Pompeii & Herculaneum: Archaeologist Tour, Train Ticket

Summary

Walk ancient Pompeii streets, ride the Circumvesuviana to Herculaneum, hear stories from your archaeologist guide

You’ll walk ancient streets in Pompeii with an archaeologist guide who brings Roman life into focus—plaster casts, mosaics, even a brothel visit if you’re curious. Then hop on the Circumvesuviana train for your day trip from Pompeii to Herculaneum—entry tickets included—and end up standing quietly where history feels close enough to touch.

What’s the experience like?

“You see that?” our guide asked, pointing at the faded fresco in the House of Menander. I’d just stepped around a chunk of broken wall — honestly almost tripped — and suddenly there was this room, sunlight slanting through a gap where a roof used to be. The air smelled faintly like dust and grass. I kept thinking about how many feet must’ve worn down these stones on Via dell’Abbondanza. Our group was small enough that we could actually ask questions without feeling silly. Someone asked about the dog cast in the granary and our guide (Francesca — she grew up nearby) explained how they made those plaster molds. I didn’t expect it to hit so hard, seeing those shapes frozen mid-motion.

We wandered past the Stabian Baths — you could still see the grooves in the marble benches where people sat centuries ago. And then came the Lupanar, which Francesca introduced with a little side-eye and a laugh (“Roman humor,” she said). It wasn’t as scandalous as I’d imagined but still kind of wild to stand in such a place. After all that walking, we grabbed quick sandwiches near the station (I got tomato and mozzarella — messy but good) before catching the Circumvesuviana train for our day trip from Pompeii to Herculaneum. The ride was maybe half an hour? Enough time to stare out at Vesuvius looming in the haze.

Herculaneum felt different right away — quieter, more compact, almost eerie with those charred wooden beams still clinging to doorways. Our guide pointed out details I’d never have noticed alone: carbonized furniture, painted walls still deep red or black, even little piles of mosaic tiles in corners. Down by what used to be the beach, she told us about the skeletons found there (over 300), which… yeah, not something you forget easily. There was this moment where nobody spoke for a bit; just wind rattling through empty rooms.

I keep thinking about that silence at Herculaneum — somehow heavier than all the crowds back at Pompeii. If you want a tour that’s more than just facts and photos, this one sticks with you long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Pompeii and Herculaneum ruins

• Meet at Pompeii Porta Marina Inferiore
• Visit Basilica portico area
• See Pompeii main square Forum
• Walk along Via dell’Abbondanza street
• Tour the House of Menander
• Explore the granary with casts
• Visit Stabian Baths thermal complex
• See Lupanar brothel of Pompeii
• Tour the House of Faun
• View Teatro Piccolo of Pompeii
• Visit main Pompeii Theater
• Transfer by train to Herculaneum
• Visit House of the Stags
• See M. Nonius Balbus funeral altar
• Explore Collegium Augustalium building
• Tour Marcus Nonius Balbus house
• Visit house with wooden partition
• See House of the Skeleton remains
• Explore Central Thermae baths
• Tour House of the Black Hall
• Visit Samnite style house with frescoes
• See house with courtyard and balcony
• Explore domus with charred wooden remains

Top questions

How long does it take to get from Pompeii to Herculaneum by train?

The Circumvesuviana train takes about 30 minutes between Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Is entry to both sites included in this tour?

Yes, entry tickets for both Pompeii and Herculaneum are included.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Porta Marina Inferiore entrance of Pompeii ruins.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No formal lunch is included but there is time for a quick break or snack between sites.

Are public transportation options available nearby?

Yes, both archaeological sites are accessible by public transport including trains.

Who leads the tour?

An expert archaeologist guides you through both sites.

How big is each group?

This is a small group tour so group sizes are limited for a more personal experience.

What are some highlights visited in Pompeii?

You’ll see places like Via dell’Abbondanza, Stabian Baths, Lupanar (brothel), House of Menander and more.

What’s included

Your day includes guidance from an archaeologist at both Pompeii and Herculaneum, one-way Circumvesuviana train ticket between sites, all entry fees (including “Pompei Express” admission), plus time for a quick lunch break before continuing your journey into Roman history.