August 2015

Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius is a super easy day trip from Rome. And they are both an absolute must for anyone’s trip to Italy. I knew we had to do this but information on both is a little hard to come by and contradictory most of the time. So here is a rundown of our day.

Getting there:

You can easily take the train from Rome. By easily I mean, pretty easily. You will have to change trains, and the second part is a regional so there isn’t much online about it. First take the train from Rome to Naples (Roma Termini to Stanzione di Napoli Centrale). This can be booked day of or online on Trenitalia’s website. The price did not appear to be much different. This is where it gets a little confusing. You need to find the train to Pompeii. This isn’t actually difficult but all the online forums will make is sound like it is. The regional train is called the Circumvesuviana and it leaves from a lower platform of the station called Garibaldi Station. It is the SAME station as Napoli Centrale and there are LOTS of signs. So don’t worry.

You will need to buy your tickets with CASH from a window (no machines). Just ask for Pompeii Station (this is another point of confusion reading articles. Pompeii Scavi (Pompeii station) is the one you want). This train will make you nostalgic for the very comfortable, clean train you just go to Naples on. This one will have plastic seat that will probably be full, so you will be standing. There will be graffiti. But you will make it!

Mt Vesuvius:

We did the mountain first. While I very much liked it this way, I am not sure that it matters. Our problem was our complete lack of faith in salesman at this point in our trip. When you depart the train there will be tours to Mt Vesuvius RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU. They will look gaudy and expensive and if you are like me, you will think “no, I can get there on my own”. And that may be true, but we never found it. After wandering around and trying to find a local bus for an hour the insistent salesman that kept “nagging” me begged to help. So I listened. Turns out there is ONE company that will take you to the top. To get to that company, you have options (like taking a local bus) but however it goes, you will be paying them. So we forked over the CASH (not card) and got on the bus.

Everything went smooth from there on out. We took the crowded bus up to a second location and boarded the ridiculous mountaineer buses! Seriously, look at the photo! Then it was a fun, bumpy, slightly car sick ride to the top. Ish. You will still have a bit of a hike ahead of you.

The hike is a bit steep but an easy grade, just take your time. But not too much time. Whatever time the driver of the bus gave you, get back 15 minutes early. We did this and had no problem, many others have written about being left behind.

There is a little shop on top, they even have wine. Enjoy a glass of wine while staring into the volcano and attempting to imagine the lava pouring down the side. Attempt to find the little city of Pompeii below and thank goodness for being here, now. Then quickly head back down to catch the giant wheeled bus back down.

Lunch:

There are a couple stands and open air restaurants right off the bus. They are a little spendy, but so is everything else nearby. If you want more variety, head down the hill (you will see it) and there are a lot more options and more stands for souvenirs. The prices aren’t any better though. You will need CASH.

Pompeii:

The entrance to the old city is just down the street from where the bus drops you (or train, same spot), you can’t miss it. There will be stickers in several windows showing multiple credit card symbols, none of these actually take a card, bring CASH. Then enter the city. Plan to spend a couple of hours exploring. It is an amazing place!

Getting Back:

When done, head back to the train stations to get your tickets back to Naples (remember, Garibaldi Station). You will need…CASH. Once back at the station make your way back up top and get your tickets to Rome (Roma Termini). I suggest buying these tickets after so you can just explore and not worry about a timeline to return.

Overall a trip to Pompeii and Vesuvius is extremely worth it. But it does have a poor country feel to it so just don’t expect the level of progress the rest of the country has made. Trust the tourist salesman when you arrive, he is actually very nice and helpful. You may also have noticed one other trend. You will need CASH for EVERYTHING. While places advertised taking a credit card. No one actually did.