The Best Pompeii Tours From Rome: The Top Options!

Pompeii is an impressive archaeological site, located around a 2.5-hour drive from Rome. This ancient city was destroyed in 79 CE after Mount Vesuvius erupted and was buried under a deep layer of ash. As such, Pompeii is incredibly well-preserved and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Although Pompeii is easily accessible from Naples, many people choose to visit Pompeii on a day trip from Rome. It’s a convenient option for those staying in Italy’s capital, especially if you’re short of time.

This guide will take you through the best Pompeii tours from Rome. There are various options to choose from, some of which include other destinations too, so there’s something for everyone!

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Going on a tour of Pompeii

Pompeii is a huge archaeological site that stretches for around 440,000 sq metres (4.7 million sq feet). This ancient city dates back nearly 2,000 years and was a flourishing destination until 79 CE. Unfortunately, the mighty Mount Vesuvius erupted during this year, destroying both Pompeii and the nearby Herculaneum.

Due to the site’s size, you’d need at least 2-3 days to explore every inch of Pompeii. Although nearly two-thirds of this area has been excavated, there’s still approximately 22 hectares (54 acres) covered in debris, which gives you an idea of the sheer size of this ancient city.

Luckily, there are some fantastic Pompeii day trips from Rome where you’ll explore with an expert guide. This will allow you to see the highlights in a short amount of time, so you don’t need to walk around the whole site.

Rome to Pompeii Tour Options

When it comes to Pompeii day tours from Rome there are a few different options:

• Pompeii Tours – If you’re only interested in visiting this archaeological site, then there are plenty of tour options. When planning your Pompeii trip from Rome, make sure you weigh up the different options.

• Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Tours – Some of the best tours of Pompeii also include a visit to Mount Vesuvius. On these tours, you’ll get to visit the Volcano’s crater (sometimes with a local geologist).

• Combination Day Tours – You’ll find that some Pompeii tours from Rome also include other destinations, such as the Amalfi Coast, Positano, or Sorrento. Just be aware that you won’t get as much time in Pompeii.

The Best Pompeii Tours From Rome

1. Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Day Trip with Lunch

⏰ Tour Length: 12 hours

⭐ Rating: 4.6/5

💰 Cost: $$

This Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius tour is a very popular option. The tour starts at around 7:30 am in the capital, where you’ll meet your guide at Piazza del Popolo. This allows you to make the most of your time!

Considering the price, you get a lot for your money. Entrance tickets for both Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius are included, as well as a 3-course lunch in Naples and round-trip transport from Rome. You’ll also get skip-the-line access to Pompeii so you can bypass the queues and head straight in.

Better yet, you’ll have an archaeologist guide who will take you through the site’s history, showing you all the highlights.

2. Pompeii Day Trip from Rome with Mount Vesuvius

⏰ Tour Length: 12-13 hours

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5

💰 Cost: $$

This tour from Rome to Pompeii also includes a visit to Mount Vesuvius (if you select that option). You’ll visit the archaeological site and hike along the volcano’s crater so you’ll have the best of both worlds. There’s also the choice to opt for a more leisurely walking tour of Vesuvius, where you’ll have a geologist with you.

While exploring Pompeii, you can enjoy a professional guide or multi-language audio guide.

Like the previous tour, a 3-course lunch is included, where you’ll enjoy authentic Italian cuisine. Indulge in traditional pizza, an appetizer, and dessert while admiring striking views of the Bay of Naples.

3. Day Trip to Pompeii with Tickets and Pizza Lunch

⏰ Tour Length: 1 day

⭐ Rating: 4.4/5

💰 Cost: $$$

This Pompeii excursion from Rome is another top pick. After taking a scenic drive through the Italian countryside, you’ll enjoy an authentic Neapolitan pizza lunch (with one soft drink included).

Afterwards, you’ll head to Pompeii, where you’ll have skip-the-line access so you can avoid the long queues. You’ll spend around 2 hours exploring this archaeological site before having some free time.

The important thing to remember with this tour is that the itinerary will differ depending on when you visit. Those visiting until the end of October will head through Naples on this bus tour. However, if you’re visiting in November, you’ll have a longer visit to Pompeii instead.

4. From Rome: Round-Trip Transfer to Pompeii and its Ruins

⏰ Tour Length: 1 day

⭐ Rating: 4.4/5

💰 Cost: $$

Unlike other Pompeii tours from Rome, this day trip includes the option for hotel pick-up in Italy’s capital. You’ll then enjoy round-trip transportation to Pompeii in an air-conditioned coach.

This full-day tour departs at approximately 7:30 am so you’re in for an action-packed day. After travelling for around 1.5 hours (and having a service break), you’ll enjoy a tasty Neapolitan pizza for lunch. One soft drink is included but you’ll need to pay for any additional drinks.

This tour includes skip-the-line entrance to Pompeii. You’ll then explore with a local guide or listen to a multi-language audio guide, to learn all about the site’s history.

5. Pompeii Ruins Day Trip from Rome

⏰ Tour Length: 13 hours

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5

💰 Cost: $$

This Pompeii tour from Rome is another great option for those who want to visit this archaeological site. The tour lasts for approximately 13 hours and includes round-trip transport, a skip-the-line entrance ticket, and an authentic lunch.

Audio guides are available in various languages including French, German, Italian, Polish, and Japanese among others. Better yet, this tour is suitable for all ages.

There’s also an option for hotel pick-up in central Rome although this will be more expensive. Alternatively, you’ll meet the group at Viale Luigi Einaudi. Just be aware that hotel drop-off isn’t included. It’s also important to note that this tour isn’t wheelchair accessible.

6. Rome to Pompeii Guided Tour with Wine & Lunch

⏰ Tour Length: 9 hours

⭐ Rating: 5/5

💰 Cost: $$$

Finally, we have this tour, which is a popular option if you’re after a Pompeii day trip from Rome by train.

As you’ll be travelling by high-speed train, you’ll arrive at Pompeii in record time. A skip-the-line entrance ticket is also included, so you’ll really make the most of your day, especially as all the logistics will be sorted for you.

Better yet, you’ll get special insight into ancient Rome and Pompeii as you explore with an archaeologist guide. If that wasn’t enough, this tour offers a farm-to-table light lunch (which also includes wine tasting). Although this tour is more costly than others in this guide, you’ll certainly get a lot for your money!

The Best Combination Tours From Rome

1. Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano Day Trip

⏰ Tour Length: 13 hours

⭐ Rating: 4.6/5

💰 Cost: $$

There are plenty of fantastic day trips to Pompeii from Rome. For those who are short on time in Italy, you can opt for a combination tour like this one, where you’ll visit other destinations.

On this full-day tour, you’ll head to Pompeii with a skip-the-line entrance ticket. After learning about the history of this place, you’ll visit the Amalfi Coast. Get ready to explore the beautiful cliffside village of Positano. On the way back to Rome, you’ll also stop off at Cassino for a short break.

Just be aware that you’ll need to pay for your own food and beverages, including lunch.

2. Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, and Sorrento Day Trip

⏰ Tour Length: 12 hours

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5

💰 Cost: $$

This Pompeii and Amalfi Coast tour is another fantastic option for those staying in Rome. You’ll depart early (around 7:40 am) from Italy’s capital city, and will then enjoy a guided tour of Pompeii. As you’ll be visiting with an archaeologist guide, you’ll learn all about this incredible site.

After spending time in Pompeii, you’ll head along a scenic drive of the Amalfi Coast. You’ll visit the scenic coastal town of Sorrento, where you’ll have a limoncello-tasting experience. This tour also allows you to have some free time in Sorrento, so get ready to explore the town’s picturesque streets.

Just be aware that this tour doesn’t include hotel pick-up and drop-off in Rome.

3. Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano Day Trip from Rome

⏰ Tour Length: 13 hours

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5

💰 Cost: $$

Next up is this Pompeii and Positano day trip! You’ll meet your guide at Piazza del Popolo (Rome) and there are multiple departure times – the earliest is 6:40 am, while the latest is 8:15 am. This gives you a bit more flexibility, although we’d always recommend going for the earliest time!

Upon arriving at Pompeii, you’ll have priority entry and a guide who will teach you all about these complex ruins. After your guided tour (and some free time) in Pompeii, it’s time to drive along the Amalfi Coast.

You’ll then spend 2 hours in the charming cliffside village of Positano before heading back to Rome.

4. Amalfi Coast Day Trip with Guided Tour of Pompeii

⏰ Tour Length: 13 hours

⭐ Rating: 4.7/5

💰 Cost: $$$

This full-day tour will have a maximum of 18 people, so you can enjoy the sites with a small group. You’ll also depart from Italy’s capital early in the morning (the tour starting time is 7:15 am).

Once you reach Pompeii, you’ll spend around 2.5 hours exploring the archaeological site. You’ll then take a scenic drive along the Amalfi Coast which will take approximately an hour.

Afterwards, enjoy some free time in Positano. You can explore picturesque streets, grab some lunch, or visit some of the local shops. Just keep in mind that during the off-season, this tour tends to visit Amalfi or Sorrento instead.

5. Pompeii, Amalfi Coast & Positano Small Group Day Trip from Rome

⏰ Tour Length: 13 hours

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5

💰 Cost: $$$

Finally, here’s another top pick if you’re after a Pompeii tour from Rome with an Amalfi Coast drive. On this Pompeii and Positano tour, you’ll spend around 2.5 hours in the archaeological Park, learning all about this ancient city and the Mount Vesuvius eruption.

Then, it’s time for a drive along the Amalfi Coast, where your experienced driver will tackle hairpin turns. Along the way, you’ll get panoramic vistas of the coastline.

To finish off, you’ll have over 2 hours of free time in Positano before heading back to Rome. The journey back to Italy’s capital city will take approximately 3.5 hours.

How to get to Pompeii

When planning a Pompeii day trip from Rome, you’ve got plenty of tour options. The majority of these tours last between 9-13 hours and all the logistics will be sorted for you!

However, you can also visit independently which is what we did. It all depends on your travel style and what suits you best. When travelling from Italy’s capital independently, you can either take the bus or train.

The coach from Rome takes between 3-3.5 hours and generally departs from Rome Tiburtina Bus Station. We travelled with Flixbus and booked our tickets through BusBud.

Alternatively, you can take the train. There’s no direct service between the two so you’ll first have to catch the train to Naples (we’d recommend the high-speed service). Then you’ll take the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii. If you’re a confident driver, you could always hire a car too!

Our Top Tips For Your Pompeii Day Tour

There are so many incredible Pompeii tours from Rome. To ensure you have a great time, here are some of our top tips:

• When planning a Rome to Pompeii day tour, try to visit on a clear day! From the archaeological site, you’ll get a fantastic view of Mount Vesuvius towering over these ancient ruins.

• A bonus about visiting Pompeii with an expert guide is that you’ll learn so much about the history of this place. Although we had a fantastic time visiting independently, we’d certainly visit with a guide next time.

• Many of these Pompeii tours from Rome include lunch. This will typically be pizza in a local restaurant so you’ll get a real taste of Italy’s cuisine. Check to see if lunch is included before you book.

• You’ll find that some tours won’t include hotel pick-up and drop-off. Instead, you’ll be given a meeting point and you’ll need to be there for a certain time. Just keep that in mind!

• It’s important to note that some tours from Rome to Pompeii aren’t wheelchair accessible. Of course, this isn’t ideal but unfortunately, that’s just the case. Ensure you enquire about this before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pompeii a good day trip from Rome?

Pompeii makes an excellent day trip from Rome, especially for those who are short of time in Italy. You can visit independently by taking a high-speed train or coach, or you can opt for a guided tour.

However, you’ll need an early start to make the most of your day. Trains and coaches generally take between 2-2.5 hours to travel between the two destinations and there’s a lot to see at Pompeii!

Is it worth getting a guided tour of Pompeii?

Although we visited Pompeii independently, going on a guided tour is certainly a good idea. This way, you’ll have an expert guide with you, who can tell you all about the site’s history.

Another bonus of visiting on a guided tour is that all the logistics will be sorted for you. Day tours typically include round-trip transport, your entrance ticket, and an archaeologist guide. Some even include lunch!

How much does it cost to go from Rome to Pompeii?

It all depends on which travel option you choose! Those visiting independently can expect to pay at least £45 per person (more if you opt for the high-speed train). This includes your entrance ticket and round-trip transport.

If you’d prefer to take a guided tour like this Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius day trip, you’re looking to pay around £120 per person. Just make sure you shop around for the best deals!

Can you tour Pompeii by yourself?

You can absolutely explore Pompeii on your own. We visited independently from Rome and had a fantastic time! We took a bus from Italy’s capital and headed to Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii, exploring both at our leisure.

However, if you want to learn more about this UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s certainly beneficial to go on a tour. You’ll have an archaeologist guide with you, so you’ll learn so much more about Pompeii’s history.

Final Thoughts on the best Pompeii tours from Rome

As you can see, there are plenty of action-packed Pompeii tours from Rome. Whether you’re looking to spend all day exploring this archaeological site or you’d prefer to visit other destinations, there’s something for everyone.

We’d recommend checking out a variety of tours and see which one is most suited to you. Just be aware that you’ll be looking to pay at least £120 per person so they aren’t cheap. However, these tours are super convenient for travellers staying in Italy’s capital city.

If you have any questions about these Pompeii tours from Rome please contact us via Instagram, Facebook, or in the comments below!

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