How to Get to Herculaneum from Naples Quick and Easy Travel Options. Herculaneum sits just outside Naples—an ancient Roman town, famous for its history and archaeological wonders. Loads of visitors head here to check out the remarkably well-preserved ruins and quirky artifacts. If you’re staying in Naples, getting to Herculaneum is honestly pretty straightforward.
How to Get to Herculaneum from Naples
Hands down, the fastest and most popular way to reach Herculaneum from Naples is to hop on the Circumvesuviana train at Napoli Garibaldi station and ride it to Ercolano Scavi—it takes about 15-20 minutes and costs around €2. Trains show up often, so you’re not likely to be left waiting for long. Sure, you could take a local bus, but those take longer and usually involve a bit of walking too.
Figuring out the best way to travel lets you make the most of your day, whether you want to explore Herculaneum first thing in the morning or swing by after a Pompeii stop. This guide covers all the main transportation options, so you can pick whatever works best for you to visit Herculaneum from Naples.
Best Ways to Travel from Naples to Herculaneum
Naples and Herculaneum connect easily by several modes of transport. You can go for public transport, grab a taxi, drive yourself, or just book a guided tour—it all depends on your budget, schedule, and what you’re up for.
Circumvesuviana Train – How to Get to Herculaneum from Naples
Most people (especially budget travelers) take the Circumvesuviana train. This regional railway links Naples with all the big sites around Campania, including Ercolano—the modern town where Herculaneum is found.
Trains leave all the time from Napoli Centrale or Napoli Porta Nolana stations. You’ll get to Ercolano Scavi station in about 15 minutes. Tickets barely cost €2 each way, and trains run every 20 to 30 minutes when it’s busy.
Once you arrive at Ercolano Scavi, it’s just a short walk—5 to 10 minutes—to the entrance of the Herculaneum archaeological site. Hold onto your train ticket until you’re done with the ride; inspectors do check pretty often.
Honestly, the Circumvesuviana train is best for folks who like to do their own thing and don’t mind public transport. Just be ready for crowds in summer or during rush hour—it’s definitely not empty.
Tip: Double-check the train schedule before you go and keep your eye on your stuff, especially since the trains can get packed with tourists and locals alike.
Taxi Services and Private Transfers
If you want a comfy, direct ride, taxis from Naples to Herculaneum are a solid option. You’ll find official taxis all over Naples, and you can pre-book private transfers if you want to plan ahead.
The drive usually takes 20–30 minutes, depending on how traffic’s behaving. It’ll cost more than the train—usually €35–€50 each way for an official taxi. Private transfers run higher, but you might get perks like help with luggage or a hotel pick-up.
Taxis and transfers really come in handy if you’re traveling with a lot of bags, have kids in tow, or just want a no-hassle trip straight to the ruins. During high season, booking ahead is a good idea.
You can also book private tours that throw in both transport and a licensed guide, so you get the history lesson on the way and skip ticket lines when you arrive.
Driving and Parking at Herculaneum
If you’ve got a car, driving from Naples to Herculaneum is pretty easy—about 20–30 minutes, traffic permitting. Just follow the signs to Ercolano, and a GPS or navigation app makes it a breeze.
Several parking lots sit close to the archaeological site, but most charge by the hour. Parking fills up fast, especially on weekends or during peak tourist times. Go early if you want to snag a spot without the stress.
Driving gives you the freedom to set your own schedule and haul as much stuff as you want. Plus, you can hit other spots like Mount Vesuvius or Pompeii on the same day. Just watch out for ZTL (limited traffic zones) in parts of Naples—entering without a permit can get you fined.
If you’re not used to Italian city driving or traffic, honestly, public transport or a transfer might be less nerve-wracking.
Guided Tours and Shore Excursions
Plenty of Naples-based companies run guided tours to Herculaneum, and they’ll pick you up and handle the ride. These tours usually include a knowledgeable guide who’ll fill you in on the site and Campanian history.
You can pick from private tours, small-group trips, and even special shore excursions if you’re coming off a cruise ship. Most tours bundle in round-trip transport, entry tickets, and a walk through the ruins.
Guided tours are perfect if you want to learn from an expert, skip the ticket lines, or just avoid figuring out public transport on your own. Prices and times vary a lot, so shop around and book ahead if you can.
Most tours leave from central Naples or offer hotel pick-up. They’re great for anyone who wants a structured visit and a deeper dive into Herculaneum’s story.
Arriving in Ercolano: Navigating from Station to Archaeological Park – How to Get to Herculaneum from Naples
If you take the train to Ercolano, you’ll end up really close to the ruins. The walk from the station to the archaeological site is short, and you’ve got a couple of local travel options too.
Directions from Ercolano Scavi Station
If you’re coming from Naples on the Circumvesuviana train, get off at Ercolano Scavi station. That’s your closest stop to the Archaeological Park of Herculaneum.
Once you leave the train, just exit the station and follow the signs for pedestrians—they’ll point you toward the archaeological park. The walk is easy, safe, and only takes about 6 to 8 minutes.
Head down Via IV Novembre or stick to the main road. It’s mostly downhill and the route is well-marked. The entrance sits on Corso Resina, right before you hit the town center.
Local Transportation Options
Most people just walk from Ercolano Scavi station, but if you’re not up for it, taxis wait right outside. The ride is super short since it’s so close.
If you have mobility issues, you can arrange wheelchair-friendly taxis or shuttles ahead of time through local companies.
Buses stop nearby too, but they don’t run as often and the routes aren’t as direct as just walking. Sometimes private shuttles operate during tourist season, but you’ll want to check schedules. Honestly, walking is still the fastest and most reliable bet.
Planning Your Visit to Herculaneum – How to Get to Herculaneum from Naples
If you’re heading to the Archaeological Park of Herculaneum, you’ll want to know about admission fees, daily hours, and luggage rules before you go. Trust me, knowing these things saves you time at the entrance and makes the whole visit smoother.
Admission Tickets and Entrance Fees
You’ll need a ticket to get into the Herculaneum archaeological site. Adult prices usually land between €13 and €15. Students and EU citizens aged 18-25 get a discount. If you’re under 18, or you’re a teacher or researcher, you might get in free—but they’ll check your ID at the ticket booth.
You can buy tickets at the site, but lines get long (especially in spring and summer). It’s way easier to buy tickets online before you visit. Sometimes they offer combo tickets for other sites like Pompeii. Keep an eye out for discounts or free-entry days—they usually post these on the official website or at tourist info points.
Opening Times and Schedule
Herculaneum, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sticks to set opening hours. The park usually opens at 8:30 am and closes at 5:00 pm in the low season, with the last entry about an hour before closing. In summer, you might get extra time until 7:30 pm or so.
The site shuts down on January 1st and December 25th. April through October gets really busy, so going early helps you dodge the crowds. They enforce entry and exit rules, and you should plan at least two hours to see the main ruins.
Bags and Luggage Policies
How to Get to Herculaneum from Naples. The park restricts big bags and luggage inside the ruins. Large backpacks, suitcases, or bulky bags aren’t allowed. There’s usually a locker or luggage storage at the entrance, but space is limited.
Small backpacks or handbags are fine, but security checks all bags. Only bring the essentials—water, your documents, a camera. There are toilets near the entrance and inside the site, but you’ll need to leave bigger bags in storage to help protect the ancient ruins.
Top Sites and Experiences in Herculaneum
Herculaneum lets you get up close and personal with daily Roman life. So many buildings, mosaics, and objects survived, so you really get a sense of the place—honestly, that’s what makes this UNESCO site so special.
Highlights of the Archaeological Park
The Archaeological Park of Herculaneum is smaller than Pompeii, but it’s absolutely packed with highlights. The ruins are famous for their detailed mosaics, frescoes, and even wooden beams that somehow survived the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
You can’t miss the Samnite House with its elegant columns, the ancient Basilica, and what’s left of the Forum. Many Roman homes still show off colorful wall art and even some original furniture. The public baths are covered in marble and mosaics showing daily scenes.
You’ll wander streets that once buzzed with shops and homes. The Archaeological Museum on-site displays artifacts, jewelry, and even carbonized food (which is wild to see). Grab a map at the entrance—it’ll help you make sense of everything.
Tours and Audio Guides
You can explore Herculaneum on your own or join a guided tour. Guides tell stories about the people who lived here and explain the history behind places like the bathhouses and temples. Walking tours usually start at the entrance and last one or two hours.
Audio guides are available in several languages for a small fee. They let you go at your own pace and fill you in on the highlights, including the most famous Roman ruins. Information panels in Italian and English pop up all over the park if you want to read as you go.
You can book group tours with a licensed tour guide ahead of time for a deeper dive into the city’s past. Both options make sightseeing in Herculaneum easy and way more interesting.
Nearby Attractions and Day Trips – How to Get to Herculaneum from Naples
If you’re visiting Herculaneum, you might as well check out other famous spots in Campania. There are several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and scenic places nearby, each with its own vibe.
Pompeii and Surrounding Sites
Pompeii is just a short train ride from Herculaneum on the Circumvesuviana line. This ancient city, buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, is way bigger than Herculaneum and lets you wander Roman streets, houses, and theaters. Head in through the Porta Marina entrance to see the ruins, frescoes, shops, and public baths.
Pompeii Scavi station drops you right by the entrance. If you’re into ancient Roman life, Oplontis in Torre Annunziata is nearby and has the lavish Villa Poppaea—supposedly once owned by Nero’s wife. You can totally visit both Pompeii and Oplontis in one day if you’re up for it.
Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples
Mount Vesuvius looms over the Bay of Naples and still counts as an active volcano. You can get there easily from both Naples and Herculaneum. Buses and tours take you partway up, then you’ll hike about 30 minutes to reach the top. The view from the crater is unreal—you’ll see all of Naples, Sorrento, and the coastline.
There are displays and guides sharing info about the eruption that wiped out Pompeii and Herculaneum. The area around Vesuvius is a national park, with hiking trails and some local wineries offering tastings. Most people spend half a day up there, soaking in the views.
Visiting Capri, Positano, and Other Destinations
Day trips to Capri or towns like Sorrento and Positano are also super popular from Naples or Herculaneum. Ferries leave from Naples’ main port to Capri, which is famous for the Blue Grotto and its epic cliffs. Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast are easy to reach by train or bus, and Positano dazzles with its colorful houses and beaches.
Lots of travelers pair Herculaneum with stops along the Amalfi Coast. Organized tours and local transport make it easy to get around. Each destination has its own personality, from Capri’s luxury feel to Sorrento’s old-world charm. Beaches, shopping, and killer views—what more could you want?
Frequently Asked Questions How to Get to Herculaneum from Naples
There are a bunch of ways to travel from Naples to Herculaneum, and each one comes with its own price tag and level of convenience. You can take the train, bus, taxi, or a private transfer—timetables are all online these days.
What are the train options for travelling from Naples to Herculaneum?
You can catch the Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Ercolano Scavi station, which is the closest stop for Herculaneum. It usually takes about 15-20 minutes. Trains leave all the time from Napoli Garibaldi station.
Can I take a bus from Naples to Herculaneum, and where would I catch it?
Yep, there are buses between Naples and Herculaneum. They usually leave from the main bus terminals in Naples, like Piazza Garibaldi. Travel time varies, but it’s often slower than the train because of traffic.
What is the estimated fare for a taxi from Naples to Herculaneum?
A taxi from central Naples to Herculaneum will typically run you €25 to €40, depending on traffic and the time of day. Prices can go up at night or on holidays.
Are there any transfer services available from Naples cruise port to Herculaneum?
Private transfers and taxis can pick you up right at the Naples cruise port. You can book in advance or just grab one outside the port terminal when you arrive.
Where can I find the train timetable for trips from Naples to Herculaneum?
You’ll find the Circumvesuviana train timetable online at the official EAV website. They also post timetables at Napoli Garibaldi and Ercolano Scavi stations.
Is there a direct route to Herculaneum from Sorrento?
Yes, you can take a direct Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento to Ercolano Scavi, which stops at Herculaneum. The trip takes about 45–50 minutes. You won’t need to change trains.
