How much does it cost to visit Pompeii

Pompeii doesn’t set the price—you do, with four choices: which ticket you pick (Pompei Express or Pompei+), whether you explore with a live guide or an audio guide, if you join a group or go private, and whether transport from Naples is included. The basic entry is the lightest option; a private tour or a combined day trip with Mount Vesuvius are the most involved.

TicketExpress or Pompei+

The storyAudio guide or live guide

FormatGroup or private

TransportIncluded or to be added

Free dayFirst Sunday of the month

Where you see the numbersBooking widget

Four things that change the total

The type of ticket. The Pompei Express covers just the ancient city. Pompei+ adds the suburban villas: Villa dei Misteri, Villa of Diomedes, and Villa Regina in Boscoreale with the Antiquarium. If it’s your first time and you’re short on hours, the Plus is something you pay for and don’t use—I go into detail in Pompeii Express or Pompei+.

Who brings the ruins to life. It’s the voice that makes the difference. An entry ticket with an audio guide costs less than a group tour, and a group tour costs less than a private tour with an archaeologist all to yourself. None of them is the wrong choice—it just depends on what you want to take away from the experience.

Group or private. Small-group tours with headsets are the middle ground most people go for. A private tour is the way to go when you’re with just a few people, have your own questions, and want to set the pace: check out the options under private tours.

Transport. Some options include round-trip transfers, others leave it up to you to get there. The Circumvesuviana stops just steps from the entrance, so included transport is mainly worth it if you’re staying at an inconvenient hotel or short on time—see how to get to Pompeii.

Usually included

Admission to the site, with assigned date and time slot
The audio guide, in the options that include it, in Italian and four other languages
The live guide and headsets for group tours
Free luggage storage with the audio guide ticket

Not included

Transport from Naples or Sorrento, unless it’s clearly stated
The suburban villas, if you took the Pompei Express
Lunch and drinks, except on the day that also includes Mount Vesuvius
A tip for the guide, which no one will ask you for

Which option works best for you

You’ve already been or read a lot. Entry with an audio guide and go at your own pace.
It’s your first time and you have half a day. Group guided tour: two hours with an archaeologist guide gives you the lay of the land, then you stay inside on your own.
You’re a couple or a small group and want to ask questions. Private tour.
You only have one day in Campania. The day trip with Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius includes transport, entry fees, and lunch, and it’s clear in the price: compare everything in all the tours.

Recommended by those who’ve been there

If you happen to be in Pompeii on the first Sunday of the month, entry is free, but the ticket remains personal and time-slot based. Read how free entry really works before counting on it.

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Frequently asked questions

What affects the cost of a visit to Pompeii the most?

How the site is explained to you. Entry with an audio guide is the lightest option, a group guided tour is mid-range, and a private tour with an archaeologist is the most expensive. The comparison is in guide or audio guide.

Is the combined ticket with Mount Vesuvius worth it?

It’s worth it if you only have one day and no car: it includes transport, entry to both sites and lunch, lasts over seven hours, and brings you back around 5:00 PM. If you’re staying in Naples for several nights, though, it’s better to keep them separate.

Can you visit Pompeii without paying for a guide?

Yes. The audio guide is included in the entry-only ticket, available in Italian, English, German, French, and Spanish, and with 44 hectares to explore, you’ll still need something to help you find your way. See also how much time you need.