Rome to Pompeii as a daytrip. Whatdaya think, Should we just take the trains or splurge for a guide?

Question

Can anyone tell me of good (or warn me of bad) pompeii excursions?

We are typically freestyle travelers but this is a pretty long daytrip. We will be staying in easy walkign distance of the central train station (termini)

Yes I know it would be nicer to spend one night in naples then return to rome, but traveling with 3 little boys it is just not worth packing all those bags along.

Answer 1

There are organized tours from Rome that include Pompeii, but you can easily do this on your own by train. Take the train from Rome to Naples - the Eurostar takes about 2 hours and costs 20 euro each way if you can get the Amica fare (25 euro if only the standard fare is available).

In Naples, you need to transfer to the Circumvesuviana train and go to the Pompei Scavi stop (on the line to Sorrento). You can find the schedule here: http://www.vesuviana.it/Reteeorari/Ferro... It's a short walk from the station to the ruins. or if you have a big enough group, you may be interested in: http://www.too-to-train.it/

Here are things to see and do in the area: http://www.pompeii-food-and-drink.org/ar... I recommend Herculaneum.

You can plan schedules from Rome to Naples and back at: http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.htmlh...

I don't know how small your kids are - it may be more convenient to take the bus from Rome that someone else suggested. The train gives you more flexibility over when you go, how long you stay, and where else you might stop along the way.

You don't really need a guide in Pompeii, a decent guidebook will explain what you're seeing. If you want a guide, there are people at the ticket office that form groups for a tour. The first time I went I was surprised by how large the site is. The chariot tracks in the stones were interesting.

Answer 2

Take the transport would be my best advice, but don't do it as a day trip ... please !!!  It's far too wonderful an experience to hurry. Better still, rather than stay in Naples try and find a place in Sorrento, which as actually closer to Pompeii than Naples, and is on the other side of the peninsula from Amalfi. From Sorrento to Amalfi you have to take a tiny road that goes through a tunnel, when you come out on the soutern side you have what is known as the Amalfi coast,  one of the most spectacular pieces of scenery in the world.

Amalfi itself is a tiny old fishing village, where you can stop and have lunch in one of the myriad delightful little restaurants on the waterfront.

All of this and just a few miles from Pompeii, which is, one of the must see of a life-time experiences. The distance from Rome to Pompeii is only about 150 miles,  and will only take a couple of hours by express bus or train. The rest is easily accessible, so my advice is ... do it All !

Have fun, G,  and please take lots of photos and put some up on your 360 when you get back, oh,  and if you go to St. Peters blow a kiss at La Pieta for me ! :-)))

{{{{{{{Cosmic Amalfi}}}}}}}

<Sluurrp>

Answer 3

rent a vehicle...

me and a couple other guys did and the rewards were worth it..to much to see and to much to miss if taking train or tour bus..take your time if you have it..Italy isnt just Rome,Naples or Pompeii..i've seen all three and all three are fantastic, but there are a whole lot of other things to see and do along the way...plus you can stop whenever YOU want to..a van or suv should do the trick...veni..vidi..vici..

Answer 4

Take a tour. Let them handle the traffic. You can't do this on your own and get much out of it. I would not rent a car.

Enjoy your trip

Answer 5

My family of 4 (2 big teenagers) rented a car from Fiumicino and drove to Pompeii. We stayed in the Hotel Iside, 5 minutes walk from the gates, parking in the orange grove behind the hotel, immaculately clean, views straight out to Vesuvius. We also caught the Circumvesuvio train down to Sorrento for the day and a boat out to Capri. Another day we took a local bus and climbed to the top of the crater of Vesuvius - your boys would love that!

I also like the idea of your going to Ostia Antica instead. It doesn't have the bodies and not quite the atmosphere of Pompeii, but could be a reasonable compromise, depending on your boys.

Answer 6

you really should do the overnight -- one night's stuff can't be that  much more than a days....the train you need to make a transfer so a direct shuttle will be less stressful.....

if there's a group of you you can negotiate a better price w/ this shuttle which goes down & back the same day...when you compare the cost of shuttle to train + time spent transferring by train you may as well get the shuttle.....they also offera guide as an add-on so you can do the guide or not -- & have good reviews...

Rome to Pompeii Shuttle Service $77.10

http://www.viator.com/Naples/Pompeii-Tou...

Departs from: Rome, Italy

Product code: 3058VESUVIUS

Round-trip nonstopshuttle ride in an air-conditioned vehicle

rome to naples train= $48 round trip minimum -- then take the circumvessuvia to pompeii = another $10

http://www.italiarail.com/cart/ir-europe...

less stressful for you w/ 3 kids would be ostia antiqua -- right outside of rome a short trainride....it's like a smaller pompeii

EDIT:  doing pompeii is more like a hike.... w/ 3 little kids a group tour may not be practical simply because you need to keep up.  you can get a private tour guide who speaks any language at the main gate when you arrive or just wander around w/ a guide book ...