I tried finding info on the net but couldn't - at what time do the ticketing counters at the ruins of Pompeii open? If I leave early tomm morn from Naples - what would be a better itenary a) Go and see Mt. Vesuvius (any idea when the buses start plying) and then to Pompeii or b) Go to Pompeii first and if time permits then to Mt. V?

The official site says it opens at 8:30 am and last admission is at 3:30 pm.

Great, thanks! I guess I will head to Pompeii first then. I heard there are quite some issues wrt bus service to Vesuvius? Is it still true?

Winter hours Nov-March 8:30-5:00 with last admission 3:30.

Summer hours April-Oct 8:30-7:30 with last admission 6:00.

www.pompeiisites.org

Since you are already in Napoli today, it would seem easiest to take the Circumvesuviana train to the Pompeii Scavi stop and get out, walk across the street and you are there. Re: Mt. Vesuvio, there are organized 1/2 day tours from Sorrento that I know about that leave at 8:00 am and only spend a 1/2 day up at Vesuvio, leaving by 12 noon or 1 pm. So if you are leaning towards doing both, might be best to do Vesuvio first, then Pompeii. You can get back by 2-ish and still have almost 3 hours to explore.....

you might to check day before. I have been there twice and both times there was a paper sign on gate saying open today at 10 and one time 9:30 due to meeting. Nothing worse than standing around two hours.