Well I'm going to have 4 full days on my own in Rome in August. I have most of my time planned so far, but was looking into a day trip to Naples and Pompeii.

I am just wondering if this is a bad idea and if I should just make the most of my time in Rome. I know there is a lot to see. Being in August I was thinking it might be nice to get away for a day on an airconditioned tour bus.

Give me your thoughts.

Hi V,

It is a long day.

I don't know if there are tours that go to Naples and Pompei.

I would take an early train to Naples, visit the Archeological Museum, take the Circumvesuviana commuter train from Piazza Garibaldi to Pompei Scavi, see the ruins and return by the same route.

Wear a hat. Bring plenty of water.

You could, instead, visit the ruins at Ostia Antica. About 1 hr from Rome.

Have a nice visit.

Yes, there are tours to Pompeii and Naples. I can't give any info on them, but there are definitely tours.
A google search should provide info.

In the fall of 2004 we spent five nights in Rome. On our last day we took the metro/train to Ostia Antica. It was a great break from the hectic (but wonderful) pace of central Rome.

We spent the better part of a day there, exploring the ruins and having a nice afternoon drink at the restaurant. It was pleasent, beautiful, interesting and close enough to not seem like a rushed day.

I agree with a trip to Ostia, too. We really had a wonderful morning there, and it is a very easy trip(and inexpensive) from Rome-just the price of a Metro ticket (1 euro each way)plus a modest admission. It may be more crowded than the day we went (early April), but go early in the morning and you'll probably have more space and it won't be too hot. Naples & Pompeii are great, but quite a distance. Ostia is a major excavation and as wonderful as Pompeii in a different way.

Hadrian's Villa and tivola gardens is worth the trip

I had the same dilemma a few years ago - take the train to Orvieto!

Another vote for Ostia Antica. Really beautiful and peaceful. To see my pictures go to www.pbase.com/trsw/ostia_antica_2005

Tom

I'm surprised that no one has written about their experiences with a day trip to Pompeii. I've not done it as a day trip, but it can definitely be done. It's a long day, but it's doable. And, it's certainly worth the effort.
I just did a google search on "Day trip from Rome to Pompeii" and got several options.

We arranged through our hotel to take a tour to Pompeii and it was a wonderful day. The time in Naples was very limited...just a few minute stop along the harbour and I was sorry we didnt' get to visit the museum with all the finds from Pompeii but the tour of Pompeii was lovely with a nice dinner before we headed back to Rome.

They picked us up at our hotel at 7:30 a.m. and dropped us off at our hotel at about 9:30 p.m. It was a day we remember warmly.

My husband and I took a day trip from Rome to Tivoli and Hadrian's Villa. Both sites were quite impressive.

On an earlier trip, we took a tour to Naples and then a ferry to the Isle of Capri. Naples is great, but it can be tiring as a day trip. It's pretty far away from Rome.

Hi Vette,

With just 4 days in Rome, you may not want to leave as there is SO much to see and do! However, if you feel like you need a break from the city, I would vote for one of the 3 nearer options.

I visited Tivoli (Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este) as a day trip in Sept and absolutely loved it! Easy, and very relaxing. 1 hour, one way

I've stayed in Orvieto and it's one of my very favorite towns. Lots to see for a full day and again, easy to get to. 1 hour one way

Haven't been to Ostia Antica, but I've visited Pompeii twice. The first time for 2 1/2 hours and the second 4 1/2 hours. I wouldn't dream of doing it as a day trip. Save it for your next trip and you can see the Archeological Museum too.

Buon viaggio!

Thank you all for your suggestions. There was a specific tour I had looked at on Expedia.ca that had a day trip to Naples and Pompeii. It was all inclusive for around $110 USD. Sounded reasonale to me, but I will also look into Ostia Antica that you were all talking about.