Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius-DIY

Is it possible to do both Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius while in Naples?

Has anyone done both and could you share "step by step" infomation?!

You can get to both using public transit, although it's not exactly straightforward. Of course the easiest way is the most expensive, by hiring a car and driver.

The easiest way to do it by public transit requires a little backtracking, but it's better this way unless you are familiar with the area.

If the weather is clear I recommend going to Vesuvio first; the weather can change and it's really not much fun up there in clouds, with no view (been there, done that).

Take the Circumvesuviana train to Pompei Scavi. To do this you get the #1 tram from the street in front of the cruise port (be sure it's the #1, more than one line uses this stop) to the Porta Nolana stop (it's the first stop after the tram makes a 90 degree left turn onto Corso Garibaldi).

The current Naples to Sorrento timetable is here: http://www.eavsrl.it/web/sites/default/files/orariautomobilisti/Napoli_Sorrento.pdf

Get off at the Pompei Scavi stop. You'll see local tour operators at the station offering round trip rides to Vesuvio, this is the easiest way. There is also the public EAV bus but it doesn't run all that frequently and you've got to walk about 2/10ths of a mile to the stop. Not far or difficult, if you know where you are or are adventurous, but the local operators are right there and pretty easy.

After climbing the Grand Cone of Vesuvio (info on that here: http://www.parco****onaledelvesuvio.it/pnv/home/download/brochure_ENG.pdf), return to the Pompei Scavi Circumvesuviana station and walk a few steps to the Porta Marina entrance of the ruins.

When you're ready, take the Circumvesuviana back to Naples and the tram back to the cruise port. The return train schedule is here: http://www.eavsrl.it/web/sites/default/files/orariautomobilisti/Sorrento_Napoli.pdf).

Wow!

You are awesome, thanks so much :-)

Happy Holidays!!

Watch out for pickpockets on the infamous "Pickpockets Express" as the Circumvusia Railway is aptly known. A quaint little electric suburban railway linking Napoli Centrale (downstairs for the Circumvusia platforms) . Be sure to alight at POMPEI SCAVI for the ruins, NOT Pompei .

I would personally say that it is a big challenge to try and do both in one day.

I've been to Naples many times (my sister lived there) and we went up Vesuvius and it's a fair way to the top, but so worth it to hear the eerie sounds at the top!

It was sunny when we started I climb, and glad we took coats as it was snow at the top and freezing cold! We had a snow fight ;)

For Pompeii, we spent a whole day there, and still didn't see it all. It is a lot larger than people expect!

If you do manage both, then enjoy! :)

You can get to both using public transit, although it's not exactly straightforward. Of course the easiest way is the most expensive, by hiring a car and driver.

 

The easiest way to do it by public transit requires a little backtracking, but it's better this way unless you are familiar with the area.

 

If the weather is clear I recommend going to Vesuvio first; the weather can change and it's really not much fun up there in clouds, with no view (been there, done that).

 

Take the Circumvesuviana train to Pompei Scavi. To do this you get the #1 tram from the street in front of the cruise port (be sure it's the #1, more than one line uses this stop) to the Porta Nolana stop (it's the first stop after the tram makes a 90 degree left turn onto Corso Garibaldi).

 

The current Naples to Sorrento timetable is here: http://www.eavsrl.it/web/sites/default/files/orariautomobilisti/Napoli_Sorrento.pdf

 

Get off at the Pompei Scavi stop. You'll see local tour operators at the station offering round trip rides to Vesuvio, this is the easiest way. There is also the public EAV bus but it doesn't run all that frequently and you've got to walk about 2/10ths of a mile to the stop. Not far or difficult, if you know where you are or are adventurous, but the local operators are right there and pretty easy.

 

After climbing the Grand Cone of Vesuvio (info on that here: http://www.parco****onaledelvesuvio.it/pnv/home/download/brochure_ENG.pdf), return to the Pompei Scavi Circumvesuviana station and walk a few steps to the Porta Marina entrance of the ruins.

 

When you're ready, take the Circumvesuviana back to Naples and the tram back to the cruise port. The return train schedule is here: http://www.eavsrl.it/web/sites/default/files/orariautomobilisti/Sorrento_Napoli.pdf).

Great info Thanks!

A few questions....At the Porta Nolana stop , what do we do? Is this the train station where we catch the Circumvesuviana? Do we get on the tram with a ticket,token,cash? How much? Same for the train?

How much time should we allot? Can we see Hurculanuem as well?

Steve

I agree with the comment about the difficulty of fitting them into one day. The site is large and is best not rushed.

Obviously it depends on your timetable.

I also warn about certain types who are on the lookout for tourists as easy targets.

Being aware is normally enough.

Naples is an interesting city but has an "underbelly" of undesirables.

Great info Thanks!

 

A few questions....At the Porta Nolana stop , what do we do? Is this the train station where we catch the Circumvesuviana? Do we get on the tram with a ticket,token,cash? How much? Same for the train?

 

How much time should we allot? Can we see Hurculanuem as well?

 

Steve

Yes, Porta Nolana is the train station where you catch the Circumvesuviana. There is a new fare for 2015 (thanks eurocruiser) and the ticket you need is the NA2 - http://unicocampania.it/uploads/test...fario_2015.pdf

You can purchase your tickets on the road in front of the port (via Cristoforo Colombo) at news stand across (east) from Castel Nuovo.

The Circumvesuviana stops at Ercolano Scavi (the stop for the Herculaneum site) but there is no way you will be able to visit Vesuvius, Pompeii, & Herculaneum on one day in port (unless you intend to run through both Herculaneum & Pompeii).

Pompeii is very easy to do on your own. I would recommend downloading Rick Steves walking tour. It was great and I saw lots more than folks on a tour or with just a map.

A lot of sites say to travel from Porta Nolana to Pompei Scavi you need a U3 ticket which costs 2 euro 90 (one way). But I've just accessed the Unico Campania site and it lists 2 types of fares that might be applicable:

1. Hourly (integrato) for 3 euro 20 and

2. Corsa Semplice (Aziendale - which I believe translates as corporate) for 2 euro 60. Can anyone throw some light on the ticket prices for this journey?

As of today, January 1st 2015, there is a new fare structure for UnicoCampania which makes information posted in static sites out of date.

Daily tickets no longer exist, nor do the former bargain weekend daily tickets :(.

The difference between the two tickets (google translate is not your friend in this case, the more common translation of aziendale would be "business") is that the Corsa Semplice (Aziendale), €2.60, only allows one method of transit. In other words, you cannot use this ticket to take the tram to Porta Nolana as well as the train from Porta Nolana to Pompei.

The Biglietto Orario (Integrato), €3.20, allows you to use multiple forms of transit so this is the one you want IF you are going to take a bus or a tram to the train station. It allows you 140 minutes (far more than you need) to complete the journey from the time you validate the ticket.

We had planned on using this company to visit Vesuvius this summer:http://www.busviadelvesuvio.com pickup is near the entrance to Pompeii.

Have been to Pompeii numerous times & had planned to either go there after Vesuvius or Herculano, whichever time permitted.

It was a very cloudy day and so, while on the train, at the last minute, decided to go to Sorrento first. We loved it! Only had a little time left, so did a stop off to see Oplontis on the way back (a villa covered by the volcanic eruption, as well; it is compact)....LOVED it, too! Wish we'd had more time!

I would get as early of a start as possible....on this day especially, time seems to go by really fast....this is one port where the cruise lines would do well to give an extra hour or two! As others have recommended, if your heart is set on both sites, a private driver would be your most efficient option (although for Naples, we have always DIY'd it).

Whatever you choose to do, enjoy Italy!!!

euro cruise, thanks for the precise information. Much appreciated.