Mount Vesuvius Tickets and Tours from Pompeii

Mount Vesuvius is actually an active volcano 1280 metres high that guards the city of Pompeii in the middle of the Bay of Naples in the Campania region. Almost 2000 years ago it erupted and its lava buried, among others, the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Although the archaeological site is a pilgrimage Mecca for millions of visitors every year, Vesuvius is well worth a visit. It is quite easy and accessible to get to the top of Vesuvius to see the crater of the volcano and get the best views of the region. Are you convinced yet? Read on!

One of the reasons that will bring you to this area is undoubtedly to visit the archaeological site of Pompeii, the Roman town where life stopped that morning in August 1979 when Vesuvius erupted. Today it is possible to stroll through its cobbled streets, see its temples, theatres, baths, amphitheatres and even some of the taverns of the period that have remained petrified since then.

Vesuvius guards Pompeii as it is located 25 kilometres from it. You can get there by public transport, a bus which costs about 3.50€, or you can hire a car. But the most convenient way to get there is to take an organised excursion to Pompeii from Rome or an excursion to Pompeii from Naples that includes a stop at Vesuvius in its itinerary. This way you won't have to worry about anything: a guide will accompany you at all times during the visit and the private bus that will take you to and from the city will take you to the top of the volcano.

There is so much demand to visit the area that many excursions include different services and one of them is the ascent to the volcano. Find out about the itinerary beforehand and opt for one of the full options that take you up to the crater of the volcano after the visit to the archaeological site.

If you are travelling to the Eternal City and you have a gap in your itinerary, I recommend a trip to Pompeii and Vesuvius. One of the richest places in the world in terms of history, archaeology and culture. A city covered by the ashes of the eruption of the volcano in 79, which remains perfectly preserved today.

Visit the archaeological site, walk through its streets and then take a bus up to the mythical Mount Vesuvius, protagonist of this story that left petrified in time, a small part of the Roman Empire.

You will have round trip transfer, tickets to the National Park of Mount Vesuvius, to the archaeological site of Pompeii and the company of an expert guide, all included.

If you plan to visit Naples instead, then it's easier to book an excursion to Pompeii and Vesuvius from there.

An activity that lasts approximately 7 hours and that will take you straight to the city buried in ashes due to the eruption of the volcano in 79. You will always be accompanied by a professional guide who will teach you interesting facts and curiosities of that Ancient Rome so full of life and activity.

You will tour the entire archaeological area and then you can climb to the top of Mount Vesuvius, to enjoy the panoramic views and the peace that the Italian prairies transmit, before your return to the Neapolitan metropolis.

If you decide to make your own way to Pompeii and visit it on your own, don't worry because the top of the volcano is still accessible for those travelling on their own. There are only about 20 kilometres between the archaeological site and the volcano, and it won't take you more than half an hour to get there. You have three main options, each of which has its own particular advantages and, of course, a different price.

From Pompeii to Vesuvius by car

If you have reached Pompeii in your own car or rental car, the most practical way is to use it to reach the volcano as well. The road is very well signposted and the road is practically straight, you will drive parallel to the sea following the direction of Herculaneum.

You will arrive at the national park and at the foot of the volcano, where there are some curves so that you can drive up part of the road and limit the time you spend on foot. Here is a link to Google Maps so you can check the suggested itinerary and the traffic conditions at the time of your departure.

The car park is at an altitude of about 1,000 metres, so you will only have to walk the last part of the climb (don't worry, it's short but the ascent is quite steep) and you will finally reach the top of the crater. Parking there costs €6.

From Pompeii to Vesuvius by taxi

A quick and convenient way to get between the archaeological site of Pompeii and Vesuvius is to take a taxi. If you are travelling in a group of 3 or 4 people, seriously consider this option as it may be economically worthwhile for you to take a taxi.

It shouldn't be too difficult to find a taxi outside the Pompeii Archaeological Park, but if you are more relaxed, you can always look for a taxi service online and order one via the web or by phone. Some recommended taxi companies in the area are RTLA Partenope Srl and Cooperativa taxi Vulcano A RL. You can try contacting them by calling this number to book in advance +39 081 542 3101.

The price is around 25-30 € each way and it won't take you more than half an hour to get there. The taxi driver will drop you off at the car park at an altitude of 1000 metres where the walking section begins.

From Pompeii to Vesuvius by bus

The cheapest and most popular option for visitors to Pompeii is to get there by public transport, the bus that takes you from the archaeological site to the volcano. This is a public service with frequent departures linking the two attractions and on arrival at the volcano, as with taxis and cars, you will be dropped off at an altitude of 1,000 metres so that you can make the last stretch on foot.

The journey takes just over half an hour and the ticket costs €2.70 per person and takes about 50 minutes to complete. You can check the stops, general information and timetables on the EAV website.

Depending on how you choose to get there, your visit will require a different budget. In general, entrance to the national park costs €10 per person and can be purchased online at the Italian ticketing site Vivaticket.

Parking also costs a fee and you can book your parking space online in advance: bear in mind that once you get up there there will be no cover, so anything you can carry booked in advance will make your visit easier. You can do this through the official Parksuvio website. Depending on the type of vehicle you bring, the price ranges from €3 to €6 (for example, a standard 5-passenger vehicle costs €3, a mini-van or van €6).

As mentioned above, the climb up to 1000 metres can be done by bus, taxi or car, so you only have to walk the last part. Even so, the level of difficulty of the ascent is medium, as there is a difference in altitude of about 140 metres that your legs will notice as you progress along the route.

What you will see from the top

On a clear day (which fortunately in this part of Italy is most days of the year), you will have magnificent views of the Bay of Naples. At your feet will be some of the towns and villages surrounding the Vesuvius National Park, such as Herculaneum, but you will also have a bird's eye view of the Mediterranean and the islands off Naples, such as Procida, Ischia and Capri.

How long does it take to climb Vesuvius?

Calculate that between getting there, going up, taking pictures while enjoying the views from the top and making the descent, you will need almost half a day or half an afternoon. Check the opening and closing times of the national park to make sure you have enough time to make the climb at your leisure.

Climbing Vesuvius is a unique experience, but I recommend that you follow these tips to make the experience go smoothly:

• Be aware ofthe weather forecast: in winter, the temperature at the top of the volcano is much lower than what you will feel at the start of the climb. Be prepared with several layers of warm clothing and a waterproof or windproof jacket. In summer, if the temperature is too high, the park itself may close during the middle hours or may not recommend the climb to avoid health problems.
• Although the walking section is relatively short and the difficulty of the trail is medium, the climb is not recommended for people with cardio-vascular problems.
• Wear comfortable shoes to be able to cope with the walk (if you have visited the Pompeii archaeological site in sandals, I recommend that you carry sports or hiking shoes in your backpack for a change).
• Book in advance: taxi, parking and national park entrance fees - the earlier you book, the better.
• Bring water and some snacks in your backpack to recover your strength at the top.
• Calculate the time you'll need to get up and down andmake sure it doesn't get dark when you're at the top. Opening times are adapted to the winter and summer seasons, so check before you travel.