Visit Vesuvius: Information, tickets and tips to enjoy your hike

Exploring Mount Vesuvius on Foot: Our Hiking Tips

When to visit Vesuvius?

As is often the case, we recommend arriving early—ideally during the first time slots. This way, you’ll avoid some of the groups that arrive around 10 a.m. and enjoy more pleasant temperatures during the climb, especially in the summer.

How does the climb go?

That’s obviously the question you should be asking yourself. It’s important to plan your visit carefully, as there are a few small details you should know before heading to Mount Vesuvius.

1. Don’t confuse the parking lot with the trailhead. The site entrance is about 1.8 km away on foot (accessible by shuttle).

From the parking lot, you can walk to the trailhead or take the shuttle. The walk follows the road (used only by the shuttle) for about 1.8 km. It’s accessible, but this section isn’t very interesting compared to the hike around the crater.

Once you pass through the entrance, expect a 30- to 40-minute climb along a wide, marked trail. The slope is steady but steep. The volcanic ground can be dusty and slippery, especially on the way down.

The trail leads to the designated viewing points, at an elevation of approximately 1,175 meters. You can:

• observe the interior of the crater
• Enjoy an unobstructed view of the Bay of Naples when the weather permits.

Tours are organized in groups accompanied by park guides. Depending on the package you booked, detailed explanations may be provided by a digital guide or an audio guide in French.

2. If you would like explanations in French throughout the tour, you can book a ticket that includes a digital audio guide in French.

Be sure to download the content before you arrive at Mount Vesuvius. Then, allow enough time to enjoy the various viewpoints before heading back down. It can be breezy at the summit, even when temperatures in Naples are pleasant.

Here is the interactive map we created to help you find your way around. You can save it so you can view it offline.

Our Gran Cono route on AllTrails is approximately 3.4 km long with 180 meters of elevation gain. The actual accessible portion of the trail may vary depending on park guidelines.

Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Mount Vesuvius

We were surprised by the lack of clear information while planning our visit. If you’re organizing this trip on your own, here are the main mistakes to avoid:

• Arriving without a ticket: Book your admission and time slot online before heading to the volcano. You can choose a ticket that includes a digital audio guide in French or a package that includes transportation.
• Don’t confuse the ticket with the transfer: the admission ticket alone does not include parking, the shuttle, or transportation from Naples, Pompeii, or Herculaneum.
• Wait until you’re there to download the documents: the connection is very poor near the entrance. Save the tickets, instructions, and audio guide to your phone.
• Forgetting to reserve a parking spot: If you’re coming by car, reserve your parking spot near Mount Vesuvius after selecting your visit time slot.
• Don’t underestimate the seasonal hours: Last admission is at 3 p.m. during part of the winter. Check out our tips for visiting Naples in the winter.
• Wearing the wrong shoes: The slope and the volcanic terrain make the descent slippery. Be sure to bring water, sunscreen, and a windbreaker.

Visit Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii in a Day from Naples

It’s entirely possible to visit both Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius in a single day. The good news is that the two sites are close to each other, but once again, arranging tickets and transportation requires a little planning ahead. Don’t worry—that’s what we’re here for!

To make your day easier, you can book a tour that includes departure from Naples, transportation, and admission fees.

You will generally have about two hours to explore Pompeii, followed by enough time to climb up to the crater of Vesuvius and back down. The order of the visits may be reversed depending on the tour package you’ve booked, the weather, and traffic conditions.

Pompeii is a vast site. The allotted time is enough to see the main monuments, but not to explore the entire site. To plan your visit and choose the must-see sites, check out our comprehensive guide to visiting Pompeii.

Where can you buy tickets for Mount Vesuvius?

Online reservations are required. Don’t wait until you get to the entrance to buy your tickets.

For the past few months, last-minute tickets have been posted online, but availability is limited and the mobile connection there is poor.

If individual tickets are no longer available for the desired date, you can check for available spots on a Vesuvius tour from Naples. These tour operators have time slots reserved in advance.

How to get to Vesuvius?

From Naples

• By car: Allow about 40 to 60 minutes from Naples, depending on your starting point and traffic conditions. Follow the signs for Ercolano, then take Provincial Road SP144 to the parking area located at an elevation of about 800 meters.

• By public transportation: Take the Circumvesuviana from Napoli Garibaldi to Ercolano Scavi or Pompei Scavi. From Ercolano, continue on a private shuttle. From Pompeii, the EAV 808 bus line goes to Mount Vesuvius.
• With an organized tour: several packages include round-trip transportation, admission, and the time needed to reach the crater.

The widget below shows another package that includes direct transportation and an admission ticket. Be sure to check the departure point and the amount of time allotted for exploring the volcano before booking.

From Pompeii

• By car: Allow about 35 to 45 minutes to reach the Vesuvius parking lot. If you’d like to rent a car, you can compare the available options at the Naples airport.
• By bus: The EAV 808 line connects Pompeii to Mount Vesuvius in about 55 minutes. The fare announced for 2026 is €3.10 per trip. Schedules vary by season, so be sure to check them before you leave.

If you’d like to visit both sites without having to arrange transportation, the combined ticket for Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius includes both transportation and admission. The guide and lunch depend on the option you book.

From Herculaneum

• By car: Mount Vesuvius is located about 12 km from the archaeological siteof Herculaneum. It takes approximately 25 to 35 minutes to reach the parking lot, depending on traffic.
• With Vesuvio Express: Shuttles depart from in front of the Ercolano Scavi train station and reach the park in about 30 minutes. Service is generally available every 40 minutes, with schedules adjusted for the season. Check availability and package options on the Vesuvio Express website. Some offers include only the transfer, while others also include admission.