Is a guided tour around Vesuvius and Pompeii really necessary?

Question

.. secondly, what is the best way to travel between Naples centre and Vesuvius? Taxi? Comfortable bus?

Thirdly, I would prob visit Vesuvios first, then Pompeii.. How do you travel between Pompeii and Vesuvius? Is there a bus service or something?

Forthly.. returning back to Vesuvios... local buses or something (again)?

Thanks!

Answer 1

really, your options depend on what you are comfortable with & they don't require much planning. the area is waiting for your tourist dollar no matter how you want to spend it.   there is a long line of taxis ready to go up vesuvius.  when you get to pompeii you can opt for tour or not.  as someone said, the circumvisa train goes often & all around the area w/ stops nearby other lesser known but interesting villas  whereyou can stop off.  herculeum is also a must....smaller than pompeii & somewhat better preserved....the museum in naples actually has a lot of artifacts, mosiacs, frescos that have been removed from pompeii...you can go in whatever order you want as time & energy permit.  also, your hotel can make recommendations....this trip is easy!!!

Answer 2

From Naples Station in Piazza Garibaldi you can get the Circumvesuviano train which will take you to the Marina Gate of Pompeii, about 100 yards from the main site entrance.  A day ticket is about 4-5 Euros.  A guidebook will show you around perfectly well (but do take the time to read it first - the site is huge and you will probably need to pick and choose what you see).  There are many guides (official or not) around the site who are happy to explain what you are looking at (but may hold out for a few Euros afterwards!).  We hooked up with a brilliant security guard called Antonio (usually is near the gladiatorial school) who speaks marvellous Englisha nd is very knowledgable.

Vesuvius is a bit harder to get to - we took the train to Ercolano and went to the coach tour HQ right outside the station (got a loads of flags outside - look left as you come out of the station).  They wait until there are a few of you and take you up en masse for about 15 Euros.  The bus will take you halfway up and then you have to walk which is a longish and quite steep path.  There are drivers on the way who will give you a lift if you are lucky, but do be careful!  The driver from the tour company will usually tell you some local history - Spartacus camped out in the crater for a while.

Vesuvius can be done in a day (although do make sure you go on a clear day cause if it's cloudy it's very cold and you can't see a thing!).  Pompeii could take you all weekend, expecially if you get the two-site ticket and see Herculaneum as well.  

I really envy you  - have been several times and can't wait to go back!  If you stay in Naples, try Antonio & Antonio near the Castell dell'ovo near the Marina - fabulous spaghetti con vongole.

Answer 3

yes transport laid on and Vesuvius is OK but don't miss Pompeii and there is a nice little fishing town/villiage Castle la mar you might like

Answer 4

no need for a guided tour, just pick up guidebook for Pompeii. Vesuvius is just there, who needs a guide. There are buses, but the distance is not great and you might as well do it by taxi.

Answer 5

i've been, and i thought that the tour was great, cuz i saw things that i wouldnt have a clue of what they were unless the guide told us what it was. secondly, a bus is better. thirdly, you can shell out money to get a bus, or you can walk, and forthly, there is the same choice of paying for a bus or walking

Answer 6

Actually, Herculaneum is a better preserved site from the volcanic eruption. There is a National Geographic magazine from years ago that covers very well everything about explaining the site. Our tour guide actually used that magazine as his reference! I am guessing that you can look up what year and issue and probably get it at the library to read.

We have only rented a car in Italy and that makes it easy to get around.

Naples is not a safe city at night so perhaps a guided tour from there might be better.

Answer 7

Most certainly! I nearly tripped and fell in!

Answer 8

we just returned from Pompeii and their are several options for tours. I'd take at least one of the shorter tours to see the highlights or do the other extreme and get a detaild tour.  eitherway, the tour guide can/does provide alot of background and tidbits that you would not notice or pass by.