Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 1,863 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist worth booking?
Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist is a 6-hour experience in Pompeii, Italy, from $73 per person. It scores 90 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 1,863 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
- Outty Ranking
- 90 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (1,863)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $73 per person
This experience combines the two archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, famous for the eruption of Mount Vesuvius happened in 79 AD. Join the guide at the entrance of Pompeii ruins called Porta Marina Inferiore, where the tour starts. Discover the site and its best highlights with the assistance of an expert Archaeologist. You will see the Forum – the main square – the most important houses and buildings and the famous plaster casts. After the tour take a quick break, then reach the site of Herculaneum by the local metro line called Circumvesuviana at a few steps from Pompeii entrance. End your tour with the site of Herculaneum, smaller than Pompeii but better preserved: visit the beach where more than 300 skeletons were found.
What you get
About this experience
This experience combines the two archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, famous for the eruption of Mount Vesuvius happened in 79 AD. Join the guide at the entrance of Pompeii ruins called Porta Marina Inferiore, where the tour starts. Discover the site and its best highlights with the assistance of an expert Archaeologist. You will see the Forum – the main square – the most important houses and buildings and the famous plaster casts. After the tour take a quick break, then reach the site of Herculaneum by the local metro line called Circumvesuviana at a few steps from Pompeii entrance. End your tour with the site of Herculaneum, smaller than Pompeii but better preserved: visit the beach where more than 300 skeletons were found.
What's included
Included
- Headsets for all participants
- Round-trip transportation to/from Naples, outside Starhotels Terminus (Tour from Naples)
- Train tickets to/from Rome to Naples + Full Day transportation service (Tour from Rome)
- Guided tour service in both Pompeii and Herculaneum
- Round-trip transportation to/from Sorrento, P.za Angelina Lauro (Tour from Sorrento)
- Circumvesuviana one-way train ticket from Pompeii to Herculaneum (Tour from Pompeii)
- Entrance fees
Not included
- Meals and drinks
- Personal expenses
What you'll see and do
Basilica
Basilica was an open portico that gave shelter to merchants and other activities.
15 minutes here
Foro de Pompeya
Have a look of the ancient main square of Pompeii.
10 minutes here
Via dell’Abbondanza
Walk through the main street of Pompeii.
Pass by without stopping
The house of Menander is one of the richest and most magnificent houses in ancient Pompeii in terms of architecture, decoration and contents.
15 minutes here
In the granary you will see marble tables and baths for fountains that adorned the entrances of houses and some casts of victims of the eruption as well as that of a dog and a tree.
15 minutes here
Stabian Baths (Terme Stabiane)
These occupy a vast area between the Brothel lane, the Holconius crossroads and the Via Stabiana. They represent the oldest thermal complex in the city.
15 minutes here
Lupanar
Visit the most famous brothel in the ruined Roman city of Pompeii.
15 minutes here
The house of Faun was one of the largest and most impressive private residences in Pompeii.
15 minutes here
Odeon - Teatro Piccolo
Have a look of the so called Teatro Piccolo of Pompeii.
15 minutes here
Visit the most important Theater in Pompeii
15 minutes here
After the visit of Pompeii, continue to Herculaneum together with your archaeologist guide, following the transportation method included in your selected option: From Naples, Sorrento, or Rome: travel with the guide by modern minibus directly to the Herculaneum archaeological site. From Pompeii: reach Herculaneum with your guide using the included Circumvesuviana train ticket (about 30 minutes + 10-minute walk). A quick lunch break is available before the transfer (own expense). Arrival in Herculaneum: Upon arrival, the guide leads the group directly to the Ticket Office of the Herculaneum ruins. You may access it as follows: By minibus (Naples, Sorrento, Rome options): direct drop-off near the entrance. By train (Pompeii option): a short 10-minute walk from Ercolano Scavi station.
60 minutes here · Admission included
The house receives its name from marble statues of stags/deer found in the peristyle.
10 minutes here
La Terrazza di M. Nonio Balbo
M. Nonius Balbus was the city's major benefactor restoring and building many public buildings. On his death he was made patron and feted with many honours, detailed in the long inscription on his funeral altar.
10 minutes here
College of the Augustales
It is thought that the building was a centre of the cult of the Emperor Augustus and the headquarters of the Collegium Augustalium (or possibly even the local curia).
10 minutes here
The house possibly belonged to one of the town's leading benefactors, Marcus Nonius Balbus and is somewhat unusual in that it has its own private access to the adjoining Suburban Thermae to the south.
10 minutes here
Partem Domus lignea - Casa del Tramezzo di Legno
It is very important house for the elegant wooden partition remained.
10 minutes here
House of the Skeleton
The House of the Skeleton probably the aggregation of three smaller buildings, derives its name from the discovery of human remains in a second floor room in 1831.
15 minutes here
Central Thermae
The Central Thermae were built around the beginning of the 1st century AD and were divided, as was then the common practice, into men's and women's baths, each with their own separate entrances.
10 minutes here
The House of the Black Hall is one of Herculaneum's more luxurious mansions. The house has a monumental entrance which still retains the carbonised remains of the doorposts and lintel.
15 minutes here
Casa Sannitica
The house has an arrangement that was typical of the Samnites (an ancient people of the Sabine race who occupied this mountainous part of central Italy). The splendid atrium is skirted by a gallery with Ionic columns. The rooms are decorated with frescoes.
15 minutes here
Casa del Bel Cortile
This is one of the most original houses in Herculaneum. It has a courtyard with a stairway and a stone balcony instead of an atrium.
10 minutes here
House of the Grand Portal
Beautiful domus in the Centre of the archaeological area, with various environments, collonnati, frescos e-com everywhere at Herculaneum-charred remains of wooden parts.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Pompeii
For POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM ENGLISH TOUR FROM ROME participants This option includes round trip train tickets from Rome to Naples. Once in Naples, the meeting point is across the street from the Naples central station, at Starhotels Terminus. Your tour guide will hold an Askos Tours sign.
Meeting point
Pompeii
For POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM ENGLISH TOUR FROM SORRENTO participants This option includes transportation from Sorrento. The meeting point is near the fountain of Piazza Angelina Lauro Square in Sorrento. Your representative will hold an Askos Tours sign for easy identification.
Meeting point
Pompeii
For POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM ENGLISH TOUR FROM NAPLES participants This option includes transportation from Naples. The meeting point is outside Starhotels Terminus, opposite Naples Central Station. Your tour guide will hold an Askos Tours sign for easy identification.
Meeting point
Pompeii
For POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM WALKING TOUR participants This option excludes transportation. The meeting point is at the Pompeii Ruins entrance, PORTA MARINA INFERIORE, in Piazza Esedra Square. Look for our staff holding an Askos Tours sign for easy identification.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
If you book POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM OPTION FROM ROME, the tour ends at the Rome Termini station. The Pompeii and Herculaneum walking tour ends inside Herculaneum Ruins
Ends at
If you book POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM OPTION FROM NAPLES OR SORRENTO, the tour ends back to the meeting point. The Pompeii and Herculaneum walking tour ends inside Herculaneum Ruins
Ends at
If you book POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM OPTION FROM NAPLES OR SORRENTO, the tour ends back to the meeting point. The Pompeii and Herculaneum walking tour ends inside Herculaneum Ruins
Ends at
If you book POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM WALKING OPTION, the tour ends indide Herculaneum Ruins. The Naples and Sorrento options, which include transportation, end back to the meeting point
Options you can book
Tour from Naples
Duration: 7 hours TRANSPORTATION FROM NAPLES : TRANSPORTATION FROM NAPLES is included for the whole day no animals allowed Modern Minibus: Enjoy shared minibus transportation from Naples Look for the Askos Tours sign : The meeting for this option from Naples is outside STARHOTEL TERMINUS, in Piazza Garibaldi, 91, Naples. Starting point: P.za Giuseppe Garibaldi, 91, 80142 Napoli NA, Italy
Tour from Rome
Duration: 11 hours TRANSPORTATION FROM ROME: Train tickets from Rome to Naples are included. Transportation is included to/from Naples. Minibus or minivan Look for the Askos Tours sign: Departure is from Roma Termini station independently using high-speed train tickets provided by us then meet us in Naples9.20 Starting point: P.za Giuseppe Garibaldi, 91, 80142 Napoli NA, Italy
Tour from Sorrento
Duration: 8 hours TRANSPORTATION FROM SORRENTO: TRANSPORTATION FROM SORRENTO is included for the whole day. No animals allowed Modern minibus or minivan Look for the Askos Tours sign: Pick up is next to the fountain in Piazza Angelina Lauro, Sorrento. An Askos Tours representative will greet you. Starting point: Piazza Angelina Lauro, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy
Italian Tour from Pompeii
Duration: 6 hours ITALIAN TOUR : TRANSPORTATION IS INCLUDED BETWEEN POMPEII & HERCULANEUM ONLY Meeting place: This option is a walking tour, the meeting point is the entrance of Pompeii ruins Porta Marina INFERIORE, Piazza Esedra Starting point: Piazza Esedra, 1, 80045 Pompei NA, Italy
Tour from Pompeii
Duration: 6 hours ENGLISH TOUR : TRANSPORTATION IS INCLUDED BETWEEN POMPEII & HERCULANEUM ONLY Meeting place: This option is a walking tour, the meeting point is the entrance of Pompeii ruins Porta Marina INFERIORE, Piazza Esedra. Starting point: Piazza Esedra, 1, 80045 Pompei NA, Italy
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Askos Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Herculaneum ruins' entry tickets: 16 euros (adult) 2 euros (EU citizens 18-25 y.o.); Pompeii ruins' entry tickets: 20 euros (adult)
- Not recommended for visitors in wheelchairs
- Not recommended for visually impaired guests unless accompanied by a dedicated personal assistant
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 1,835 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
1,835 verified traveler reviews for Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Mind blowing experience
Our tour guide was phenomenal! He was intimately knowledgeable about the sights we visited and answered the questions the group had for him. He was also amazingly patient. He answered the same question multiple times, up to three or four times. I swear he had to have repaeated the tour narrative twice at minimum. He truly was trying to keep a group distracted adults together. He mentioned three times when and where to meet if we got separated from the group. Even then we lost a couple of people and narrowly made our connecting trains as a result. But the tour guide saved the day by contacting a colleague who located and transported the lost people to our location. He is truly a wonderful man who expertly handled a degeret group. Wish I had the time to chat with him after the tour, but the trains wait for no one.
via Viator
Do both sites!
The guide was very knowledgable and conveyed that very clearly. The tour felt rushed, but the weather was abysmal. Doing the two sites for comparison was really useful.
via Viator
Great tour
An excellent tour of two very wonderful historic sites. Our guide aka (Amadeus) gave a fascinating talk at each site visited. He really brought to life the artefacts and buildings we saw. Despite heavy rain he maintained his enthusiasm to keep us all going.
via Viator
Tour guide was very...
Tour guide was very knowledgeable but walked too fast. I spent a lot of energy just trying to stay with the group instead of more energy listening to what he was saying.
via Viator
Herculaneum and Pompeii
This was a wonderful small group tour whose guide was knowledgeable and explained in detail what we were seeing.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $73 to $300
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 652
- Verdict
- 90+ Club
Who runs this experience
Operated by Askos Tours, who run 78 experiences we rank across 9 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.1 and 2 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Askos Tours runsWhy this scores 90
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Pompeii.
How much does Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist cost?
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Prices start at $73 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Pompeii usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist take?
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Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Pompeii is not rushed.
Is Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 90 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 1,863 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Pompeii, and how flexible the cancellation terms are. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
Can I cancel or reschedule Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist?
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Around 652 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Pompeii can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Pompeii and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Pompeii within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Pompeii?
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On Outty we rank every Pompeii experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Premium Minivan Trip from Rome: Pompeii Tour & Lunch in Sorrento, Pompeii : Shared Tour with Archaeologist Guide and Ticket Included, Explore Pompeii with an Archaeologist. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Pompeii?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Pompeii?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist?
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Included: Headsets for all participants; Round-trip transportation to/from Naples, outside Starhotels Terminus (Tour from Naples); Train tickets to/from Rome to Naples + Full Day transportation service (Tour from Rome); Guided tour service in both Pompeii and Herculaneum; and Round-trip transportation to/from Sorrento, P.za Angelina Lauro (Tour from Sorrento). Not included: Meals and drinks; and Personal expenses. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist?
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For POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM ENGLISH TOUR FROM ROME participants This option includes round trip train tickets from Rome to Naples. Once in Naples, the meeting point is across the street from the Naples central station. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for visitors in wheelchairs. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Pompeii. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist?
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Across 1,863 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist?
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There are 5 options to choose from, including Tour from Naples, Tour from Rome, Tour from Sorrento, Italian Tour from Pompeii. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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