Rome - Day trip to naples/Pompeii

<p>Hi everyone,<br>

I'm planning to visit Italy next week (leaving 26/27th Dec) for 4, maybe 5 days. I'll be spending most of my time in Rome, already got some nice ideas where to visit off the forums. I don't drive. :-/ I do hope however, to do a day trip down to Naples, I specifically want to visit Pompeii. I would like to gleam from past travellers, if it's difficult to get to Pompeii as a day trip from Rome.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Alvin</p>

<p>Take the train from Rome to Naples. In Naples, take the Sorrento train and get off at Pompeii Scavi (not the other Pompeii stop.) It's a short walk to the entrance. You don't want to drive anyway, driving in Naples is insane. The ride is about 2.5 hours, although that depends on connections.</p>

<p>Have a great time at Pompeii. I was disheartened to learn of the collapse of one wall last week. You might also want to take the walk up Mt. Vesuvius, if it is open. No matter the weather at ground level, have a jacket or sweater; the temperature near the rim can be 25-30 degrees cooler than at the base, especially if it is shrouded in clouds.</p>

<p>If you want a shorter trip and less crowds, Ostia Antica is another possibility. I actually enjoyed it a bit more as we were free to explore.</p>

<p>I've done this countless times. Even easier without a car.<br /><br />Check train timetable here:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2aaeb5fac465a110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD">http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2aaeb5fac465a110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD</a><br>

<br />Notice that there is more than one station in Naples. You want the C.LE (Centrale) for an easy switch to the Circumvesuviana (Pompeii Scavi):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.vesuviana.it/web/en">http://www.vesuviana.it/web/en</a><br>

<br />All bags in front of you, padlocked, nothing in outside jacket/shirt pockets, head on a swivel--and you'll come back with nothing but good memories. Ciao!</p>

<p>Hi Alvin:<br>

As an alternative to the trains, there are several tour companies, based near the central train station in Rome, that offer daytrips to Pompei by bus. It's more expensive than the train, but very convenient. The tour we took included lunch and a local guide at Pompei. Most hotels will have brochures from these tour companies.<br>

Rome is great, you'll enjoy it.<br>

regards<br>

Santo</p>

<p>Hi everyone! Thanks for the responses. They are very useful!</p>

<p>@Jesse: Ostia Antica is definitely on my list of places to visit - thanks for the tip!</p>

<p>Cheers all! Can't wait to go :)</p>

<p>Alvin</p>

<p>I made the trip by train as a day trip the first time I was in Rome. Not too difficult. Just check the train times. (IIRC the earliest Naples trains are not Eurostars so I'm not sure when the best departure is, but they have a web site with an English option that will plan the trip with the connections and everything.)</p>

<p>Although this may be difficult to squeeze into a single day, pls note that all of the interesting findings from Pompeii (including the casts of the corpses of the infortunate inhabitants) are not exhibited in Pompeii itself but rather in Neaples at the Museo Nazionale. If you decide to try and include even the museum, then by all means take the suggestion above and book a bus trip from a travel agency in Rome. Otherwise you would lose much too much time on the connections.</p>

<p>Hi everyone!<br>

I came back from Rome on the 31st, still processing all my photos, gods, Rome is an amazing place! I decided when I was there that I would visit Naples/Pompeii on another trip as there were just too many things to see in Rome.</p>

<p>@Andrew and Ezio: Thanks for the tips! I will definitely look back to this thread when I plan a trip specifically for Naples/Pompeii.</p>

<p>Cheers!</p>

<p>Alvin</p>