Straight to the turnstiles
You skip the line to buy a ticket and go directly to scan your code. In peak season the purchase queue at Porta Marina runs 30–90 minutes, so any pre-booked ticket is well worth it.
Express €20 · Pompeii+ €25
20,000/day cap · timed entry
Under-18s free
- €20 Pompeii Express (adult)
- €25 Pompeii+ (adds Villa of the Mysteries)
- €2 Reduced (EU citizens 18–24)
- Free Under-18s (ID required)
- 20,000 Daily visitor cap · timed entry
Which Pompeii Ticket to Buy in 2026 — and Where
For most visitors the cheapest legitimate route is a Pompeii Express ticket (€20) bought on Vivaticket via pompeiisites.org as soon as your date is within the ~45-day window, paired with the free MyPompeii app or the Rick Steves audio tour for context. Express covers the entire main archaeological city — enough for a 4-hour visit. Only choose Pompeii+ (€25) if you have 5+ hours and specifically want the Villa of the Mysteries frescoes.
The big 2026 change is where you buy: Vivaticket replaced TicketOne as the sole official online seller on 2 March 2026, so any page still calling TicketOne "official" is out of date. The official site sells admission only — it does not sell guided tours, its tickets are non-refundable, and it releases them only about 45 days ahead. Authorized third-party platforms fill those gaps: they let you book up to roughly six months in advance, offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before, run foreign-card-friendly checkout, and hold separate ticket allocations that often have space when the official site shows sold out. They're also the only route that can add a licensed archaeologist guide — and on a vast, poorly-signposted 66-hectare site, a 2-hour guided tour that bundles skip-the-line entry, the route and the context in one booking is usually the best value for a first visit.
Watch the prices. The official 2026 rate is €20 for Express and €25 for Pompeii+ (effective 12 January 2026). Many otherwise-reputable guides still quote the older €18 figure, and a few list Pompeii+ at "€36." Treat €20 / €25 as authoritative and always confirm on pompeiisites.org the day before you go.
Pompeii Ticket Types and Prices
Adult prices effective 12 January 2026, per pompeiisites.org. The reduced €2 rate is for EU citizens aged 18–24; under-18s of any nationality are free but still need a (free) ticket and ID.
| Ticket | What it covers | Adult | Reduced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pompeii Express | The ancient city only — the whole main archaeological park. Enough for ~4 hours. | €20 | €2 |
| Pompeii+ | Ancient city + Villa of the Mysteries + Villa of Diomedes + Villa Regina at Boscoreale with Antiquarium + shuttle. | €25 | €2 |
| Pompeii Plus (3-day) | Pompeii+ plus Oplontis, Villa Arianna, Villa San Marco, the Stabiae museum and Boscoreale, with shuttle. | €30 | €2 |
| Single-site ticket | Boscoreale, Oplontis or the Stabiae museum individually. | €8 | — |
| MyPompeii card | Annual card with unlimited entry (€10 for EU citizens under 25). | €45 | €10 |
No "family ticket" exists at Pompeii. Families simply combine free under-18 tickets with adult tickets. You can also upgrade Express to the suburban-villas route on-site at the Herculaneum Gate for €8 (card payment only) — the villas route cannot be bought on its own.
Skip-the-Line at Pompeii: What It Includes
"Skip-the-line" only skips the ticket-purchase queue — not the security check. Any pre-purchased ticket effectively gives you skip-the-line, because you walk straight to the turnstile and scan your QR code. Here's how the options compare.
Security & bag check remains
No ticket skips the security and bag check at the gate. Bags larger than 30×30×15 cm must be checked at the free cloakroom. "Skip-the-line" never means skipping screening.
Some audio products need a voucher swap
Several skip-the-line audio-guide products make you exchange a voucher at a partner office before entering. Reviews flag that a few still required queuing — prefer products that go straight to the turnstile.
A guided tour bundles it all
An archaeologist-led tour (from ~€53) bundles skip-the-line entry, the route and expert context. On a 66-hectare site with minimal signage, that's the best value for first-timers — and the official site doesn't sell tours at all.
The skip-the-line bundle we recommend
Pompeii: Exclusive Tour with Archaeologist and Entry Tickets
The cheapest legitimate ticket is the €20 Express from Vivaticket — but it's admission only, with no map, no audio guide, and no help reading a vast unsigned site. This 2-hour tour from Grand Tour Experience bundles skip-the-line Pompeii Express entry with a licensed archaeologist who has worked on the excavations, covering Porta Marina, the Forum, the Forum Baths, the Macellum plaster casts, the House of the Faun and the House of the Vettii.
- Skip-the-line entry tickets (Pompeii Express) — nominative registration handled for you
- 2-hour archaeologist-led walking tour
- Small group format (private upgrade option)
- Headset for clear audio at distance
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before — unlike non-refundable official tickets
Across 700+ GetYourGuide reviews the tour averages 4.9 / 5. It also sells up to ~6 months ahead and holds a separate allocation, so it often has stock when Vivaticket shows sold out.
Meeting point: outside Porta Marina, opposite Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri (Circumvesuviana). Your guide holds a sign reading "Pompei VIP."
Official Tickets vs Authorized Resellers
Both are legitimate. The official site is cheapest; authorized resellers cost a few euros more but add convenience, longer lead times, free cancellation, and guided tours.
Official — Vivaticket via pompeiisites.org
- Cheapest: face value €20 / €25, no markup
- Sole official online seller since 2 March 2026 (replaced TicketOne)
- Also sold in person at Porta Marina, Piazza Esedra & Piazza Anfiteatro
- Releases tickets ~45 days in advance
- Non-refundable and non-transferable
- Admission only — no guided tours
Authorized resellers — GetYourGuide, Tiqets, Viator, Headout
- A few euros more, foreign-card-friendly checkout
- Book up to ~6 months ahead — separate allocation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Often in stock when the official site is sold out
- The only route to guided archaeologist tours
- Combo packages (e.g. Pompeii + Vesuvius or + Herculaneum)
There's no official combo ticket for Vesuvius or Herculaneum. Both are separate parks with their own ticketing. The combinations are sold as guided day tours (Pompeii + Vesuvius, ~€95–€106 from Naples/Sorrento) or reseller combo packages — not as a single park ticket.
Opening Hours, Timed Entry and Free Days
Confirm on pompeiisites.org the day before — hours and individual house closures change frequently.
Opening hours (summer)
16 March – 14 October: open 9:00–19:00, last entry 17:30. The suburban villas and outlying sites have slightly different last-entry times and several are closed on Tuesdays.
Opening hours (winter)
15 October – 15 March: open 9:00–17:00, last entry 15:30. The park is closed on 25 December and 1 January. (Some third-party sources also list 1 May — verify before a May Day visit.)
Timed entry & the daily cap
Since November 2024 a 20,000/day cap applies. In summer, 9:00–13:00 takes up to 15,000 admissions and 13:00–17:30 up to 5,000. The slot you book is the window in which you must arrive.
Free first Sunday
"Domenica al Museo" — the first Sunday of every month is free for everyone, but it's the busiest day, can't be booked online, and means queuing on-site. Great for budget, bad for a relaxed visit.
Free & reduced categories
Under-18s of any nationality are free year-round; EU citizens 18–24 pay €2; disabled visitors plus one carer are free with documentation. These generally can't be pre-bought online — collect at the box office with ID.
Buying at the gate vs online
Online guarantees your slot and sends a QR ticket. On-site queues run 30–90 minutes in peak season and can sell out. Screenshot your QR code — signal at the entrances is weak.
Pompeii Ticket Scams to Avoid
Pompeii is notorious for aggressive touts and lookalike "tourist offices," especially around the Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri station. Four patterns to walk straight past.
Fake "official" offices
Operators near the station use signage mimicking the official park to sell overpriced tours, guidebooks and Vesuvius tickets at large markups. One reviewer's Vesuvius tickets were "over €20 cheaper" booked officially via Vivaticket.
Touts with false information
"The last Vesuvius bus just left / the bus is broken" — said to push you onto a paid shuttle. Ignore it and use the public EAV bus (~€2.70 on board) or book official transport.
Unlicensed "guides"
People soliciting in the queue are rarely licensed. Real Italian guides carry a badge, gather inside the entrance, and don't tout on the street.
Online markup sites
Searching "buy Pompeii tickets" surfaces resellers charging 50–100% markups. Worse, because tickets are nominative and ID-checked, a generically-named ticket may not be valid for you. Type pompeiisites.org directly or use an authorized platform.
Pompeii Tickets: Common Questions
Ten ticket questions answered answer-first — facts up front, detail after.
How much do Pompeii tickets cost in 2026?
As of 12 January 2026, the standard Pompeii Express ticket (ancient city only) is €20 for adults. Pompeii+ (adds the Villa of the Mysteries and other suburban villas with a shuttle) is €25. A 3-day Pompeii Plus pass is €30 and the MyPompeii annual card is €45. A reduced €2 rate applies to EU citizens aged 18–24, and all under-18s enter free (free ticket + photo ID still required). Many older guides still quote €18 / €36 — treat €20 / €25 as authoritative for 2026.
Where do you buy official Pompeii tickets?
The official information site is pompeiisites.org, and all official online tickets are sold through Vivaticket (pompeii.vivaticket.it) via its "Buy Tickets" link. This is a 2026 change: Vivaticket replaced TicketOne as the sole official seller on 2 March 2026, so any site still calling TicketOne "official" is out of date. You can also buy in person at Porta Marina, Piazza Esedra and Piazza Anfiteatro. Authorized resellers (GetYourGuide, Tiqets, Viator, Headout) are legitimate, cost a little more, and are the only route to guided tours.
Do you need to book Pompeii tickets in advance?
Yes — strongly recommended year-round and effectively required in peak season (mid-March to mid-October). Since 15 November 2024 the park caps admissions at 20,000 a day, uses timed slots, and issues nominative tickets matching your ID. July, August and Easter week regularly hit the cap. Vivaticket releases tickets ~45 days ahead; GetYourGuide and Tiqets sell up to ~6 months out for travelers planning far ahead or wanting free cancellation.
What does "skip the line" actually include at Pompeii?
It lets you bypass the ticket-purchase queue and go straight to the turnstiles — but everyone still passes a security and bag check. Any pre-purchased ticket effectively gives you skip-the-line because you go directly to scan your QR code. In peak season the Porta Marina purchase queue runs 30–90 minutes, so a pre-booked ticket is well worth it. Watch for audio products that require a voucher swap at a partner office first — prefer ones that go straight to the turnstile.
Is there a Pompeii and Vesuvius combo ticket?
No single official ticket — Vesuvius is a separate park (~€11.68 crater entry, its own time slots). The combination is sold as guided day tours bundling transport, both entries and often a pizza lunch, typically €95–€106 from Naples or Sorrento. Tours hit Pompeii in the morning and Vesuvius in the afternoon, since Vesuvius's last entry is around 17:00 in summer.
Is there a combined Pompeii and Herculaneum ticket?
No. The two parks run separate ticketing and there's no official combined ticket (Herculaneum is ~€13–€16). Resellers like Headout and GetYourGuide sell combo packages bundling both at a small discount, and many day trips cover both. An old "€22 Pompeii+Herculaneum combo valid 48 hours" is sometimes cited but is not a current official product.
Are there free entry days at Pompeii?
Yes. The first Sunday of every month ("Domenica al Museo") is free for everyone — but it's the busiest day, can't be booked online, and means queuing on-site. Under-18s of all nationalities are free year-round (ID + free reservation), EU citizens 18–24 pay €2, and disabled visitors plus one carer are free with documentation. Free/reduced tickets generally can't be bought online — collect at the box office with ID.
What are Pompeii's opening hours in 2026?
16 March – 14 October: 9:00–19:00, last entry 17:30. 15 October – 15 March: 9:00–17:00, last entry 15:30. Closed 25 December and 1 January. Suburban villas and outlying sites have different last-entry times and several are closed on Tuesdays. Confirm on pompeiisites.org the day before — hours and house closures change frequently.
How do I avoid Pompeii ticket scams?
Pompeii is notorious for touts and lookalike "tourist offices" near the Pompei Scavi station that mimic the official park and sell overpriced tours and Vesuvius tickets. To stay safe: type pompeiisites.org directly and follow its link to Vivaticket, or book through an authorized platform (GetYourGuide, Tiqets, Viator, Headout). Ignore touts claiming "the last Vesuvius bus just left," and remember real guides are licensed and don't solicit on the street. Nominative ID-checked tickets mean a generically-named reseller ticket may not be valid for you.
Should I buy Pompeii tickets at the gate or online?
Online is faster, guarantees your timed slot, and sends a QR ticket. On-site offices exist at all three entrances, but peak-season queues run 30–90 minutes and can sell out near the daily cap. Screenshot your QR code — signal at the entrances is weak. Buy at the gate only in low season, for free-Sunday/free-category tickets that can't be bought online, or if your dates are sold out online.
Guided Pompeii Tours That Bundle Your Ticket
All include skip-the-line entry — the official site doesn't sell tours. Choose by price, depth, privacy or breadth.
Best value
Pompeii Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist
The cheapest reliable guided option. A 2-hour archaeologist-led route with skip-the-line Express entry, from $40 — the most-reviewed Pompeii tour on GetYourGuide with 13,000+ ratings at 4.8 stars. Covers the Forum, Forum Baths, House of the Faun and House of the Vettii. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Featured: Small Group Tour · ★ 4.8 (13,000+) · From $40 Check availability → Pompeii+ access3-Hour Villa of Mysteries Tour with an Archaeologist
Pick this if you want the Villa of the Mysteries. Uses the upgraded Pompeii+ ticket (€25) that adds the suburban villa with its wraparound Dionysian fresco cycle, plus the Villa of Diomedes and the Antiquarium at Boscoreale. From $58 per person, 4.8 stars across 800+ reviews. Free cancellation 24h before.
Featured: Villa of Mysteries Tour · ★ 4.8 (800+) · From $58 Check availability → Fully private3-Hour Private VIP Tour with your Archaeologist
Pick this if you want privacy and your own pace. A private archaeologist for your party alone, dedicated for three hours, covering core landmarks plus recently reopened sections with time to linger. From $262 per person depending on party size. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Featured: Private VIP Tour · ★ 4.9 · From $262 per person Check availability → Naples · Rome · Cruise port · CombosBrowse Every Pompeii Tour on GetYourGuide
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200+ Pompeii tours · Sort by rating, price or duration Browse all tours →Make a Trip of It: Popular Experiences Around the Bay of Naples
Most visitors pair Pompeii with the rest of Campania. The most-booked experiences nearby are Mount Vesuvius crater hikes, the buried city of Herculaneum, Amalfi Coast day trips to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, Capri boat tours with the Blue Grotto, Sorrento day trips, and Naples street-food and underground tours. Browse live picks below.