Visit the Archaeological Park of Pompeii with a reserved entrance ticket and choose the option that best suits your visit.
The current booking page offers three main alternatives: Pompeii Express, Pompeii Express with a digital audio guide, and Pompeii Plus, which extends the visit beyond the main ancient city to the suburban villas.
Price: from €27.50 per person
Duration: self-guided visit on the booked date
Included: Pompeii entry according to the selected option
Audio guide and suburban villas: included only in the options that specifically mention them
Price, accessible areas and inclusions may vary depending on the option and date selected.
Book your Pompeii entrance ticket
Which Pompeii ticket should you choose?
The best choice depends mainly on how much time you have and whether you want to visit only the ancient city or also explore the suburban villas.
The current booking options are:
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Pompeii Express: Entrance Ticket
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Pompeii Express: Entrance Ticket + Digital Audio Guide
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Pompeii Plus: Entrance Ticket + Villa of the Mysteries
Pompeii Express
Pompeii Express is the standard ticket for visiting the ancient city of Pompeii.
It gives access to the main archaeological area, including streets, houses, temples, public buildings, baths and theatres.
The suburban villas are not included with the standard Pompeii Express ticket.
This is generally the best option if:
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this is your first visit to Pompeii;
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you have approximately 2–4 hours available;
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you want to concentrate on the main archaeological city;
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you do not plan to visit the suburban villas.
Pompeii Express + Digital Audio Guide
You can also select Pompeii Express with a digital audio guide.
This option combines the standard entrance ticket with additional explanations that can help you explore the archaeological site independently.
It can be particularly useful if you prefer to:
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visit Pompeii at your own pace;
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choose your own route;
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stop longer at the monuments that interest you;
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receive additional information without joining a live guided group.
Check the instructions provided after booking and download any required content before beginning your visit.
Bring your own earphones or headphones if required.
Pompeii Plus
If you have more time, choose Pompeii Plus.
The official Pompeii Plus ticket extends access beyond the ancient city to important suburban sites, including:
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Villa of the Mysteries;
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Villa of Diomedes;
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Villa Regina at Boscoreale;
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Antiquarium of Boscoreale;
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Pompeii Artebus shuttle service, subject to operating conditions and available seats.
Pompeii Plus is particularly suitable if:
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you have half a day or more available;
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you have already visited Pompeii before;
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you are especially interested in Roman villas;
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you want a more complete visit to the wider archaeological area.
Check Pompeii Express and Pompeii Plus availability
What is the difference between Pompeii Express and Pompeii Plus?
The main difference is the area included in the ticket.
Pompeii Express
Includes the ancient city of Pompeii.
It does not include the suburban villas.
Pompeii Plus
Includes the ancient city and extends the visit to the suburban villas route.
For most first-time visitors with limited time, Pompeii Express is sufficient.
If you want to visit the Villa of the Mysteries and the wider archaeological complex, Pompeii Plus is the better option.
Can Pompeii Express be upgraded?
Yes.
According to the current rules of the Archaeological Park, visitors who already hold a Pompeii Express ticket can purchase an additional ticket for the suburban villas route at Porta Ercolano – Street of the Tombs.
Payment is by card.
However, if you already know that you want to visit the villas, selecting Pompeii Plus from the beginning is generally easier.
Are Pompeii tickets nominative?
Yes.
Pompeii tickets are personal and nominative.
Enter the visitor's details correctly when purchasing your ticket and bring an identity document with you, as Park staff may request identification.
The Archaeological Park also operates with a maximum daily capacity of 20,000 visitors.
During the busiest periods, advance booking is therefore recommended.
How long should you spend in Pompeii?
The archaeological site is very large.
As a general guide:
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2 hours – highlights only;
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3–4 hours – good first visit;
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half a day – more relaxed exploration;
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Pompeii Plus – allow additional time for the suburban villas.
Trying to see everything in a short visit is unrealistic.
Choose a route based on the time available.
What can you see with Pompeii Express?
The exact buildings open to visitors can vary, but the ancient city contains attractions such as:
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the Forum;
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temples;
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theatres;
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Roman baths;
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houses and villas;
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shops and workshops;
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fountains;
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streets with original Roman paving;
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frescoes and mosaics;
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the Amphitheatre.
Some houses may temporarily close because of conservation or archaeological work.
The Villa of the Mysteries
The Villa of the Mysteries is one of the most famous suburban villas associated with Pompeii.
It is particularly known for its extraordinary fresco cycle, which gives the villa its modern name.
The villa lies outside the main ancient city route and is included with Pompeii Plus.
Visitors interested in Roman painting and domestic architecture should consider allowing enough additional time to include it.
Villa of Diomedes
The Villa of Diomedes is another important suburban residence located along the road outside Porta Ercolano.
Its architecture and large garden illustrate the scale and luxury of the residences constructed outside the ancient city walls.
Access is included with the Pompeii Plus route when open.
Villa Regina and Boscoreale Antiquarium
Pompeii Plus also extends the experience to Villa Regina at Boscoreale and the nearby Antiquarium.
Villa Regina is particularly interesting because it provides evidence of agricultural life in the Vesuvian countryside during Roman times.
The Antiquarium displays archaeological material connected with the ancient territory surrounding Pompeii.
Pompeii Artebus
The Pompeii Plus ticket currently includes access to the Pompeii Artebus shuttle service connecting sites within the wider archaeological park.
The service is subject to:
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operating schedules;
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available seats;
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current Park arrangements.
Do not plan your entire itinerary around a specific shuttle departure without checking the current timetable.
Where can you enter Pompeii?
The Archaeological Park has three principal public entrances:
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Porta Marina;
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Piazza Esedra;
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Piazza Anfiteatro.
Your booking instructions may specify how to access or redeem your particular ticket.
Always follow the information provided with the booking rather than relying on older instructions.
Can you leave and re-enter Pompeii?
No.
Standard Pompeii tickets are valid for one entrance.
Once you leave the archaeological area, you should not expect to re-enter using the same ticket.
Plan your route accordingly.
What should you wear?
Pompeii requires considerable walking on ancient stone streets.
Wear:
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comfortable closed walking shoes;
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light clothing in summer;
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hat and sunscreen;
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weather protection when necessary.
The original Roman paving can be uneven, so shoes with good grip are strongly recommended.
Bring water
Pompeii can become very hot, particularly between late spring and early autumn.
Bring drinking water and consider visiting earlier in the day during periods of high temperatures.
Entrance ticket or guided tour?
An entrance ticket is ideal if you prefer to explore independently.
However, Pompeii is a complex archaeological site, and a live guide can help explain:
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Roman houses;
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public buildings;
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religion;
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entertainment;
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everyday life;
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the eruption of AD 79.
If you prefer a guided experience:
Pompeii: Skip-the-Line Ticket + Guided Tour
Visiting Pompeii from Naples
Pompeii can easily be reached from Naples independently.
If you prefer transportation and a guide already organized:
Pompeii from Naples: Half-Day Guided Tour
Visiting Pompeii from Rome
Visitors staying in Rome can also choose a full-day excursion including transportation and an audio guide.
Pompeii from Rome: Ticket, Audio Guide + Round-Trip Transport
Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius
Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius can be visited in the same day.
An organized tour can simplify transportation and timed access to the volcano.
Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius: Guided Tour from Naples
Cancellation and rescheduling
The current booking conditions state that:
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a full refund is available if you select a refundable ticket during checkout and cancel by 23:59 on the day before the visit;
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rescheduling is currently not possible.
Check the final conditions during booking before completing your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pompeii Express?
Pompeii Express is the standard ticket for the ancient city of Pompeii. It does not include the suburban villas.
What is Pompeii Plus?
Pompeii Plus extends the standard visit to important suburban villas, including the Villa of the Mysteries and Villa of Diomedes, as well as Villa Regina and the Boscoreale Antiquarium.
Is an audio guide available?
Yes. The current booking page offers a Pompeii Express option with a digital audio guide.
Which ticket is best for a first visit?
For most first-time visitors with a few hours available, Pompeii Express is sufficient.
When should I choose Pompeii Plus?
Choose Pompeii Plus if you have more time and want to visit the suburban villas as well as the ancient city.
Can I upgrade Pompeii Express?
Yes. The Archaeological Park currently allows visitors to purchase an additional suburban-villas ticket at the beginning of the route at Porta Ercolano.
Are tickets nominative?
Yes. Pompeii tickets are personal and nominative.
Is there a daily visitor limit?
Yes. The Archaeological Park currently limits admissions to 20,000 visitors per day.
Can I enter from any gate?
Pompeii has entrances at Porta Marina, Piazza Esedra and Piazza Anfiteatro. Follow the access instructions provided with your specific booking.
Can I leave and re-enter?
No. The ticket is normally valid for one entrance only.
Is a live guide included?
No. A standard entrance ticket does not include a live guide.
Can I book a guided tour instead?
Yes. Vesuvionline also offers a separate Pompeii entrance ticket with a live guided tour.
Can I visit Mount Vesuvius on the same day?
Yes. You can organize the two visits independently or choose a combined excursion.
