I'm sorry, I , too, should be starting a new thread, now that I'm thinking of spliting it up into two days.
KyBourbon we will not have luggage. We have a place in Rome and will be leaving our luggage there, and either doing a long day trip, or staying over. Either way, we will only have a daypack.

The other option won't work for us. I think we are unable to go on Fri, Sat or Sun.

Teacher, where else will you be going? Please email me [email protected]

If using the Circumvesuviana, this may be of interest...

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-or-pompei.cfm

Peter

I've stored my luggage at my hotel in Rome and traveled to Sorrento with only a backpack for two nights. We trained down and took the Marozzi bus back, but it departs very early (6am) except on Fri/Sat/Sun (in winter) when there is a 5pm return bus which arrives Rome at 9pm. This bus picks up at Pompeii at 5:45 pm (16.50€)so can be an option for return on weekends (summer schedules will be a bit different). It only makes a couple of stops after Pompeii before getting on the autostrada (doesn't go into Naples).

I think a plan is forming in my head. It's all starting to come together ( I think). SO I have a couple of questions.
Is there a train stop at Herculaneum. We will be at Pompei and will want to stop there on our way to Naples ( where we will catch the train back to Rome.

Also if we buy the Artecard, I understand all transportation is included, and many museums.. but I don't see that Pompei or Herculaneum is covered. Is that correct?

Will we have plenty of time to see Pompei and Herculaneum?

Both Pompeii and Herculaneum (aka Ercolano) are included on the Artecard. The only one that includes transport is the 3 day Tutta la regione. You get two free entrances site entrances (best value would be Pompeii and Herculaneum since they are after that you get a discount. Your problem is going to be picking up your card. You can buy online, but you have to pick it up and it seems you want to use the transport part before you reach a pick up location for the pass.

YOUR CARD CAN BE COLLECTED AT:

1. Museo Capodimonte, open: 9 - 18 / closed on wednesday
2. Museo Archeologico Nazionale, open: 9 -19/ closed on Tuesday
3. InfoPoint Central Station, open: 9 - 18 / every day
4. Libreria Scavi Pompei, open: 9 - 15
5. Scavi di Ercolano, open: 9 - 15 / every day
6. Palazzo Reale di Napoli, open: 9 - 19 / closed on Wednesday
7. Certosa e Museo e di San martino, open: 9 - 18 / closed on Wednesday
8. Castello di Baia, open 9- one hour before sunset/close on Monday

The train stop is Ercolano Scavi for Herculaneum. Last admission time for Pompeii and Herculaneum is 3:30 and they close at 5.

Scroll down to the bottom to see the list of covered sites. You can click each one for hours and transport directions.
http://www.artecard.it/itinerary.cfm?id=13

People who've stayed in Sorrento recently are adamant that the Artecard can also be bought there - which, at the time, was news to me too!

Try Googling the phrase...
"Can the Artecard be purchased in Sorrento?"

Peter

GAC and A_Brit, I know this is a bit unorthodox... but I think you both might be able to help on another thread!

The OP is asking timing logistics for Naples-Vesuvius-Pompeii Scavi-Naples on public transit, especially the post from 5:14pm today:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...i-vesuvius.cfm

Any chance either of you have an answer? Thanks much!

I'd like to add my past post to GAC's excellent thread.
My directions are 6 yrs old so many things have changed esp on the Rome to Naples leg (like the cost ) but I'm sure most of it is still valid regarding the sites. Also there is other latter info added by GAC, Steve_James and others.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...lla-papyri.cfm OR http://tinyurl.com/4k5sorx

The 'Villa of the Papyri' has been closed for a few years now and I'm very certain the Vesuvius Bus no longer also leaves from the Herculaneum Circumvesuviana Station?

I'm certain the Oplontis-Villa Poppea restoration has been completed and the site is completely open?
For the 'Mnesthei Beryllos' graffito at the Villa I'd like to add this photo and a drawn copy of it.
http://tinyurl.com/4cslmvm
http://tinyurl.com/4a2eyzr
Regards, Walter

Perhaps, as it doesn't seem to have had a mention thus far, it's worth saying that the new official website for the state's Vesuvian excavations is excellent.

Here for instance is the section on Oplontis...
http://www.pompeiviva.it/pv/en/oplontis.htm

It doesn't however cover 'private' initiatives, such as this one, undertaken by a Japanese university, near Somma Vesuviana..

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

Peter

Greatly appreciate the information provided here. Thank you !

UPDATE on fares:

Updating my original posting above, train fares on this route have increased slightly. Here are the current fares:

Rome/Naples ROUND TRIP (regular fares):

Frecciarossa/Frecciargento AV train: 90 Euros
Eurostar ES train: 68 Euros
Intercity IC train: 44 Euros
Unreserved "regionale" train: 21 Euros

NOTE: Discounted "MINI" promotional fares are offered on the AV, ES and IC train (NOT on the "regionale" trains) up until 11:59 p.m. of the day PRIOR to scheduled train departure. Note the severe restrictions with the "MINI" fares. No refund if you MISS your reserved train when using a "MINI" fare (by contrast, with the regular fare, you have a ONE HOUR GRACE PERIOD to change your reservation to a later departing train if you miss your scheduled train). With the regular fare, you can also change your reservation to an earlier departing train. Not so with the "MINI" fares.

Circumvesuviana commuter train Naples/Pompei: 5.60 Euros (Fascia U3) (effective April 1).

NOTE: On Saturday or Sunday, you can buy a DAY ticket for the Circumvesuviana train to/from Pompei for only 4.50 Euros.

NOTE: Trenitalia and the Circumvesuviana are DIFFERENT operators!!!

I am not updating train departure times noted in my original posting. Consult the Trenitalia website for current schedules. Enter the day of your planned trip.

www.ferroviedellostato.it (Trenitalia)

www.unicocampania.it (tickets/fares for transport in Campania Region)

www.vesuviana.it (Circumvesuviana commuter rail schedules)

Trenitalia "MINI" fare rules:

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD

Trenitalia rules for regular fare tickets:

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD