NAPLES AIRPORT to CITY CENTER NAPLES – by bus

Naples International Airport is located about 7 km northeast of Naples city center. It

has two terminals: Terminal 1 for scheduled flights and Terminal 2 for charter
flights. In 2015, Naples airport handled just over 6 million passengers.   
Travelling to and from the airport is easy, due to its vicinity, but there aren’t many
options to choose from.
Airport shuttle: There is an organized shuttle service from Naples International
Airport to the city center, called Alibus. The bus goes every 20 to 30 minutes
daily, from 6.30 AM to 11.40 PM. The ticket costs 3 euros if bought at a
newspaper stand (Tabacchi) and 4 euros if purchased from the driver in cash,
directly on the bus. Note that you have to validate the ticket in the electronic ticket
machine on the bus.     

 Journey time: 15-20 minutes to Piazza Garibaldi (Central train station), 30-35
minutes to Piazza Municipio (Molo Beverello at the port)
 Bus departure and arrival point is at the bus station just outside the terminal
building, some 50 meters from the entrance to the airport.  
 On the way back to the airport, the bus departs from the port (Molo Beverello)
in front of the ferry ticket booths, and from the Central train station, on the north
side of Piazza Garibaldi

FROM NAPLES to POMPEII

Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is an archeological site of an ancient
Roman city that was destroyed by volcano eruption from Mt Vesuvius. However,
thanks to the huge amount of ashes that had covered the city, Pompeii remained
preserved in exact the same state, to the detail, and the excavations are still
ongoing.
TRAIN: If you want to visit Pompeii during your stay in Italy, you might consider
taking the train. It is the most hassle-free way because Pompeii is included in
a railway network of Circumvesuviana that connects Naples and Sorrento. The
station where you should get off is called “Pompei Scavi”, located 50 meters
from the entrance to Pompeii. If you are travelling by train from Rome, Milan,
Ancona, or some other city, you can easily change the train at Naples central
station and continue to Pompeii on the Circumvesuviana.

 Journey time: from Naples around 45 minutes; from Sorrento around 30 minutes
 Price: 2.90 euro one way
 Trains go twice an hour, and therefore are usually crowded

BUS: If you prefer taking the bus, you have to reach Nuova Marina port in
Naples from where the SITA local buses go to Pompeii. The price of the ticket
is 2.80 euro per person one way and it can be purchased from SITA office at the
Nuova Marina port. Buses go once or twice an hour and the journey takes
approximately 35 minutes. To arrive to Naples from other cities in Italy, you can
check the bus connections here: Rome to Naples, Florence to Naples, Milan to
Naples. You can also check other travel connections at getbybus.com.  

Public transport in Naples explained for

visitors
Bus, Metro, tram and train services for tourists including fares and passes

Naples public transport

The Naples public transport system for the first-time visitor can at first seem fragmented and
daunting to make sense of. There is a wide array of transport options to get you around the city. Bus,
tram, Metro, funicular railway are all there in the mix but are operated by several different
companies.
Thankfully these options are regulated by a single organisation called Unico Campania that regulate
fares, provide integrated multi-journey passes and put together transport maps and information for
the whole city.
 Unico Campania fulfil this role not just in Naples, but the whole Campania region.

Map to find your way around Naples

A simple transport map can describe the scope and coverage far better than any number of words.
The Unico Campania map linked below as well as being available to print and download is also
normally available free of charge in tourist offices around the centre including the one at Central
Station.

Unico Campania also have another useful transport map available in tourist offices just covering the
centre of Naples encompassing all the area covered by the main sights.
 This includes the routes of the Naples hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses and has other major sights
marked.
The scale is such that you could also use it as a walking map.
It should be said that the area of Naples that visitors want to see is a relatively compact area and the
few times you will use local transport it will be for short journeys. For many visitors you will not need
public transport at all, everything can be visited on foot.
For perhaps the majority, a short ride out to the National Archaeological Museum on the northern
perimeter of the historic centre and up the hill to San Martino would be welcome. Almost everyone
will take a bus from the Central Station to the centre of Naples.
The funicular railway could be classified as a visitor attraction in itself.

For the average visitor to Naples the Metro system is of limited use at this moment in time. There are
plans to extend the network, for example from the Universita terminus south of the historic centre to
Central Station and to the airport but that is all for the future.

Line 1 is the Metro line of most interest to visitors connecting Central Station and the historic centre,
plus a stop close to the port, but most of the network is further out to the suburbs.
 The Universita station is at the southern edge of the historic centre, not too far from the ferry/cruise
port and several sights. It offers a quick option to the National Archaeological Museum at Museo
Station with a stop along the way at Dante/Toledo Station near Santa Chiara and at the western end
of Spaccanapoli.
 
Line 6 of the Metro in its current length is of no interest, but is due to be extended into the city
centre.
 
Line 2 of the Metro is operated by a different company to lines 1 and 6. Again it has limited use to the
visitor apart from perhaps as an alternative to the bus between Central Station and the National
Archaeological Museum near Cavour Station.

The 4 funicular railways (inclined railways), take you up the hill to the Vomero district where you'll
find fabulous views. Castel Sant'Elmo, and Certosa and Museum of San Martino are major attractions
but for many the journey may be the memory that lingers.
 
Funiculare Centrale, one of the longest in the world, leaves from Via Toledo by Galleria Umberto.
A full list can be found by clicking through on the banner link below.
 
Note if you have a vision of a tourist like experience for the funicular with great vistas of the city as
you ascend, think again - most of the journey is through tunnel underground.
Buses and trams
The most useful local transport getting around the centre of Naples are the buses. There is for the
first time visitor an impenetrable number of route numbers.
Unless you are staying in a hotel in the suburbs your travel will be in and around the centre of
Naples. Here the buses travel down just a few main roads that cut through the centre. For most
tourist journeys you will have a choice of several routes to complete your journey.

f you want to be prepared and not waste time finding out which bus you want, print out the central
part of the transport map or pick one up from the tourist office and it will be much, much simpler.

City tickets are not valid on the boat services, the airport bus, hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses or
the Circumvesuviana rail network outside Naples city centre.

Ticketing
Unico Campania regulate a uniform fare system applicable to all local public transport in the city of
Naples.
There are over 500 outlets in Naples listed as places where you can buy tickets, typically bars and
tobacconists. You can also buy at Metro, funicular and train stations where there are ticket machines.
There are different kinds of tickets and passes covering the city of Naples: hourly, daily, monthly or
annual passes.
 
On buses there are ticket stamping machines. You put your ticket in the machine on the first time of
use of the ticket and the ticket is valid from that moment.
 
Don't expect any sympathy from a ticket inspector if caught with an unstamped ticket. At Metro
stations the ticket barriers will automatically stamp the ticket.

Types of ticket
Single journey ticket - Valid for 90 minutes
Day ticket - Valid for unlimited rides on the calendar day the ticket is stamped
Monthly & annual passes - Self explanatory
Naples sightseeing attractions of great
historical interest
Overview of major historic sights in Naples, a city of poverty, culture and
contrast
Naples unique city experience
Let's face it the main attractions that draw people to Naples, namely Pompeii, Mount
Vesuvius and Herculaneum are outside the city and indeed we give each of these their own
dedicated pages.

But the city of Naples is worth at least a day of anyone's time and if you are into museums, art,
architecture or culture much longer.
Yes, the city of Naples has its museums, cathedral and other religious monuments but perhaps
suffers from Naples being in Italy. Anywhere else, many of these would be showstoppers but visitors
reach Naples after having visited Rome and Florence a day or so before. So the contrast is unfair.
What Naples does offer is its own unique city experience. Your expectations may be slightly confused.
Isn't this a very poor city, lots of poverty and will I be safe?
 It is also a modern city too, a thriving port, a playground for the rich and famous in the nearby island
of Capri with cultural museums and great churches.
 
Well Naples is all of that, a city of diverse experiences. It can be raw at times, but pleasantly so. It's
not neatly packaged for modern tourism and to be treated like a theme park. The only real way to
explore the city is independently and walking most of the time.
Below are the main attractions your favourite guidebook will point you towards and they are indeed
a fine framework to frame your visit around.
 
You will be rewarded though if you don't organise a tight itinerary to be followed with military timing.
Try to expect the unexpected and have contingency to indulge in whatever hidden personal treasure
you find.

Geting around Naples city

Whether you arrive at the Central Station or the ferry/cruise port or are lucky enough to stay in a
hotel in Central Naples you may well be fine just walking everywhere. All the main sights are easily
walked to from any point in the centre.
As ever there is a Naples open top hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus that visits all the main sights
along three separate routes.
There is a good local bus network and it's conceivable you might use the limited Metro for a short
ride.

 How you can access the network is explained on City of Naples public transport page.
 
The public transport maps have the main sights marked too and are a good way of getting orientated
with relative locations.
One public transport option you may well want to take is one of the funicular railway up to San
Martino for great views. The funicular is an attraction in its own right.
 
If you can, try and walk back down into the city via one of the many steep walkways getting glimpses
of everyday neighbourhood Naples.

Historic centre of Naples

Naples Cathedral (Duomo di San Gennaro)
A Gothic cathedral built in the 13th century in the north east sector of the historic centre, about a 10-
minute walk from Central Station, though local buses go to the door.
 
The Cathedral is dedicated to Naples patron saint San Gennaro or Saint Januarius. A vial of the saint's
blood is brought out three times a year - on the first Saturday in May, September 19 and December
16 - and if it liquefies, all is well. If it doesn't... fears are held for the safety of Naples. Luckily, it nearly
always liquefies.

The athedral contains some excellent artworks including frescoes.

To one side of the Cathedral is the 4th century Basilica Santa Restituta, the oldest chapel in Naples.
Under here is an interesting archeological site tracing the Greek, Roman and early Christian city.

Spaccanapoli and Via Tribunali

The Spaccanapoli and Via Tribunali form the east-west pedestrian spine of the historic centre of
Naples and with good reason most visitors head for and perhaps linger more than they scheduled.
Originally the heart of the Greek and Roman city, the Spaccanapoli district is a string of narrow,
winding streets and is mainly a pedestrian zone. The area has arcades dating back more than 1,000
years.
As a tourist honeypot there is a fair share of tourist tat but the scale of this area is huge and the tight
alleys reveal something of interest around almost every corner, especially if you look up as well as
from side to side.

If you venture away from the Spaccanapoli and Via Tribunali tourist area, perhaps around Spacuano
Castle, some of the alleys may not look as inviting and safe.

Santa Chiara Church

As you might expect in the old historic centre there are plenty of churches, with many worthwhile to
visit. Santa Chiara is one of these and sits on the Spaccanapoli in the south west sector of the historic
centre.

Santa Chiara Church is part of a large complex that includes a monastery with beautiful cloisters
decorated with majolica tiles and frescoes and an interesting archaeological museum.

The National Archaeological Museum of Naples

The Naples Archaeological museum is one of Italy's top archeology museums drawing many of its
exhibits from Pompeii and Herculaneum outside the city.
The museum has one of the world's best collections of Greek and Roman antiquities, including
mosaics, sculptures, gems, glass and silver, and a collection of Roman erotica from Pompeii.
The museum is at the north western periphery of the historic district and is served by a Metro Station
(Museo) that is of limited use for visitors as well as buses.
Piazza del Plebiscito
Piazza del Plebiscito is the center of modern Naples, just south of the historic centre and only 5
minutes walk from the cruise/ferry terminal. San Francesco di Paola, on the piazza, is a huge domed
church. Palazzo Reale, the Royal Palace, is across the square. Inside you can visit the restored rooms
and royal apartments and visit the roof garden where there are good views of the bay.

San Martino
San Martino is on top of a steep hill just west of the historic centre. The excuse you need to come up
here is the Museum and Monastery of San Martino from where there are great views of the entire
city of Naples spread out below you.
Take the Funicular Centrale, one of the longest in the world that leaves from Via Toledo by Galleria
Umberto, just north of Piazza del Plebiscito for another great experience.
An equally good experience is to walk back down the hill not via the curcuitous roads but by the
many walkways/steps. There is a walkway down immediately in front of Piazza San Martino by the
entrance to the museum that winds down past old houses with no vehicular access to the historic
centre below. More scenic options are on the other side of the hill where you will see steps marked
on most of the tourist maps (see image).

h, I nearly forgot San Martino Museum is housed in the Certosa di San Martino a large monastery
complex dating from 1368 next to Sant Elmo Castle, which you can also visit. Museum exhibits are
housed in the former living quarters of the monks.

 Expect paintings and sculptures from the 13th-19th centuries, the museum is famed for Neopolitan
nativity scenes. The monastery gardens have fruit trees, flowers, fountains and magnificent views.

Unico Artecard - 3 day tourist pass for Naples, Pompeii etc, including public
transport
Aimed squarely at the visitor to Naples this pass combines public transport in Naples for 3 days,
(including the Naples airport bus) plus entry to two attractions from a long list that includes the
National Archaeological Museum in Naples and Pompeii and Herculaneum.
From the third attraction onwards you enjoy up to a 50% discount on standard tickets.

Circumvesuviana trains linking Naples,

Pompeii and Sorrento
Plus the alternative Metropolitan Railway Naples to Salerno via Pompeii
Circumvesuviana train
The Circumvesuviana train is a regional network of lines running out of Naples to the east of the city
around Mount Vesuvius. It is not part of the Italian national rail network so you cannot buy tickets
from Trenitalia online or from rail stations nationally.
For visitors the line that is used extensively is the Naples to Sorrento via Pompeii and Herculaneum
line, a journey that takes just over an hour with countless stops along the way. Frequencies are very
good, around every 30 minutes all day.
 
The stations that are most of interest to tourists between Sorrento and Naples are Castellammare di
Stabia (cable car to Monte Faito), Pompeii (archaeological area and bus connection to Vesuvius), Torre
Annunziata (for Oplontis) and Ercolano Scavi (for Herculaneum archaeological area).
However, for those independent travellers from Naples (or Rome) there is an alternative line between
Naples and Salerno that stops at Pompeii called the Metropolitan Railway, an extension of the Naples
Metro and with advance ticketing available online.

What to expect on the Circumvesuviana train

The Circumvesuviana trains are basically commuter trains offering cheap transport to the masses.
The frequency of stations and the interior of the trains are more like a city metro experience than a
standard full size train.
 

Trains are very crowded at nearly all times, if you don't get on at either terminus you should be
prepared that there is a good chance you will be standing for much of the journey.
The trains are fine with luggage. There are large standing areas by the doors and you should find a
spot and perhaps sit on your luggage.
 There is the occasional small luggage area in some carriages but not really realistic to use. You are
hardly going to leave your luggage in a crowded carriage unattended and find a seat elsewhere.
With luggage the biggest pain is access to the platforms. Even the larger stations like Naples
Garibaldi/Central Station do not have escalators so be prepared to lug your belongings up and down
flights of stairs. If you are frail or disabled bear this in mind.
 There are fast trains and slow trains, the difference being the smaller obscure stations that some
trains do not stop at.

Stations for visitors using the Naples-Sorrento trains

Porta Nolana Station Naples
Porta Nolana Station is the terminus in Naples for Circumvesuviana trains. No other trains come
here, the main station is Naples Garibaldi/Central Station where the national railways trains arrive.
 Porta Nolana Station (pictured above) is in a scruffy area and although quite impressive from the
exterior is less so inside.
 Porta Nolana Station is not in the centre of Naples anywhere near where visitors want to go and is a
short distance on the train to the next stop, the main station for Naples Central Station.
 There are frequent city buses from outside Porta Nolana Station to the city centre and the port area.
Full details of using the local Naples buses and public transport in the city of Naples are on
our Naples public transport page.

Garibaldi / Central Station Naples

Central Station (Stazione Centrale) is the main Naples train station just to the east of the city centre.
The Circumvesuviana trains stop at a physically separate set of platforms to the main train station
with their own separate ticket barriers.
Although you never leave the Central Station building the Circumvesuviana platforms are called
Garibaldi Station which can be confusing to strangers.
 
Once you get off your train at Central Station you just turn left at the end of the platform and keep
going following the signs above.

Ercolano Scavi (for Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius)

There is more than one Ercolano Station so be sure to get off at Ercolano Scavi.
 The station is in the middle of town. Be prepared to be greeted by touts as you leave the station. If
you are heading for Herculaneum, the site is a 5-10 minute walk down the main street that is
periodically signposted. The touts may try and persuade you otherwise and tempt you on to their
shuttle bus.
 This is a traditional point to hire a taxi to Mount Vesuvius. The sticking point is the return journey, an
awkward decision whether to pay waiting time or ask the taxi to return, but at what time? and pre-
payment?
 If this makes you nervous there are more organised excursion vehicles that run to a timetable from
Pompeii.
Pompeii (and tour vehicles to Mount Vesuvius)
Interior of an unusually empty Circumvesuviana train
Pompeii Station is a pleasant little station. There is a tourist office and the tours to Mount Vesuvius
are parked outside the station.
 
The entrance to the Pompeii archaeological area is just a few yards down the street.
Sant'Agnello
If your accommodation is to the east of Sorrento in the hotel district around Sant'Agnello, then this
station the last stop but one on the line is in the centre of town.
 
Note, the platforms are well above street level and you have to negotiate two flights of stairs.
Sorrento
The Sorrento terminus is the main public transport hub for Sorrento where local buses also
terminate to towns in the region from the station forecourt. There are additional town buses a short
walk away.
 Many of the hotels run shuttle buses on a schedule but they are not allowed to park at the station.
There are a couple of points in town where the shuttle buses pick-up which require a short walk from
the station. Taxis are good but expensive.

Fares, timetables & ticketing

The Circumvesuviana trains are completely separate from a ticketing perspective to the national
trains. You cannot buy a single ticket for example between Rome and Pompeii changing at Naples.
 
In order to ride you need a ticket in order to pass through the ticket barriers at each station to gain
entrance to the platform.
 
On average the trains run twice hourly and run until late.
Buying tickets
You can buy tickets at the station but note you have to pay cash, no credit cards, unlike the national
railways.
The tickets and fares themselves are regulated by a regional organisation called Unico Campania.
 
Nearly all public transport operators in the region (of which there are many) come under Unico
Campania. As a result the good news is that you can buy passes and multi-day tickets valid across
other transport in the region not just Circumvesuviana rrains.
 
The bad news is what information there is trying to explain the complex fare options is sparse and
mostly in Italian.
 
You can buy also tickets at tobacconists and newsagents and some bars. Many of the newsstands
around the stations which tourists use offer a much better service than the station ticket offices.
 
At Sorrento Station in particular the station newsagent has all the ticket types explained in English
and do their best to in several languages to give travel advice with a smile in stark contrast to the
station ticket office.

Metropolitan Railway (Line 2) alternative between Naples and Pompeii

The Metropolitan Railway is a branch (line 2) of the Naples Metro system.
 
The station at Pompeii is in the town, further from the entrances of Pompeii than the
Circumvesuviana line whose station is less than 100 yards from an entrance.
 
The plus side is that the trains may well be less crowded than the Circumvesuviana trains and you
can purchase tickets online through Trenitalia.

Naples Centrale Station / Naples Garibaldi Station Confusion

In Naples the transport hub to get to Pompeii is at the main train station, Naples Centrale where all
the national railways service terminate or pass through.

Both Circumvesuviana trains and Metropolitan Railway trains run from a station called Naples
Garibaldi.
 Although Naples Garibaldi has its own separate platforms and entrances it is physically part of
Naples Centrale Station.
Naples Centrale Station is the main station on ground level. From ground level escalators go down
one level to an underground shopping centre and go further down to the Naples Metro.
 Naples Garibaldi Station is on the same level as the shopping centre and is well signposted.
 If you are travelling to Pompeii from Naples Garibaldi Station once you have gone through the ticket
barriers make sure you descend down the the platform for the train service to Pompeii you have
purchased a ticket for!
Tours from Naples to these sites either cover one site in a half day tour or two of the sites in a full day
tour.

Visiting Pompeii, Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius independently by train

Using the Circumvesuviana trains you can independently visit Pompeii and Herculaneum and with
the help of a public bus from Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius too .
Below are links to individual pages covering the logistics of visiting each one of these .
There is also a 3 day tourist pass combing public transport and the main attractions within the region
like Pompeii.

Visiting Pompeii, Italy

Where is Pompeii?
The world famous Pompeii is 150 miles south of Rome, fairly close to Naples. It is a long day from
Rome or an easy excursion from Naples or the very popular holiday area around Sorrento. Many
people combine their trip to Pompeii in one full day with Mount Vesuvius, the famous volcano.

Pompeii, the archaeological site, is part of Pompeii, a sizable town to the south of Naples, midway
between Naples and Sorrento. The regular Circumvesuviana trains run about twice an hour
between the Naples and Sorrento stopping at Pompeii. Trains are cheap and crowded, in many ways
the journey experience is more like a Metro train than a “proper” train.
There is also a national railways local train that connects Naples with Salerno and stops at a different
station in the town of Pompeii itself, about 700m from the main entrance to Pompeii.

Visiting Pompeii - Logistics of a visit

How long is a visit?
The Pompeii site is vast.
If you have a deep interest in the subject matter you will need all day, most leisure tourists may
spend 2 hours, 3 hours at most.
For tour groups and individuals: entrance to Pompeii
Pompeii opening times?
Pompeii is open every day except 25th December, 1st January and 1st May.
From 1st April to 31st October the site is open 9.00 - 7.30pm (with last entrance 6pm).
At other times the site is open 9.00 - 5:30 pm (with last entrance 3.30pm).

Do I need a tour guide? / audio guides

There is very little in the way of information within Pompeii describing what you are viewing.
If you want to make sense of what you are viewing you really do need a tour guide, an audio guide or
a very good guide book. No audio guide is provided with admission.

Audio guides: Pompeii/ Herculaneum

When you buy your ticket there should be available a map of the site. Normally it's more a matter of
you asking for a map than them giving you one, but make sure you don't leave the entrance area
without one.

There is also a small complementary booklet called “A brief guide to Pompeii”. Again you may have to
go looking for it. Inside the booklet are notes against all the locations on the audio tour. It is worth
the effort seeking this out.
 Once you are inside the site there is little in the way of information available to make sense of what
you are viewing.

You can hire guides that hang around the ticket desks. Quality is variable (as are visitors
requirements) so do spend some time talking to the guide before you commit, at least be
comfortable you can understand what they are saying.

For most independent visitors who want information about what they are seeing (recommended) the
audio tours seem to be the most popular guide. You hire them at a separate kiosk by the admissions
desk.

Like most such devices worldwide, they are a bit dry and do tend to drone on a bit but there are
enough nuggets of great information to make them worthwhile and are not expensive.

3 Pompeii Entrance Gates

Walk down ancient roads: Pompeii
There are three main entrance gates. Two gates are close together at the south western corner of the
Pompeii site, one by the Circumvesuviana train station, the other by where all the coaches deposit
their passengers-quite close by.
The other entrance main gate (Piazza Anfitheatro) is about 15 minutes walk to the east in the town of
Pompeii itself. The public bus to Mount Vesuvius terminates here.

Facilities within Pompeii and at entrance gates

It is worth emphasising that once inside Pompeii, facilities are minimal and totally non-commercial.
There is just one small restaurant/cafe and rest room facility in the middle of the site, plus rest rooms
at the entrances.
This is not Disneyland, don't expect ice-cream stands and other commercial distractions scattered
around the ruins.

The whole site is also very exposed with minimal shade, so it is imperative you bring lots of
sunscreen, a hat and water. If you forget, make sure you get supplies from the tourist village outside
before you enter.
The cobbled and rough nature of the surface means that wheelchairs and prams are impractical.
Most small children will get bored very quickly.
Luggage and bags
Luggage or bags larger than 30x30x15cm are not allowed into Pompeii.
There is a cloakroom at the entrance gates where you can leave bags and there is a commercial left
luggage facility by the Circumvesuviana train station.

Pompeii ticketing
You can order Pompeii tickets and tours to suit your needs in advance. No queueing and waiting, no
foreign exchange issues.
Admission is free during regular hours on the first Sunday of the month for all visitors

Visiting Mount Vesuvius independently

Mount Vesuvius is famous as the volcano that erupted in Roman times (AD 79) and buried Pompeii.
 The volcano is just 6 miles from the modern city of Naples and is a very popular visitor attraction
with a lot of visitors coupling a half day at Pompeii with a visit to Mount Vesuvius.
Mount Vesuvius is one of the world's most dangerous volcanoes. The volcano has an eruption cycle
of about 20 years, but the last eruption was in 1944.
It's not at all unsafe to visit Mount Vesuvius but before you go you should be prepared. This is not
Disneyland, vehicles do not go to the top but will drop you off at an altitude of around 1,000m.
The trail to the top climbs just under another 200m. For most people in reasonable condition it's no
problem but if you are not 100% fit or have a medical problem you may want to take advice.

he most common mistake by tourists is simply not to come prepared. Many turn up in T-shirts not
realising it is a lot colder at this altitude than on the coast. You may need rain gear, you may
need a hat sun screen and lots of water - just make sure you arrive fully prepared with layers of
clothing.

Mount Vesuvius National Park

Since 1995 the volcano has been a National Park.
Gone is the funicular railway and commercial exploitation, in its place nature trails, preservation of
fauna and local culture is the focus. Of the nine trails, trail number 5 is the one most tourists take
from the car park (for which there is a fee) to the cone of the crater.
 The road ends about 250m in height from the edge of the cater, but only tour coaches and public
buses are allowed to the road's end. If you arrive by car, the main car park is about another 100m
further down, so extra climbing is required up to the entrance.
Gentle climb: Mount Vesuvius trail ascent to crater
At road's end there is an official ticket desk/building and a shanty town of bars, restaurants and
tourist tat before you get to the entrance to the track up to the crater. Note, best assume there will
be no toilets available during your entire visit!
After paying for your ticket, and going through the ticket barrier it is a 15-20 minute grind up a wide
gravel path. The path is not steep, but it's relentless and you'll need a rest or three along the way.
Only if you are totally out of shape will it be an issue.
 There are a procession of people of all ages and sizes. Fit seniors skip up the hill leaving out of shape
teenagers in their wake and small children seem to have little problem.
Once you've got the worst of the climb behind you and almost at the crater edge there is a hut, where
if you want, you can wait for a scheduled tour by a volcanology guide. This is free and is part of the
admission ticket. It's only a short tour of 10 minutes or so but gives a good overview of what you are
seeing. The tour is available in several languages including English.
Unless the volcano is shrouded in cloud, do expect great views however far you venture up. The
views across the Bay of Naples are great. Don't expect bubbling lava lakes or anything like that, it's a
moon-like landscape and sulphur gases are about as much as you should expect with regards action.

nce the guide has left you, the path continues and circles at the edge of the crater to the other side.
The pah gradually narrows and there are a few staircases to negotiate before you come to the end.

 Getting to Mount Vesuvius by public transport

A lot of visitors visit to Mount Vesuvius is by tour buses that go direct to the car park at 1,000m. For
independent minded travellers the trip is going to be two stage. First a trip on Circumvesuviana train
from Naples or Sorrento to either Ercolano Scava or Pompeii train station then a bus of one sort or
another.
 
Circumvesuviana train
In Naples the Circumvesuviana trains run from two stations, including the main Central (Garibaldi)
Station.
 From Naples journey times are about 20 minutes to Ercolano Scavi and 40 minutes to Pompeii.
 
From Sorrento journey times are about 50 minutes to Ercolano Scavi and 30 minutes to Pompeii.
 
Trains are cheap and crowded, the ticket offices do not take credit cards, cash only.
Ercolano Scavi to Mount Vesuvius
Ercolano Scavi is the closest station to Mount Vesuvius access. When you spill out of the train station
there is normally a collection of taxis and minibuses that will take you to Mount Vesuvius.
Reviews on things like TripAdvisor have been very mixed, the main problem being around the
logistics of the return leg.
 Vesuvio Express Ercolano
There is a more formal shuttle bus service called Vesuvio Express that advertises on its website that it
runs every 40 minutes from Ercolano Station.

Pompeii to Mount Vesuvius

Pompeii is further from Mount Vesuvius than the main alternative access options from Ercolano
station.
 From Pompeii station there is a tourist service up to Mount Vesuvius with ticketing at the station or
you can walk 15 minutes into the town of Pompeii where a public bus service runs from in front of
the main gates into the Pompeii ruins (not the entrances near the railway station).

Busvia del Vesuvio

The purpose-designed vehicles of Busvia del Vesuvio are certainly the most professional and the
proposition being offered is also the best described in advance.
 
Departures run hourly from 9am to 3pm in 23-seat, air-conditioned vehicles.
The trip length is 2.5 hours and you can make reservations in advance on their website.
EavBus/ Sita Public Bus
The local bus company, EavBus/ Sita operate a timetabled bus service between Pompeii and Mount
Vesuvius. The same buses are used on this route as any other public bus service in and around
Pompeii.

he bu service runs crudely every 50 minutes through the day.

The bus stop is on the Piazza Anfiteatro, immediately outside the main entrance to Pompeii ruins.
Note, this is not the entrance by the Pompeii Circumvesuviana Station but is within the town centre
of Pompeii, a good 15 minute walk from Pompeii Circumvesuviana Station.
The touts that roam the streets pushing tours to Mount Vesuvius may tell you the public bus only
runs at the height of the summer season very infrequently - don't believe them.

ou pay the driver as you board just like any public bus service and you buy Mount Vesuvius tickets
when yu arrive.

 The buses might not be in pristine condition and the driver provides no commentary but this option
is certainly the cheapest and gives you full flexibility on how much time you spend on Mount
Vesuvius.