Day Trip From Rome to Pompeii and Sorrento
Explore the archeological ruins with a guide then dive into the coastal town of Sorrento
Is it possible to see all that Pompeii and Sorrento have to offer in a single day trip from Rome? You can see these famous areas on an all-day adventure with the help of a local trip leader, an archeologist guide, and round-trip transportation. You get skip-the-line access to Pompeii, so you have plenty of time to head down to Sorrento to enjoy recommendations for lunch and free time to explore the shops and the coast before heading back to Rome.
Tour Details
- Day trip adventure
- Round-trip transportation
- A city frozen in time
- Casts of remains
- Pompeii to Sorrento
- Break for lunch
- Explore Sorrento
- Return to Rome
Head to Piazzale Ostiense where you'll find your guide at the pyramid on the same side as the metro stop. Hop aboard your climate-controlled transportation that takes you to the most important archeological site in Italy. Explore Pompeii with skip-the-line tickets so you can see more on this day trip from Rome. Here you'll meet up with an archeological guide who will lead you through this city frozen in time.
Then return to your transportation to continue down the coast to Sorrento. Your trip leader will explain the coolest spots to visit on your own and provide lunch recommendations (not included). Then you'll return to Rome after a full day of fun. Your 12-hour day trip includes:
Round-trip air conditioned transportation from Rome
A tour leader to accompany the group for the day
An English-speaking expert archaeologist to lead your tour in Pompeii
Skip-the-line entry at Pompeii
Free time to explore Sorrento on your own
Please note that this itinerary may be reversed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Rome to Pompeii Tour
Start your day with a beautiful drive down the Autostrada del Sole (highway of the sun) to the excavated city of Pompeii. Enjoy watching the scenic countryside pass by filled with lemon tree orchards and quaint towns. At Pompeii, you'll meet your archaeologist guide, who will walk you through the remarkably well-preserved remains of this ancient metropolis.
Guided Tour of Pompeii
This UNESCO World Heritage site located south of Naples was covered almost instantly with 13-20 feet (4-6 meters) of ash and pumice after the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Frozen in time by volcanic ash, this ancient city stands apart from any other place in Italy.
Led by your professional guide, experience this ancient city and see how these well-preserved structures and evidence of daily life inside reveals secrets about Roman civilization. The city sat undisturbed for almost 2,000 years until a group of explorers discovered that the city was still mostly intact. As a result, we now have an unparalleled snapshot of life in the prosperous ancient city.
Villa of Mysteries
After exploring the main ruins of Pompeii, you'll follow your guide to more of a hidden gem of the lost city of Pompeii called the Villa of Mysteries. Your guide will take you through a series of rooms depicting a young girl and her mysterious initiation into an ancient cult. You'll be shocked to see how well this villa has been preserved since the 79 A.D. eruption.
Experience Sorrento at Your Leisure
After you've finished exploring Pompeii, meet your driver again and continue down the gorgeous winding roads of the Italian coast along the Gulf of Naples and on to Sorrento. From here, your guide will explain some of the many things you can do and see in Sorrento on your own. Take some time to leisurely explore the center of this charming coastal gem, enjoy a typical local lunch, and indulge in some gelato or famous limoncello. Then, after a long day of sightseeing, culture, and history, meet up with your small group again and relax on the scenic drive back to the Eternal City.
Why Sorrento instead of Positano? Both are super famous, beautiful hillside villages on what is arguably the world's most scenic coastline. Sorrento happens to be nearly an hour closer to Rome and Pompeii. This leaves you with more time to explore the city instead of extra driving time.
What you get with this tour

See what people are saying
58 total reviews
Leave a reviewThe AC went out on the bus, but these guys rolled with it and recovered like champs
Tracy Simmons
It was a long, hot day, but when the AC went out on our bus, they promptly sent a new one and gave us an hour of extra time in Sorrento. Our guide on the bus gave us a great overview of the regions of Italy. If I had one suggestion for her, it would have been to have informed us a little more thoroughly up front about the process. How long was the bus ride going to be? When and where would we be arriving first? And a head's up about the rest stops (which were much appreciated) would have alleviated any travel anxiety. The actual tour of Pompeii was absolutely fabulous. And I was impressed with the flexibility shown by our guide and our driver when things didn't go exactly as planned. Overall, this was a positive experience. I would recommend The Roman Guy tours to anyone going to Italy based on my two experiences with them.
Lisa Werner
Fabulous trip- very enjoyable- great tour guide in Pompeii!
Pompeii was amazing
Adrian Porter
We weren’t exactly sure what to expect when we booked Pompeii. I knew that Vesuvius had erupted and the town was discovered centuries later and there were artifacts discovered. We were completely amazed at the size and scope of the complex and the intricacies of the ruins. The capabilities that the civilization had employed were amazing! I was humbled and in awe of what they achieved. It would have been nice to have been dropped off in Sorrento at the downtown square rather than a shopping center. There was no explanation of what to do or where to eat or any suggestions. We were able to find our way down to the beach area for lunch and a quick swim and returned back. A little discussion beforehand would have helped things tremendously
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to meet?
Meet your trip leader at the pyramid at Piazzale Ostiense on the side that's facing the metro station. A representative will be there holding a sign that says "The Tour Guy."
What to bring?
Since you will be walking around on your feet for the day, please wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen if you are coming in the summertime. A water bottle is also recommended.
Is a guided tour in Sorrento included?
No, in Sorrento you will have free time on your own to explore the beautiful city center and its coastline. Your trip leader will be sure to offer plenty of suggestions.
Is this a private tour?
No, this is a small group tour with a maximum group size of 18 people. If you prefer a personalized day trip from Rome, check out our private tour: Pompeii and Sorrento Day Trip from Rome
What is included in the price?
This tour includes a guided tour of Pompeii's archaeological site, round-trip transportation from Rome, plus a driver and tour leader for the full day.
What to bring?
Since you will be walking around on your feet for the day, please wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen if you are coming in the summertime. A water bottle is also recommended.
Where to meet?
Meet your trip leader at the pyramid at Piazzale Ostiense on the side that's facing the metro station. A representative will be there holding a sign that says "The Tour Guy."
Is lunch included?
Lunch is not included in the price of the tour, but your guide will have several recommendations for you. There is also a brief stop at a small store in the morning where you can purchase food.
Will the tour still run if it rains?
Yes, we run our tours rain or shine.
Can I join this tour in Pompeii instead of doing the day trip from Rome?
Yes, if you are staying in or near Naples, you can join this tour at Pompeii. Check out our Skip the Line Pompeii Ruins Tour with Villa of Mysteries!
How long do we spend in Pompeii?
Your guide will show you around the ruins of Pompeii for approximately 2 hours.
Is there a place to buy food or water inside Pompeii?
Yes, your guide will stop at a store inside Pompeii where you can buy cold water and snacks.