Naples to Pompeii by Train - How to Reach Pompeii by Circumvesuviana Train

"Naples to Pompeii - taking a train to the lost city of Pompeii in the shade of Vesuvius Volcano is the cheapest way of getting to this museum in the open..."

If you would like to learn about other ways of getting from Naples to Pompeii, jump to our article Visiting Pompeii.

Taking a train to Pompeii is definitely the cheapest way of getting there from your cruise ship terminal in Naples. The same applies for visiting its sister town of Herculaneum by rail.

Pompeii and Vesuvius in the back on an April morning

That is why we often get questions like:

how to get from Naples to Pompeii by train on your own?
How to use the local train?
How long does it take to get from Naples to Pompeii?
How to get to the train station in Naples?
What is the train ride duration time?
What is the distance and the cost?

We will answer your questions in this mini Pompeii travel guide.

Timewise, getting from the Naples train station to the Pompeii excavation site will come about the same as with the excursion bus, a taxi or by car...crazy Italian traffic is often not in favor of those who decide to use road transport and think the drive time will be shorter.

So, how to go about getting from Naples to Pompeii by train?

Before we start with directions, keep in mind we do suggest you are one of the first people on the gangway as your cruise ship docks that morning.

For a couple of reasons:

1) you want to beat all the ships' shore excursion

2) try to see the lost city of Pompeii before it gets too hot and too dusty.

Another reason would be because you are very likely to combine visiting Pompeii with some other attractive destination in the Bay of Naples like Sorrento or even Capri.

Unless you are an avid history scholar or an archaeologist, on that day you will want to add something else to looking at Pompeii ruins.

After all, this is the area of La Dolce Vita, pure pleasures of life Italians are so famous for. Don't miss it! You can read about your options in our article A cruiser's day at the lost city of Pompeii.

Step by step instructions for getting from Naples harbour to Pompeii by train

You will see Castel Nuovo as you walk towards the road with Stazione Maritima behind your back

As you walk through the big Naples cruise terminal building you will find yourself at the parking lot that connects the cruise dock area with road that runs along the Naples coastline. The city of Naples is practically just across the road.

As you step into the parking lot, you will be surrendered by the local taxi drivers looking to take you for a day trip to Sorrento Italy, Pompeii, Amalfi or Positano.

If you are looking for a taxi to take you to the Naples train station you won't find one here. These taxis are only interested in taking you for private tours to Sorrento and Amalfi. They will be interested in taking you to Pompeii, and if you are considering this option, rather take one of the trusted Viator tours/shuttle options:

What you will want to do is walk for 2-4 minutes until you reach the main road on the other side of the parking lot and catch one of the regular taxis often parked in line there.

How to reach Naples train station from the cruise dock?

If you're in a hurry to catch an early train, taking a taxi to the train station is a good idea. It will cost you approx. €10.

Tell the taxi driver to take you to Piazza Garibaldi Train station.

This little station is attached to the Naples Centrale Station but it's accessed through a different entrance.

Napoli Itali Piazza garibaldi train station display

To check for departure times to Pompeii Scavi, check the website that covers the Circumvesuviana trains' timetables in Campania.

For the departure locality (Da) choose Napoli Garibaldi (Stazione Centrale) and for the arrival locality (A) Pompeii Scavi.

The Piazza Garibaldi Train station entrance will take you directly to the tracks that serve the Circumvesuviana train linking Naples, Pompeii and Sorrento, the one you need to take if you want to get to Pompeii Scavi- Villa Misteri station in Pompeii, the one right across the street from the entrance to the archaeological site of Pompeii.

If you, by mistake enter the Naples Centrale Station through its main entrance, you will need to go take the escalator to the basement of the building, and walk for about five minutes until you reach the Circumvesuviana train tracks,at the very end of the long underground shopping passage. There are no signs along the way so it can get a bit confusing. You will recognize it by typical Pompeii red painted walls.

You don't want to waste your time taking one of the Trenitalia trains which stop at the station on the other side of Pompeii. It happened to us the first time we went to Pompeii and we had to walk through the town for about 20 minutes until we found the entrance to the excavation site.

If you don't want to spend money on a taxi to get you from the Naples cruise terminal to the train station you have two other options:

pompeii train timetables, naples train station, napoli centrale

Naples to Pompeii - Walking to the train station: not recommended at all. The part of Naples you would be walking through is a bit shady, if wouldn't be a very relaxed walk. If you really wanted to brave it, with a cruise terminal building behind you, you would turn right and walk along the main road with the sea to your right for about 15 minutes. Then you would turn left from the waterfront into the Corso Arnaldo Lucci and walk another 15 min until you reached the Piazza Garibaldi train station entrance on your right hand side.

Naples to Pompeii - Taking a tram or a local bus to the train station: on the main road, in front of the cruise terminal building, there is both a tram and a local bus stop. Take either one's number 1 to be dropped off at the Piazza Garibaldi train station in approx. 5-10 minutes.

In the basement of Piazza Garibaldi Naples train station, you will buy your Circumvesuviana line ticket to Pompeii. You will see 3 or 4 ticket booths painted in signature Pompeii red.

The ticket fee is €3.60 for a one-way ticket per person.

To get from Naples to Pompeii or Herculaneum, check the departure board for trains to Sorrento (Pompeii Scavi-Villa Misteri and Herculaneum/Ercolano are one of the stops on the way to Sorrento) and go to the indicated track/binnario.

Getting down to the binario to Pompeii

Trains leave at:

7:41/8:13/ 08:41/09:11/09:41/10:11/10:41/11:11/11:41/12:11

However, for the most up-to-date Circumvesuviana timetable schedules check here.

It takes about 17 mins. to reach Hercualneum/Ercolano and about 35 mins. to reach the Pompeii Scavi stop.

The train rides from Naples to Pompeii are not very enjoyable we have to say. Trains can be full of commuters or local students, the chairs are hard wood and not very comfortable to sit on, they are not air-conditioned and you can often be boterhed by the local gypsies begging for money. So do not leave your valuables lying around!

First glimpses of Vesuvio from the train

Luckily, the ride from Naples to Pompeii is not very long and you will be entertained with a grat view of the Vesuvius volcano on your left hand side and the Bay of Naples on the right.

As you get off the train at Pompeii Scavi, you will be only about 50 metres (164 feet) away from he entrance to the archaeological site. There will be a few restaurants/cafes along the way there where you can have your first morning espresso or freshen up with some lemon granita! The food is quite pricey here so you would be better off planning your lunch somewhere else.

Now if you think all of this might sound a bit too complex to think about on your vacation, I hear you.

That's why I have researched our trusted tour/shore excursions partner, Viator, for the best options on getting you from Naples to Pompeii.

Should I book a guided tour to Pompeii?

Although it is possible to do it all on your own, when you think about it, Pompeii, being one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, deserves to be seen in the guidance of a certified local tour guide.

So, if you want to be assured of getting the most out of your visit, I would definitely say: yes, go ahead and book it.

How do I know what Pompeii tour to take?

Well, there are many on offer but for someone who has never been in the area, it may be difficult to decide. That is why I have done all the footwork for you.

I have found this shore excursion which has a whooping 4 1/2 star rating on Viator, has very affordable pricing and has great cancellation/money back policy.

It is the Naples Shore Excursion: Pompeii Half-day Trip from Naples.

What else do I get for my money if I book this tour?

Here's a list of why so many people love it:

It is relatively quick but comprehensive (3 hours only), so it gives you time to do something else in the Bay of Naples or Naples itself on that day
It gives you free port pick-up and drop-off (there will be a driver waiting for you, holding a sign)
it is fully narrated all the way through
all entrance fees are included!!! (yes, the entrance to the Pompeii site itself!)
it leaves at 9:45, which means you'll be back by lunch time, either on the ship or in one of the Naples famous pizza places (don't miss Da Michele's!)
it is fully refunded in case your ship misses the port
in case something goes wrong and you miss the ship, they would pay the cost of your transportation to the next port (it never happens though)

But don't take my word for it, see what some of the cruisers who have already experienced this tour say about it:

"Perfect excursion for seeing and experience Pompeii during a cruise stop. The tour through Pompeii was GREAT. Out guide provided a wealth of information on the history of Pompeii..."

Michael S., the USA

***

'Absolutely FANTASTIC! Francesca was great, very knowledgeable and fun to be with. It was enjoyable and pleasant experience.'

Tzini

***

'I talked to other people who had toured with Viator and they were all very happy with the guides who conducted them. Viator had been a last minute idea and I wish we had investigated them for more of the places to which we journeyed. They will definitely be my first choice next time.'

David C., the USA

How do I book?

First of all, I have to tell you, book as soon as you know you will be visiting Naples. With 2-3 ships in the port on the same day, this tour sells out quickly, although it isn't a private tour.

Now, click on the image below and it will take you straight to Naples Shore Excursion: Pompeii Half-day Trip from Naples.

Pompeii theatre is often part of Viator shore excursions

After you have booked you will receive a confirmation. They accept both the paper or electronic vouchers once you get there.

What other options do I have visiting Pompeii?

If you want to go even further and really make the most of your day in the Bay of Naples while seeing Pompeii too, here are some attractive tours offered by Viator but they start in Pompeii, not at the Stazione Marittima cruise terminal: