Naples to Pompeii by Train: Stations, Tickets & Day Trip Guide
Traveling from Naples to Pompeii takes 35 minutes via the EAV Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Piazza Garibaldi directly to Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri station, situated 50 meters from the Porta Marina entrance. Alternatively, Trenitalia regional trains reach Pompei station in 40 minutes, connecting to the park via the official Pompei Link shuttle.
The simplest rail plan for most visitors is EAV from Naples to Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri, the stop associated with the Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra side of the Archaeological Park. A second option is Trenitalia to the station named Pompei, followed by the official Pompei Link bus connection to the Park.
The important detail is the station name. Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri, Pompei and Pompei Santuario are not interchangeable stops. Choose the rail operator and Park entrance together, then check the current timetable on the day of travel.
Quick answer: which route is best?
| Route | Where you arrive | Park connection | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| EAV Napoli–Sorrento | Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri | Near Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra | The most direct rail approach to the main archaeological park |
| EAV Napoli–Poggiomarino | Pompei Santuario | Associated with Piazza Anfiteatro | Travellers specifically planning the Piazza Anfiteatro side |
| Trenitalia Regionale | Pompei | Pompei Link bus from the station forecourt | Visitors whose journey already uses the national rail network |
| Car or taxi | Depends on the route and drop-off | Use the Park’s official entrance information | Families, groups or itineraries that do not fit the rail timetable |
These station-to-entrance relationships come from the Archaeological Park’s official directions. Do not select a train solely because its destination says “Pompei”; check the full stop name and the operator.
If you prefer a pre-arranged day with transport or a guide, compare our best Pompeii tours from Naples with this independent train route. Check the tour listing for actual time inside the archaeological park, admission, the meeting point, and the return plan.
Option 1: EAV to Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri
EAV’s Napoli–Sorrento line serves Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri. From Naples, look for a service on the current EAV timetable that is scheduled to stop there. The timetable lists departures from Naples stations including Napoli Porta Nolana and Napoli Piazza Garibaldi; confirm the departure point and direction before boarding.
Step by step
- Open the current EAV Napoli–Sorrento timetable and check the service for your date.
- At the Naples station, follow signs for the EAV/Circumvesuviana service and verify the destination and intermediate stops on the station display.
- Get off at Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri, not at the separate station named Pompei or at Pompei Santuario.
- Follow signs to the Park entrance that matches your ticket and itinerary.
- Keep the return timetable and the operator’s service notices available. Rail times and stopping patterns can change.
The EAV station page currently records a ramp and passenger information services, but it also records directional accessibility limitations. If anyone in your group needs step-free travel, read EAV’s station accessibility instructions before buying a return journey.
Option 2: Trenitalia to Pompei plus Pompei Link
Trenitalia serves Pompei on the national railway network. That is the station in the modern town, not the EAV stop named Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri. Trenitalia’s official Pompei Link page describes the bus connection from the station forecourt to the Archaeological Park and explains how the integrated train-and-bus ticket is sold.
The Trenitalia page currently lists the bus connection as a separate service with its own conditions and says that the bus fare can be added to the rail journey. Check that page or ask Trenitalia staff for the current combination when you buy; do not assume that a normal rail ticket includes the Park bus.
This route is useful when your wider trip already uses Napoli Centrale and the Trenitalia network. It also avoids confusing a mainline Pompei ticket with an EAV Pompei Scavi ticket.
How much do tickets cost?
There are two different purchases: transport to Pompeii and admission to the Archaeological Park.
Transport tickets
EAV and Trenitalia publish their own fares, conditions and service notices. Prices and ticketing rules can change, so use the operator’s current sales page or station staff for the fare on your travel date. The EAV timetable and service pages and Trenitalia’s Pompei Link page are the useful starting points.
Park admission
The Park’s current ticket page lists these products:
- €20: Pompeii Express, covering the ancient city of Pompeii.
- €25: Pompeii Plus, covering the ancient city plus suburban villas (Villa of the Mysteries, Villa of Diomedes, Villa Regina and Antiquarium at Boscoreale).
- €30: Grande Pompei, a three-day network ticket adding Oplontis, Villa Arianna, Villa San Marco, the Libero D'Orsi Archaeological Museum in Stabiae, Boscoreale, and the connecting shuttle bus, subject to the conditions on the official page.
The Park also states that tickets are personal and that daily admissions are limited. Buy online through the official VivaTicket channel or use one of the official Park ticket offices at Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro or Piazza Esedra. Read the official timetables and tickets page for the current product rules, seasonal hours and entry arrangements.
Which Pompeii entrance should I use?
The Park identifies three entrances:
- Porta Marina, on the Villa dei Misteri side.
- Piazza Esedra, also called Porta Marina Inferiore.
- Piazza Anfiteatro, the entrance associated with the accessible “Pompeii for All” route.
Your rail stop, ticket type and planned route should point to the same side of the site. The official map and guide is more reliable than a copied walking-distance estimate or an old blog map.
How long should a Naples day trip take?
Plan the day around the Park rather than around a rigid internet itinerary.
- Allow at least 2–3 hours inside for a highlights visit.
- Allow 4–6 hours or longer if you want a slower route, the larger archaeological area or a Pompeii Plus / Grande Pompei itinerary.
- Add time for the journey to the station, ticket checks, queues, walking between the station and entrance, and a return-service buffer.
The Park is a large archaeological area with uneven surfaces. Review the Park regulations and the official map before deciding how much ground to cover.
Campania Express: check the operating date
Campania Express is an EAV tourist service rather than a substitute for every ordinary EAV departure. Its timetable, ticket conditions, stops and operating calendar must be checked separately. EAV currently says the service will be suspended from October 1, 2026 until further notice and provides refund instructions for affected tickets.
See the current Campania Express service page before including it in a Naples itinerary. If it is not operating on your date, use the ordinary EAV timetable or compare the Trenitalia/Pompei Link route.
A practical one-day plan
- Choose the entrance first. Porta Marina/Piazza Esedra generally pair naturally with the EAV Pompei Scavi stop; Piazza Anfiteatro may suit a different approach.
- Buy or verify Park admission. Check the official product, date and entry conditions. Keep the named ticket and identification requirements in mind.
- Check both directions of travel. Save the outbound and return operator timetable, plus any same-day service notice.
- Pack for the archaeological site. Wear practical shoes, carry water, and read the Park regulations before arriving with a large bag.
- Leave a return buffer. Do not plan the final train immediately after leaving the ruins; the exit, walk and station transfer are part of the day.
For tickets and entry rules, see our Pompeii ticket reservation guide. For a broader visit plan, use the Pompeii Visitor Guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which train is best from Naples to Pompeii?
For the archaeological park, EAV to Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri is the most direct rail choice for the Porta Marina/Piazza Esedra side. If your journey uses Trenitalia, travel to Pompei and use the official Pompei Link connection. Check the live timetable rather than relying on a fixed frequency.
Is Pompei Scavi the same as Pompei station?
No. Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri is an EAV station near the archaeological park. Pompei is the Trenitalia station in the modern town. Pompei Santuario is a different EAV stop associated with the Piazza Anfiteatro approach.
Can I buy Pompeii tickets at the entrance?
The Park lists official ticket offices at Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro and Piazza Esedra. Advance purchase is still useful because tickets are personal and daily entry is limited. Follow the Park’s current ticket instructions for your date.
Does my train ticket include Pompeii admission?
Not automatically. Rail and Park admission are separate purchases unless an official combined product explicitly says otherwise. Check the conditions of the exact EAV, Trenitalia or Park product before paying.
Can I visit Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day from Naples?
It may be possible, but it is a compressed plan. Check both sites’ current opening arrangements, allow for rail changes and queues, and decide whether a shorter Pompeii visit is acceptable before adding Herculaneum. A full Pompeii visit and a second archaeological site deserve separate time buffers.
Arriving From the Airport or a Cruise Ship
Landing at Capodichino Airport or docking at the Naples cruise terminal adds a leg before you reach the stations above:
- From the airport: see our Naples Airport to Pompeii transfer guide for the direct shuttle bus, taxi and train-plus-transfer options.
- From a cruise ship: see our Naples cruise port to Pompeii guide for the metro/walk-plus-train route and a re-boarding time buffer.
Official sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Which train station should I use from Naples to visit Pompeii?▼
Can I take Trenitalia from Naples to Pompeii?▼
How much does a Naples to Pompeii day trip cost?▼
Do I need to book Pompeii tickets in advance?▼
Does Campania Express run from Naples to Pompeii?▼
Download the Pompeii 1-Day Itinerary & Visiting Guide (PDF)
Covering 66 hectares in the heat can be exhausting. Get our printable offline guide with timed walking routes, schematic site map, must-see frescoes, fountain refill points, and skip-the-line tips.