Day trips from Naples to Herculaneum

4.2(23,662)

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Day trips to Herculaneum
























































From happy customers

Loved by 44 million+
Ian Nurser

Ian

Oct 2025
5/5

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+1 more

Luciano Leone was an amazing guide, providing his enthusiasm and archeological knowledge to bring the site alive! Fun and informative, an action-packed tour. No way we could have enjoyed it or learnt so much without him.
Sara Lubowitz
AU

Sara

Australia
Oct 2025
5/5

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Very good tour guide who really knows his subject. Even though it was raining the tour was so very well organised. Really worth the money. I would highly recommend.
Marie Milburn
GB

Marie

United Kingdom
Oct 2025
5/5

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My experience was beyond my highest expectations. This was a dream destination for me. The degree of preservation there is amazing! I had an injury and struggled to get around easily but it was worth the struggle. I hope I'll be able to return someday to see some of the sights I didn't get to. There's so much to see!!! I loved doing this at my own pace, and having time to linger in areas of particular interest. Thank you to all those hard workers for making my visit and this site so special!
Makayla A Byerly
US

Makayla

United States
Oct 2025
5/5

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I would highly recommend Herculaneum over crowded Pompeii. It is very reasonably priced, there are practically no waiting lines and it is much better preserved than Pompeii. It is a much better experience overall! You will not regret seeing this wonderful site.
TEYSSIER ép MONTBRESSOUS Sabine
FR

Teyssier

France
Jul 2025
5/5

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Exceptional site 🤩🤩🤩 We spent 5 hours there and didn't see the time go by
Fanny Poirier
FR

Fanny

France
Aug 2025
5/5
Vincenzo was really interesting and passionate, it was really interesting! I recommend the most the combo Pompei+Herculanum, it was worth it!
Kevin Tracey
US

Kevin

United States
Sep 2025
5/5
Excellent guide and great tour, highly recommended. I recommend booking the ride back to Naples before hand as taxis were difficult to find.
Jennifer Michelle LeRow

Jennifer

May 2025
5/5
We were through the line quickly at Peastum - it was a beautiful! Pompeii was another story as we were not aware of the 1st Sunday of each month being a Museum holiday where everyone egts in free. We waited in line for 2 hours because the "voucher" did not count as a printed ticket aloowing us immediate acccess, and then we were smooshed in through the gates by hoards of people trying to get in before it closed.


Exploring Herculaneum | Comprehensive day trip guide

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to declare that Herculaneum is Vesuvius’ 2,000-year-old lost jewel. Rare and well-preserved treasures have been unearthed from the debris of the 79 AD eruption, rendering these ruins a remarkable site of education and imagination. If visiting Herculaneum is on your bucket list (as it should be!), why not make a day trip out of it? Here are your options for crafting the ultimate day trip itinerary for Herculaneum.

Why take a day trip to Herculaneum?

UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Convenient day trip destination: Located close to Naples, Herculaneum is an ideal pit stop while visiting nearby destinations like Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius or even the National Archeological Museum of Naples.
  • Manageable size: Compared to Pompeii, Herculaneum is a smaller site. This makes it ideal for a day trip, allowing you to explore the ruins thoroughly without feeling overwhelmed.
  • Unique fate: Unlike Pompeii's ash burial, Herculaneum faced a fiery onslaught of pyroclastic surges. This resulted in a fascinating contrast — remarkably preserved wooden objects in Herculaneum compared to Pompeii's mostly ash-preserved remains.
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site: In 1997, Herculaneum earned the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage site for its laudable conservation efforts and superior state of preservation.
Book Herculaneum tickets

Your trips to Herculaneum explained

Guided tours

Guided tours

Duration: 5.5-7 hours

  • Enter the sites of Herculaneum and Pompeii with an archeologist who is a subject matter expert. Learn about the different fates of these neighboring cities and what remains of them today.
  • This small-group guided tour of less than 20 people ensures an intimate and interactive experience with your guide.
  • While your guide is English-speaking, you can tune into a digital audio guide in 5 languages: English, Italian, Spanish, German or French.

Recommended ticket

From Pompeii/Naples: Pompeii & Herculaneum Guided Tour with Archaeologist

Round-trip transfers

Round-trip transfers

Duration: 3-8 hours

  • Depending on your choice, get round-trip transfers from Naples or Pompeii to Pompeii and Herculaneum. Make a stop at Mount Vesuvius too for an all-round experience.
  • An expert driver will take you along a carefully curated route to help you make the most of your experience. Note that the driver does not act as a guide.
  • At Pompeii, benefit from a map and audio guide. At Vesuvius, a volcanic guide will take you up its slopes.
  • If you're taking the Naples half day tour, you can benefit from both audio guides and an expert local guide.

Recommended tickets

  • From Pompeii/Naples: Pompeii, Herculaneum & Vesuvius Day Trip
  • From Naples: Herculaneum Half-Day Tour
One-way transfers

One-way transfers

Duration: 18 minutes

  • Travel either from Naples to Herculaneum or vice versa with one-way Campania Express train tickets.
  • Board from the Naples Porta Nolana station or the Ercolano Scavi station at Herculaneum.
  • Note that these are only transport tickets and don’t include access to the Archeological Park of Herculaneum

Recommended ticket

Campania Express One-Way Tickets: Naples Porta Nolana to/from Herculaneum

What to expect on a day trip to Herculaneum

GT coach with AC

From Naples

Distance: 11.6 km

Travel time: Approximately x 30-40 minutes

  • Choose between a comfortable GT coach with AC from Naples to head to Herculaneum and back.
  • For a more local experience, board the Circumvesuviana Express from beneath the Piazza Garibaldi station in Naples. Alight at the Ercolano Scavi stop at Herculaneum.
  • Once you arrive at Herculaneum, tour the ruins with an archeologist who will regale you with tales (and facts) of splendor, tragedy and luxury. Admire frescoes, statues, lavish houses and more — all preserved exceptionally.
  • Board the coach/train back to Naples at the end of your visit.
From Pompeii

From Pompeii

Distance: 19 km
Travel time: Approx 19 minutes

  • An expert local driver will pick you up from your hotel in Pompeii.
  • Once you arrive at Herculaneum, immerse yourself in a buried civilization that was in its golden age — before the eruption snuffed out the hopes of further prosperity.
  • If you’ve opted for it, travel to Mount Vesuvius and climb to the crater with a volcanic guide.
  • Your driver will drop you back to your hotel in Pompeii. 

Know before you go on a Herculaneum day trip

Timings

March 16 to October 14: 8:30am to 7:30pm.
October 15 to March 15: 8:30am to 5pm.

Last entry: 90 minutes before closure.
Closed: January 1 and December 25.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit is during the lean season (November, February and March). Try to visit before 11 am for a more relaxed tour ambiance.

Detailed Herculaneum opening hours

From Naples
1.Book a round-trip GT coach with AC. You will be picked up from your hotel and dropped off at Herculaneum.

  1. Alternatively, take the Circumvesuviana train from Piazza Garibaldi in Naples and get off at Ercolano Scavi in Herculaneum. The archaeological park is a 10-minute walk from the station. 
  2. If you’re looking for one-way transport, take the Campania Express from Naples Porta Nolana station to Ercolani Scavi or vice versa.

From Pompeii: An expert local driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Herculaneum. Once you’re done with your visit, you will be dropped back to your hotel.

Herculaneum location
Entrance ticket

Including transfers, expert tour guide charges and audio guides, the trip can cost you anywhere between €15 to €128. Note that food, shopping, etc. will cost you extra.

For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Campania Express One-Way Tickets, starting from €15. This option offers a quick and convenient transfer between Naples Porta Nolana and Herculaneum Ercolano Scavi Train Station. You can then book the admission ticket to Herculaneum separately.

Entrance fee

  • The standard entrance fee for Herculaneum for adults is €15 per person.
  • Entry to Pompeii typically costs around €16 per person for adult
  • Admission to Mount Vesuvius varies based on age and season, ranging around €10-€20 per person.

Discounts

Students with a valid ID and seniors aged above 65 and above enjoy reduced admission prices. It's advisable to check the ticket details for accurate information about available discounts and eligibility criteria.

Other costs

You may want to budget around €5 to €10 per person for quick snacks or light meals from local cafes or food vendors near the archaeological sites. For a casual sit-down meal at a local restaurant or trattoria, budget around €15 to €25 per person for a main course along with a drink. Keep in mind that prices can vary based on the restaurant; it's a good idea to check menu prices beforehand.

Samnite House
  • At Herculaneum, don’t miss visiting the Samnite House (one of the oldest houses found there), the Villa of the Papyri (from where nearly 1800 paper scrolls survived fire and ash), the Palestra and more.
  • Admire the vivid frescoes inside the House of Neptune and Amphitrite, and see a wooden door that still works on its hinges at the House of the Wooden Partition.
  • At Pompeii, see the human casts, erotic graffiti, gymnasium and more.
  • If your trip also includes a stop at Vesuvius, climb the crater and peer into its swirling depths. Don’t miss trying the local wine grown on volcanic soil — Lacryma Christi.
spanning seafood

All that walking is sure to make you crave a snack. Head to these eateries in Ercolano after your visit and enjoy a snack or sit-down meal.

  • Bistrot Italia: Sink into plush interiors and savor delectable cuisines (try the porcini!) spanning seafood, desserts and more at Bistrot Italia.
  • La Pachanga Mexican Restaurant: In Italy but craving some spice? Head to La Pachanga and gorge on taco salads, tropical cocktails and more. 
  • Dante Osteria: With outdoor seating available, Dante Osteria serves cold cuts, charcuterie boards and more from the finest hand-picked produce in the region.
please don’t touch
  • As these sites have been painstakingly preserved, please don’t touch the frescoes, statues or other displays. In their fragility lies their preciousness.
  • If your ticket also includes a trip to Vesuvius, do wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots to navigate the terrain.
  • Pack a light picnic (especially if you’re traveling with kids) as there are only few eateries to choose from and most don’t serve full meals.
  • While the transfers to Herculaneum from Naples and Pompeii are fully wheelchair accessible, the hike up to Mount Vesuvius is not.
  • While most people flock to Pompeii, spend at least 2-3 hours in Herculaneum to appreciate its better-preserved structures.

Frequently asked questions about day trips to Herculaneum

What are my primary transport options to avail a day trip to Herculaneum?

You can either book a GT coach with AC from Naples or take the Circumvesuviana train to the Ercolano Scavi station. From Pompeii, a local driver will escort you to Herculaneum and back.

What sights can I cover as part of the day trip?

You can definitely visit both Pompeii and Herculaneum as part of your day trip. If you’ve opted for it, you can also top up your experience with a visit to Mount Vesuvius as well.

How long will I spend at each destination during my day trip?

Typically, a trip to Pompeii lasts longer than Herculaneum or Vesuvius as there’s more to see there. So, you can expect to spend at least 2.5-3 hours in Pompeii alone. Generally, Herculaneum can be visited in under 2.5 hours, and Vesuvius takes about 1.5 hours at most. These estimates also include travel time between these destinations.

What facilities are available on board the transfers?

You will get to travel in an air-conditioned train or coach. If you are opting for a pick-up and drop-off from Pompeii, an expert local driver will ferry you to the archeological park and back. However, no snacks or drinks are available during the transfer. Guided tours will begin only once you reach the destination.

Are Herculaneum day trips wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the round-trip transfers (which include transport and access to Pompeii and Herculaneum) are wheelchair accessible. Unfortunately, the hike up to Mount Vesuvius is not.

Are day trips suitable for children?

Traveling with children above the age of 5 is generally an enjoyable experience for the family. Be sure to load up on snacks and water as there are very few fueling stations nearby and temperatures can get quite hot. To be on the safer side, we recommend not bringing along toddlers or infants as a day trip more or less spans the entire day, and they might feel uncomfortable by the end of it. Additionally, Pompeii and Herculaneum are not entirely stroller-friendly.

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