110 Euros for Guide in Pompeii?

[In Toronto]

I just read on the website of one of the tour operators in Naples that the cost of a guide in Pompeii is 110 Euros. Is that possible? I can't believe that it is that expensive. Anyone tell me how much they paid.

Thanks.

[nparmelee]

That sounds about right. That can be for a group of 10 or so, when you average it out it is very reasonable. How many are in your group? We paid 100 euros for 6 of us almost three years ago and thought it was money well spent.

[thinfool]

I just read on the website of one of the tour operators in Naples that the cost of a guide in Pompeii is 110 Euros. Is that possible? I can't believe that it is that expensive. Anyone tell me how much they paid.

Thanks.

 

 

When we were there on our own in Oct 08, the local guides (with id badges) were asking in the neighborhood of €70. I definitely had the impression that that was their opening price, subject to negotiation. (I rented the audio guide...next time I will hire a live guide)

[CJcruzer]

I believe that's what we paid for our guide - our guide for Amalfi arranged a guide for us - a history professor, and he was fantastic...There were 6 of us and we paid either a total of 100 or 110 Euros...Worth every penny - he made Pompeii come alive for us.

[Cruise Junky]

I just read on the website of one of the tour operators in Naples that the cost of a guide in Pompeii is 110 Euros. Is that possible? I can't believe that it is that expensive. Anyone tell me how much they paid.

Thanks.

 

That is the going price, but as you can see it's meant to be spread between more than 2 people. We didn't have a guide as we were only there for 90 minutes and really just wanted to see Pompeii. But if we were going to be spending more time, a guide would have been great.

[Screwbit]

110 Euros, which as of this morning would be about $143., isn't bad at all. Figure out how long would you have the guide for, and what a private guide offers you in depth and breadth of knowledge, and you'll see it is worth it.

[cruisemom42]

In my experience, guides in European countries tend to charge by the unit of time, not per person. As others have said, that 110 euro charge is meant to be divided amongst several people.

 

Just as a taxi is the same charge whether you have one or three passengers....

 

Also, to be a licensed guide, you have to take a very thorough exam. It seems like most guides I've talked to are college graduates in either history or archeology.

[agabbymama]

I just read on the website of one of the tour operators in Naples that the cost of a guide in Pompeii is 110 Euros. Is that possible? I can't believe that it is that expensive. Anyone tell me how much they paid.

Thanks.

 

As others have posted, yup that's the going rate. You will find tour guides and tour drivers are very expensive in Italy. We had planned to do the hydrofoil to Sorrento (on our own) and the train back to Pompeii, then back to Naples. We were foiled when we got off the ship at 8:00 to find the shuttle to the other pier wouldn't start until 9:00 (the first hydrofoil leaves at 9:00). As we sat discussing what to do next, over comes this persistent little taxi driver. Taxi's weren't interested in losing their spot in line for such a short fare to the other pier. But he talked us into hiring him for the day. The price 200 EUR for 8 hours. While it was expensive, it was one of our best days. He spoke English so would hear us talking or pointing out something, he'd pull over for photos. When we arrived in Pompeii, he was concerned that two little old ladies would lose him, he kept pointing out where we were to meet him in 2 hours. Then the same thing in Sorrento, he escorted us across the busy main street and told us to be sure to return to that spot, as he would be waiting for us. A wonderful lunch in the restaurant he pointed out, then back to Naples and a mini-tour around the city (a little excitement as there was lots of traffic, and bumped into the car in front of us) he apologized, parked and got out to look at the damage, neither car had any damage, friendly handshake, back in the cab, on to the ship by 4:00. He was kind, courteous, funny, and informative.

 

So it's just up to you if you are willing to pay their high prices. We couldn't do it in every port, but the two we did, were excellent.

 

Go to your roll call and see if others want to join a tour. Or if you want to join someone else's tour already started. That's really the way to go. Usually will beat the ship's excursion pricing and it's more personable than a big bus full of folks.

[In Toronto]

Well, it seems that the 110 Euros is pretty much on. I guess that I was not thinking that, of course, we could share with others. Does the guide usually give you about 2 hours and is that enough time for Pompeii?

If we get to Pompeii on our own (train) is it possible to hook up with others at the entrance to share a guide? Anyone done that?

 

MedicMom: Yes, we are on your cruise. I recognize your name also. Will post on our roll call board to "talk" with you. Thanks for contacting.

 

Thanks Everyone.

[Albert Ross]

.......buy a guide book instead........

[texancruzer]

.......buy a guide book instead........

 

This is what I would do.......IF I had a couple of days to explore.

 

The streets are all over the place and not really marked well. Even when you are looking right at some of the ruins you will not know what they are or what they were used for etc etc....

 

Two hours is pretty much what the guides allow for a tour. However, you could spend days in Pompeii and not see it all. But with a good guide you will see the highlights.

 

Yes there are guides at the gate and they try to organize a group of about 8-10. Sometimes you need to wait 30 min-1 hr for a group to form. BE SURE THEY HAVE A LICENSED BADGE !!!! Italy licenses their guides and they will have a badge with their picture on it.

[In Toronto]

I really think that we will hire a guide either on our own or, hopefully, with others. Really looking forward to Pompeii!

[boone2]

We did Pompei on our own, took a bus to the train, train to Pompei and used Rick Steves guide to walk around, it was amazing and cost about 75 e for the day for 3 of us.

Terry

[2Fltravelers]

Well, it seems that the 110 Euros is pretty much on. I guess that I was not thinking that, of course, we could share with others. Does the guide usually give you about 2 hours and is that enough time for Pompeii?

If we get to Pompeii on our own (train) is it possible to hook up with others at the entrance to share a guide? Anyone done that?

 

MedicMom: Yes, we are on your cruise. I recognize your name also. Will post on our roll call board to "talk" with you. Thanks for contacting.

 

Thanks Everyone.

 

We had a private guide when we were there in October for 110 euros. It was shared by 5 couples so it turned out to be quite reasonable. He was a history professor and spent approx. 2.5 hours with us. It was a wonderful time.

[roadster08]

Last November, we hired a badged guide at the entrance for 10 euro each. Had to wait for him to form a group of 10 which took about 15 minutes.

 

I like history and a guide was really helpful. Pompeii streets are not marked well and signs are few and far between. Easy to waste a lot of time finding things.

 

Most of what you see in Pompeii will be the shells of buildings, a few frescoes and a couple of bronze replicas. The good stuff is in the Naples Archeological Museum. Going to Pompeii and not the museum is only getting half the experience so try to do both. A driver will make that easier.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[Rickdabear]

I just read on the website of one of the tour operators in Naples that the cost of a guide in Pompeii is 110 Euros. Is that possible? I can't believe that it is that expensive. Anyone tell me how much they paid.

Thanks.

 

Anything and everything is possible on a cruise. I got a guide for Rostock and Warnemunde last year for $20 USD per person. So the opposite is also true. What I might suggest is you do a few searches for a better price for a guide. Did that include transportation, lunch and everything else?

Da Bear

[texancruzer]

Anything and everything is possible on a cruise. I got a guide for Rostock and Warnemunde last year for $20 USD per person. So the opposite is also true. What I might suggest is you do a few searches for a better price for a guide. Did that include transportation, lunch and everything else?

Da Bear

 

The 100-110 euro prices range is for a guide only in Pompeii. It is the going rate. Even the ones at the gate will wait until they have 10 people or so at 10 euros each. The tours are approximately 2 to 2-1/2 hrs long.

 

In Italy you must be licensed to be a guide. These are the ones who can take you through the sights. Do not get them confused with tour drivers/guides. They can only drive you around from one sight to another but cannot accompany you into them. To be licensed is a big deal.....education, testing etc. is involved. They all have badges and to be sure you are getting a licensed guide - ask to see their badge.

 

For transporatation etc...... it's extra ;)