Pompeii, Herculaneum & Vesuvius the two buried cities and the volcano, in one private day
Walk the streets of Pompeii, step into the houses of Herculaneum and look into the crater that buried them both in AD 79. Your Mercedes and English-speaking driver link the three sites, with a licensed guide if you want one.
In short: Positano Limo Service runs a private full-day tour of Herculaneum, Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii from Naples or the Salerno cruise port. It costs €500 per vehicle from Naples for up to 7 passengers (Mercedes E-Class for 1–2, V-Class for up to 7) or €650 for up to 16 (Mercedes Sprinter); from Salerno €600 or €750. The day lasts about 8 hours. A licensed guide costs €160 for Pompeii (2 hours) or €300 for Pompeii and Herculaneum. Entrance tickets are not included.
Prices and details last updated: September 2026From sea level to the crater, and back down to Pompeii
We usually start with Herculaneum while it is quiet, climb Vesuvius before the afternoon clouds, and end in Pompeii when the tour groups thin out. From the Salerno port we run the day in reverse.
- Pick-upNaples cruise terminal or hotelsea level
- HerculaneumThe buried town by the seasea level
- Vesuvius car parkAbout 1,000 m, walk up1,000 m
- Crater rimAbout 1,170 m above the bay1,170 m
- LunchNear Pompeii, at your choice30 m
- PompeiiForum, streets, houses and baths30 m
- BackDrop-off at the ship or hotelsea level
Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius compared
They are often sold as one package, but each site feels completely different. Here is what to expect from each.
| Pompeii | Herculaneum | Vesuvius | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A Roman city of about 11,000 people | A wealthy seaside town, much smaller | The volcano, 1,281 m, still active |
| How it was buried | Ash and pumice, a few metres deep | Pyroclastic flows, about 20 m deep | — |
| What makes it special | The scale: streets, forum, theatres, brothel, bakeries | Upper floors, carbonized wood, vivid frescoes | The crater and the view over the whole bay |
| Time we plan | About 2 hours | About 1.5 hours | About 1.5 hours with the walk |
| Walking | A lot, on uneven Roman paving | Compact, with ramps and steps | 20–30 min uphill on gravel |
| Licensed guide | €160 for 2 hours | €300 with Pompeii | Not needed |
Your tour, with or without a guide
The ruins speak much more with a licensed archaeological guide. Choose your options to see the total for your group.
- Car and driver, full day
- €500
- Licensed guide
- —
- Total for your group
- €500
Entrance tickets are extra and bought per person. We help you book them when you reserve.
Book this tourWhat happened in AD 79
In Roman times Vesuvius was a green mountain covered in vineyards. Pompeii and Herculaneum were busy towns at its foot, and nobody knew it was a volcano.
A column of pumice and ash rained on Pompeii for hours, then hot flows swept the town. It lay under a few metres of ash for over 1,600 years, until excavations began in 1748.
Herculaneum was hit by pyroclastic flows that left about 20 metres of volcanic material. That is why wood, food and upper floors survived here as nowhere else.
Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997, and excavations and discoveries continue today.
Tour prices
Per vehicle, not per person, for about 8 hours with your driver.
From Naples · port or hotel
From the Salerno cruise port
Included
- Private Mercedes and English-speaking driver
- Fuel, tolls, parking and VAT
- Bottled water on board
- Pick-up at the cruise terminal or your hotel
Not included
- Entrance tickets to the three sites
- Licensed guide: €160 Pompeii, €300 both sites
- Lunch
Practical tips from our drivers
What our guests say
“The absolute best service.”
“Andrea was a wonderful guide!”
“He was very friendly, and made our trip even more pleasant.”
Other tours and transfers
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Vesuvius: frequently asked questions
Can you visit Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius in one day?
Yes. With a private driver the three sites fit in a full day of about 8 hours: around 1.5 hours in Herculaneum, 1.5 hours on Vesuvius including the walk to the crater, and 2 hours in Pompeii. They are all within 30 minutes of each other.
How much does the Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius tour cost?
€500 per vehicle from Naples for up to 7 passengers (Mercedes E-Class for 1–2, V-Class for up to 7), or €650 for up to 16 in a Mercedes Sprinter. From the Salerno cruise port the price is €600, or €750 with a Sprinter. Entrance tickets and guides are not included.
How much does a guide cost?
A licensed guide for Pompeii costs €160 for 2 hours. A guide for both Pompeii and Herculaneum costs €300. The guide meets you at the entrance of each site.
Are entrance tickets included?
No. Tickets for Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius are bought per person. Vesuvius tickets are sold online for a time slot, and Pompeii can sell out in high season, so we help you book them in advance.
How hard is the walk to the Vesuvius crater?
It is a 20 to 30 minute walk uphill on a wide gravel path from the car park to the crater rim, and the same back down. Wear good shoes and bring a layer: it is windy at the top. The path closes in strong wind or bad weather, in which case we add time at the other sites.
Pompeii or Herculaneum: which is better?
Pompeii is a whole city, large and famous, with streets, forum, theatres and houses. Herculaneum is much smaller and better preserved, with upper floors, carbonized wood and bright frescoes. If you have to choose one, first-timers usually pick Pompeii; history lovers often prefer Herculaneum.
Can we do only two of the three sites?
Yes. Many guests choose Pompeii and Vesuvius, or Pompeii and Herculaneum, for a slower day. The price is the same, and you can decide on the day.
Is the tour suitable for cruise passengers?
Yes. We meet you at the cruise terminal in Naples or Salerno and plan the order of the sites around your all-aboard time. From Naples, Herculaneum is about 20 minutes away.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation is free up to 48 hours before the tour. Later cancellations and no-shows are charged in full.
Book your day with the volcano
Tell us your date, ship or hotel, the number of guests and whether you want a guide. We confirm by email, usually within a few hours.
Book now Free cancellation up to 48 hours before · Questions? WhatsApp us · All tours