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Have you decided that you want to include a trip to Mount Vesuvius in your travel itinerary? Once you start searching for information about how to do this, you will have been presented with a wide array of different options. These can all seem quite similar so it’s tough to work out which is the right choice! I’m here to help you navigate these and decide on the best Mount Vesuvius tickets and tours for you.
Vesuvius really is a must-see site when in Naples or Campania – it’s impossible to miss it when the volcano dominates the local landscape
Everything you need to know about Mount Vesuvius tickets and tours
I’ve talked quite a lot here on Napleswise about why including Mount Vesuvius in your plans is a good idea, but given it’s a volcano, access isn’t that straightforward. Also, many people want to combine a trip to Vesuvius with Pompeii and/or Herculaneum which adds another layer of planning.
Fortunately it is straightforward to explore both the volcano and surrounding area once you understand the transport and ticket system so let’s get into these details.
In this guide I’ll be covering:
Why Visit Mount Vesuvius?
If you’re still not sure if you want to visit Mount Vesuvius, here is a brief overview of what makes it so interesting, and for us, a must-do activity:
- Mount Vesuvius is intricately linked with the city of Naples, with many local legends and traditions tied to the presence of the volcano. Seeing the city and wider Campania region from the top of Vesuvius helps understand why the Neapolitans are so connected to it.
- The fertile soil and environment created by the volcanic activity means that the slopes of Vesuvius are filled with all sorts of different plants and trees. Wine made from grapes grown on these slopes is particularly special!
Want to look down into the crater of Vesuvius on your trip to Naples? Find out how to visit with our full guide
- Without the famous eruption in AD 79, the ancient Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum would not have been preserved. Seeing the actual volcano up close brings a new meaning when visiting those ancient sites.
You can learn more about what to see and do on Mount Vesuvius in our full visit guide here:
How to Reach Mount Vesuvius
There are two ways to visit Mount Vesuvius, one is to hike up and the other is to walk up to the Gran Cono from one of the two parking areas just below the crater.
Hiking Mount Vesuvius
There are 11 different official trails on Vesuvius. Not all of these go up to the crater, some are designed to allow people to see different features in the national park.
You can see the lava flow from the 1944 eruption on path #9 ‘The River of Lava’ or #3 ‘The Mt Somma’ which takes you up to the highest peak of Mount Somma, a separate part of the Vesuvian volcanic system.
Hiking up the mountain is a great way to see the local landscape up close
These paths are clearly marked and you should not go off the trails for safety. Some are more accessible and others are only suitable for experienced hikers so check the whole length and elevation before you set off! Be sure to bring plenty of water and supplies with you – there are no rest points along these paths.
The starting point for your hike will differ depending on what route you take. For the specific routes, maps and more information, visit the official Vesuvius National Park website here. Here it will also give details of any trail closures or temporary maintenance works.
Visiting the Crater by Car
If you have a rental car and want to drive yourself, this is possible. There is a car park (not monitored) partway up the road to the crater for private vehicles. From here you can walk up but I highly recommend paying a few euro for the shuttle bus that takes you up to the actual crater entrance.
The road up is pretty narrow and steep, with many big tour buses and mini buses going up and down it. There is also no pathway for pedestrians so it’s not particularly safe.
You should book your parking in advance to ensure that you get a space, and that you don’t have any issues with payment there. The official site for the car park is here. On the day set your GPS for Parcheggio Vesuvio for directions from wherever you are staying. Expect narrow, winding roads up the mountain and lots of large buses and coaches!
Visiting the Crater by Bus or Coach
While it is possible to drive yourself, this would not be my recommended route to Vesuvius. The far easier and more straightforward option is to take a bus or coach.
From Pompeii you can take local bus 808 which drops off just by the entrance to the crater. This takes at least an hour, as it stops fairly frequently. This also works if you are coming from Sorrento on the Circumvesuviana train, as there is a bus stop close to the Pompeii train station.
Consider booking one of the many coach options that run between Vesuvius and Herculaneum or Pompeii for a more comfortable visit
This local bus is fine but doesn’t run too often and is not the most comfortable option.
Instead, my recommendation would be to book entrance tickets that include coach transport. There are options from Naples, Herculaneum and Pompeii, and this way you don’t have to worry about anything once you’ve made your purchase. The coaches park right by the entrance to the crater and run frequently, making them the most reliable transport option.
Coming from Sorrento? You will still need to reach either Ercolano (the modern town where Herculaneum is) or Pompeii either by train, bus or taxi to connect to Vesuvius.
Purchasing Standard Vesuvius Entrance Tickets
If you want to see the crater of Vesuvius, you have to have an entrance ticket. If you are hiking the lower trails no ticket is needed, but if you want to end at the crater, you need to arrange that element.
Entrance tickets, without any transport, must be bought online in advance of your visit. The internet signal is very unreliable up at the entrance so don’t arrive and assume you can quickly make your purchase there! The official site for these tickets is here, but they only release tickets 30 days in advance so set a reminder in your calendar.
However you buy or book your tickets, hold on to them when they are given to you by the park attendant or tour operator. Data signal is very limited on the volcano making it sometimes impossible to show your tickets via a phone
If the official site is sold out or you want to include transport, you will need to go to an official third party for your tickets. You can purchase just the entry tickets, sometimes with an audio guide, from our trusted partners GetYourGuide, HeadOut and Tiqets.
If the crater is closed to visitors because of poor weather conditions, no refunds are given, regardless of whether you purchased directly or not.
Curious to know more, or want to share your own tips? Leave a comment!
Entrance Tickets with Transfers
There are a few different options for entrance tickets with transfers, including:
- Round-trip bus service from Naples to Vesuvius with crater entrance tickets included
- Round-trip bus service from Ercolano Scavi train station (short walk from Herculaneum) to Vesuvius with crater entrance tickets included
- Round-trip bus service from Naples to Vesuvius with entrance included
- Pick up at Ercolano Scavi train station, entrance to Vesuvius included, return drop off at Pompeii
- Round-trip minivan from Pompeii to Vesuvius with crater entrance tickets included
Choosing a Guided Tour of Mount Vesuvius
There are a variety of tours you can book that include Mount Vesuvius, but there is one thing that is the same with all of them.
Only official Vesuvius guides are allowed once inside the crater area, so external tour guides will not come with you right up to the crater. This means that tours cover the time getting to/from the crater and other activities but you are left to make the final climb by yourself.
Joining a tour is a great way to learn about Vesuvius from a local expert
Tour Options
Generally tours of Vesuvius are combined with Pompeii or Herculaneum (more on this below), but there are lots of other types of tours if you don’t want to do that. Some include a crater visit but some focus on the many other parts of the wider Vesuvius area. Here are some examples of what’s available:
- Learn about the unique Vesuvian wines with this tour from Naples covering the slopes of the volcano, including wine tasting and lunch
- Starting at the Pompeii archeological park entrance, this tour takes you part-way up Vesuvius before your guide takes you on a hike the rest of the way to the crater
- This small group tour runs from Naples, taking you to lunch in Pompeii before a volcanology expert guide tells you all about Vesuvius on your way up the mountain
- Explore the paths of the national park on an e-bike tour before visiting the crater (includes pick up and drop off at various locations along the Sorrentine peninsula)
- Go horseback riding in the Vesuvius national park on a half day excursion
Some tours can be tailored to specific interests – for example, if you want to learn more about the geology of the volcano, consider booking a private guide with knowledge in that area
Click to view the essential things you should always have when traveling:
Combining a Mount Vesuvius Tour With Pompeii and/or Herculaneum
It can make sense to do a combination tour, particularly if you have limited time in Campania or really want to maximise your time here. However, you should choose which of Pompeii and Herculaneum you really want to see as doing all 3 in one day is difficult.
I love Herculaneum as it is a more compact site with more original features still in situ, but Warren loves Pompeii because there is so much to see. You can’t go wrong with either choice – read our guides to visiting Herculaneum and Pompeii to help you make your decision.
Standing in Pompeii’s forum you can get a clear idea of how close the volcano is to the ancient city and therefore how the people who lived there stood little chance of survival during the infamous 79 CE eruption
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Combination Tours
Once you know which site you want to combine with Vesuvius, it’s time to choose your tour. These combination experiences will pretty much always include transportation between the sites, but may not include pick up/drop off, so check that before booking. Many include lunch and you will also find additional experiences like wine tasting included.
Here are some examples of the combination tours you can take:
- If you’re in Naples for a cruise stop, you can take this Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius private shore excursion
- This tour starts off with a guided tour of Pompeii before heading to a local restaurant for a traditional lunch. You’ll then be taken up Mount Vesuvius where you’ll have time to walk up to the crater before returning to Naples
We strongly recommend booking your tickets and/or tours in advance for Vesuvius as visitors are limited and this is one of Campania’s most visited sites. In the case that your preferred dates are showing as sold out online, try visiting the small ticket and tour office at Ercolano train station where they may offer you a slot subject to last minute availability
- This day trip starts and ends in Naples, taking you to Herculaneum and later Mount Vesuvius. All entrance tickets are included but there is no guided tour, just the option for an audio guide
- Starting at Pompeii you’ll have a 2 hour tour with an archaeologist before being transported to a ranch on the slopes of Vesuvius. After lunch (including local wines), saddle up for a 1 hour riding experience.
- This private tour (also available as a shore excursion) takes you to Herculaneum for a guided tour before a traditional lunch and then transport up Vesuvius
- With hotel pick up and drop off from Sorrento included, this day trip takes you on a guided tour of the Pompeii archeological site before going up to the crater of Vesuvius. A pizza lunch is also included.
See All 3 Sites
If you want to see all 3 sites in one day, there are a few options available, such as:
- Pick-up and return to Naples, this experience starts at Pompeii before taking you to Herculaneum and then Mount Vesuvius. All entrance tickets are included but there is no guided tour element.
- Starting and ending in Sorrento, this full day excursion takes you to all three sites, with guided tours of Pompeii and Herculaneum included
- Take a private tour from Naples which includes transportation and guides in Pompeii and Herculaneum as well as the entrance ticket for the crater of Vesuvius.
Regardless of what route to the top of Vesuvius you choose, you’ll be rewarded with epic views like this of the Bay of Naples
Day Trips
If you’re coming from further away, it is still possible to take a tour that includes Vesuvius and Pompeii/Herculaneum. Plan for a long day, but if you’re coming from Rome or the Amalfi Coast, you do have options. Here is a taste of what you can expect:
- This private tour experience chauffeurs you from Rome to Vesuvius in a private car, with entrance to the crater included. Later on you’ll be taken to Pompeii where you’ll meet your private guide for a special tour of the site. Wine tasting and lunch at a Vesuvius vineyard can be included as well.
- Board a comfortable bus in Rome before being driven to Pompeii for a guided tour. Enjoy an authentic Neapolitan lunch before heading up to the crater to see the views from the top of Vesuvius.
- With pick-up points in multiple Amalfi Coast towns, this day tour includes a guide tour of Pompeii, a visit to Mount Vesuvius with time to walk up to the crater, and a wine tasting with lunch at a local vineyard.
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To sum up…
There is only one official entrance ticket for Vesuvius, but a lot of different options that include transport and/or tours. To find the right Mount Vesuvius ticket or tour option for you, you need to consider how you will get to the crater, whether you want to combine it with Pompeii or Herculaneum and how much input you want from a guide.
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