How to get to Mount Vesuvius

The rule that applies to everyone

Whatever route you choose, it ends in the same place: a car park at around one thousand metres, below the cone. There is no transport that goes beyond that point. The 1880 funicular, the one in Funiculì Funiculà, was destroyed by the March 1944 eruption and was never rebuilt, and cable cars have never existed since. Anyone promising the summit without walking is selling a mountain that no longer exists.

The second rule: the trail ticket is timed. Arriving early doesn’t help if your slot is in the afternoon, and arriving late with a morning slot is worse. When planning your trip, start with the ticket time and work backwards. The details are in crater tickets.

From Naples

It’s the most convenient departure because there are options for all types. The bus tours pick up at Napoli Centrale, Hotel Vittoria, or hotels, depending on the option; the Vesuvio Easy Tour leaves from Via Galileo Ferraris 40 with a minibus and a small group, and includes parking, fuel, and tolls. Those who want both sites in one day find pick-ups at hotels, the cruise port, or Napoli Centrale.

If you’re driving, keep in mind that the final stretch is a narrow mountain road and that parking fills up in high season. The alternative is to be driven and not worry about it: the six options are compared in all tours.

From Pompeii

The most direct connection from Pompeii is the round-trip transfer with the ticket already included: meet at Via Villa dei Misteri 1, on the first floor of the Circumvesuviana station, three hours in total and about an hour and a half free at the summit. There’s also a departure from Via Roma 32, used by both the Vesuvio Easy Tour and the late-afternoon option. Those arriving in Pompeii by train will find the meeting point just steps from the station, which is the main reason this combination works.

One thing to note: the transfer from Pompeii is not suitable for those with mobility issues, heart conditions, or who suffer from vertigo, and the operator states this. If you fall into one of these categories, read first if it’s safe to climb.

From Herculaneum

Herculaneum is the closest point to the park entrance, and it’s where those who buy only the ticket meet: the meeting point is directly at the Gran Cono Trail. This is the most straightforward option and also the one where mistakes are most common, because many choose the option without transport thinking the transfer is included. It isn’t: from Herculaneum to the square, you have to get there yourself.

From the cruise terminal

Cruise passengers have a constraint others don’t: the ship’s return time. Full-day tours with pick-up at the cruise terminal solve the issue because transport is handled by the operator, but they remain long, seven hours or more, and also include Pompeii. If time is limited, it’s better to focus on one site well: the reasoning is in how many days are needed in Naples.

The factor no one accounts for

The weather doesn’t just close the trail; it also changes the day for those already on their way. With strong winds, the gate stays shut and organised tours usually divert, often to Herculaneum. Nicola, from the UK, had exactly this experience on the transfer from Pompeii and still rated it positively because the operator informed them immediately and arranged a substitute excursion. What to expect in that case is in Vesuvius closed due to bad weather.

Choose the departure that suits you

The skip-the-line ticket is available in a version with a bus from Naples or Pompeii and a version with a meeting point directly at the trail in Herculaneum: the difference is all there.

Frequently asked questions