This post provides information about various guided tours of the Pompeii ruins.
We include walking tours, audio tours, day trips from Rome, and combo tours that incorporate outings to other popular sites or tourist attractions in the area.
GUIDED TOURS OF POMPEII
Even though several companies provide tours in addition to their transportation services, customers should not expect this from each day trip to Pompeii.
We list a few options below, but there are many more options to choose from.
The easiest (and potentially most affordable) way to experience a guided tour of this historic site and climb up Mt Vesuvius is by choosing a combo pass that includes the service.
However, you can also choose to take a separate tour after arriving in Naples.
If you plan on using either a train or a car to reach this destination, consider one of the following tour options, including a free audio guide.
For more information about visiting this historic location on your own, please read our post about taking the train to the ruins of Pompeii from Rome and Naples.
Can you visit Pompeii without a tour?
Yes, you can visit Pompeii without a tour, exploring at your own pace. For guidance on how to do this, you may find this post, "How to Visit the Pompeii Ruins" helpful.
How long do most Pompeii guided tours last?
A Pompeii guided tour typically last between 2 to 3 hours. However, the duration can vary based on the depth of the tour and individual group pace.
The Best of Pompeii Tour
Over the course of 2 ½ hours, you will learn all about what life was like for citizens of Pompeii before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
See the real traces and shapes of inhabitants as you walk around the area and enjoy your free time exploring the ancient ruins.
In addition to the tour, you’ll also receive free entry into the archaeological site of pompeii.
This is a great option for anyone who chose to save some time and take the train.
The commentary is available in English.
This tour has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars (read reviews here).
- Ticket Prices: €59 for Adults | €49 for Children
- Availability: 6 days a week, either 10:00 AM or 2:45 PM depending on the day
- Duration: 2 ½ hours
- Free Skip-the-Line entry to Pompeii
- Click here for more information.
Skip-the-Line Pompeii Walking Tour
If you don’t have much time to see the landmark and you’re trying to save some money, this might be your best bet.
You can also expect your ticket price to include the entrance fees for the archaeological site.
The commentary is provided in English. This tour has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars (read reviews here).
- Ticket Prices: €43 for Adults | €15 for Teens | Children are free.
- Availability: Daily, 9:30 am - 3 pm
- Duration: 2 hours
- Free Skip-the-Line entry to Pompeii
- Click here for more information.
Rick Steve’s Pompeii Audio Tour
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, you might want to consider the audio tour provided by Rick Steve’s Europe.
All you have to do is download the audio file onto your smartphone and listen to the tour while walking around Pompeii.
- Ticket Prices: Free
- Availability: Whenever you want
- Duration: 35+ minutes
- Entrance to Pompeii not included
- Transportation not included
- Click here to download the audio tour.
- Click here to download the map.
TOURS OF POMPEII FROM ROME
This section provides details about the best Pompeii tours, which include transportation from Rome.
In addition to shuttle services, there are also tour companies offering guided tours of the area.
Be sure to also check out our post on visiting Pompeii from Rome for do-it-yourself options.
Pompeii Shuttle From Rome
If you’d rather enjoy a drive down to this ancient town, you can always take a shuttle bus instead.
Although they aren’t as quick as the trains, some passengers might find the bus more comfortable and easier to use.
This is also an excellent alternative if tickets sell out for some of the other transportation options on our list.
The shuttle services from Rome to Pompeii typically include round-trip. Some companies also include a free local expert guide tour of the lost city.
The only issue with this option is that you can expect travel times of up to 3 ½ hours both ways.
If you want to take a shuttle bus, plan to set aside an entire day for your trip.
- Ticket Prices: €68 for Adults | €61 for Teens | €40 for Children
- Availability: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from March – October
- Duration: 11 hours (6-7 hours of travel time)
- 2-hour guided tour included for free
- Request an English tour guide for an additional fee.
- Plenty of time to explore on your own
- Click here for more information.
Ratings for this service are very good with an average score of 4 out of 5 stars (read reviews here).
Several customers were impressed with the bus group tour, describing it as both comfortable and relaxing.
Guests were also very happy with the amount of information provided by their helpful and friendly tour guide.
TIP: Tickets that include an English-speaking tour guide can run you over €80 per person.
If you’d rather have more control over your trip to Pompeii, we recommend choosing a different option.
Half-Day Express Tour of Pompeii
This service provides high-speed train tickets to and from Rome, admission into Pompeii, and a 2-hour guided tour of the area.
Guests will enjoy live commentary from a local guide or an expert archaeologist who speaks English. A fair amount of walking is required for the tour.
If you’re not interested in spending a full day at the archaeological site, this is probably one of the quickest options for exploring Pompeii excavations and making it back to Rome with enough time to enjoy an evening in the city.
- Ticket Prices: €149 for Adults | €129 for Children
- Availability: Daily at 12:30 pm
- Duration: 6 hours
- The tour group has a maximum of 25 people
- Wheelchairs, strollers, and baby carriages are not accommodated
- Click here for more details.
COMBINED TICKETS POMPEII/MOUNT VESUVIUS/AMALFI COAST
The following section covers Pompeii tours from Rome which include additional activities, including stops at locations such as the Amalfi Coast and Mount Vesuvius.
Take Walks
This company offers a few different day trips or small group tours from Rome, including an outing that will take you to Pompeii.
This excursion includes a guided tour through the ancient city and a stop at the town of Positano with a coach.
As if that weren’t good enough, you’ll also get the chance to see the Amalfi Coast while traveling from Rome to Pompeii!
- €179/Adults | €169/Kids
- Duration: 13 hours
- Availability: Daily
- Includes skip-the-line tickets to Pompeii.
- Includes transportation to and from Pompeii.
- Purchase tickets or learn more here.
Pompeii & Vesuvius Tour
If you want to explore both Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius, this may be your best bet.
In addition to skip-the-line admission to both sites, you’ll also enjoy round-trip transportation to and from the meeting point.
This outing will take a total of 8 hours to complete, giving guests plenty of time at both sites.
You will get to see a volcanic eruption or have a close look at the volcano, or volcanic ash.
The commentary is provided in English, Spanish, French, and Italian.
This tour has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars (read reviews here).
- Ticket Prices: €100 for Adults | €84 for Children
- Availability: Daily at 10:00 am
- Duration: 7 hours
- Entrance fees are included
- Transportation to/from the Naples meeting point included
- Pizza lunch and drinks included
- Click here for more information.
Pompeii & Amalfi Coast Tour
Travelers who want to experience both Pompeii and the nearby Amalfi Coast should consider this full-day tour.
Your first stop will be at the archaeological site and then you’ll head down to the coast and enjoy a lunchtime stop at the resort town of Positano.
While here, visitors can enjoy incredible views of Sorrento, the Sorrentine Peninsula, and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
This tour has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars (read reviews here).
- Ticket Prices: €179 for Adults | €169 for Children
- Availability: Daily starting at 7:15 AM
- Duration: 13 hours
- Entrance to Pompeii included
- Lunch is not included
- Transportation via Minibus
- Click here for additional details.
