Pompeii: Day Trips and Tours from Positano

Located in what is now the commune of Pompeii, the Archaeological Park of Pompeii is one of Italy’s most popular historic attractions, marvel at ancient buildings, artifacts, and skeletons that have remained remarkably well-intact.

Streets of haunting ruins live in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, one of the world’s most notorious active volcanoes. Its most infamous eruption took place in 79 A.D. when a thick carpet of volcanic ash buried this mesmerizing city.

You will find below all you need to know about Pompeii, one of the most fascinating destinations for day trips from Positano.

How to get to Pompeii from Positano?

Situated in southern Italy’s Campania region, Pompeii is a two-thousand-year-old city that lies 14 miles southeast of Naples. It makes for a popular day trip from Positano as it is a short one-hour drive from the cliffside village of Positano.

From Positano to Pompeii by car

The most popular and fastest route to Pompeii from Positano takes you along the SS163 and SS145 highways, which will take around an hour.

There is also a longer route via Amalfi and Ravello that passes the mountain top to the autostrada. While this route takes a little longer, it’s more scenic and avoids some of the traffic endured on the more popular route. This route will take you around 2 hours.

From Positano to Pompeii by public transport

If you don’t fancy getting behind the wheel, then it’s also relatively easy to take public transportation.

The best route involves taking the line 5070 bus from Positano Chiesa Nuova to the Meta train station, followed by a train to Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri. From here, it’s a short 7-minute walk to the center of Pompeii.

This is the most cost-effective way to travel to Pompeii, which is priced at around €5. Embarking on this route will take around 1.5 hours.

Guided tour to Pompeii from Positano

If you want a hassle-free tour knowing that all of your transport needs are taken care of, you can opt for a guided day excursion to Pompeii from Positano. On this organized tour, you’ll be collected from a central pickup point in Positano. Traveling in a comfortable, air-conditioned minibus, you can expect VIP treatment as you listen to enchanting tales of this ancient city from a knowledgeable guide.

How much does the entrance ticket to Pompeii cost?

Pompeii excavations entrance ticket

• Adults: €16
• Young adults (18 to 24): €3.50
• Children (under 18): Free

The entrance ticket to Pompeii also includes the entrance to Villa Regina. You can enter for free to the Pompeii archeological site on the first Sunday of every month.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Pompeii from Positano?

While day trips to Pompeii vary, tours departing from Positano often include a central meeting point or pickup directly from your accommodation. From there, your adventure to Pompeii will begin in a comfortable air-conditioned mini-van or bus where your archaeological guide will tell you fascinating tales of this mysterious city.

Once at the UNESCO World Heritage site, you can expect to marvel at foregone ruins and explore Positano’s surrounding regions. This includes visiting the infamous volcanic crater where you can stroll to the rim of Mount Vesuvius – one of the world’s most carefully monitored volcanos.

At the end of your tour, your driver will take you back to Positano.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Pompeii?

There are a number of different tours to Pompeii, depending on your transportation preferences, budget, time, and whether you’re eager to see other cities and towns within the vicinity.

From sampling delicious local wine varieties at a winery in Pompeii to visiting the famed Mount Vesuvius or embarking on an adventure to Capri island, the options are endless.

To help you make your decision-making process easier, here are some of the most popular tours available.

Guided tours to Pompeii from Positano

Organized day trips from Pompeii tend to come with an archeological guide and driver who will be ready to collect you directly from your hotel or a central meeting point in town. From there, you’ll discover the main jaunts along the Amalfi coast while learning the history of this bygone part of Italy.

You can expect to cruise in a comfortable air-conditioned mini-van or coach as you discover secrets of daily life in ancient Roman times and discover what life was like before the tragic eruption of Vesuvius.

Shuttle transfer without guide to Pompeii from Positano

If you want to sit back and relax knowing that your transportation is taken care of, then taking a shuttle transfer from Positano to Pompeii is a good option.

Your driver will collect you from a central meeting point in Positano, where you’ll begin your adventure to Pompeii in a comfortable and modern mini-van.

After you’ve finished exploring this ancient city on your own terms, you’ll then be shuttled back to the same collection point in Positano at the end of the day.

Private tour to Pompeii from Positano

Private day trips to Pompeii offer a more exclusive experience, where you’ll have an English-speaking archaeological guide all to yourself on hand to answer any questions that may spring up during your tour.

Take as long as you want for those obligatory photo opportunities, as you marvel at the many ancient ruins in Pompeii, including the Basilica, the Forum, as well as the thermal baths.

You’ll travel in style in a private air-conditioned vehicle and enjoy a local restaurant meal for lunch. The tour ends at the same meeting point in Positano.

Day trip to Pompeii plus Sorrento from Positano

On this full-day tour, you’ll be chauffeured by a multilingual driver in a luxurious private air-conditioned car along the Bay of Naples, where you will stopover at Pompeii’s wonderful archeological park, followed by Sorrento.

Along the way, you’ll admire breathtaking views of Capri while touring Sorrento and indulging in a spot of retail therapy. Once at Sorrento, you also have the chance to delve into local specialties at a variety of restaurants scattered across the city.

Day tour to Capri plus Sorrento and Pompeii from Positano

If you fancy seeing three of Campania’s top attractions in a day, this is the tour for you. You’ll have the choice of either traveling in a stylish convertible or a minibus (depending on your group size), where you’ll visit the majestic Blue Grotto – one of Capri’s most famous attractions.

Your knowledgeable local guide will allow you free time to stroll along the charming streets of Sorrento, where you can enjoy some souvenir shopping while taking in stellar views of the Bay of Naples.

You’ll then learn all about Pompeii’s magnificently preserved ancient ruins during a tour of the Archeological park. You’ll finish your tour where you left off in Positano.

How much does a tour to Pompeii from Positano cost?

Day tours to Pompeii from Positano include transportation from either the city center or your hotel by coach, mini-van, or air-conditioned vehicle. Most tours also include a guide and entrance to Pompeii. For small-group organized tours of this nature, trips start from €110 per person.

Shuttle transfers that include transportation but without a guide or entrance ticket start at €60 per person.

Private tours of Pompeii by luxury air-conditioned vehicle with VIP treatment and your very own private archaeological guide start at €240 per person for a group of two people. This day tour often comes with entrance to the Pompeii UNESCO Heritage Site, and some include a visit to Sorrento.

Day tours to Capri plus Sorrento and Pompeii cost around €460 per person. This includes transportation by private convertible taxi or mini-van, depending on the size of your group, an expert guide, admission to the Blue Grotto and Pompeii, as well as private transfers to and from Positano.

What will you see and do on a Pompeii day trip from Positano?

Pompeii day trips are packed with history and exploration. They take you to one of the most fascinating parts of Italy that is bound to transport you back to ancient times. There are a number of glorious jaunts along the Bay of Naples that promise an adventure like no other.

Here are some highlights of what you can expect to visit during a day tour of Pompeii and its surrounding regions:

Pompeii Archaeological National Park

Every trip from Positano will include an unmissable visit to the Pompeii Archaeological National Park – Europe’s most riveting archaeological site. You’ll visit the ghostly ruins, forums, and temples that will come alive before your eyes with an English-speaking expert guide who will tell you all the haunting tales of this ancient site.

Vesuvius National Park

The Vesuvius National Park, known locally as the Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio, was established in 1995. It consists of 11 different paths and is most famous for being home to the formidable Mt Vesuvius – one of the world’s most studied volcanoes.

It is currently in a phase of “active rest” and is closely monitored to detect any changes in its activity. Many tours will allow you to hike to the summit of the crater of this active but currently dormant volcano.

Archaeological Park of Herculaneum

This remarkably preserved Roman fishing town is home to around 5,000 inhabitants and is a stopover on some selected day tours to Pompeii.

Holding a similar fate to Pompeii, Herculaneum was destroyed by an earthquake in 62 A.D., before the 79 A.D. eruption of Mt Vesuvius saw it wholly submerged under a layer of thick mud that entirely fossilized the city.

Now, visitors can marvel at carbonized furniture, clothing, and stylish mosaics that have been incredibly well-preserved over time.

The Blue Grotto

This is Capri’s most sought-after attraction, and for good reason. The Blue Grotto is an unusual sea cave that stuns visitors thanks to its majestic blue light.

Blue Grotto also has a fascinating history where research has revealed that Emperor Tiberius built a small pier and passageways from the cave to his villa around 30 A.D. Surprisingly, you can still marvel at the carved Roman landing stage on a visit to the cave.

When is Pompeii open over the year?

The Pompeii Archaeological Park is open all year round, excluding Dec. 25, May 1, and Jan. 1, unless communicated otherwise. On Saturdays and Sundays, the entrance ticket to the site can only be purchased online and must be booked at least one day in advance.

What are the opening times?

The Pompeii Archaeological Park opens at 9 AM year-round. From April 1 to Oct. 31,  it closes at 7 PM, with the last entrance at 5:30 PM.  From Nov. 1 to March 31, it closes at 5 PM, with the last entrance permitted at 3:30 PM.

When is the best time to visit Pompeii?

If you’re looking to avoid the peak summer crowds, then the best time to visit Pompeii is during the off-season from November to March. It’s also best to begin your adventure early in the morning to make the most of your day in the ancient city.

Are there any tours to Pompeii from other cities in Italy?

Yes, there are tours departing from other cities in Italy:

• Day Trips to Pompeii from Amalfi
• Day Trips to Pompeii from Capri
• Day Trips to Pompeii from Rome
• Day Trips to Pompeii from Salerno
• Day Trips to Pompeii from Sorrento
• Day Trips to Pompeii from Naples

Travel tips

• Make sure to book tickets well in advance because tours can get booked up quickly, especially during peak season.
• Wear comfortable footwear – you’ll need it for wandering around the ruins and hiking in the Vesuvius National Park.
• Bring a camera and, if possible, some spare batteries – there are endless photo opportunities during your journey to Pompeii.