---
title: "FAQ - Pompeii Guided Tour"
description: "Updated answers about Pompeii tickets, opening hours, entrances, guided tours, accessibility, luggage and practical visitor information."
url: "https://www.pompeiiguidedtour.it/en/information/faq"
date: "2026-08-03T15:33:20+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

Pompeii is one of the largest archaeological sites in the world. Planning your visit in advance will help you choose the right ticket, entrance and itinerary and avoid practical problems on the day of your visit.

Below you will find updated answers to the most frequently asked questions about visiting the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.

[**Compare Pompeii guided tours with admission included**](https://www.pompeiiguidedtour.it/en/guided-tours)

## Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Pompeii

### What are the opening hours of Pompeii?

From 16 March to 14 October, Pompeii is open from 9:00 to 19:00, with the last entrance at 17:30.

From 15 October to 15 March, the site is open from 9:00 to 17:00, with the last entrance at 15:30.

The Archaeological Park is normally closed on 1 January and 25 December unless a special opening is announced. Some houses and buildings inside the site may follow shorter opening hours or may be temporarily closed.

### How much does it cost to enter Pompeii?

The standard Pompeii Express ticket, which includes the ancient city but not the suburban villas, costs €20.

The Pompeii+ ticket costs €25 and includes the ancient city, the Villa of the Mysteries, the Villa of Diomedes, Villa Regina in Boscoreale, the Antiquarium and the shuttle service connecting the sites.

A three-day ticket covering Pompeii and other sites of the Greater Pompeii archaeological area costs €30.

The reduced ticket costs €2 for eligible European Union citizens aged between 18 and 24. Prices, eligibility requirements and booking fees may change, so they should always be checked before purchasing.

### Do Pompeii tickets include a specific name and entrance time?

Yes. Admission tickets are personal and non-transferable and indicate the visitor’s name, date and entrance time slot.

Park staff may ask visitors to show an identification document. The name on the document must correspond to the name printed on the ticket.

The ticket date and visitor’s name normally cannot be changed, and tickets are not refundable unless the Park closes unexpectedly.

### Should I buy Pompeii tickets in advance?

Advance booking is strongly recommended, especially during weekends, public holidays and the busiest months.

Pompeii has a daily limit of 20,000 admissions. Booking in advance allows you to choose your preferred time and reduces the risk of finding limited availability.

A simple entrance ticket can be purchased through the official ticketing channel. Visitors looking for a guided tour, transport from Naples or Rome or a combined itinerary can compare the experiences available on this website.

### Can I enter Pompeii more than once with the same ticket?

No. Standard Pompeii Express and Pompeii+ tickets are valid for one admission only.

Once you leave the archaeological area, you cannot re-enter using the same ticket. Plan meals, transport and the rest of your day before passing through the exit.

### Can I visit Pompeii without a tour guide?

Yes. Visitors can explore Pompeii independently using the official map and guide.

However, the archaeological city is very large and many buildings are difficult to understand without historical context. A professional guide can explain the function of the houses, temples, baths and public buildings and select a practical route based on the time available.

A guided tour is particularly useful for first-time visitors and travellers who have only two or three hours available.

### How long does it take to visit Pompeii?

A visit of approximately two hours allows you to see a selection of the most important areas.

Three or four hours provide a more complete experience, while visitors interested in archaeology, architecture and Roman daily life can easily spend most of the day inside the site.

Travel time, summer heat, uneven paving and the distance between buildings should be considered when planning the itinerary.

### Which entrance should I use?

Pompeii has three principal entrances:

**Porta Marina**, in Via Villa dei Misteri, is close to the Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri Circumvesuviana station.

**Piazza Esedra**, in Piazza Porta Marina Inferiore, is convenient for many guided-tour meeting points and for reaching the Antiquarium.

**Piazza Anfiteatro**, in Piazza Immacolata, provides access to the eastern side of the ancient city and to the Pompeii for All accessible itinerary.

Always check the meeting point printed on your booking voucher. A tour may depart from a different entrance from the one you would normally use when visiting independently.

### How can I reach Pompeii from Naples?

The Circumvesuviana Napoli–Sorrento line stops at Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri, close to Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra.

The Circumvesuviana Napoli–Poggiomarino line stops at Pompei Santuario, which is more convenient for the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance.

Regional trains operated on the Naples–Salerno route stop at Pompei railway station. From there, visitors can continue on foot or use the local train-and-bus connection.

Travellers who prefer not to organise trains and connections independently can choose an organised guided tour with roundtrip transport from Naples.

### What should I wear when visiting Pompeii?

Comfortable, closed footwear with good grip is strongly recommended. The ancient streets are made of large, uneven stones and include steps, slopes and irregular surfaces.

During the warmer months, wear light clothing and bring a hat, sunscreen and sufficient water. In colder or rainy weather, bring suitable protection, but avoid carrying unnecessarily bulky items.

Visitors must wear appropriate clothing and may not enter bare-chested.

### Can I take a backpack or suitcase into Pompeii?

Bags, backpacks, suitcases and cases larger than 30 × 30 × 15 centimetres are not permitted inside the archaeological area.

Paid luggage-storage services are available at the Porta Marina and Piazza Anfiteatro entrances.

Visitors arriving with large luggage should allow additional time to store it before reaching the entrance or guided-tour meeting point.

### Can I eat and drink inside Pompeii?

Eating is permitted only in designated areas. Visitors should not eat inside houses, temples or other archaeological buildings.

A refreshment area and self-service restaurant are available inside the archaeological site at Casina dell’Aquila. Availability and opening conditions may vary.

Carrying water is strongly recommended, especially during summer. Dispose of all rubbish in the designated bins and do not leave food or containers inside the archaeological areas.

### Is Pompeii accessible to wheelchair users?

Pompeii offers the Pompeii for All itinerary, an accessible route of more than 3.5 kilometres beginning at the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance.

The route provides access to several important streets and buildings. However, Pompeii remains an ancient archaeological site: some sections include uneven paving, slopes, small changes in height and narrow passages.

Wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility should enter from Piazza Anfiteatro and consult the accessible map before arriving.

### Is Pompeii suitable for families with children?

Yes, but the size of the site, uneven roads and limited shade should be considered.

Families should choose a shorter route, take regular breaks and avoid the hottest hours in summer. The Pompeii for All itinerary can also make movement easier for parents using pushchairs.

Baby-changing facilities are available in three areas of the ancient city: Via dell’Abbondanza, Via di Nola and the junction between Via Stabiana and Via della Fortuna. The keys must be collected at the entrance.

### Can I bring a dog into Pompeii?

Medium-sized and large dogs are not permitted.

Dogs weighing no more than 10 kilograms and measuring no more than 40 centimetres in height may enter if kept on a lead. They must be carried when entering ancient buildings, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after them.

Certified guide dogs assisting visitors with disabilities are permitted.

### Can I enter Pompeii by bicycle or scooter?

No. Bicycles, scooters, electric scooters and other unauthorised vehicles are not permitted inside the archaeological area.

Only authorised mobility aids and Park-approved vehicles may be used where permitted.

### Can I take photographs and videos in Pompeii?

Photography and video recording for personal, educational or non-commercial purposes are generally permitted.

Professional or commercial photography, filming and audio recording require prior authorisation from the Archaeological Park. Drones are prohibited without specific permission.

Visitors must not touch frescoes, walls, objects or archaeological structures while taking photographs.

### Can I use my own audio guide inside Pompeii?

The Park regulations permit only audio guides supplied by official concessionaires or authorised operators.

Official audio guides are available at Porta Marina, Piazza Esedra and Piazza Anfiteatro. An identification document is required for rental.

Visitors joining an organised guided tour should follow the instructions supplied by the tour operator regarding headphones or listening devices.

### Is Pompeii free on the first Sunday of the month?

Admission is normally free on the first Sunday of each month under the Italian Domenica al Museo programme.

Special admission procedures, capacity limits or access arrangements may apply on free-entry days. These days can be particularly busy, so visitors should check the current instructions before travelling.

### Are all the houses in Pompeii always open?

No. Individual houses, baths, temples and exhibition areas may have different opening hours or may close temporarily for conservation, maintenance or safety reasons.

The number of buildings that can be visited may therefore vary from one day to another. Check the official list of open buildings shortly before your visit.

### Where can I find a map of Pompeii?

An official map and visitor guide can be downloaded before the visit.

Downloading the map in advance is recommended because Pompeii covers a very large area and mobile reception may not always be reliable in every part of the site.

Guided tours follow a selected route, so they do not normally cover every building shown on the complete archaeological map.

## Choose the Right Way to Visit Pompeii

Visitors who prefer to explore independently can consult our information about Pompeii entrance tickets, opening hours and transport.

For a more complete introduction to the ancient city, compare our Pompeii guided tours:

- [guided group tour starting directly at Pompeii;](https://www.pompeiiguidedtour.it/en/guided-tours/guided-tour-max-group-size-25)
- [guided tour with transport from Naples;](https://www.pompeiiguidedtour.it/en/guided-tours/pompeii-guided-tour-from-naples)
- [full-day guided experience from Rome;](https://www.pompeiiguidedtour.it/en/guided-tours/pompei-skip-the-line-guided-tour-lunch-roundtrip-from-rome)
- [combined tour of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius;](https://www.pompeiiguidedtour.it/en/pompeii-and-mont-vesuvius-guided-tour/pompeii-vesuvius-guided-tour-with-roundtrip-from-naples)
- [combined guided tour of Pompeii and Herculaneum.](https://www.pompeiiguidedtour.it/en/pompeii-and-hercolaneum-guided-tours/pompeii-and-hercolaneum-guided-tours)

Each tour page explains the duration, languages, meeting point, admission conditions, transport and cancellation policy.

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