Pompeii Tickets
If you're thinking of visiting the city that was buried under the lava of Vesuvius almost 2000 years ago, the first thing you'll need to organise is how to get tickets. I'll tell you all the details
Visit Pompeii | ©Nick Hubbard
Pompeii is a unique place in the world that you have to visit at least once in your life. If you are travelling in Italy and you are planning to visit the archaeological site, you will first of all need to buy a ticket.
There are several options for accessing the ruins of Pompeii: you can buy individual tickets or you can tour the area by purchasing tickets that include a guided tour. Take note of everything you need to know.
Pompeii Tickets
Visit Pompeii and see what life was like in this Ancient Roman city.
You will learn many details about the daily life of the ancient Romans and you will have the opportunity to walk around and enjoy the views of the city's forum, as well as the temples of Jupiter and Apollo.
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With this ticket to Pompeii, you will discover what life was like in this ancient Roman city that was buried by Vesuvius in the year 79. Throughout the visit, you will see one of the best-preserved cultural heritages in history and learn many details of the daily life of the ancient Romans. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy views of the city's forum, as well as the temples of Jupiter and Apollo.
Why I like this option... it's a must-see if you go to Rome.
Recommended if... you're a history buff.
How to book tickets for Pompeii in advance
The first tip for visiting Pompeii that you should bear in mind when booking your tickets is that it is best to book them online and in advance. Given that Pompeii is visited by more than four million people every year, you can imagine that, especially in the high season, tickets are going to sell out. If you are going to travel there, don't take the plunge and buy your tickets before you go.
Buy individual tickets
Pompeii's official website recommends that you buy your tickets from the Italian ticket company Ticketone, via their website, by email at [email protected] or by phone on (+39) 081 18658177. They will attend to you in Italian or English, so the system is not really set up for buying tickets internationally.
Buy tickets with guided tour and organised transport
One of the best options for international visitors is to book a guided tour of Pompeii that includes transport to and from the site and an official guided tour by one of the experts in the area.
Buy tickets to Pompeii at the ticket office
Booking tickets for Pompeii at the ticket office is always an option. The best way to do this is to arrive early in the morning, to avoid queues and large groups arriving and needing to go through the ticket office.
If you are not planning to spend the whole day there, you can also arrive in the afternoon and, in addition, benefit from some of the discounts offered to visitors after 16:00 hours (although, bearing in mind that the archaeological park usually closes at 19:00 hours, the time you can spend inside will be much more limited).
In any case, to buy tickets at the ticket office, I recommend that you bear in mind the opening and closing times of the archaeological site, as well as special dates or holidays when it may be closed. In this section you can consult official communications or last minute news that will tell you if the park is open and what the opening hours are.
How much do tickets to Pompeii cost?
Individual tickets to Pompeii (which do not include a guided tour or audio guide) start at €18 for the general public. For European citizens aged between 18 and 25, there is a reduced rate which allows you to buy tickets for €2.
These tickets allow you access to the park and free movement throughout the ruins of Pompeii for the whole day. If you enter the park after 16:00 hours you can also enjoy a reduced rate, as the park closes at 19:00 hours, you will have less time to visit the city. You can see all the details in this table.
Are there any discounts on tickets to Pompeii?
No, Pompeii is a tourist attraction in high demand, so it is virtually impossible to find discounts or vouchers that will allow you to get a discounted price. However, if you are travelling in a group, are an art teacher, a student or under 25, I recommend that you check if you are eligible for any of the reduced rates offered by Pompeii.
Why is Pompeii worth a visit?
Pompeii is a must-see especially if you are a history buff. Its archaeological remains have given us a glimpse of what life was like at that time and it takes visitors back to another era that is definitely worth a visit.
Note that if you are staying in Rome, there are organised excursions to Pompeii from Rome: they leave every morning from the centre of the Italian capital, take you to Pompeii and after an all-inclusive day in the archaeological area (there are options that also include lunch), they accompany you back to Rome without you having to worry about anything. The same excursions to Pompeii are available from Naples.
Tips for visiting Pompeii
There are a number of essential tips to keep in mind on your trip to Pompeii. On the one hand, it's best to take a guided tour to get to know all the details of the route. On the other hand, I recommend that you book your tickets in advance and, of course, it is essential to protect yourself from the sun and heat with cool, comfortable clothing and sunscreen.
It is also essential that you don't forget to bring a bottle of water and that you avoid going at weekends when it is more crowded due to the large number of visitors.
Even so, ahead of your visit, I leave you an article with a series of essential tips that you can take into account to visit Pompeii so that you can make the most of this trip to the past.