Naples Day Trips: Pompeii, Vesuvius, Capri

One station, four journeys

Almost every classic day trip from Naples leaves from one of two places: Napoli Garibaldi, the lower level of Napoli Centrale, for the Circumvesuviana trains, and Molo Beverello for the island hydrofoils. Know which you need before leaving the hotel.

Herculaneum, the quick one

Ercolano Scavi is about 20 minutes from Napoli Garibaldi on the Circumvesuviana, and a one-way fare is roughly EUR2.60 to EUR3.60. The site is small and extraordinarily well preserved, with upper storeys and wooden beams, and it takes half a day. Entry is EUR16, EUR2 for EU citizens aged 18 to 24, and it opens at 8:30. Until 14 October last entry is 18:00; from 15 October the site closes at 17:00 with last entry at 15:30. Under-18s go free. See the Herculaneum ticket page .

Pompeii, the long one

Pompeii is 25 km from Naples. On the same line towards Sorrento, get off at Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri after about 35 minutes. Daily entry is capped at 20,000 people and each ticket carries a name. The Express ticket is EUR20, Pompeii+ is EUR25 and the 3-day pass is EUR30. Summer hours are 9:00 to 19:00 with last entry at 17:30. Bring water, a hat and sturdy shoes, as there is little shade among the ruins. Buy at the Pompeii official ticket page and ignore anyone near the station offering a faster queue.

Guided tours are common and often combine Pompeii with Vesuvius, so it may help to compare Pompeii and Vesuvius day tours on GetYourGuide .

Vesuvius crater

The Gran Cono trail is sold online only, with timed and named tickets, and there is no ticket window at the summit. The price is EUR10, or EUR8 for under 25s, plus a booking fee. Book at the Vesuvius National Park site via its ticket partner, and read the slot rules: you can enter from 40 minutes before to 100 minutes after your time. October hours are 9:00 to 16:00. The trail is loose cinder, so wear closed shoes.

Capri, Ischia and Procida

Hydrofoils for Capri leave Molo Beverello and cross in about 50 minutes. Fares are about EUR21 to EUR30 each way, with the EUR5 landing fee included from April to October. The Blue Grotto is reported at EUR18 to EUR19 in cash and closes when the sea is rough. Ischia costs about EUR23 to EUR26 by high-speed boat, and Procida is another ferry from the same port. Use Molo Beverello rather than Pozzuoli, as the Pozzuoli port area is still being repaired after the July earthquake.

Reggia di Caserta

The royal palace at Caserta is a direct train from Napoli Centrale, with the entrance about 5 minutes on foot from the station. It is open 8:30 to 19:00 and closed on Tuesdays. The park and royal apartments together cost EUR18, and the apartments alone EUR12.

Practical points

  • Pickpockets work the Circumvesuviana, so keep bags in front.
  • Metro Line 2 between Campi Flegrei and Pozzuoli is shut, with replacement buses roughly every 15 minutes. The area has had earthquakes this year and the volcano alert level is yellow, so a day among the Phlegraean Fields is not an easy option right now.
  • Check strike calendars for the day you travel.

Pick one train trip and one boat trip across a long weekend rather than cramming both. For a full schedule, use the 4-day itinerary .