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Skip the lines at Herculaneum

What does “skip-the-line” really mean for Herculaneum?

Skip-the-line tickets for Herculaneum allow you to bypass the on-site ticket counter, which can see wait times of up to an hour during peak travel months. With these tickets, you’ll head straight to the security check, usually a 5 to 10-minute wait, and enter the site without the hassle of standing in the general admission queue. If you join a guided tour, entry is even quicker, with most groups entering within 5–10 minutes of arrival.

How long are the queues at the Herculaneum entrance?

The busiest time to visit Herculaneum is between late March and October, with the highest crowd levels around midday. From 10am to 1pm, it’s not uncommon for ticket queues to last up to an hour.

During peak season (March to October), expect ticket queues of 20–60 minutes and security checks of 5–10 minutes.
In the off-peak months (November to February), ticket waits are shorter at 10–20 minutes, with around 5 minutes for security.

Types of queues at Herculaneum

Herculaneum skip-the-line tickets

Ticket redemption queue

Location: Main entrance on Corso Resina
Skip-the-line? ✅ Yes
Avg wait time: 20–60 mins (peak season), 10–20 mins (off-peak)
Who it’s for: All visitors with timed-entry tickets

Herculaneum skip-the-line tickets

Security queue

Location: Just past the ticket checkpoint at the entrance
Skip-the-line? ❌ No
Avg wait time: 5–10 mins
Who it’s for: All visitors, regardless of ticket type

Herculaneum skip-the-line tickets

Guided tour group queue

Location: Main entrance on Corso Resina
Skip-the-line? ✅ Yes
Avg wait time: 5–10 mins
Who it’s for: Guided tours with skip-the-line access

All your options to skip the queues at Herculaneum

Herculaneum skip-the-line tickets

1. Book skip-the-line tickets in advance

Reserve your Herculaneum tickets online to bypass the ticket counter queues. With a timed-entry slot, you can head straight to the security check and start exploring without unnecessary delays. Audio guide upgrades are also available.

Book Herculaneum tickets

Herculaneum skip-the-line tickets

2. Join a guided tour for quicker access

Guided tours include priority access and expert insights from archaeologists.Many visitors choose this option as part of a day trip covering Herculaneum, Pompeii, and Mount Vesuvius.

Book Herculaneum tours

Herculaneum skip-the-line tickets

3. Visit during quieter hours

For a more relaxed visit, plan your trip to Herculaneum in the early morning before 10am or after 4pm. These hours tend to have fewer visitors, allowing for quicker entry and a more peaceful experience.

Best time to visit

Herculaneum skip-the-line tickets

4. Avoid free entry days

Free entry days can draw large crowds and significantly increase wait times at the entrance. If you prefer a smoother visit with minimal queuing, it’s best to avoid these dates when possible.

Plan your visit

What are our guests saying?

Loved by 35 million+

Teyssier

France

Jul 2025

5/5

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

Kristien

Jul 2025

5/5

We had an amazing guide Luciano who was very funny and enjoyable to listen to. We learned a lot from his stories and he also brought a map full of pictures to help us visualize the story. The site is also very beautiful and it tells the story from millennia ago. The cats are a fun bonus!

Carolynn

United States

Jun 2025

5/5

+1 more

Tickets were easy to obtain. When we arrived at the Herculaneum site we were greeted by the check in lady. We were introduced to the Archaeologist Theresa who was brilliant. The tour started on time with the small group as was promised. We all had headsets and could hear Theresa clearly. Her enthusiasm for her chosen profession was inspiring. I'm so glad she was working with us. I would recommend Theresa and this tour to all who are interested even a little, in the Herculaneum site and its history. You will be drawn in and want to learn more. Herculaneum was the main reason I came to Italy. It was so worth while, I loved every minute. Thank you Theresa!!!

Caroline

United Kingdom

Jul 2025

4/5

+1 more

The booking was easy and we liked the audio guide when we found the right section to listen to. However it was hard to navigate and auto played the next item which wasn't the next one on our route. A route guide for the audio would be helpful.

Sylvia

Jun 2025

4/5

+1 more

The booking went really well, there was no overpriced surcharge. It would have been nice if I had also received a map when I showed my ticket. I didn't see it anywhere myself, but another visitor had one. The excavation site is similar to Pompeii - only smaller and generally less grandiose. The construction and layout of the houses is similar. Easy to traverse in 3 hours. Even on your own, if you want to get a taste of the atmosphere and understand the display boards with explanations in English. If you want more information, you should book a guide.

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!

Dagna

Australia

Mar 2025

5/5

Our visit to Pompei and Herkulaneum was truly amazing, as we had an incredible tour guide who turned out to be also a professional archaeologist. Michael made the trip interesting and fun. Our driver Pasquale got us perfectly on time back to Naples centre!

Vanderhauwaert

Belgium

May 2025

5/5

Jozefina was top, good explanation during bus ride,pleasant person, full of passion. Herkulanium was very beautiful, beautifully preserved. Our guide was great, English explanation, calm, well explained, all questions were answered. Highly recommended!!!!!

Frequently asked questions about Herculaneum skip-the-line tickets

Why book skip-the-line tickets?

Skip-the-line tickets let you bypass the long ticket queues and help you access the site faster and more efficiently. Options include basic timed-entry tickets, guided tours, audio guide upgrades, and multi-site combos.

What happens if you don’t book skip-the-line tickets?

Without a reserved ticket, you may face wait times of 20 to 60 minutes at the entrance, particularly between March and October.

Do I still need to go through security?

Yes. All visitors, regardless of ticket type, must pass through a mandatory security check at the entrance. Wait times typically range from 5 to 10 minutes.

Can I buy skip-the-line tickets at the gate?

Not always. Skip-the-line tickets are limited and may sell out in advance. It's recommended to book online ahead of your visit.

Are audio guides included with skip-the-line tickets?

Not by default. Basic skip-the-line tickets do not include an audio guide, but you can purchase a ticket option that bundles skip-the-line access with the official audio guide.

Is a guided tour better than a basic skip-the-line ticket?

If you want expert insights into the site’s history and archaeological features, yes. Guided tours, especially those led by archaeologists, offer deeper context and faster group entry.

Can I re-enter Herculaneum after exiting?

No, re-entry is not allowed. All tickets are valid for a single entry only.

More reads

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