Pompeii
Pompeii was a large Roman town in Campania, Italy, buried in volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Excavated in the 19th-20th century, its excellent state of preservation gives an invaluable insight into Roman everyday life.
It is the richest archaeological site and has a lot of famous attractions, such as an Amphitheater, a forum, thermal baths, and the Villa of the Mysteries.
Ironically, this terrible incident has given modern man a close-up view of life in a Roman city.
What happened at Pompeii?
Pompeii is located at the base of Mount Vesuvius, a volcano in the Bay of Naples.
In recorded history, Vesuvius has erupted more than 50 times, but the most serious and fatal volcanic event occurred in 79 AD.
Ash, rock, and gas were ejected into the air in a large cloud. Thousands of people suffered in Pompeii and the nearby areas also.
When it was over, millions of tons of stones and ash covered Pompeii.
And it remained there for more than a thousand years.
Where to buy tickets for Pompeii
Around 15,000 tourists visit this attraction every day.
Thus the lines to buy tickets can get very long. You can avoid waiting periods by purchasing tickets to the Pompeii ruins online.
Pompeii tickets cost less online than at the site.
Since it gets crowded, you may not get your preferred time slot when you buy tickets at the venue.
How to buy tickets to Pompeii
Online tickets are easy to buy and use.
As soon as you select your time and date of visit and make the purchase, they get emailed to you.
On the day of the visit, you can show your Pompeii tickets on your mobile and enter the attraction – no need to take printouts.
Types of tickets
Get a reserved entry ticket to Pompeii and explore the archaeological site at your own pace and thoroughly understand Roman city life.
Take a combined tour of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius with a day-tour ticket from Naples.
You can secure the reserved entrance tickets in advance and explore the remains of crucial artworks, buildings, and artifacts buried beneath the volcanic ash.
Skip the long lines with this fast-track Pompeii ticket and take advantage of an audio guide.
Experience the archeological wonder of Pompeii with a guided tour.
You can explore Pompeii on this day trip from Rome, visit the heritage site of Pompeii and climb Mount Vesuvius.
Enjoy a skip–the-line entry to the archeological park of Pompeii with an archeologist guide.
Pompeii ticket discounts
Skip the Line Pompeii tickets for visitors 18 years and older cost €22, while kids 17 years and younger get a discounted price of €3.
That’s an 85% reduction on the adult ticket price.
EU Citizens between 18 to 24 years get a 75% discount and pay approximately €6.
You should carry a valid photo ID while availing of these ticket discounts.
Pompeii free tickets
Entry to Pompeii is free on the first Sunday of every month.
The complimentary tickets to Pompeii are worthwhile if you are a traveler or a group of friends.
But if you are traveling with children, the elderly, or large groups, we do not advise going on the first Sunday of the month because it gets quite crowded.
In this situation, we advise scheduling the most popular Fast Track ticket or the Pompeii guided tour.
“We spent a lovely day wandering around Pompeii. Our guide really made history come alive for us. We visited some off-the-beaten-track houses, which also meant no queues.
Shurt, TripAdvisor
The whole site is just fascinating. “
Best time to visit Pompeii
The best time to visit Pompeii is during the spring (from March to May) and Autumn (October and November).
The number of tourists will be considerably more manageable during these months, and the weather will be suitable for outdoor sightseeing.
If you have already bought your tickets, the best time of the day to head toward the ruins would be as soon as they open at 9 am.
Otherwise, you may have to reach 15-20 minutes before getting into the ticket counter lines.
Coaches start bringing in large tour groups by 10.30 am and crowd the lines to enter the ruins and its famous attractions.
The next best time to visit Pompeii ruins is 3 pm because, after lunchtime, the massive crowd has started to leave or has already left.
During the peak season, the ruins are open till 7 pm, so even if you start at 3 pm, you get four hours to explore.
Note: It is nearly impossible to get to Pompeii by 10 am if you stay in Rome or Naples. You should purchase your Pompeii tickets in advance so you can access the ruins as soon as you arrive.
How long does it take?
You can cover Pompeii’s top attractions in two to three hours.
However, you will require a full-day visit to explore Pompeii with the Mount Vesuvius tour.
If you want to cover the whole archeological site of Pompeii, you will need more than two days to explore it fully.
You can purchase the Pompeii tickets in advance to choose your desired time slot and benefit from the skip the line entrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we buy tickets to Pompeii online?
Yes, visitors can buy Pompeii tickets online.
You can purchase the most popular and cheapest Pompeii tickets, a guided tour, or a skip-the-line ticket.
If we buy an online ticket, which entrance should we use?
When you purchase the tickets online, you must enter via the Piazza Esedra entrance.
To visit the ruins, present your smartphone ticket and then use the skip-the-line entrance.
Should we book a guided tour of Pompeii?
We strongly recommend visiting Pompeii with a guide, as it can be tricky to find the important sites.
In addition, guides can explain every detail and make the experience more engaging.
How much discount is available to European Union citizens on Pompeii tickets?
EU citizens (18 to 24 years) are eligible for more than a 70% discount.
Their ticket to Pompeii only costs 6 Euros per person.
Can I purchase tickets to Pompeii on the same day?
Yes, you can get Pompeii tickets for the same day at the attraction’s ticket counter.
But if you want to avoid long queues, you can purchase them online because the wait at the ticket counter lines during busy times can even reach an hour.
Should I buy Pompeii tickets in advance?
Although purchasing the tickets beforehand is not compulsory, we recommend buying online tickets before visiting the attraction.
If you already have the tickets in advance, you can skip the line at the ticket window when you arrive in Pompeii.
Featured Image: PompeiiSites.org