Pompeii is one of the easiest major archaeological sites in Italy to reach without a car: two regional train lines stop right at the ruins, high-speed trains connect Naples to Rome in about an hour, and the motorway exit is signposted for the excavations. The one decision that matters is which of the three gates you want, because the two train lines stop at opposite ends of the site. Pick the gate first, then the train.
The three gates and the three stations
The Archaeological Park lists three entrances. Each has a ticket office, and each pairs with a different station:
| Gate | Where it is | Best station |
|---|---|---|
| Porta Marina (via Villa dei Misteri) | West side, the classic entrance near the Forum | Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri, Circumvesuviana Naples-Sorrento line – right beside the gate |
| Piazza Esedra (Porta Marina Inferiore) | Same west area, a short walk from Porta Marina | Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri, same station |
| Piazza Anfiteatro (piazza Immacolata) | East side, in the modern town, near the Amphitheatre | Pompei Santuario, Circumvesuviana Naples-Poggiomarino line – or the Trenitalia town station plus the Pompei Link bus |
Two warnings save most mistakes. First, two different places are called Pompei: Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri is the excavations, while Pompei on Trenitalia is the modern town’s station, about a 15-minute ride from the gates on the connecting bus. Second, Naples has two stations called Garibaldi: the Circumvesuviana leaves from Napoli P. Garibaldi on the EAV level inside the Napoli Centrale complex, not from the Trenitalia station of almost the same name.
From Naples
The Circumvesuviana is the standard choice: cheap, frequent and it drops you at the gate rather than in town.
- Where to board. Napoli P. Garibaldi, on the Circumvesuviana level of the Napoli Centrale complex under Corso Lucci – follow the EAV signs downstairs from the main concourse. Trains start one stop earlier at Napoli Porta Nolana, three minutes before Garibaldi.
- Line to Sorrento, for Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra. Take any train towards Sorrento and get off at Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri. The ride is 36 minutes, with 34 trains a day, usually one every 30 minutes, scheduled from 5:33 to 22:03. The last train back to Naples leaves Pompei Scavi at 22:35.
- Line to Poggiomarino, for Piazza Anfiteatro. Get off at Pompei Santuario: 47 minutes, 29 trains a day from 5:42 to 19:42. This line finishes earlier in the evening, with the last train back to Naples at 20:06, so it suits morning visits.
- Tickets. You can buy a QR-code paper ticket at the station window, use the GoEav app, or tap a contactless card at the enabled turnstiles (Tap&Go); check the current EAV fare in the app or at the station. Validate paper tickets before boarding and keep yours until you leave the station.
The alternative is a Trenitalia regional train from Napoli Centrale or Napoli Piazza Garibaldi to Pompei, the town station on the Naples-Salerno line. From there, Pompei Link, the combined train-and-bus service, covers the last stretch to the park in about 15 minutes for 1.60 euro on top of the rail fare: choose Pompei Scavi as your destination when you buy. Buses run 15 times in each direction, from 8:45 to 17:40 from the station and back from the park until 17:50. The park also lists SITA buses from Naples.
From Rome
Pompeii works as a day trip from Rome if you start early.
- Any day, with a change in Naples. Take a high-speed train to Napoli Centrale – Italo publishes 55 minutes non-stop, 31 trains a day, fares from 14.90 euro, and Trenitalia Frecciarossa runs the same route through the day. Then go down to the Circumvesuviana level and continue to Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri as described above. Allow around two hours door to gate, plus the change. Book the high-speed leg ahead: seats are reserved and the cheaper fares sell out first.
- Sundays, direct. Trenitalia advertises a direct Frecciarossa leaving Roma Termini at 8:53 and reaching Pompei town station at 10:40, returning at 18:40 and arriving in Rome at 20:55. Check that the direct service runs on your specific date before planning around it.
- Train plus bus on one ticket. Buying to Pompei Scavi on Trenitalia combines a regional train to Pompei town with the Pompei Link bus for 1.60 euro more.
A seasonal Frecciarossa plus FrecciaLink coach to Pompei Scavi also ran until 18 October 2026; if you are travelling next summer, check whether it has been reactivated for your dates.
From Sorrento
The same Circumvesuviana line, no change needed: Sorrento is the terminus, so every train towards Naples passes through Pompeii. Get off at Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri, a 35-minute ride – check the current EAV fare before you travel. There are 34 trains a day, usually every 30 minutes, from 5:30 to 22:00; the last train back to Sorrento leaves Pompei Scavi at 22:39. Coming from Sorrento, the stop before Pompei Scavi is Pioppaino.
From the Amalfi Coast and Salerno
- From Positano, Praiano and Amalfi. Take the SITA Sud bus (line 5070 Amalfi-Positano-Sorrento) up the coast to Sorrento, then the Circumvesuviana to Pompei Scavi. Coast buses fill up in season and road times stretch with traffic, so leave a generous margin: from Amalfi the whole trip can take two hours or more.
- From Salerno. The park lists the Busitalia Campania line 4 and the line 50 express coach, which runs by motorway, plus SITA buses. By rail, take a Trenitalia train to Pompei town station and continue with the Pompei Link bus.
From Naples Airport – and the November 2026 closure
Normally the airport connection is simple: the Alibus shuttle links Capodichino Airport with Napoli Centrale (Piazza Garibaldi) and the Port for 5.00 euro, every 15 minutes at most, from 5:30 to midnight from the airport. From Piazza Garibaldi you walk into the station complex and take the Circumvesuviana to the ruins.
One important exception: Naples Airport is closed to passenger traffic for the whole of November 2026 (1 to 30 November) for runway renovation, according to the airport operator. A selection of flights is being moved to Salerno Costa d’Amalfi e del Cilento Airport, which will serve 15 national and international destinations, with extra buses between Naples Piazza Garibaldi and Salerno Airport, more frequent links between Salerno Airport and Salerno railway station, and fixed-fare shared taxis. If you are flying in that month, check your booking or airline to see which airport your flight actually uses, and check ANM for the Alibus service during the closure: Salerno is in fact convenient for Pompeii, with the Busitalia 50 express coach and trains running from Salerno city.
By car and where to park
The park’s own directions say: motorway A3 Napoli-Salerno, exit Pompei Scavi, then follow the signs to the entrances.
There is no official car park run by the Archaeological Park. Private paid car parks cluster around the gates, especially along Via Plinio and Via Villa dei Misteri on the Porta Marina side and around Piazza Anfiteatro on the town side; they charge a daily rate, and at least one large lot on Via Plinio is open 24 hours. The town also has blue-stripe meter parking managed by PubliParking. In high season and at weekends, arrive before mid-morning for the easiest choice of lots.
Luggage and bags
Park rules do not allow bags, backpacks, luggage or cases larger than 30x30x15 cm inside the excavations. Paid luggage storage is available at the Porta Marina and Piazza Anfiteatro entrances, so you can arrive straight from a train or the airport, leave your bags at the gate and collect them on the way out. If you are staying locally, our guide to hotels, residences and B&Bs near the ruins helps you choose a base near your entrance instead.
Tickets are a separate purchase
No train or bus ticket includes the park. Entry tickets are personal and named, there is no re-entry with the same ticket, and a daily limit of 20,000 admissions applies, split into morning and afternoon time slots. The city-only ticket costs 20 euro; 25 euro adds the suburban villas (Villa of the Mysteries and Villa of Diomedes) plus Villa Regina in Boscoreale with its Antiquarium and the connecting shuttle. Buy online on the park’s official Vivaticket shop or at the gate ticket offices, and bring an ID matching the name on the ticket. For types, time slots and free-admission days, see our guide to tickets, entrances and practical tips.
Good to know before you set off
- Check the return train, not just the outward one: the Poggiomarino line (Pompei Santuario) stops running much earlier than the Sorrento line (Pompei Scavi).
- Trains run later than the park stays open, so the gate’s last-admission time, not the timetable, sets the end of your visit.
- Visiting the other sites of the park? A free Pompeii Artebus shuttle connects Pompeii with Oplontis, Stabiae and the Boscoreale Antiquarium.
- The Pompeii for All route offers a barrier-free path inside the site for wheelchairs and buggies.
Times, fares and services in this guide were checked on 30 October 2026 against the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, the current EAV timetable, ANM and Trenitalia information. Transport and prices change, so check the operators before you travel. This site is an independent guide and is not the official site.