Pompeii Express tickets vs Pompeii Plus tickets

4.4(64,172)

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Temple of Giove ruins in Pompeii with Mount Vesuvius in the background.
























































From happy customers

Loved by 46 million+
Ecaterina Pasicovschi

Ecaterina

Dec 2025
5/5
Built 2,000 years ago... But how logical, functional, beautiful and cared for! The villas are perfectly integrated into the landscape, the windows offer magnificent views of the Neopolitan bay and mountains, socially significant buildings are striking in scale and proportions. Even drinking fountains (utilitarian in their purpose) are decorated with marble heads and arranged systematically and quite often! Aesthetics and harmony with nature amaze modern man, and how fantastic this city was 20 centuries ago .... I can't imagine!
Rohan Green

Rohan

Dec 2025
5/5
Had a good time at Pompeii. It was super interesting to see and learn from all the historical sites in the precinct, and everything is remarkably well-preserved. Crowd wasn't too big, and the park is quite spacious and doesn't feel crowded. Highly recommend!!
Alexander Zoll

Alexander

Dec 2025
5/5
Very good guidance from Igor. It was a good mix of main attractions and also a few side streets. Afterwards you still have time to look at other excavations :)
Vaccaro tiziana

Vaccaro

Dec 2025
5/5
Positive experience, visiting the excavations was very impressive and exciting. Due to limited time, I was not able to see everything, I will definitely return.
Gabriel Miranda

Gabriel

Dec 2025
5/5
Great audio guide expereience. Very detailed and with pictures and maps. The handset screen needs to be brighter. Everything else worked as expected
Mrs Sara Parry

Mrs

Dec 2025
4/5
Was a lovely walk around the ruins. The weather was lovely wasn't over crowded. Very interesting place and felt like you lived in the experience.
david gauthier

David

Dec 2025
5/5
s'était la première fois j'allais la, et pompeii es bien conservé c'est malade. le fait qui a un audioguide.francais c'est merveilleu
Colin Blount

Colin

Dec 2025
5/5
We were lucky to have good weather and few visitors. Guide gave a 2 hr overview of the highlights of this amazing place.

Top attractions

Trying to choose between Pompeii Express and Pompeii Plus tickets? The difference comes down to how much time you have and how far beyond the main ruins you want to explore.

Both tickets include skip-the-line entry to Pompeii. Only Pompeii Plus includes access to the suburban villas and a shuttle bus connecting them. Most visitors choose the Pompeii Plus experience for the comprehensive coverage it offers.

See all your Pompeii Plus ticket options ⬇️

Pompeii Express vs Pompeii Plus: At-a-glance comparison

FeaturePompeii Express ticketsPompeii Plus tickets

Skip-the-line entry

Pompeii main archeological site

Forum, baths, amphitheater

Suburban villas

Villa of the Mysteries

Villa of Diomede

Villa Regina + Antiquarium of Boscoreale

Artebus shuttle between sites

Live guide included

Depends*

Recommended duration

2-4 hours

4.5-6 hours

*If a guided tour is chosen, the area covered is only the main archeological park, not the extended suburban villas.

Which ticket fits your plan?

✅Pompeii Express is right if you:

⌛Have limited time
📝Want to see Pompeii’s essential highlights
📍Prefer a shorter, simpler route
⛏️Don’t plan to leave the main site

✅Pompeii Plus is right if you:

🌞Have at least half a day
🧱Want access beyond the city walls
🏘️Are interested in villas, frescoes, and rural life
🚌Prefer shuttle-supported exploration

Go beyond the city walls

Unlock Pompeii’s most iconic villas and travel between sites by shuttle—no long walks, no backtracking, just a fuller picture of Roman life beyond the streets.

Which Pompeii Plus ticket is best for you?

Ticket typeEntrance usedLines skippedSecurityIncludesWhy chooseCancelation policyBook now

Pompeii Plus

Porta Marina Superiore / Porta Anfiteatro

Ticket line

Mandatory

Ruins + villas + shuttle

• More access • Villas included

Free cancel 72h

From €29

Pompeii Plus + guidebook

Porta Marina Superiore / Porta Anfiteatro

Ticket line

Mandatory

Plus access + printed guide

• Offline reference • Multilingual options

Free cancel 24h

From €31

Pompeii Plus + audio guide

Porta Marina Superiore / Porta Anfiteatro

Ticket line

Mandatory

Plus access + in-ear commentary

• Flexible narration • Deeper context

Free cancel 24h

From €35

Pompeii Plus + Naples transfers

Porta Marina Superiore / Porta Anfiteatro

Ticket line

Mandatory

Plus access + transport

• No logistics • Saves time

Free cancel 24h

From €47

How your visit unfolds

With a Pompeii Express ticket

  • Enter through the main gate
  • Explore the central ruins at your own pace or with a guide
  • Exit directly from the archaeological park

Time needed: 2–4 hours
Getting around: On foot only

With a Pompeii Plus ticket

  • Enter and explore the main ruins
  • Use the Artebus shuttle to reach suburban villas
  • Visit multiple villa sites and the Antiquarium
  • Return via shuttle or exit from outer areas

Time needed: 4.5–6 hours
Getting around: Walking + shuttle transport

Common points of confusion — clarified
  • Pompeii Plus is not a guided tour.
  • Express still covers Pompeii’s most famous areas, and a guided upgrade is always available.
  • The Artebus shuttle is exclusive to Plus ticket holders.

Frequently asked questions about Pompeii Express vs Pompeii Plus tickets

What does the Express ticket focus on?

Pompeii Express covers the main archaeological city only, including streets, houses, forums, baths, and temples within the ancient city walls.

Can I upgrade from Express to Plus on-site?

Upgrades are usually limited and subject to availability. Booking Pompeii Plus in advance is the safest way to guarantee villa access.

Is Pompeii Plus doable at a relaxed pace?

Yes, especially with an early start. The shuttle minimizes fatigue, making it comfortable to cover more ground without rushing.

Are the villas very different from houses inside Pompeii?

Yes. These were elite countryside estates—larger, more open, and often better preserved, revealing rituals, leisure, and luxury beyond the city core.

How far are the suburban villas from the main ruins?

The villas sit several kilometers beyond Pompeii’s walls, demanding a 15-40 minute walk away from the main ruins. The included ArteBus shuttle connects them efficiently, saving significant walking time and energy.

Do I have to follow a fixed route when visiting the villas?

No. You can visit the villas in any order, planning your stops around shuttle timings and how long you want to linger at each site.

Can I exit Pompeii from a different gate after visiting the villas?

Yes. Depending on your last villa stop, you may exit closer to the suburban sites rather than returning to the main archaeological entrance.

Do I get a guide with my Pompeii Plus ticket?

No, guides won't accompany you to the suburban villas. They will have to be toured independently.

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Plan your visit

Directions

Timings