 113 police · 115 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany state museums close on Monday; the Vatican Museums close on most Sundays.Italy-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckNAP Naples Capodichino (Alibus to Napoli Centrale, then the Circumvesuviana to Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri; total time check).
- Getting aroundInside the park you walk: cobblestones, cart ruts and few benches.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi, Pompei station to the ruins2026 estimate; checkabout €10 (≈ US$12)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, 3-star, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedDouble room, 3-star, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €45 (≈ US$55) · Mid €85 (≈ US$100) · High €160 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NAP Naples Capodichino (Alibus to Napoli Centrale, then the Circumvesuviana to Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri; total time check)
Weather and climate
Pompeii: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C55°F
5°C41°F
10 rd
Feb
14°C57°F
5°C41°F
9 rd
Mar
16°C61°F
7°C45°F
9 rd
Apr
19°C66°F
10°C50°F
8 rd
May
24°C75°F
14°C57°F
5 rd
Jun
28°C82°F
18°C64°F
3 rd
Jul
31°C88°F
21°C70°F
2 rd
Aug
31°C88°F
21°C70°F
3 rd
Sep
27°C81°F
18°C64°F
6 rd
Oct
22°C72°F
14°C57°F
10 rd
Nov
17°C63°F
10°C50°F
11 rd
Dec
14°C57°F
6°C43°F
10 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Inside the park you walk: cobblestones, cart ruts and few benches. Bicycles are impractical. Between towns use the Circumvesuviana (EAV) railway or Trenitalia regional trains; taxis wait at Pompei station and ask around €10 to the entrance. Journey times on the Circumvesuviana: check current timetables.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Herculaneum
goDoor to door: check
Circumvesuviana to Ercolano Scavi
Smaller and better preserved than Pompeii; a good half-day pairing. Journey time check.
Mt Vesuvius summit
cautionDoor to door: check
EAV bus from Piazza Anfiteatro, then a walk up the last stretch
Check that the bus is running and the crater path is open before you set out.
Naples
goDoor to door: check
Circumvesuviana from Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri
Where most people sleep; the line is crowded at closing time.
Sorrento
goDoor to door: check
Circumvesuviana on the Napoli–Sorrento line
Same line as Pompei Scavi; useful as a base or an evening.
Capri
overnightDoor to door: check
Hydrofoil from Naples or Sorrento
Too slow as a Pompeii day trip; give it its own day.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Naples (Chiaia, Centro Storico or near Napoli Centrale)
Best base: Circumvesuviana to Pompei Scavi, plus pizza and museums. See things to do in Naples.
Sorrento
Quieter base on the same rail line, 30–40 min to Pompei Scavi; good for the Amalfi Coast. See visit Sorrento.
Pompei town (near Pompei Santuario or Pompei Scavi station)
Only if you want to be at the gate at opening; the town itself is thin on things to do.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €35–60 (≈ US$45–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- €60–110 (≈ US$70–130) excl. bed
- High
- €110 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, 3-star1 × 1 night × €120 | €120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €85 | €170 |
| Pompeii one-day ticket, ancient city only2 × €18 · 2026 estimate; check | €36 |
| Circumvesuviana return from Naples2 × €10 · 2026 estimate; check | €19 |
| Official audioguide2 × €8 · 2026 estimate; check | €16 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 · 2026 estimate | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €39 |
| Trip total≈ €215 per person per day, bed included | €430≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in euro; intercity travel and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Pompeii one-day ticket, ancient city only2026 estimate; €22 with the suburban villas (Villa of the Mysteries, Villa of Diomedes, Villa Regina) | €18 (≈ US$25) |
| 3-day pass covering the wider park2026 estimate; one entry per site, shuttle bus between sites included | €26 (≈ US$35) |
| Circumvesuviana, Naples to Pompei Scavi2026 estimate; check | €4.80 (≈ US$6) |
| Trenitalia regional, Napoli Centrale to Pompei2026 estimate; check | €3.30 (≈ US$4) |
| Freshly pressed orange or lemon juice near the entrance2026 estimate | €3 (≈ US$4) |
| Panino from a stand near Porta Marina2026 estimate | €4–7 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Taxi, Pompei station to the ruins2026 estimate; check | about €10 (≈ US$12) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat on open stone: carry water, a hat and good shoes; there is little shade.
- Not every house is open at any one time; check the park's house schedule before you plan a route.
- Routes on the free map are often blocked for excavation or repair, so allow detours.
- Porta Marina, the main entrance, has many stairs; reduced-mobility visitors should use Piazza Anfiteatro.
- Tickets are capped at 20,000 (≈ US$25,000) entries a day: book ahead, especially Apr–Oct, and check the official ticket rules for timed slots.
Emergency numbers
- Europe-wide emergency
- 112
- Police
- 113
- Fire
- 115
- Ambulance
- 118
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
PompeiiPompei
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A questo indirizzo, per favoreTo this address, please
Emergency
- Europe-wide emergency112
- Police113
- Fire115
- Ambulance118
Embassy
The US has a consulate general in Naples; other countries: consulates in Naples or embassies in Rome.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Circumvesuviana, Naples to Pompei Scavi: €4.80 (≈ US$6) (2026 estimate; check)
- Trenitalia regional, Napoli Centrale to Pompei: €3.30 (≈ US$4) (2026 estimate; check)
- Taxi, Pompei station to the ruins: about €10 (≈ US$12) (check)
Say or show
- Scusi — Excuse me (SKOO-zee)
- Grazie — Thank you (GRAH-tsyeh)
- Un biglietto, per favore — One ticket, please (oon bee-LYET-toh per fah-VOH-reh)
- Quanto costa? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KOS-tah)
- Posso pagare con la carta? — Can I pay by card? (POS-soh pah-GAH-reh kon lah KAR-tah)
- Dov'è il bagno? — Where is the toilet? (doh-VEH eel BAH-nyoh)
Park hours: Apr–Oct 09:00–19:00, last admission 17:30; Nov–Mar 09:00–17:00, last admission 15:30. Closed 1 January and 25 December. Check the official site before you travel.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pompeii. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (32–35 °C on open stone), and the first Sunday of the month if you want quiet · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-gate contract for NAP: Alibus plus Circumvesuviana timings, taxi fallback, luggage-storage rung.
- Two walking clusters with rescue anchors: Porta Marina and the Forum, then the Amphitheatre and Villa of the Mysteries.
- Place pages with verified opening windows for the Forum Baths, House of the Vettii, Lupanar and Villa of the Mysteries.
- Heat and crowd fixtures so gates A–D can go green in July and August.