Mount Vesuvius Tickets and Tours from Pompeii

Mount Vesuvius is actually an active volcano standing 1,280 metres tall, overlooking the city of Pompeii in the Bay of Naples, in the Campania region. It erupted almost 2,000 years ago and its lava buried, amongst others, the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Although the archaeological site is a Mecca for millions of visitors every year, Vesuvius is well worth a visit. It is quite easy and accessible to reach the summit, where you can gaze into the volcano’s crater and enjoy the best views of the region. Convinced yet? Read on!

One of the main reasons you’ll come to this area is undoubtedly to visit the archaeological site of Pompeii, the Roman city where life came to a standstill on that August morning in 79 AD when Vesuvius erupted. Today, you can stroll through its cobbled streets, see its temples, theatres, thermal baths, amphitheatres and even some taverns from that era, which have remained petrified ever since.

Vesuvius overlooks Pompeii, as it is situated 25 kilometres away. You can get there by public transport – a bus costing around €3.50 – or by hiring a car. But without a doubt, the most convenient way is to get there on an organised tour to Pompeii from Rome or on a tour to Pompeii from Naples that includes a stop at Vesuvius in its itinerary. That way, you won’t have to worry about a thing: a guide will accompany you at all times during the visit, and the private coach that takes you to and from the city will bring you right up to the summit of the volcano.

There is such high demand to visit the area that many tours include various services, one of which is the climb up the volcano. Make sure you check the itinerary carefully and opt for one of the comprehensive options that take you up to the volcano’s crater after visiting the archaeological site.

If you’re travelling through the Eternal City and have some free time in your itinerary, I recommend taking a tour to Pompeii and Vesuvius. One of the world’s richest sites in historical, archaeological and cultural terms. A city buried by the ash from the volcanic eruption in 79 AD, which remains perfectly preserved to this day.

Visit the archaeological site, wander through its streets and then take the bus up to the legendary Mount Vesuvius, the star of this story that left a small part of the Roman Empire frozen in time.

You’ll have return transport, entry to Mount Vesuvius National Park and the archaeological site of Pompeii, plus the company of an expert guide – all included.

If, on the other hand, you’re planning to visit Naples, then it’s easier to book a tour to Pompeii and Vesuvius from there.

An activity lasting approximately 7 hours that will take you straight to explore the city buried in ash following the volcano’s eruption in 79 AD. You’ll be accompanied at all times by a professional guide who will share fascinating facts and interesting details about that ancient Rome, so full of life and activity.

You’ll explore the entire archaeological site and then climb to the summit of Mount Vesuvius to enjoy the panoramic views and the tranquillity of the Italian meadows, before returning to the Neapolitan metropolis.

If you decide to make your own way to Pompeii and explore it independently, don’t worry – the summit of the volcano is equally accessible to those travelling on their own. The archaeological site and the volcano are just 20 kilometres apart, and it won’t take you more than half an hour to cover the distance. You have three main options, each with its own particular advantages and, of course, a different price.

From Pompeii to Vesuvius by car

If you’ve travelled to Pompeii in your own car or a hire car, the most practical option is to use it to get to the volcano as well. The road is very well signposted and the route is practically straight; you’ll drive parallel to the sea, heading towards Herculaneum.

You’ll reach the national park and the foot of the volcano, where the road begins to wind so you can drive part of the way up and minimise the time spent walking uphill. Here’s a link to Google Maps so you can check the suggested route and traffic conditions at the time of your departure.

The car park is at an altitude of around 1,000 metres, so you’ll only have to walk the final stretch of the climb (don’t be fooled, it’s short but the climb is quite steep) and you’ll finally reach the top of the crater. Parking there costs €6.

From Pompeii to Vesuvius by taxi

A quick and very comfortable way to get between the archaeological site of Pompeii and Vesuvius is by taking a taxi. If you’re travelling in a group of 3 or 4 people, seriously consider this option as it might be more cost-effective to take a taxi.

You shouldn’t find it too difficult to find a taxi at the exit of the Pompeii archaeological park, but if you’d feel more at ease, you can always look for an online taxi service and book it via the website 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 fare 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 1,000 metres, where the section you’ll need to walk begins.

From Pompeii to Vesuvius by bus

The cheapest and most popular option among visitors to Pompeii is to travel by public transport, specifically the bus that takes you from the archaeological site to the volcano. This is a public service with frequent departures linking both attractions and, upon arrival at the volcano – just like taxis and private cars – will drop you off at an altitude of 1,000 metres so you can walk the final stretch.

The journey takes just over half an hour and the ticket price is €2.70 per person; the route takes around 50 minutes. You can check the stops, general information and timetables on the EAV website.

Depending on how you’ve decided to get there, your visit will require a different budget. Generally, entry to the national park costs €10 per person and can be purchased online via the Italian ticketing service Vivaticket.

Parking also incurs a charge and you can book your space online in advance: bear in mind that once you reach the top there will be no mobile signal, so anything you can book in advance will make your visit much easier. You can do this via the official Parksuvio website. Depending on the type of vehicle you’re driving, the price ranges from €3 to €6 (for example, a standard car with a capacity for 5 passengers costs €3, a minivan or van, €6).

As I mentioned earlier, the ascent to an altitude of 1,000 metres can be done by bus, taxi or car, so you’ll only need to walk the final stretch. Even so, the climb is of medium difficulty, as there’s a 140-metre elevation gain that your legs will feel as you make your way along the route.

What you’ll see from the summit

On a clear day (which, fortunately, is the case for the vast majority of days in this part of Italy), you’ll have magnificent views of the Bay of Naples. At your feet lie some of the towns and villages surrounding Vesuvius National Park, such as Herculaneum, but you’ll also have a bird’s-eye view of the Mediterranean and the islands off the coast of Naples, such as Procida, Ischia and Capri.

How long does it take to climb Vesuvius

Allow for around half a day or an afternoon to get there, make the climb, take photos whilst enjoying the views from the summit, and make the descent. Check the national park’s opening and closing times to ensure you have enough time to make the climb at a leisurely pace.

Climbing Mount Vesuvius is a unique experience, but I recommend you follow these tips to ensure everything goes smoothly:

• Check the weather forecast: in winter, the temperature at the summit of the volcano is much lower than what you’ll experience at the start of the climb. Come prepared with several layers of warm clothing and a waterproof jacket or windbreaker. In summer, if the temperature is too high, the park itself may close during the middle of the day or advise against the climb to avoid health risks.
• Although the walk is relatively short and the trail is of moderate difficulty, the climb is not recommended for people with cardiovascular problems.
• Wear comfortable footwear to cope with the walk (if you’ve visited the archaeological site of Pompeii in sandals, I recommend carrying trainers or hiking boots in your rucksack as a change of footwear).
• Book in advance: the taxi, parking and national park tickets – the sooner you book them, the better.
• Pack water and a snack in your rucksack to recharge your batteries at the summit.
• Estimate the time you’ll need for the ascent and descentto avoid being caught out by nightfall whilst you’re at the top. Opening hours vary between the winter and summer seasons, so check them before you travel.