Pompei Daytrip From Rome on a Budget
 

A daytrip to Pompei Scavi from Rome is a popular undertaking for many travellers, who typically choose between taking an organized bus tour or going "on their own".

Many travellers understandably prefer avoiding organized tours, which invariably place significant limits on the flexibility of a daytrip to Pompei, as well as actual time at destination. However, some have noted the steep fares of the fast trains between Rome and Naples (currently 88 Euros round-trip in second class on the fastest AV train).

Fortunately, it is possible to do this daytrip by using the trains and spending UNDER 50 Euros per person: taking the Intercity (IC) train in both directions, rather than the more expensive AV and ES trains.

The difference in fare is very significant: 41 Euros round-trip on the IC versus 88 Euros on the AV or 68 Euros on the ES (all fares are second class). The difference in travel time compared to the ES train is modest: only 18 minutes longer each way on the IC train. The time difference compared to the AV train is more pronounced: 53 minutes more each way on the IC train (due to the fact that the AV train takes the new high-speed rail line). AV and ES trains go non-stop between Rome and Naples. The IC trains usually make three very short stops en-route (Latina, Formia and Aversa).

Seats on the IC, ES and AV trains are all reserved. First class seats are not necessary on this route. These trains are all non-smoking and have air conditioning (which does not work 100% of the time). Many travellers have noted that the IC trains are not as "nice" as the ES and AV trains.

In addition to the Trenitalia fare, travellers must also pay 4.80 Euros round-trip for the 35-minute Circumvesuviana commuter train ride between Napoli Garibaldi (underground to Napoli Centrale) and the Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri station, across the street from the entrance to the archeological site. Seats on the Circumvesuviana all all non-reserved. Allow at least 15-20 minutes to connect between trains (based on actual arrival time at Napoli Centrale). These commuter trains run every half-hour.

There are two IC train departures out of Roma Termini station which are particularly useful: at 6:27 a.m. and at 7:27 a.m. Travel time to Napoli Centrale is approximately two hours.

The archeological site opens at 8:30 a.m.

On the return trip, there are IC trains from Napoli Centrale back to Roma Termini at 16:30, 17:30, 18:38, 19:30 and 20:30.

You don't need to pay nearly 100 Euros to see Pompei from Rome: it can cost less than half this amount, as this posting bears out. Of course, the primary "trade-off" in using the IC trains is the longer travel time involved: travellers are saving money by spending more time sitting on a train instead of enjoying Pompei. It comes down to a personal decision.

Fares and schedules quoted above are believed to be accurate as of the date of posting, but are not guaranteed to be correct, since they are taken from internet sources which are not always current. Travel times are accurate but not guaranteed to be exact, and are always subject to travel conditions, delays and other unforeseen circumstances. The IC train departures noted above are not necessarily daily. The Trenitalia website should be consulted by inserting the actual travel date. Also, fares, schedules and routings are subject to change and should always be verified prior to start of travel. The foregoing is general information, and should not be relied upon in the absence of individualized travel planning.

www.ferroviedellostato.it (Trenitalia)

www.vesuviana.it (Circumvesuviana)

Hey GAC,

You know I love and respect your detailed and absolutely invaluable public trans contributions here, I REALLY do! You'be been so much help to me in planning for my (hopefully) upcoming trip to Sicily!!

But - I have to relate my personal experience with the IC train from Termini to Naples. I had just arrived at FCO, taken the express to Termini and bought a ticket for the ES. Went out to the track and it was less than 10 min. to my train's departure time. Train was already there and destination was Naples. Fine.

I got on and was completely repulsed. And I am not an overly picky person. The whole compartment smelled like a stadium bathroom at the end of the game is the best description I can think of. The seats were so filthy that the green upholstery was brown everywhere but the middle. Ugh.

As we took off, the windows were down and there was no A/C, but lots of wind. As we made more than one stop and all the passengers were locals, no tourists, I realized I had boarded the wrong train. At the second small station stop, I had to sit there and watch the ES train breeze through the station as it passed us.....

My mistake in my jet lagged condition, but the IC train ended up taking 2.5 hours. It was a very long 2.5 hours, especially when you don't dare go in to use the restroom but need to very badly!

On this trip the AC train wasn't in service, but based on this experience, I would have gladly paid the 88E. I realize that everyone has different priorities and sometimes budget is key. Just needed to share this personal experience so people might know ahead what to expect and can make their decisions accordingly!

Pompeii is amazing and if a day trip is the only way - go for it.

GAC - there are direct trains also to Popmpeii the city itself, right - why not take these direct to Pompeii? Or am i mistaken?

thanks for the great info

Well i'll answer my own question - there are trains to modern Pompeii from Naples Garibaldi station (attached to Centrale) and they take only 35 minutes vs 65-70 on the metro-like (and IME often congested CircumVesuviana) but then you'd have to go about a mile i think from the Pompeii FS station to the ruins. Still i wonder if there is anything in modern Pompeii that may attract folks.

Dayle: are you sure that you boarded an IC train and not a "regionale" train? The reason I ask is because you talk about several stops and at the "second small station stop" ... which leads me to believe that you may have been on the "regionale" train which has only second class and whose seats have green vinyl. Did your train have separate compartments with sliding glass doors (indicative of a traditional IC trains), or open-compartment seating (indicative of a "regionale" train)? You also say that the trip took 2.5 hours, which is about the right amount of time for the "regionale" train.

In any case, I did say in my original posting:

"Many travellers have noted that the IC trains are not as "nice" as the ES and AV trains." In your case, this may have been quite an understatement!

As I re-read my posting, I would also add the following comment:

On the return trip from Naples to Rome, travellers should be aware that some IC trains originating in Sicily or Calabria and passing through Naples may be running late (even very late), compared to their scheduled departure times.
By contrast, the AV trains should all be originating in Naples or in Salerno, which means that they are much less likely to be running late, compared to the IC trains. The ES trains are also likely to be originating in Calabria and passing through Naples to Rome.

GAC,

As usual, I'm sure you are correct! From your description, it sounds like it was a regional train. But the seats weren't vinyl, they were some sort of unidentifiable cloth....

I've used the Circumvesuviana many times and the Metro in Naples, Rome and Milan - no complaints, but Lord help me if I every encounter another trian like that one! I think I'll think I'll pass thank you!

I took an IC train from Termini to Naples at around this time last year, and it worked very well indeed. I don't recall the specifics, but the fare was significantly cheaper than the ES and the ride didn't take much longer. My companion and I had an entire compartment to ourselves and were far more comfortable than we usually are on train rides.

Granted, it was mid-morning on a weekday, and we weren't tired or in a hurry. Your mileage may vary.

I've used the Circumvesuviana many times and the Metro in Naples, Rome and Milan - no complaints, but Lord help me if I every encounter another trian like that one! I think I'll think I'll pass thank you!>

i've been on regional trains in Italy whose carriages seem to date from pre-war times - so i know what you mean, fanshawe

Beware that Pompei is the town and Pompeii is the excavation site....lots of people end up in the wrong station because they don't understand this (see examples above...)

The name of the Circumvesuviana station for the ruins is Pompei Scavi. See this photo:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...mpei_Scavi.jpg

Exactly-- when referring to the excavations in the Town of Pompei the nomencalature is POMPEI SCAVI. When referring to the partly buried Roman town-city (actual excavation) the correct name is POMPEII. Really- what is so difficult to understand...!?

I am sorry, I am getting confused here. When I went to the partly buried Roman town, I got off at the Pompei Scavi station, which is right at the entrance. This is the train and the station that you use to visit the ancient excavated city. Are you saying something different?

POMPEII and POMPEI are one and the same. POMPEII is the Latin spelling and POMPEI is the Italian spelling.

When boarding the Circumvesuviana train in Naples, go must get off at POMPEI SCAVI - VILLA DEI MISTERI.

Do NOT get off at the POMPEI station of the Circumvesuviana.

Do NOT take the Trenitalia train to POMPEI.

Take the Circumvesuviana train to POMPEI SCAVI - VILLA DEI MISTERI. See this photo (which Nikki posted above):

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...mpei_Scavi.jpg

(An afterthought):

When referring to the modern town, one would always write: POMPEI (and not Pompeii).

When referring to the archeological site, one might use the Latin word POMPEII (particularly archeologists or Latin scholars), but Italians (and many others) would say "SCAVI di POMPEI".

In any case, the three train stations noted above are always referred to by their Italian spelling, with the specification "POMPEI SCAVI" to distinguish the Circumvesuviana Station near the main entrance to the site.

For those for whom this information might matter, of the five northbound late afternoon/early evening IC trains from Naples to Rome identified above, all but one originate in the "deep south", as follows:

16:30 departure originates in Palermo; 17:30 departure originates in Naples; 18:38 departure originates in Taranto; 19:30 departure originates in Siracusa; 20:30 departure originates in Reggio Calabria. There is also an ICN northbound train at 21:08 (not mentioned above) which originates in Naples.

Remember that northbound trains originating far south of Naples have a greater likelihood of running late, compared to those which originate in Naples.

With reference to the two early morning southbound IC trains from Rome to Naples identified above, the one departing Rome at 6:27 goes to Taranto; the one departing at 7:27 goes to Palermo.

GAC, glad we agree; Pompei is the town, Pompeii refers to the archaelogical site.

Gac, this information does indeed matter! Thank you very much for posting all this great information.
We will be going to Pompei in Feb and this is exactly the information I need.

It sounds like a very long day, but doable.
Perhaps it would be better to stay overnight for one night. After reading your post, I would think Naples would be the place to stay.

Is there a way of staying in Sorrento and seeing the Amalfi coast from the train?

If you stay overnight in Sorrento, you can take the SITA bus to Amalfi (100 minutes), then another SITA bus to Salerno (75 minutes). A 24-hr. bus ticket costs 7.20 Euros. In Feburary, there will not be any ferry boats or hydrofoils between Sorrento/Positano/Amalfi/Salerno, so the SITA bus would be your only public transportation option. Between Sorrento/Pompei/Naples you can take the Circumvesuviana commuter train.

With the UNICO CAMPANIA 3T tourist ticket (20 Euros, valid for 3 consecutive days), you can lock-up public transportation in the Naples/Pompei/Sorrento/Amalfi Coast areas. You can buy this ticket at the Napoli Centrale train station, as well as in many other locations (newsstands, bars, tobbacconists).

If you also plan to visit Pompeii, consider buying (in lieu of the UNICO CAMPANIA 3T tourist ticket) the Campania Artecard Tutta La Regione-3 days (27 Euros), which gives you all the public transportation coverage, PLUS free entrance to two museums or archeological sites, PLUS a 50% reduction for all additional museums or sites.

www.unicocampania.it

www.artecard.it

Thank for the detailed information.

When you mention the Campania Artecart Tutta La Regione - 3 days, what archeological sites does that cover? What is the admission price to visit Scavi di Pompeii?

GAC, you are amazing! What a wealth of knowledge!
Thank you so much.
If we do stay overnight, does the bus follow the same dramatic road as the cars do? I'm not at all familiar with the area, but do remember years ago, our tour bus driving along a very dramatic road, and I'd like to follow the same route.

Would you like to come to Rome with us???

Admission price to Pompeii is normally 11€ or for 20€ you can get a combo ticket that includes Herculaneum. The 3 day Tutta la Regione is a good deal if you plan to use public transport and visit a couple of sites (it includes more than just archeological sites). It also includes the Sita bus along the coast. Click on Tutta la Regione 3 days at the top of the web page and then scroll down for the list of included sites. You can click on each site listed to get hours and transport info (which bus #, train, tram etc.).
http://www.artecard.it/

Since the difference between Pompeii and Pompei have been explained to me throughout the years by both scholars and locals, I think I will stay with that version...

Kybourbon, thank you so much. I think there is room in my suitcase if you'd like to come along too.

I have so much to decipher and to learn before my visit in Feb.

And yes, kodi, the bus does take the same dramatic road as the cars. Sounds like you might have large suitcases (if you're squeezing in Fodorites!) but no worries, the bus is a typical coach style with plenty of room underneath for luggage. :) ...Joking aside, the only issue might be what to do with that luggage if you get off the bus in one of the coastal towns; if I recall correctly, there might be a checked luggage area at Sorrento but I don't recall seeing one at Amalfi...

We used the Campania Artecard with great success to transit back and forth between Naples and the coast, view Herculaneum and visit the archeological museum.

ggreen, thank you. We are coming from Rome and are only planning one overnight somewhere . Perhaps Sorrento, or Naples. I've got to figure out which is best.
SO we'll be able to get by with out day packs. ( I know , the Fodorites will be really cramped, but what can I do?)

Our priorities will be Pompeii, and the dramatic coast.
I'm not sure we will have time to see Herculaneum.

Ah yes, day packs are much better! (Better renege on those invitations now LOL.)

If you do decide to stay overnight, I would recommend staying in Sorrento. You could follow GAC's recommendations for training from Rome to Pompeii, take the day there, then continue on the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento - just make sure to notify/confirm a hotel with late check-in. Sita buses around the peninsula leave from in front of the Sorrento train station; you'll have a day to enjoy the coast, then follow GAC's instructions to you for Salerno...

When we stayed in Sorrento in April, our hotel was in the city center but not near the train station. Nonetheless, it was only a 15 minute walk through town, and we had a lovely view of the bay.

P.S. I meant to say that I recommend staying in Sorrento for logistics more than anything else - it will maximize your time!

I'd encourage anyone coming down to Campania to download one or two of the useful public transport maps, available here....
http://www.unicocampania.it/index.php?lang=en

This one's particularly handy as it shows the location of all three of the "Pompei" train stations, and where you can catch the buses to Vesuvius...
http://www.unicocampania.it/files/mappe/pompei.pdf

Try the Tourist Information offices, and you may be able to get your hands on the printed versions - they have them in huge pads, as you'll sometimes seen in Rome hotel lobbies!

Peter

And of Pompei, a note for those who'll be here in the near future - the very popular "Lune di Pompei" scheme has been extended again.

The official site is now taking bookings for Saturday evenings through until 20th November, although there are only a very few places left...
http://www.lelunedipompei.com/

The tourist board however are saying it will eventually continue on until 30th December (but skipping Dec 23rd), so watch out for when the extra sessions become available....
http://www.incampania.com/en/focus.cfm?s=6&Info_ID=1685

Peter

I'm not aware of any luggage storage at Sorrento's station. Pompeii (the site, not the station) does have free luggage storage.

What valuable information. Thank you all so much.
We are looking forward to our trip so much, and your advice will make our trip run smoothly.
I will print out this thread.

Another option for a long day trip including the coast would be train from Rome to Salerno (there are a couple of early IC and ES trains that take arrive Salerno between (9:15 and 10:15 and are much cheaper than the AV trains). Catch the Sita bus in Salerno to Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento - stopping to visit the one that interests you. From Sorrento, train to Pompeii Scavi and visit the ruins (open until 5 in winter). Train back to Rome via Naples.

Kybourbon, that sounds great.. I like the idea of going to Salerno first by train, and then working our way back on the SITA bus.
If we decide to split it up into 2 days, would it make the most sense to stay in Sorrento?

I'm not sure I would do the Rome/Salerno route with luggage unless you just have a backpack for the overnight.

Another option, depending on day of week, is the Marozzi bus from Rome to Sorrento. In the winter, they only have an early bus on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It departs Rome Tiburtina station at 7am and arrives Sorrento at 10:45. It also stops in Pompeii (close to the entrance) at 10:00 if you want to visit on your way. Cost is 16.50€ to Pompeii or 17.50€ to Sorrento. The other days of the week there is only an afternoon departure at 3:00.

Good Day Fodorites,

Great info here thanks. Based on all your experiance, would you suggest a "home base" of Naples and "day trips" to Pompeii, Sorrento, Amalfi, Ravello or "home base in Sorrento and day trips to Naples and the other places mentioned above. Which would be the most economic. I am thinking 5 days in the area. Early to mid September 2011. I will use public transportation and could take advantage of the Cumulotillo Pass.

Thanks for the advice.

When the weather's as nice as it should be at that time of year, staying somewhere on the coast would be my recommendation.

Naples is a fascinating place, and most definitely worth at least one day's visit... if not more .... but being outside of the city would make for more of a vacation feel!

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/tele

And if you're here for the first weekend of the month, try to pop over to Ischia, where we'll be celebrating the festa of our patron saint - San Giovan Giuseppe...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/ischfest

Peter

>>>Cumulotillo Pass.<<<

What is this? I've never heard of it and a Google search turns up nothing.

rolohof_duvall, it probably would be good to start a new post requesting this information. This post was about day trips from Rome; a 5 day stay in the area is a different beast entirely IMO.

ggreen, You are right. I thought about that prior to the posting. I didi start a new post.

kybourbon, I made a bad typo. I meant the Campania ArteCard

Peter, Thank you for the links and the festival suggestion. I will give it strong consideration

kodi - I will be very interested in talking with you upon your return. Our travels in March include a day trip to Pompeii.

tC