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Mount Vesuvius | Transportation, driving route & more

Most people visit Mount Vesuvius from the nearby hubs of Naples, Pompeii, or even Rome. Whether you’re coming from the city, exploring the ruins, or planning a day trip from the capital, reaching the volcano is quite straightforward. Here’s a breakdown of the different ways to get to Vesuvius from different starting points.

Where Is Mount Vesuvius located?

Mount Vesuvius is an active volcano located about 12 kilometers southeast of Naples, Italy. It’s part of the Campanian Volcanic Arc, a chain of volcanoes that runs along Italy’s western coast. This arc also includes significant geological features like the Campi Flegrei caldera to the west of Naples. If you're planning a visit, Vesuvius is easily accessible from Naples, making it a popular destination for tourists interested in history and geology.

​Find Mount Vesuvius on a map

Plan your Mount Vesuvius visit

Getting to Mount Vesuvius

Best for: Budget travel

Travel time: 55 mins

Nearest stop: Mount Vesuvius ticket counter

Timings: every 50 mins

  • Take the bus or shuttle from the Circumvesuviana Pompei - Villa dei Misteri stop or the Circumvesuviana Ercolano Scavi stop.
  • Buses and shuttles cost about EUR 22 round trip (entrance to the park included) and take you directly to the ticket office about 200 meters below the trailhead for the crater.
  • EAV bus routes also run between Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius every 50 minutes.

Best for: Easy planning

Travel time: 50 mins

  • Some private bus companies offer tourist transfers from Pompeii to Mount Vesuvius or Herculaneum to Mount Vesuvius and back.
  • The cost is approximately EUR 15 per person, but the entry ticket must be purchased separately.
  • These companies bring you near the entry and pick you up from the same spot to bring you back to Naples.

Best for: Convenient travel

Travel time: 20 mins

  • To reach Mount Vesuvius from Naples, you can take the Circumvesuviana train.
  • Board a train bound for Sorrento at Naples Central Station (Piazza Garibaldi), disembark at the Ercolano Scavi station, and continue your journey from there.

Getting to Mount Vesuvius by car

Best for: Convenience

Travel time: 40 mins

Distance: 25.2 km

  • Take the A3 Napoli-Salerno highway to the Torre del Greco or Herculaneum exit. Follow the signs for Vesuvio.
  • At the unstaffed parking area at 800 meters above sea level, pay EUR 5 for all-day parking. Take the shuttle to the ticket office for EUR 2 round trip (free for children). It's recommended to take the shuttle as the climb from the parking area to the ticket office is tough.

Parking

  • There is an unstaffed parking area available for visitors arriving by car at Mount Vesuvius. There are also private parking areas available near the entrance, but they may come at a higher cost than the unstaffed parking area.

Hiking to the crater

Trail information

After the entrance, the hike to the crater begins on a wide path with scenic hairpin turns. As you ascend, you'll enjoy views of Mount Somma, the Valle del Gigante, and the Gulf of Naples. You'll also see lava from the 1944 eruption, now covered in silver lichen. The hike offers expanding views of the surrounding nature reserve and the Umberto Hill. Popular trails include the Mt Somma and Tirone Reserve and the Matrone Road.

Frequently asked questions on how to get to Mount Vesuvius

The easiest way to get to Mount Vesuvius is by taking a train or bus to the town of Herculaneum or Pompeii, from where you can take a shuttle bus to the national park entrance.