Mount Vesuvius, the infamous volcano whose eruption led to the destruction of Pompeii and other cities in Rome, should be on the itinerary of any tourist in Italy who is eager to witness both an amazing natural site and a quintessential piece of history. It can be a demanding trek, but the awestruck looks on you and your fellow travelers’ faces will make you glad you took advantage of the opportunity. This guide will help you best determine how to reach Vesuvius from Naples.
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Train
Since Vesuvius is on the Gulf of Naples, access from the Metropolitan City of Naples, located in the Campania region of Italy, isn’t hard to find. One of the best methods is going by train, using the Circumvesuviana train lines. These provide lots of transportation convenience, with certain stops bringing you closer to your Vesuvius destination, such as the Ercolano Scavi station, where you can find a cab to help you complete your journey to Vesuvius. There’s also the Pompeii Station, which gives easy access to bus tours of the volcano, followed by a hike.
Be advised that trains run at about 30 minute intervals and that they can be teeming with passengers. With this in mind, make sure you’re mindful about your luggage, including finding room for it and making sure you don’t lose track of it.
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Bus
Another way to reach Vesuvius via public transportation is by using EAV Bus’ shuttle. This runs from Piazza Piedigrotta and takes you to the volcano after a 90-minute journey. You can use this journey time to further pique your curiosity about Naples as the shuttle journeys through the city. Very affordable, EAV Bus’ services are available from March to December. There’s also the Vesuvio Express, which provides access from Piazzale Stazione Circumvesuviana, near the Ercolano Scavi station.
You can also reserve a private bus. These are still pretty affordable and can provide rides to and from Vesuvius.
Driving
Taking a car up to Mount Vesuvius might seem like a wise option. However, you need to consider that you’ll be exchanging privacy for frustration. For one, it’s a hassle to drive from Naples to Vesevius. It’s also fairly pointless, as it’s not as though you can just cruise up to the summit in your personal vehicle. You’ll have to park your car and then hike or take a shuttle.
Hiking
Seeing Vesuvius from a bus is a grand experience, but being on the literal surrounding ground and being able to really engage your senses can turn your visit into a spellbinding time. As you make your journey up to the volcano, you need to have strong support from your footwear and a good sense of stamina. Although it’s only about 30 minutes of walking each way, the uphill trek can take a lot out of you, especially if you’re not used to walking long distances. You should also be cognizant of falling rocks. Thankfully, colorful signs are posted along the trail that are difficult to miss.
Safety
Although Vesuvius is most associated with a cataclysmic event in the very far past, it’s not as though the eruption that rained down upon those cities meant that the volcano decided it was done. Eruptions still happen, but they’re thankfully infrequent, with the most recent one occurring in March, 1944. There are also resources that allow eruptions to be forecasted well in advance, virtually ensuring that no one will have access to the volcano during this time.
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There are many modes of access to Mount Vesuvius from Naples. While you’ll need to put aside at least a couple hours for this excursion, you don’t have to devote your entire day to this trip. Standing atop the 1,000-foot deep crater and marveling at the glory around you is an experience that brings the beauty of the world and the power of history into total view.
Photo Credit: Josef Faustmann on Unsplash
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