Pompeii and Naples day trip from Rome, is my Plan possible
 

Hi guys

I am planning a day trip from Rome to Pompeii and Naples National Archaeological Museum. I know it will be a stretched day, but we are 2 young guys(23 yrs) and we think we may be able to pull it off. Please review the following plan and help me understand if I may be missing any caveats.

- Take Frecciarossa at 7-35AM from Roma Termini. Reach Naples at 8-45AM.
- Take the other train to Pompeii Scavi. I believe we would be able to enter the site by 9-45AM? Am I right?
- Explore Pompeii for about 4-5 hours and leave the site around 2-45 to 3 pm. Is this time too much or too less or appropriate?
- Take the train back to Naples, Then Take the Metro to the National Museum. Expect to enter the museum around 4-15.
- Enjoy the museum for a couple of hours (Only stuff related to Pompeii), Leave the Museum before 6-30 PM
- Reach Da Michele's Pizza from the museum and have a great Napoli Pizza. I hope the waiting should not be much if I reach before 7pm. If the waiting is too much then I could go to Pizzeria Trianon across the street from Da Michelle.
- After the Pizza feast head back to Napoli centrale and take the Intercity Train to Rome at 8-30pm.

Please give me your thoughts about this and also feel free to shout it out loud if you think this is crazy. :-) :-)

Abhinav

Of course it's doable, but whether you will enjoy the day is a different discussion altogether.

4-5 hours at Pompeii is ok, it's easy to send much longer there but you'll see a fair bit in that time frame.

I see a 7:30 train, not a 7:35 train. That 5 minutes may make a difference early in the morning. It's a Eurostar and requires a reservation. I would buy the tickets ahead of time to avoid lines on the morning of travel.

<< Take the other train to Pompeii Scavi >>

It's called the Circumvesuviana. Once you get to Naples Centrale, walk downstairs and buy your ticket. The trains run about every 30 minutes and take 30 minutes.

According to Tickitaly, the site opens at 8:30 from April 1 to October 31.

4 or 5 hours is a good amount of time at Pompeii.

It would be crazy for me but for 23 year olds it seems fine. You can judge when you get tired and leave Pompeii sooner than 4-5 hours.

If you want audio guides you'll need some form of ID. I gave a driver's license. You can also use a copy of your passport

If you're going in the summer bring sunscreen, water, wear sturdy shoes and socks. Hats would be a good idea too - there's not much shade. You might want to grab some snacks before you leave Rome. There is a cafe on the grounds but it's a bit expensive and not always convenient.

I would get the pizza before you get to the museum. The museum is open late enough.

Pizza is really subjective and not everybody likes Da Michele's pizza (or even Neapolitan pizza). One of the problem's with Da Michele (and Sorbillo) is that there are almost always lines now. You can pick up the names of lots of other recommended pizzerie. Don't make a huge deal about eating from just one pizzerie. Lots of pizza shops have typical pies that will give a good taste of what the real deal is.

Some of these are near the train station or the museum

ttp://www.lucianopignataro.it/a/le-quindici-migliori-pizze-margherite-napoletane-cioe-del-mondo-il-gambero-rosso-puo-prendere-appunti/62446/

Definitely bring water, hats and fruit to keep you going.

PS: If you end up leaving Pompei early and get to Naples before 3 then you should go to the museum first, because most of the pizzerie don't open until 4.

Sure, this is doable, as long as every day is not like this. You guys are young. 4-5 hrs is fine for Pompeii. Kick back and relax on the way back to Rome. The city will be lit up when you get back that evening. Plan to roam around a bit and enjoy Rome at night. The city is gorgeous at night. Agree about water and hat. Not much shade at all in Pompeii. Have a great time!

By the way, I think you will enjoy it. You may not get to see everything and if it is hot then don't push it. I didn't see everything my first or even my second trip to Pompei. But I was thrilled by what I saw, and also thrilled by the museum.

Even though you said you are only going to see the Pompei artifacts in the museum, run quick to see the Farnese bull in the museum before you go back to Rome. You have to realize that this statue was originally from Rome. It was in the baths of Caracalla. It's just truly tremendous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farnese_Bull

I was a slow mover even when young, so didn't do it then and couldn't do it now.

However, with your youth and energy, I say go for it. You will be fine.

The only regret I would have would be not seeing the AC when I was so close. Some people find it too touristy, so maybe not a big miss for you anyway.

Like the others stated, it's doable, but rushed.

I'd consider spending the night in Sorrento after your day @ Pompeii. There's a safe bag check @ Pompeii Scavi station, so you wouldn't have to lug the backpack around. Catch Naples on the way back to Rome.

It has been some years ago but we wanted to visit the secret rooms* in the Archeological Museum and had to make a same day reservation. Perhaps that can be done online these days?


*I'm misremembering the name--many of the small statues that looked erotic but were for fertility in general? Help!

You mean the satyr? I'd guess the OP has been to Naples now, it was posted back in April.

Oh darn it. I just let Sorrento know about a dated thread. Thanks Rubicund. There were many s*xy items in the secret rooms...