cmeyer54

My research says that a day trip from Rome to Pompeii is doable - however it would be a very long day. Has anyone on this forum done the trip? We'll have 12 nights in Rome and are thinking that day trips to Orvieto and Pompeii might be a good idea....its not our first trip to Rome. We'll be there from Dec 21st to Jan 2.

Thanks!

PalenQ

It is doable but yes about 2.5 hours at best by high-speed train to Naples Centrale and then by the CircumVesuviana commuter rail line to the Pompeii Scavi (arcaheological site) station which is right by the entrance.

Check www.trenitalia.com for fares and schedules to Naples Centrale - these trains leave at least hourly I think throughout the day - then you transfer trains at Naples Centrale thru a passageway to the CircumVesuviana station where since it is not part of Trenitalia - the Italian State Railways you cannot TMK buy tickets on www.trenitalia.com - just buy it at the CircumVesuviana station either in machines or at ticket window - this fare is only a few euros each way.

www.trenitalia.com has discounted fares if you book far in advance as they are sold in limited numbers and can sell out far ahead of the train (or may not) - but these are train-specific and cannot be changed nor refunded - you can always always IME buy full-fare tickets - you may want to book a discounted fare going down and since you do not really know when you will want to return - timewise - just buy a full fare ticket when coming back.

For lots of info on Italian trains check out these IMO fantastic sources - www.seat61.com - great info on discounted fares); www.rickstevees.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

So if 5 hours on a train all told is tolerable - and these are very comfy modern trains - it is very doable - some will say you're crazy but I say go for it.

An alternate plan may be to base yourself in Sorrento for a few days and see Pompeii leisurely as well as Capri or the Amalfi Coast, which even in winter are fine places to spend a few days.

mamcalice

I would avoid Capri and even the AC in late December. Much is closed and the weather and I find that deserted beach resorts are a bit depressing at this time of year. Instead, I might consider traveling to Naples or Sorrento for the evening and getting to Pompeii early in the day. The days are very short at this time of year and you want 4 hours or so at the Pompeii Scavi.

caroline_edinburgh

It depends on what you want to get out of it. We spent 7 hours walking round Pompeii - and still felt we'd only scratched the surface - so certainly wouldn't have enjoyed it as a day trip from Rome (we were staying in Naples).

Fra_Diavolo

With twelve days in Rome I think it would be worth your while to visit Naples for a few days. In addition to Pompeii, you could see Herculaneum, or any number of the other classical sites in the area. Then there is Naples itself, with its fine Capodimonte museum and Archaeology Museum (where some of the best preserved murals, mosaic and statues from Pompeii and Herculaneum are on display. Plenty of street life and plenty of good food.

Not sure I'd recommend the Amalfi Coast and Capri at that time of year.

dreaming

I've done it- last summer with two kids, ages 10 and 13. It was a great day. We took the 9:10 am Frecciarossa from Rome, arriving Naples at 10:20. Then the CircumVesuviana (per PalenQ's details above). It was a fantastic day, but breathtakingly hot... We ate lunch at the restaurant at Pompeii, which thankfully had AC. We went back a while later for another cold drink and more AC.

If it had been a bit cooler, we could have wandered longer. As it was, we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Once we were back in Naples, we had pizza at Da Michele (not too far from the station), followed by a quick gelato and then a train around 7:15pm back to Rome.

kybourbon

>>>It is doable but yes about 2.5 hours at best by high-speed train to Naples Centrale and then by the CircumVesuviana commuter rail line to the Pompeii Scavi <<<

It shouldn't take that long. Rome/Naples by fast train is 70 minutes and Naples/Pompeii is about 30 minutes.

Rubicund

mamalice is coorect in pointing out that the days are short at the end of December. The site is open as follows:

November - March: every day from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admission 3.30 p.m.)

You need to get there early to make it worthwhile, as a 9am start from Rome won't get you there till lunchtime and although the site is open, it will be dark by 4pm. All in all and if you can, stay overnight in the area to get the best out of the visit.

aussiesue2001

We've done both Pompeii & Herculaneum in the same day. We had an advantage as DH is an ancient history teacher so we had our own built-in guide. We covered Pompeii very well & still had time for a quick visit to Herculaneum (about an hour). We could have spent more time at Herculaneum but it gave us a really good introduction to the site. Arrived back in Rome in time for dinner. It was a tiring day but very doable. My husband's comment "That was the best day ever"

PalenQ

It shouldn't take that long. Rome/Naples by fast train is 70 minutes and Naples/Pompeii is about 30 minutes.>

Even more doable! But add in changing time in Naples coming and going and you have about 2 hours each way if the trains are on time.

wayfinder45

We did a day trip to Pompeii while visiting Rome in late December. We had the place to ourselves practically -- it was fabulous! Absolutely doable.

PalenQ

If you want a guided tour at Pompeii you can get one on the spot - but I suggest reading up on it all and then buy the guidebook and do your own tour.

HelenG

Definetely doable and so worth the trip. We just did that exact trip this past October. We took the 8:45am train from Termini which got us into Naples by 9:55 - were at Pompeii by 11:00, Met up with a guide inside the site and had a wonderful tour. After tour was over, we walked around on our own for couple more hours. There are several trains coming back into Rome, but I don't know if their time table changes at all during the winter months.

PalenQ

>>>It is doable but yes about 2.5 hours at best by high-speed train to Naples Centrale and then by the CircumVesuviana commuter rail line to the Pompeii Scavi <<<

It shouldn't take that long. Rome/Naples by fast train is 70 minutes and Naples/Pompeii is about 30 minutes.>

<We took the 8:45am train from Termini which got us into Naples by 9:55 - were at Pompeii by 11:00>

That's 2 h 15 minutes each way - I'd say 2.5 hours each way is about what to expect with changing of trains and stations in Naples, etc.

TDudette

There are also bus tours. That way you can sleep!