So, are you up for a solo adventure to Europe’s only active volcano? Mount Vesuvius is still active and is one of the planet’s most dangerous volcanoes. But it’s in a state of dormancy. And, in case you’re wondering how to get there, Mount Vesuvius is relatively easy to reach.

Mount Vesuvius

It is always preferable to be well-informed about the location you are about to visit, especially when it is risky. Mount Vesuvius is famous for its eruption, which wiped out thousands of people in Herculaneum and Pompeii. And its influence can still be felt when visiting these cities.

Mount Vesuvius was designated a National Park in 1995, following several eruptions over the previous decades. As a result, many curious travellers have paved their way to witness the surreal sight of the volcanic landscape. That said, don’t you find the fact that you can get to Mount Vesuvius astounding? Not every day do you get to see an ACTIVE volcano up close and personal.

How to reach Mount Vesuvius 

Let’s get to the point of this blog post: how to get to Mount Vesuvius. As a solo female traveller, the most convenient way to reach Mount Vesuvius is from Naples. Because the city is only 25 kilometres away from Vesuvius, visitors can easily reach the location.

Reach Mount Vesuvius via public transport from Naples

The most comfortable and cost-effective way to reach the summit of Vesuvius is to take the train and bus from Naples.

First, take the Circumvesuviana train from Garibaldi Square station. Decide which route you would like to take based on your itinerary because you have options (yay!).

• If you want to visit both Vesuvius and Pompeii (which is highly recommended), I recommend purchasing the Pompeii Scavi ticket. When you arrive at the station, you will be welcomed by the Pompeii Archaeological Park. When you’ve finished exploring Pompeii, look for the EAV bus stop. It’s right next to the train station. A 45-minute bus ride from there will take you to your desired destination.
• You can opt for another route if you’re in a hurry and only plan to explore Vesuvius. In that case, you must get off the Circumvesuviana train at Ercolano Scavi. After that, take a left and catch the Vesuvius Express bus. Remember that it’s a round-trip, so get back in time after exploring the crater (you’ve 90 minutes to do it).

A Tip: Remember to purchase your tickets online ahead of time for the route via Pompeii. The Vesuvius National Park doesn’t have a ticket counter at its gate. And for the other route, the ticket cost is included in the bus fare.

Reach Mount Vesuvius via car from Naples

If you are not willing to travel by public transport, you can always travel by car. You can drive up to the top on a rented vehicle from Naples or hire a cab. 

If you’re driving, take the A3 toll highway that connects Naples with Salerno. From there, drive towards the Torre del Greco or Herculaneum and take the exit. Then simply follow the signs to Mount Vesuvius. It will take you an hour to reach. 

However, the only downside of travelling by car is you have to park your car at the lower parking space. That implies you must walk for 30 minutes to reach the spot. The parking space at the top is only reserved for buses and tour vehicles. 

Reach Mount Vesuvius via a tour agency

There are many tour agencies in and around Naples conducting Vesuvius tours. If you don’t want to figure out how to reach Vesuvius on your own, a tour agency is your best option. That said, travelling with an agency has pros and cons.

Pros:

• Book a tour with any agency, and everything else will be taken care of. This includes transportation, tickets, and other formalities.
• Additionally, a guided tour ensures that you explore the place to a “t.”

Cons:

• You have limited time in hand to roam around the volcano.
• Costlier than travelling on your own.
• You have to stay in sync with the group.

Hike to the crater

The moment you reach the top, you’re up for a 30-minutes hike to the crater. Walk through the rocky pathway slowly. There’s no need to rush. Just inhale and exhale and walk! You’ll see in no time you’ve reached the crater. And if luck is in your favour, you might also catch sight of fumes coming out from there. Well, I don’t know if that is really lucky. 

Jokes aside, do not be afraid. Volcanic eruptions do not occur out of the blue. You are absolutely safe in the Vesuvius National Park. 

How much does it cost to visit Mount Vesuvius?

Now that you know how to get to Mount Vesuvius let’s see how much it costs to visit Vesuvius. Knowing the cost will help you plan accordingly and choose the best suitable for you without crossing your budget for your Naples trip. Here is the cost breakdown for all the ways to reach Mount Vesuvius from Naples.

1. The one-way cost for travelling both Pompeii and Vesuvius is around € 15.90. 

Train ticket: € 2.80

Bus ticket: € 3.10

Entry Fee: € 10

2. The cost of travelling directly to Vesuvius is approximately € 22.20.

Train ticket: € 2.20

Bus ticket: € 20 (roundtrip + entry fee included)

3. The cost of travelling via car:

Rental car cost in Naples on an average is €50/day (check online and compare to get the best deal)

Taxi cost from Naples to Vesuvius depends upon the time taken and distance. It can cost you anywhere around € 40 – 50.

4. The cost of travelling with an agency is around € 60.

Best time to visit Mount Vesuvius

The best time of the year to visit this gem is the beginning of April to June and the end of September to October. It’s neither too warm nor too cold at this time. 

It’s best to avoid the winter months and the peak season. As in winter, Mount Vesuvius generally becomes inaccessible because of the harsh weather conditions. And in peak season, the place gets way too crowded!                                                                                                                           

Is Mount Vesuvius worth visiting?

In a nutshell, YES. Mount Vesuvius is a popular tourist attraction near Naples, Italy. And one simply cannot pass this place up. You should create your Naples’ or Italy itinerary keeping Mount Vesuvius in mind (you would only require three hours to explore this gem). 

With that, we’ve come to the end of this blog post. I hope I’ve answered all your questions about how to get to Mount Vesuvius. Day trips like this from Naples always enhance your experience in the city. And if you want to see Naples in a different light, check out this list of non-touristy things to do in the city. So, pack your bags without further ado and prepare to visit the volcano.