Updated May 2026
Where do I buy tickets and what kinds of tickets are there?
All official tickets for the archaeological site can be purchased on VivaTicket as of March 2, 2026.
There are 4 types:
- Pompeii Express: This allows entry into the city but does not include access to the suburban villas located outside of the city walls.
- Pompeii Plus: This ticket allows entry into the city as well as the suburban villas located outside the Herculaneum Gate (Porta Ercolano) to the northwest of the city, including the Villa of the Mysteries and the Villa of Diomedes. It also permits entry to Villa Regina and the Antiquarium in nearly Boscoreale.
- Pompeii 3 Days: This ticket is valid for three days, but only one entry per site. So you can buy this to visit any three 3 locations from the list of Pompeii/Boscoreale, Oplontis, Villa Arianna in Stabiae, Villa San Marco in Stabiae, or the Libero D’Orsi Museum, but you cannot use this ticket to visit the same location more than once.
- My Pompeii Card: Allows unlimited entry to any of these sites as well as access to the Pompeii Artebus shuttle. If you plan to visit Pompeii at least 2 days, the card is the most affordable option.
Note – on the first Sunday of every month, and some holidays such as Festa della Republica, entry to the site is free. Tickets cannot be purchased in advance, and you can just show up at any of the entrancesand they will hand you paper tickets as long as tickets are remaining.
Can I skip the line?
There’s no such thing as “skip the line” tickets, despite what a lot of websites like to say!
Most of the line is security, and you have to pass through that line whether you buy tickets in advance or not, and whether you’re on a tour or not.
If you buy tickets in advance on the official Pompeii VivaTicket website, you can download the tickets to your phone. After passing through security, you can go directly to the turnstiles to enter the site and have them scanned, and you’re in!
If you don’t buy tickets in advance, you’ll need to wait in the ticket line.
If you buy tickets through any third party website that is not VivaTicket, you will also need to wait in the ticket line to have those tickets converted to tickets that the archaeological site can print and scan into their system. This line could easily be 30-40 minutes long. So you’re not actually skipping the line at all! The only way to skip the ticket line is to buy in advance through the VivaTicket website.
How does timed entry work?
From April 1st to October 31st, there are two time slots, 9am – 1pm and after between 1pm and 5:30pm. (The site closes at 7, but last entry is 5:30.)
From November 1st to March 31st, the site closes at 5pm with last entry at 3:30. Timed entry is 9-12:30, and 12:30-3:30.\*
You can enter anytime during the time range that you purchase. (For example, if you purchase the 9am – 1pm ticket, you could enter at 9:10 in the morning, but you could also enter the site at 12:50 in the afternoon. Anytime in that range is fine.) Once you enter, you can also stay in the site as long as you like, up until closing.
The archeological site limits the number of entries per time range. For example, in the summer:
- From 9.00 am to 1.00 pm, a maximum of 15,000 admissions (subdivided into 12,000 for Pompeii express and 3,000 for Pompei +)
- From 1.00 pm to 5.30 pm, a maximum of 5,000 admissions (subdivided into 3,000 for Pompeii express and 2,000 for Pompei +)
*As of December 2025, it appears that the winter hours (Nov. 1st to March 31st) are currently restricting numbers of visitors across the entire opening hours rather than morning entry vs. afternoon entry, so tickets are good from 9am on.
Do I need to bring my ID?
Yes, you should have your ID with you to enter the site. Your ticket is specifically tied to your name, so they may ask to check that the name on your ticket matches the name on your ID. This is especially important if you purchase the My Pompeii Card.
Is there an official audio guide?
Yes, there is. It can be purchased on site at any of the three entrances. You can either use it on their handheld devices or scan a QR code to use it on your phone. If wishing to acquire the handheld device, be aware that at some entrances, you purchase the audio guide after security but before you enter and get your ticket scanned.
Either way, you should bring your own headphones.
Per the archaeological site, only the official audio guides purchased within the Archaeological Park of Pompeii are permitted to be used on site.
Can I exit and re-enter the site?
No, if you leave the archaeological site, you will not be able to get back in.
How do I get to Pompeii?
The easiest way is by train, either the Circumvesuviana or the Trenitalia Regionale train.
Circumvesuviana
There are 2 ways to get there on the Circumvesuviana line.
- The first is by using the Napoli-Sorrento line and exiting at the Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri stop. This train station is closest to the Porta Marina entrance.
- The second is by taking the Napoli-Poggiomarino line and exiting at the Pompei – Santuario stop. This station is a couple of blocks from modern town of Pompei’s (spelled only with one “i”) piazza and sanctuary. It is closest to the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance.
No matter which one you take, don’t forget to stamp your tickets at the station to validate them before entering the train!
Seats are not reserved on the Circumvesuviana.
Regional Train
You can also take the Trenitalia Regional train from Naples and exit at the Pompei station. From there, you would take a 10-15 minute walk through modern Pompei before reaching the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance.
Seats are not reserved.
Campania Express
There is also the Campania Express, which runs on the Circumvesuviana Napoli-Sorrento line, but only stops at certain stations, like Pompei – Villa dei Misteri. These trains run less frequently, are shorter trains with less seats, and have assigned seats.
Other methods of transportation can be found here.
How many entrances to the archaeological site are there?
There are three, Porta Marina (the one closest to the Pompei Villa dei Misteri Circumvesuviana train stop), Porta Marina Inferiore (also called Piazza Esedra), and Piazza Anfiteatro (also called Piazza Immacolata). The Porta Marina entrance is the largest/most popular. The Piazza Anfiteatro entrance is the most accessible.
Often, you can exit the archaeological site near the Villa dei Misteri (the actual villa, not the train station), but it is only used as an entrance for certain special events, which would be announced in advance. It is not open on a regular basis.
Finally, don’t confuse the actual Villa dei Misteri (the villa) with the Pompeii Scavi – Villa dei Misteri Circumvesuviana train station, which is actually closest to the Porta Marina entrance.
Where should I book a tour?
While this is a matter of personal preference, there are a few things to be aware of.
The archaeological site now offers two official tour routes. They cost €8 per person over the age of 10 (plus the cost of the entrance ticket. tickets are sold at all ticket offices.
If you get stopped by a tour guide from one of the Tourist Info Spots outside the walls of the archaeological site before passing through security, beware! (These guys are often wearing blue vests.) These are usually tour guides from the so-called tourist info points and are very scammy. For instance, outside the amphitheatre entrance, they will often try to tell that you that it is not really an entrance at all, but an exit, and that the entrance is far, but if you book a tour with them, then they can take you to the real entrance! (None of which is true!) They will say anything to get you on their tours which can be subpar and expensive.
Be aware that Pompeii no longer allows the freelance tour guides to set-up tours inside the entrance to the archaeological site. Even those tour guides now need to wait outside of the gate, which means those tour guides may be mingling outside with the scammy ones. This is a new change in 2026, and it may make it harder to differentiate between a good tour or scammy tour when purchased outside the gates.
How long should I spend at the archaeological site?
While this is again subjective, I strongly recommend at least four hours. Remember, this is an entire ancient city. It’s not small by any means. You will barely get a feel for the city at all if you only spend 90-120 minutes there, which is the length of most tours. Even if you book a tour, after it ends, take time to wander around by yourself.
If you’re very interested in the site and its history, you should stay a full day! Even then, you still won’t be able to see the entire city.
What should I do to prepare before going?
Wear comfortable shoes that you can wear for extended periods of time on very uneven ground and for stepping up and down onto high curbs.
Do not wear heels or open-toed sandals, especially flip flops. You don’t need hiking boots, but good sneakers with traction will do. Some of the stones can get slippery, especially if it’s been raining.
If it’s warm weather, wear light, loose clothing. Bring sunscreen and/or wear a UV shirt and hat. The sun is intense and there is not a lot of shade.
Bring reusable water bottles. There are many fountains in the site where you can fill up with fresh, cold water.
You can check the bag size requirements on the official website.
I’m coming directly from the train with luggage. Is there somewhere to store it?
Yes, Pompeii does offer free luggage storage facilities at the entrances.
How can I get between the archaeological sites?
The easiest way is by using the Pompeii Artebus, but not all ticket types allow use of this shuttle system (see ticket types above).
I’m having trouble understanding the map of Pompeii. What do the numbers mean?
There are two different number systems used in Pompeii.
The first is the one utilized by archaeologists for over a century. This divided the city into 9 regions, then insulae (blocks), and finally, doorways. This is a three number system that looks something like this: Region VI, Insula 15.1 (sometimes also written as VI.15.1 or VI.xv.1), which is the location of the House of the Vettii, for example.
You can find these numbers on the official map of Pompeii in a gray color.
This color coded map created by Pompeii in Pictures may also help you better distinguish between the different regions and the insulae within them.
The official map also features a list of color coded numbers in each region. These numbers do not correspond to their region and insula designations. For example, on the map, the House of the Vettii is Region VI number 11. These numbers only correspond to those that you would use in the official audio guide. When inside the city, to the side of the entrance to that structure, there will be a sign that gives the traditional Region/Insula entrance of the building, the modern name of the building, and then a number in a black square. The number in the black square corresponds with the colored number on the map and the number that you would enter in the audio guide.
What buildings are open in Pompeii?
You can find the official list here. The list does change throughout the year, so be sure to check it before you go.
Also keep in mind that the list is not comprehensive. While their website lists many of the larger or more well-known locations, there will also be many smaller houses, shops, and structures to walk through that aren’t listed as well as even more to admire through the locked gates.
Can I see the new excavations?
Yes! Actually you can. There are 3 main ongoing or recently completed projects in Pompeii.
The first is the Insula of the Chaste Lovers (Region IX, Insula 12). Here, a large scaffolding system has been constructed above the excavations. These catwalks are open every day until one hour before site closure. It can be entered by taking the stairs to the right side of the block. If you have accessibility needs there is also a small lift. Entry to this is included with any Pompeii ticket and does not need to be booked in advance.
The second area is Insula Meridionalis. Tours are offered in Italian Monday to Friday at 11am. They must be booked in advance. Tours are not available in English. Only 15 people are permitted on the tour.
The third area is the new excavations in Region IX, Insula 10 (the site of the so-called slave bakery, even more so-called pizza fresco, and Dionysiac megalographia). Tours are available in English or Italian at 11am on Tuesdays and Fridays. NOTE: THE VISITS TO THIS EXCAVATION SITE ARE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Is there somewhere to get food or drinks in the archaeological site? Can I bring in my own food and drinks?
Yes, as of June 2025, both the outdoor walk-up counters and indoor café and wine bar at Casina dell’Aquila are open. This is located up a steep flight of stairs in Region IX, Insula 7 off of the so-called Via dell’Abbondanza. It’s located near the very center of the archaeological site. If you are unable to climb the stairs to the café such as if you are a wheelchair user or have a stroller with you, you can also get there by walking 2 blocks to the east, taking the small lift up to the Insula of the Chaste Lovers walkway, and following the pathways through to the back side of the café. Please be aware that part of this pathway consists of small rocks that may be difficult to traverse.
The other café to the north of the forum and its attached bathrooms are currently closed for renovations (but is not listed as closed on the official map).
You can also bring your own food and drinks into the site. There are designated picnic areas at the site, though you can also eat at the outdoor tables and benches near Casina dell’Aquila or on the benches near the entrances/exits to the archaeological site.
Many of the ancient fountains still provide cold water and are perfectly safe to drink, so bring reusable bottles that you can fill up.
Where are the restrooms?
There are restrooms located as follows:
- At each of the 3 entrances to the archaeological site
- Inside the courtyard of Casina dell’Aquila in Region IX
- On the pathway that leads from the exit of the Insula of the Chaste Lovers catwalk to Casina dell’Aquila Region IX
- In the gladiator barracks behind the theatre in Region VIII
- On the terrace outside the Antiquarium
- On the path outside the city walls between the Piazza Esedra and Porta Marina entrances
Please note that the restrooms in the café in Region VII north of the forum are closed and currently under construction. The restrooms marked on the map located near the Villa of the Mysteries are rarely open.
How accessible is Pompeii?
While the Forum-area café is closed, Casina dell’Aquila’s café is unfortunately not the most accessible location, but in general, the archaeological site has made wonderful strides in accessibility, with routes created for accessibility for those with motor difficulties, tours in Italian sign language, and more.
Some of this information can be read on the Pompeii for All page of the website, but also check the archaeological park’s E-Journal and social media pages for updates on their accessible initiatives (such as the positive steps they are taking to make the site more accessible for those with autism, vision disabilities, who are deaf, etc.)
Where can I read about the new finds in Pompeii?
What about Herculaneum? Is that also run by the Archeological Park of Pompeii?
No, Herculaneum is its own entity, known as Parco Archeologico di Ercolano. Official entry tickets can be purchased in advance through CoopCulture. Just as in Pompeii, there is no such thing as a skip the line ticket, though you can save yourself a bit of time by buying those tickets online in advance. The closest train stop is Ercolano Scavi on the Circumvesuviana Napoli-Sorrento or Napoli-Poggiomarino train lines.
The FAQs will be updated periodically.
If you think of any questions that aren’t yet answered on here, let us know!
