Pompeii to Herculaneum — How to Get There by Train
Pompeii to Herculaneum: The Short Answer
Herculaneum sits about 13 km northwest of Pompeii, toward Naples, on the same Circumvesuviana railway line. Ride from Pompei Scavi - Villa dei Misteri to Ercolano Scavi in roughly 25-30 minutes, then walk a few minutes downhill to the entrance. The two sites are easy to combine in one day.
Both ruins were buried by the same 79 AD eruption of Vesuvius, and both stations lie on the Naples-Sorrento line, so no transfer or change of train is needed — just stay on board for a handful of stops.
How to Get from Pompeii to Herculaneum
- Finish at Pompeii and walk to the Pompei Scavi - Villa dei Misteri station, right beside the Porta Marina entrance.
- Board the Circumvesuviana heading toward Naples (Napoli Garibaldi) — Herculaneum lies in that direction.
- Ride about 25-30 minutes and get off at Ercolano Scavi (trains stop frequently; check the live board for the next departure).
- Walk downhill for roughly 5-8 minutes along the signposted main street to the Herculaneum entrance and ticket office.
- Buy or scan your ticket — a combined Pompeii + Herculaneum pass works at both, or buy single entry on site.
To go the other way (Herculaneum to Pompeii), simply reverse the route: board at Ercolano Scavi toward Sorrento and ride to Pompei Scavi.
Logistics at a Glance
| Detail | Pompeii to Herculaneum |
|---|---|
| Distance | ~13 km |
| Rail line | Circumvesuviana (Naples-Sorrento) |
| Board at | Pompei Scavi - Villa dei Misteri |
| Alight at | Ercolano Scavi |
| Journey time | ~25-30 min |
| Walk from station | ~5-8 min downhill |
| Direction | Toward Naples (Napoli Garibaldi) |
Doing Both in One Day
The classic Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day plan works because both sites are on the same line and keep similar hours (about 09:00-19:00 Apr-Oct, 09:00-17:00 Nov-Mar; confirm on pompeiisites.org).
- Visit Pompeii first. It is far larger — allow 3-4 hours — so use your morning energy and daylight there.
- Then ride to Herculaneum. Compact and well-preserved, it needs 2-3 hours and suits an afternoon.
- Start early. Aim to enter Pompeii at opening; this is the single biggest factor in fitting both sites in without rushing.
- Pack light. Large suitcases are not allowed inside; use the cloakroom facilities at the stations or entrances.
End the day by catching the Circumvesuviana onward to Naples or back toward Sorrento.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Herculaneum from Pompeii?
Herculaneum lies about 13 km northwest of Pompeii, toward Naples. The two sites sit on the same Circumvesuviana railway line, so the train ride between Pompei Scavi and Ercolano Scavi takes roughly 25-30 minutes, making them easy to combine in a single day.
How do I get from Pompeii to Herculaneum?
Take the Circumvesuviana train (Naples-Sorrento line). Board at Pompei Scavi - Villa dei Misteri toward Naples and ride about 25-30 minutes to Ercolano Scavi. From that station it is a short, signposted walk downhill to the Herculaneum entrance. The same train runs in reverse for Herculaneum to Pompeii.
Can you do Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day?
Yes. Start early at Pompeii (the larger site, 3-4 hours), then take the Circumvesuviana to Ercolano Scavi for Herculaneum (2-3 hours). Both are on the same line and close at similar times, so an early start is the key to fitting both in comfortably.
Which should I visit first, Pompeii or Herculaneum?
Visit Pompeii first. It is far larger and needs the most energy and daylight, so tackle it in the morning while fresh. Herculaneum is compact and can be enjoyed in an afternoon. Doing them in this order also follows the train back toward Naples or Sorrento for the evening.