Naples /Pompeii

[Annesharlie]

We are keen to see Pompeii. Any suggestions as alternatives to the expensive ship tour? 

 

Thanks 

Anne

[cruisemom42]

You can get to Pompeii on your own by bus, by train or by taxi.

 

I have not done the bus but it is probably the easiest method. Bus service is run by SITA, you can pick up the bus at a location that's only about a 10 minute walk from the cruise port. Google SITA bus Naples port to Pompeii to find more info (Cruise Critic search is terrible but if you can manage it you may also find some more detailed posts.)

 

Another option is the old commuter rail line known as the Circumvesuviana line. It runs a line from Naples to Sorrento with stops at both Pompeii ("Pompei Scavi") and Herculaneum ("Ercolano").  The train originates at a station called Porta Nolana. It is about a 30-minute walk or so from the port or you can take a tram from the main road in front of the port. These trains run about every half hour throughout the day in both directions, have no reserved seating and are generally crowded, especially during commuter hours. Again, you can find a lot more info on how to do this by Googling some of the key words.

 

One tip:  Do NOT go to the main train station (called Napoli Centrale/Garibaldi) to get on the Circumvesuviana train. The train will already likely be full. Go to the originating station mentioned above. It's about the same distance from the port BUT you will be getting on the train at its starting point, so you're more likely to get a seat.

 

[lisaatric]

1 hour ago, Annesharlie said:

We are keen to see Pompeii. Any suggestions as alternatives to the expensive ship tour? 

 

Thanks 

Anne

Pompeii is very close to the port. It was less than 1/2 hour by bus. Not sure how expensive a cab would be. It was the one site I felt there was tremendous value in a guided tour. There is a lot to see/learn!  I’m sure there are self guided options though…. Don’t miss it!  😊

[euro cruiser]

On your own I find the SITA bus (public bus) the easiest and most comfortable option for getting from the cruise port to Pompei and back.

 

The SITA bus depot is located at Piazza Immacolatella, 600 meters/four-tenths of a mile on foot from the cruise port.  There is a ticket office there where you can purchase your bus tickets (I would buy both the outbound and the return in the morning to make things easier).  The ticket is called NA3 Aziendale and it costs 3 euro.  Once on the bus you stamp it in the machine to validate it.

 

The bus ride takes about a half hour.  The stop you want is Pompei Scavi, the second one listed on this schedule (but not actually the second stop, there are intermediate stops not listed on the schedule):  SITA Naples-Pompei schedule

 

As you'll see, from Naples to Pompei is the bottom half of the page, the return schedule is at the top.

 

Information on guided tours at Pompei:  Guided tours - Pompeii Sites

Edited March 19, 2023 by euro cruiser

[euro cruiser]

Another option that some folks are more comfortable with is the City Sightseeing shuttle bus.  It's more expensive and it limits the amount of time you have at Pompei, but it's an option.

 

Audioguide in 5 languages (city-sightseeing.it)

 

The meeting point for this shuttle bus on the other side of the castle you're facing at the cruise port (Castel Nuovo), it's about 750 meters/one half mile from the cruise port on foot.

 

Note that you can pay more for a guided tour with City Sightseeing, or you can join a tour on your own at the ruins (less costly).

Edited March 19, 2023 by euro cruiser

[Annesharlie]

3 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

You can get to Pompeii on your own by bus, by train or by taxi.

 

I have not done the bus but it is probably the easiest method. Bus service is run by SITA, you can pick up the bus at a location that's only about a 10 minute walk from the cruise port. Google SITA bus Naples port to Pompeii to find more info (Cruise Critic search is terrible but if you can manage it you may also find some more detailed posts.)

 

Another option is the old commuter rail line known as the Circumvesuviana line. It runs a line from Naples to Sorrento with stops at both Pompeii ("Pompei Scavi") and Herculaneum ("Ercolano").  The train originates at a station called Porta Nolana. It is about a 30-minute walk or so from the port or you can take a tram from the main road in front of the port. These trains run about every half hour throughout the day in both directions, have no reserved seating and are generally crowded, especially during commuter hours. Again, you can find a lot more info on how to do this by Googling some of the key words.

 

One tip:  Do NOT go to the main train station (called Napoli Centrale/Garibaldi) to get on the Circumvesuviana train. The train will already likely be full. Go to the originating station mentioned above. It's about the same distance from the port BUT you will be getting on the train at its starting point, so you're more likely to get a seat.

 

Thanks so much for your kind advice! 

[PurpleTraveller]

Just a note to consider if you are in Naples on a weekend and are thinking about going by the Circumvesuviana train. A few years ago we were in Naples on a Sunday and got on the train at the starting point at Porta Nolana station and got a seat easily. When we got to the main station Napoli Centrale, hoards of people got on board the train who were going to the beach. It became the most crowded and uncomfortable train I have ever been on in my life, including the London tube in rush hour. When we were approaching the station for Herculaneum, where we were going, it took us ages to manage to make our way to the train door so we could get off, all the time worrying about pickpockets. Fortunately we had a wonderful time at Herculaneum and for our return trip the train wasn't at all crowded but never again on a weekend!