How to get to the Pompeii ruins

The easiest way is the Circumvesuviana on the Naples–Sorrento line, Pompei Scavi stop: it’s just a short walk from the station to Porta Marina entrance. By car, there are supervised parking lots near Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra, but they fill up during peak hours—better to arrive before 10:00 AM.

TrainCircumvesuviana Naples–Sorrento

StopPompeii Ruins

From the stationJust a short walk

Natural entrancePorta Marina

ParkingPorta Marina and Piazza Esedra

Baggage storageNear the stop

By train

The Circumvesuviana Naples–Sorrento line stops at Pompei Scavi, and from there it takes just a minute to cross the road to the entrance. That’s why Porta Marina is the most popular gate—if you arrive by train, you practically walk right into it (Pompeii entrances). Near the station, there’s also a left-luggage service, handy since large backpacks aren’t allowed inside.

By car

There are supervised car parks near Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra. The issue isn’t finding them—it’s finding a free spot. The area fills up during peak hours, so the practical rule is to arrive before 10:00. Which is also the best time to enter, since the park opens at 9:00 (when to visit).

With included transfer

Some guided options include round-trip transfers, while others start directly from Naples with hotel, port or station pick-up — like the full-day tour that combines the ruins and Mount Vesuvius, wrapping up around 5:00 PM. It makes sense if you’re staying somewhere inconvenient or just don’t want to deal with logistics: guided tours are listed under guided tours, and everything else is in all tours.

Recommended by those who’ve been there

If you arrive by train and have a wheeled suitcase, leave it at the luggage storage near the station before queuing up: large bags aren’t allowed inside the site, and you’d end up waiting in line twice.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Pompeii from Naples?

Take the Circumvesuviana train on the Naples–Sorrento line and get off at Pompei Scavi: the station is just a short walk from the site entrance.

What’s the right stop for the ruins?

Pompei Scavi. From there, the natural entrance is Porta Marina, which is also one of the voucher pick-up points: see Pompeii entrances.

Is it worth driving?

Only if you’ve already planned other stops. The supervised parking lots near Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra fill up during peak hours, so aim to arrive before 10:00 AM: check the schedule in when to visit.