Pompei Train Station — Which Station for the Ruins?
Pompei Train Station
For the ruins, use Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri, the Circumvesuviana station beside the Porta Marina entrance (about a two-minute walk). A separate Pompei station, run by Trenitalia, serves the modern town near the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance. Choosing the right station saves you a long detour.
Two Stations, Two Different Places
Pompei confusingly has more than one rail station, and arriving at the wrong one means a longer walk.
Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri (Circumvesuviana)
This is the station most visitors want. It is on the EAV Circumvesuviana Naples–Sorrento line and sits directly beside the Porta Marina entrance. The word "Scavi" means "excavations" — your signal that this stop is for the archaeological park. From Naples Garibaldi, the ride is about 36 minutes, with trains roughly every 30 minutes. From Sorrento it is about 30 minutes.
Pompei (Trenitalia)
This station is in the modern town of Pompei, served by Trenitalia regional trains, and is closest to the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance. It is useful if you are arriving on a national rail route, but it involves a longer walk (around ten minutes or more) to reach the gate.
How to Reach the Ruins by Train — Step by Step
- From Naples, head to Naples Garibaldi for the Circumvesuviana terminal.
- Board the Naples–Sorrento line and confirm it stops at Pompei Scavi.
- Alight at "Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri." Do not confuse it with other Pompei stops.
- Walk about two minutes to the Porta Marina entrance.
- Buy or scan your ticket and store large bags in the free cloakroom or station left-luggage.
Station Comparison
| Station | Operator / line | Nearest entrance | Walk to gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri | Circumvesuviana (Naples–Sorrento) | Porta Marina | ~2 minutes |
| Pompei | Trenitalia (regional) | Piazza Anfiteatro | ~10+ minutes |
Practical Notes
The Circumvesuviana is a commuter line: trains can be busy and basic, so watch your belongings and validate tickets correctly. From Rome, take a high-speed train to Naples Centrale (about 1h10), then transfer to the Circumvesuviana at the adjacent Garibaldi terminal. Always check current timetables before travelling, and confirm site opening hours and last entry on pompeiisites.org.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which Pompei train station is for the ruins?
Use Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri, on the Circumvesuviana line from Naples to Sorrento. It sits right beside the Porta Marina entrance, about a two-minute walk to the gate. The other station, Pompei (Trenitalia), is in the modern town near the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance and is a longer walk.
How do I get to Pompeii by train from Naples?
Take the Circumvesuviana train (Naples–Sorrento line) from Naples Garibaldi to Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri, about a 36-minute ride departing roughly every 30 minutes. Step off and the Porta Marina entrance is a short walk away. Trenitalia trains to the Pompei station serve the modern town instead.
What is the difference between Pompei Scavi and Pompei station?
Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri is the Circumvesuviana stop beside the ancient site's Porta Marina entrance — best for visiting the ruins. Pompei is a Trenitalia station in the modern town, closer to the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance. 'Scavi' means 'excavations', which is your clue for the archaeological park.
How far is the train station from the Pompeii ruins?
From Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri it is roughly a two-minute, flat walk to the Porta Marina entrance. From the Pompei (Trenitalia) station in the modern town, expect a longer walk of around ten minutes or more to the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance, depending on your exact route.