Pompeii in a nutshell
Pompeii is a Roman city near Naples that was destroyed in the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. The excavation and the modern town of Pompei are two different places. The UNESCO site also includes Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata, but there is no shared ticket for all of them.
Most visitors choose between three things: a ticket on its own, a small-group tour with an archaeologist, or a day trip with transport from Naples, Rome or Sorrento. This guide covers all three, plus the villa outside the walls, Herculaneum, getting there and where to stay. Prices are in euros as of 2026 and they change.
Our picks: Pompeii tours and tickets
For most visitors the two-hour tour with an archaeologist and the Express ticket is the simplest start. Take the audio-guide ticket if you would rather walk alone, or a day trip from Naples or Rome if you want transport and entry in one booking.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Pompeii day trip from Rome by coach
- Coach from Rome
- Fast-track entry
- English-speaking guide
An air-conditioned coach from Rome with fast-track entry and a licensed English-speaking guide in Pompeii. Lunch and a guided hike to the Vesuvius crater are options you choose when booking.
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Pompeii half-day trip from Naples with a guide
- Return bus from Naples
- Fast-track entry
- 2-hour guided tour
Return bus from Naples, fast-track entry and a two-hour tour with a licensed archaeology expert. The trip also includes a demonstration at a cameo factory.
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Pompeii entry ticket with audio guide
- Express or Plus option
- Digital audio guide
- Audio in five languages
A reserved entry ticket and an audio guide, no live guide. When you book, pick Pompei Express for the ancient city or Pompei+ for the extra villas.
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Pompeii small-group tour, 2 or 3 hours
- Express entry ticket
- Archaeologist-led tour
- Explore on your own after
An archaeologist leads you for two or three hours, then you can keep exploring on your own. The Express ticket covers the ancient city only, not the suburban villas.
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Two-hour Pompeii tour with an archaeologist
- Pompei Express entry
- Archaeologist guide
- Small group
A small-group tour led by an archaeologist, with the Pompei Express ticket included. Express covers the ancient city, not the suburban villas.
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Pompeii tour with a licensed archaeology guide
- Pompei Express entry
- Licensed guide
- Up to 20 people
A licensed guide with an archaeology background leads up to 20 people, and the Pompei Express ticket is included. Headsets are used in groups of 16 or more.
Check availability →Pompeii tours, tickets and day trips
Entry tickets with audio guide, small-group tours with an archaeologist, and day trips from Naples, Rome and Sorrento, with live prices and availability.
Which way to see Pompeii
The offers fall into a few clear types. Each one includes different things.
Entry ticket only
You pay for admission and walk on your own, with or without an audio guide. A ticket with an audio guide is not a guided tour. Pompeii tickets →
Small-group tour with an archaeologist
Usually 2 or 3 hours inside the ruins, with the Pompei Express ticket included in many offers. You get to the gate yourself. Guided tours →
Day trip with transport
Bus or train from Naples, Rome or Sorrento, with entry and a guide in many offers. Rome and Sorrento days are long. Compare tour types →
Pompeii and Herculaneum
Two separate parks with their own tickets and hours. A Pompeii ticket does not include Herculaneum. Both sites in a day →
Plan your visit
Start with tickets or tours, then pick the pages you need.
Pompeii tickets
Express and Plus, named tickets, the daily limit and where the park sells them.
Pompeii tours
Guided visits and day trips, by type and starting point.
Guided tour with an archaeologist
Small groups, 2 to 3 hours, and what the ticket covers.
Pompeii from Naples
Tours with transport, and the Circumvesuviana option.
Pompeii from Rome
Coach or fast train, and how long the day is.
Pompeii from Sorrento
Train-based tours and the way from the Amalfi Coast.
Pompeii and Herculaneum
Two parks in one day, with their own tickets.
Herculaneum in Ercolano
Entry price, hours and how it differs from Pompeii.
Villa of the Mysteries
The fresco villa outside the city and the ticket it needs.
The ruins, the story and the practical pages
The ruins of Pompeii
Forum, houses, amphitheatre and the museum, and what is open.
The eruption of 79 AD
The city, the eruption and why the exact date is debated.
Pompeii and Vesuvius
How the volcano fits into a visit, the separate crater ticket and combination tours.
Oplontis, Stabiae and Boscoreale
Roman villas near Pompeii with their own opening days.
Visiting tips
Entry rules, bag size, hours and what to wear.
Getting to Pompeii
Circumvesuviana, bus, car and the airport.
Best time to visit
Summer and winter hours, and how to plan around heat.
Where to stay
Pompei town, Naples or Sorrento: which base suits you.
A few things to know before you go
Two ticket types
Pompei Express (EUR 20) covers the ancient city without the suburban villas. Pompei Plus (EUR 25) adds the named villas, Villa Regina and the shuttle. A ticket for the city alone does not guarantee the Villa of the Mysteries.
Named tickets, one entry
Tickets are personalised and the park sets a daily limit of 20,000 people. In summer, entry is spread over time slots. Each ticket allows one entry, so you cannot leave and come back.
Hours
Summer runs 16 March to 14 October, 09:00 to 19:00, last entry 17:30. Winter runs 15 October to 15 March, 09:00 to 17:00, last entry 15:30. Herculaneum keeps its own hours.
Amphitheatre and houses
The amphitheatre can currently be viewed from the south entrance only. Houses open on changing days, so a plan for one house should not depend on it being open.
Bags
Bags are limited to 30 x 30 x 15 cm. Larger items go to the left-luggage area.
Herculaneum and Vesuvius
Herculaneum has its own ticket and its own hours. The Vesuvius crater needs a separate ticket as well.
Naples has a second layer of history underground. If you have a free day, Naples underground and the finds in the Archaeological Museum are a good complement. For a day on the island, see Capri.
Pompeii: frequently asked questions
Is this the official Pompeii website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and it does not sell park tickets. The park names its own authorised online sale and ticket offices at the Porta Marina, Piazza Esedra and Piazza Anfiteatro entrances.
How much is a Pompeii ticket in 2026?
Pompei Express costs EUR 20 and Pompei Plus costs EUR 25 (valid from 12 January 2026). Express covers the ancient city without the suburban villas. Check the current table before you buy.
Can I visit Pompeii and Herculaneum with one ticket?
No. They are two separate archaeological parks. A Pompeii Express or Plus ticket does not include Herculaneum. Combination tours have to name both entries.
Can I go inside the amphitheatre?
At the moment it can only be viewed from the south entrance. Do not plan on free access inside.
Is a guided tour better than an audio guide?
They are different services. A tour gives you a person who leads the walk, often for 2 or 3 hours. An audio guide plays commentary while you walk on your own. See the guided tour page.
Does a day trip from Rome leave enough time?
Rome days are long, in some cases 9 to 12 hours with the journey. Compare the options on the Rome page before you book.