How to get from Naples to Pompeii (come arrivare a Pompei da Napoli) is the most specifically important single transport question for any Naples visitor: the answer (38 minutes on the Circumvesuviana, €2.80, take the Sorrento line and get off at "Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri") is simple but critically depends on knowing the specific differences between the different Circumvesuviana lines (the Sorrento line vs the Poggiomarino line, an error that sends you to the wrong Pompeii) and the two separate Pompeii stations (the "Pompeii Scavi" for the archaeological site versus the "Pompei" town center, another common confusion). This guide provides the step-by-step Naples to Pompeii transport in the most practically specific single guide available.
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Naples to Pompeii: Step by Step
The Circumvesuviana. The Definitive Answer
Step 1: Go to Napoli Garibaldi station (GPS: 40.8524°N, 14.2724°E, the underground Circumvesuviana terminal directly below Napoli Centrale: take the escalators or stairs downward from the main Napoli Centrale hall). Step 2: Buy the ticket at the Circumvesuviana ticket office or at the specific blue ticket machines (NOT the white Trenitalia machines, those don't sell Circumvesuviana tickets). Price: €2.80 one-way to Pompei Scavi. Step 3: Take the LINE TO SORRENTO (the Napoli-Sorrento line, the most important single Circumvesuviana instruction: there are 5 different Circumvesuviana lines and only the Sorrento line stops at the correct "Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri" station). The Poggiomarino line also stops at a "Pompei" station but it is the modern town center station (2km from the archaeological site). Step 4: Ride 38 minutes. The train stops: Napoli Garibaldi → Napoli Barra → San Giorgio a Cremano → Portici → Ercolano Scavi (STOP HERE IF YOU WANT HERCULANEUM, see below) → Torre del Greco → Torre Annunziata → Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri → (continue to Sorrento if needed). Step 5: Exit at Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri station. The Pompeii Porta Marina entrance (GPS: 40.7506°N, 14.4866°E) is 300m from the station exit on the left.
The Herculaneum Alternative (15 Minutes From Naples)
The specific Ercolano Scavi station (GPS: 40.8055°N, 14.3524°E. 15 minutes from Napoli Garibaldi on the Circumvesuviana Sorrento line, €2.20): the most specifically undervisited single major Italian Roman archaeological site (see the Italy Roman Sites Guide for the full Herculaneum vs Pompeii comparison). The specific Naples to Herculaneum + Pompeii combo: the Circumvesuviana Napoli Garibaldi → Ercolano Scavi (15 min) for 2h Herculaneum morning program + the Circumvesuviana Ercolano → Pompei Scavi (20 min) for the Pompeii afternoon. The combined ticket: €25 for both Pompeii and Herculaneum (valid 3 consecutive days) at pompeiisites.org, the most specifically cost-efficient single Campania archaeological entry buy.
Pompeii Entry: Pre-Book Online
The Pompeii timed entry at pompeiisites.org: €18, free booking fee (no additional charge for the online reservation). Without pre-booking: the summer queue at the Pompeii Porta Marina entrance (July-August 10:00-13:00 peak): 30-60 minutes. With pre-booking: enter immediately at the timed slot. The pre-booking is the single most time-saving free action available for any Italian site visit: 3 minutes of online reservation saves 60 minutes of sun-exposure queue at the most specifically hot single Italian archaeological site in peak summer.
Q&A: Naples to Pompeii
What is the difference between the two Pompeii stations?
"Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri" (the Circumvesuviana Sorrento line) = the archaeological site (the correct station. 300m walk to the Pompeii Porta Marina entrance). "Pompei" (the Circumvesuviana Poggiomarino line) = the modern town of Pompei (2km from the archaeological site, requires a taxi or a 25-minute walk to reach the entrance). The specific error: many visitors accidentally take the Poggiomarino line from Napoli Garibaldi, arrive at the modern Pompei town station, and are confused why the archaeological site isn't visible. Always verify on the display board that the train is on the "Napoli-Sorrento" line before boarding.
