How To Get From Naples To Pompeii By Train: Complete 2025 Guide
How To Get From Naples To Pompeii By Train: Complete 2025 Guide. Discover practical tips for your visit. visitor guide, tickets, history of Pompeii
Navigate the Naples to Pompeii train journey like a local with this comprehensive 2025 guide. You'll learn exactly which train to take, where to catch it, ticket options, and insider tips for a smooth 30-minute journey to the ancient ruins.
Quick answer: Your train options
Circumvesuviana (Year-round local train)
- Journey time: 36-40 minutes
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- Cost: €3.30 one-way
- Comfort: Basic, often crowded
- Air conditioning: No
- Best for: Budget travelers, off-season visits
Campania Express (March-October tourist train)
- Journey time: 30 minutes
- Frequency: 4-5 times daily
- Cost: €6.00 one-way
- Comfort: Guaranteed seats, luggage space
- Air conditioning: Yes
- Best for: Comfort seekers, summer visits
Step-by-step journey guide
Step 1: Getting to Naples train station
Napoli Centrale (Main station)
The Circumvesuviana departs from beneath Naples' main train station:
- Address: Piazza Garibaldi, 80142 Napoli
- From airport: Alibus shuttle (€5, 30 minutes)
- From cruise port: Taxi (€15-20, 20 minutes)
- From city center: Metro Line 1 to Garibaldi
Step 2: Finding the Circumvesuviana
Navigation instructions:
- Enter Napoli Centrale main hall
- Look for "Circumvesuviana" signs
- Head to lower level (downstairs)
- No elevators available - use stairs/escalators
- Follow signs to ticket office
Visual markers:
- Blue and white Circumvesuviana logos
- Signs saying "Pompei - Sorrento"
- Platform numbers 3-4 typically
Step 3: Buying tickets
Where to purchase:
- Ticket office: Lower level near platforms
- News stands: Inside station (sometimes faster)
- Ticket machines: Accept cash and cards
- Contactless: Tap card at newer turnstiles
What to ask for:
- "Pompei Scavi, andata" (one-way)
- "Pompei Scavi, andata e ritorno" (round-trip)
Important: Tickets NOT available online - station purchase only
Step 4: Finding the right train
Correct line: Napoli → Sorrento (via Pompei Scavi)
Platform check:
- Usually Platform 3
- Electronic boards show "Sorrento"
- Stops include "Pompei Scavi - Villa Misteri"
Wrong trains to avoid:
- Napoli → Sarno line
- Napoli → Poggiomarino line
Step 5: The journey
Route stops from Naples:
- Napoli Centrale (Garibaldi)
- Portici-Ercolano (for Herculaneum)
- Torre del Greco
- Torre Annunziata
- Pompei Scavi - Villa Misteri (your stop)
Journey experience:
- No reserved seats
- Can be very crowded
- Hold belongings securely
- No announcements in English
- Count stops or use GPS
Station details and navigation
Naples departure station
Napoli Centrale - Circumvesuviana level
- Operating hours: 6:00 AM - 10:30 PM
- Facilities: Basic waiting area, toilets (€0.50)
- Food/drinks: Vending machines, small bar
- Storage: No luggage lockers on Circumvesuviana level
- Accessibility: Limited (no elevators to platform)
Pompeii arrival station
Pompei Scavi - Villa Misteri
- Location: 100 meters from main entrance
- Exit: Follow "Scavi di Pompei" signs
- Walk time: 2 minutes to Porta Marina entrance
- Return platform: Opposite side for Naples
Station mistake to avoid: Don't get off at "Pompei" (modern town) - continue to "Pompei Scavi"
Timetables and frequency
Circumvesuviana schedule (2025)
First trains from Naples:
- Weekdays: 6:09 AM
- Saturdays: 6:09 AM
- Sundays: 6:39 AM
Last trains from Naples:
- Daily: 9:42 PM
Peak frequency:
- Every 30 minutes most of day
- Every 20 minutes during rush hours
- Reduced service Sundays
Campania Express schedule (seasonal)
Operating period: Mid-March to mid-October
Daily departures from Naples:
- 9:23 AM
- 10:23 AM
- 12:23 PM
- 3:23 PM
- 5:23 PM
Return from Pompeii:
- Multiple options until 6:30 PM
Ticket prices and options
Circumvesuviana fares (2025)
- Single journey: €3.30
- Day pass: €8.00 (unlimited Circumvesuviana travel)
- Children under 11: Free with paying adult
- Groups 10+: 10% discount
Campania Express fares
- Naples-Pompeii: €6.00
- Round trip: €12.00
- Children 4-11: 50% discount
- Under 4: Free
Payment methods
- Cash (euros only)
- Credit/debit cards (at machines)
- Contactless payment (selected turnstiles)
- No mobile tickets available
Comfort comparison
Circumvesuviana reality check
Pros:
- Frequent service
- Cheap fare
- Direct route
- Local experience
Cons:
- Often very crowded
- No air conditioning
- Limited seating
- Pickpocket risk
- Graffiti common
Campania Express advantages
Worth the extra €3 for:
- Guaranteed seat
- Air conditioning
- Luggage racks
- Cleaner carriages
- Tourist-oriented service
- Fewer stops
Alternative transportation options
Private transfer
- Cost: €80-100 for car (up to 4 people)
- Duration: 30-40 minutes
- Pros: Door-to-door, comfortable
- Book: Hotels or GetYourGuide
Rental car
- Cost: €40-60/day plus parking
- Duration: 30 minutes via A3 highway
- Parking: €5/day at Pompeii
- Pros: Flexibility for multiple sites
Tour bus
- Cost: €50-70 including guide
- Duration: Full day excursion
- Pros: Commentary included
- Cons: Fixed schedule
Essential tips for train travel
Before departure
- Buy round-trip ticket: Saves queuing later
- Validate ticket: Stamp before boarding
- Check platform: Verify "Sorrento" destination
- Use bathroom: Limited facilities on train
During journey
- Stand near doors: If crowded
- Guard belongings: Pickpockets operate
- Count stops: Pompei Scavi is 12th stop
- Prepare exit: Move toward doors early
Common mistakes
- Taking wrong line to Sarno
- Getting off at Pompei (not Scavi)
- Not validating tickets
- Leaving valuables visible
- Missing the stop
Combining with other sites
Herculaneum stop
- Station: Ercolano Scavi
- From Naples: 20 minutes
- To Pompeii: 15 minutes more
- Walking: 10 minutes to Herculaneum entrance
Multi-site strategies
- Both in one day: Ambitious but possible
- Order: Visit Herculaneum first (smaller)
- Timing: 2 hours Herculaneum, 4 hours Pompeii
- Tickets: Buy separate for each site
Seasonal considerations
Summer (June-August)
- Circumvesuviana extremely crowded
- No air conditioning challenging
- Consider Campania Express
- Travel early morning
Winter (December-February)
- Less crowded trains
- Campania Express not running
- Earlier Pompeii closing affects return
- Rain makes platforms slippery
Peak periods to avoid
- Easter week
- August (Italian holidays)
- Weekend mornings
- Cruise ship days (check port schedule)
Money-saving tips
- Skip Campania Express off-season: Less crowded anyway
- Buy snacks before boarding: No food service
- Day pass value: Only if visiting multiple sites
- Group discounts: Organize with others
- Avoid taxis: Unless sharing costs
Safety and security
Personal safety
- Keep tickets until exiting
- Backpacks in front
- Minimal jewelry
- Secure pockets for phone
- Stay alert at stations
Scam awareness
- Ignore "helpful" strangers
- Official staff wear uniforms
- Tickets only from official sources
- No need for "special" passes
Conclusion
The train from Naples to Pompeii offers an authentic, affordable journey taking just 36-40 minutes on the Circumvesuviana or 30 minutes on the seasonal Campania Express. While the local train can be crowded and basic, it runs frequently (every 30 minutes) and costs only €3.30. For more comfort, the Campania Express at €6.00 provides air conditioning and guaranteed seats from March to October. Buy tickets at the station, board the Sorrento-bound train from the lower level of Napoli Centrale, and get off at Pompei Scavi - Villa Misteri. With proper preparation and realistic expectations, the train remains the most practical way to reach Pompeii from Naples.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Naples to Pompeii?
Take the Circumvesuviana to “Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri”. Regional buses and tours are alternatives. See getting here.
Where can I park near the site?
Paid parking is available near Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra entrances. Arrive early in high season.
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Take the Circumvesuviana to “Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri”. Regional buses and tours are alternatives. See getting here.
Where can I park near the site?
Paid parking is available near Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra entrances. Arrive early in high season.