Transportation
Q: What's the best way to get to the meeting point at Pompeii?
A: The Circumvesuviana train is cheap, safe and takes you directly to the Pompeii site. There are frequent arrivals and departures throughout the day, every day. The front desk staff at your hotel can tell you the train schedule. Car services usually charge around €100 total to go from Naples, Positano or Sorrento to Pompeii.
Q: Do you provide transportation to Pompeii?
A: No, at the moment we do not provide transportation. We'd be happy to arrange a car service for you. Just call or email us.
The Tour/Points of Interest
Q. What points of interest are covered in this tour?
A. It depends on 1) the length of your tour and 2) how long the lines are at certain popular sites. On the 3-hour tours you will typically cover between 10 - 13 points of interest within the ruins; on the 2-hour tours you will typically cover between 6 - 8 points of interest. You are welcome to stay in the ruins after your tour to continue your exploration of the ruins. There are a variety of points of interest in Pompeii. It is up to the discretion of the guide/assistant as to which points of interest are covered. Here are 13 highlights normally covered on our tours: The Basilica, The Temple of Apollo, The Forum, A Shop, A Bakery, The Stabian Baths, The Large Theater/Gladiator Barracks, The House of Menander, The Luponar (brothel), The Thermoplium & Home of Vetutius Placidus, The Via dell'Abbondanza, The Garden of Fugitives, The Amphitheater.
Q. Will we see the body casts?
A. Yes. You will see the most number of body casts on the 3-hour tour.
Q. What if there are some points of interest we want to see that are not covered in your tour?
A. You have 2 choices: 1) schedule a private tour which covers whichever points of interest you want to see 2) allow an extra hour or two after your tour to continue your exploration of the ruins on your own. There are certain points of interest that cannot be seen with the headsets. Two of these sites are: The House of the Faun and the Villa of Mysteries.
Families
Q: Are young children allowed on this tour?
A: Yes, but children 8 or under are not permitted to use the headsets. Children 9 - 12 can use the headsets at the parents discretion, however the manufacture does not recommend their use for children under 13. Teens 13+ are permitted to use the headsets. All parents must read the Health & Safety Notice before taking this tour or allowing their children to use the headsets.
Q: Are these tours good for kids and teens?
A: Yes, kids love new technology and this is a great way for them to learn about history in an entertaining and engaging way. Parents will love how much their kids will learn on this tour!
Pricing
Q: How much are your tours?
A: Private tour prices vary according to how many people are in your party. For example: a 3-hr private tour with a licensed guide is €181 pp for 2 people or €104 for 4 people. Example: a 2-hr private tour without a licensed guide/with a tour assistant only is only €56 pp or €42 pp for 4 people.
Q. Why is there such a big difference in price between your tours with/without a licensed guide, with a tour assistant only?
A. Because high-quality licensed tour guides make up the majority of the cost. Having a tour assistant only is a lower-cost option for those looking to save money and still have a high-quality tour experience of Pompeii.
Q: What is included in the price?
A: Your price includes all taxes and fees, all entrance fees (€13 per adult), the 3D VR headsets for an immersive visual/audio experience, and either a licensed tour guide or a tour assistant only (depending on which tour you book).
Q. What is not included in the price?
A. Your price does not include transportation to or from Pompeii, and does not include lunch or beverages.
Tour Schedule
Q. When do your tours operate?
A. Private tours are available 9 am to 5:30 pm Monday - Saturday (April through October) and 9 am to 3 pm Monday through Saturday (November through March). Only private tour groups of 10+ are available for Sunday bookings. *Important: always check the TOURS page for the most current availability for all tours.
Q: What if your tour is not available on the day I would like?
A: Your best option would be to book a private tour where you can choose the day and time that works best for you. See above for available days and times.
Q. Do your tours run year round?
A. Yes, but the availability is slightly different. See above.
Cancellation/Refunds/Changes
Q: Can I get a refund if I need to cancel?
A: If you cancel with at least 48 hours notice you will receive a partial refund of €15 per person. Groups of 10+ must cancel with at least 72 hours (3 days) notice to receive a €15 per person refund. Complete (100%) refunds are not given to the unique nature of our tours and the limited availability.
Q. Can I switch the tour to a different day or time once it's already booked?
A. Yes, but only if we have the availability for the day and time you want to switch to. We will try our very best to accommodate you and get you scheduled for the date and time you want.
View our complete Cancellation & Refund Policy
Health & Safety
Q: Is this tour good for elderly people?
A: Only if the person in question is able to walk over sometimes rough and uneven terrain for 2 or 3 hours. Public tours only take 1 short break for water or to sit down. If you feel this may be an issue and would prefer to take a tour at your own pace and leisure we recommend booking a private tour.
Q. What do I need to know about the use of your 3D VR headsets?
A. You will have the headsets on for no more than 2 - 6 minutes at a time, with 5 - 15 minutes in between each use. Some people experience mild dizziness that usually goes away within a few minutes. Anyone experiencing excessive dizziness should immediately discontinue use of the headsets and we will provide you a full refund. Everyone booking our tour is required to read the Health & Safety Notice that is posted here on our website (in 8 languages) and is shown to you during the reservation process.
The Technology
Q: Can you tell me more about what I'll be seeing in the headsets?
A: You will watch a 2- to 6-minute virtual video at each point of interest covered during the tour. Each video is shown in true stereoscopic 3D in a 360˚ environment. Each scene is an historical re-creation of the particular point of interest you are standing at as it looked 2,000 years ago before the destruction of Mount Vesuvius. You can turn your body or your head to see what is around you. You will not be walking while you are watching the videos. Audio commentary accompanies each scene (you can choose between 6 different languages).
Q. Is there audio in the headsets as well?
A. Yes, informative audio commentary accompanies each scene (available in 6 languages).
Arriving late/missing the tour
Q: If I arrive less than 15 minutes before the start of the tour, as instructed, what happens?
A: You may cause the tour to depart late and will keep the other tour participants waiting. It takes a few minutes to check you in. If you arrive after the start time you risk missing the tour entirely. If this happens we will do our best to reschedule you on another tour (according to availability). It is best to give yourself extra travel time for delays and traffic.
Q. What if I arrive too late and the tour has already departed?
A. If you arrive after the start time you may miss your tour. If this happens we will do our best to reschedule you on another tour (according to availability). It is best to give yourself extra travel time for delays and traffic.
What to bring or not bring
Q: What can I or should I bring on the tour?
A: Bottled water/drink (which you can refill at the many water fountains inside the ruins), comfortable shoes, a camera, a poncho or umbrella if the forecast calls for rain.
Q. What should I not bring?
A. Try to minimize large backpacks and pocketbooks. You may be wearing a small, lightweight bag across your shoulder which holds the equipment.
Q. Is there a baggage check and is there a charge?
A. Yes, every entrance to the ruins has a baggage check free of charge.
Payment
Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
A. We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover Card.
Q. Can I pay cash on the day of the tour?
A. Yes, but a credit card is needed to secure your reservation.
Foreign language tours
Q. What languages do you conduct your tours in?
A. The tour guides and tour assistants speak English and Italian only. The commentary in the headsets is available in English, Italian, French, Spanish, German and Russian.
Q: What's the best way to get to the meeting point at Pompeii?
A: The Circumvesuviana train is cheap, safe and takes you directly to the Pompeii site. There are frequent arrivals and departures throughout the day, every day. The front desk staff at your hotel can tell you the train schedule. Car services usually charge around €100 total to go from Naples, Positano or Sorrento to Pompeii.
Q: Do you provide transportation to Pompeii?
A: No, at the moment we do not provide transportation. We'd be happy to arrange a car service for you. Just call or email us.
The Tour/Points of Interest
Q. What points of interest are covered in this tour?
A. It depends on 1) the length of your tour and 2) how long the lines are at certain popular sites. On the 3-hour tours you will typically cover between 10 - 13 points of interest within the ruins; on the 2-hour tours you will typically cover between 6 - 8 points of interest. You are welcome to stay in the ruins after your tour to continue your exploration of the ruins. There are a variety of points of interest in Pompeii. It is up to the discretion of the guide/assistant as to which points of interest are covered. Here are 13 highlights normally covered on our tours: The Basilica, The Temple of Apollo, The Forum, A Shop, A Bakery, The Stabian Baths, The Large Theater/Gladiator Barracks, The House of Menander, The Luponar (brothel), The Thermoplium & Home of Vetutius Placidus, The Via dell'Abbondanza, The Garden of Fugitives, The Amphitheater.
Q. Will we see the body casts?
A. Yes. You will see the most number of body casts on the 3-hour tour.
Q. What if there are some points of interest we want to see that are not covered in your tour?
A. You have 2 choices: 1) schedule a private tour which covers whichever points of interest you want to see 2) allow an extra hour or two after your tour to continue your exploration of the ruins on your own. There are certain points of interest that cannot be seen with the headsets. Two of these sites are: The House of the Faun and the Villa of Mysteries.
Families
Q: Are young children allowed on this tour?
A: Yes, but children 8 or under are not permitted to use the headsets. Children 9 - 12 can use the headsets at the parents discretion, however the manufacture does not recommend their use for children under 13. Teens 13+ are permitted to use the headsets. All parents must read the Health & Safety Notice before taking this tour or allowing their children to use the headsets.
Q: Are these tours good for kids and teens?
A: Yes, kids love new technology and this is a great way for them to learn about history in an entertaining and engaging way. Parents will love how much their kids will learn on this tour!
Pricing
Q: How much are your tours?
A: Private tour prices vary according to how many people are in your party. For example: a 3-hr private tour with a licensed guide is €181 pp for 2 people or €104 for 4 people. Example: a 2-hr private tour without a licensed guide/with a tour assistant only is only €56 pp or €42 pp for 4 people.
Q. Why is there such a big difference in price between your tours with/without a licensed guide, with a tour assistant only?
A. Because high-quality licensed tour guides make up the majority of the cost. Having a tour assistant only is a lower-cost option for those looking to save money and still have a high-quality tour experience of Pompeii.
Q: What is included in the price?
A: Your price includes all taxes and fees, all entrance fees (€13 per adult), the 3D VR headsets for an immersive visual/audio experience, and either a licensed tour guide or a tour assistant only (depending on which tour you book).
Q. What is not included in the price?
A. Your price does not include transportation to or from Pompeii, and does not include lunch or beverages.
Tour Schedule
Q. When do your tours operate?
A. Private tours are available 9 am to 5:30 pm Monday - Saturday (April through October) and 9 am to 3 pm Monday through Saturday (November through March). Only private tour groups of 10+ are available for Sunday bookings. *Important: always check the TOURS page for the most current availability for all tours.
Q: What if your tour is not available on the day I would like?
A: Your best option would be to book a private tour where you can choose the day and time that works best for you. See above for available days and times.
Q. Do your tours run year round?
A. Yes, but the availability is slightly different. See above.
Cancellation/Refunds/Changes
Q: Can I get a refund if I need to cancel?
A: If you cancel with at least 48 hours notice you will receive a partial refund of €15 per person. Groups of 10+ must cancel with at least 72 hours (3 days) notice to receive a €15 per person refund. Complete (100%) refunds are not given to the unique nature of our tours and the limited availability.
Q. Can I switch the tour to a different day or time once it's already booked?
A. Yes, but only if we have the availability for the day and time you want to switch to. We will try our very best to accommodate you and get you scheduled for the date and time you want.
View our complete Cancellation & Refund Policy
Health & Safety
Q: Is this tour good for elderly people?
A: Only if the person in question is able to walk over sometimes rough and uneven terrain for 2 or 3 hours. Public tours only take 1 short break for water or to sit down. If you feel this may be an issue and would prefer to take a tour at your own pace and leisure we recommend booking a private tour.
Q. What do I need to know about the use of your 3D VR headsets?
A. You will have the headsets on for no more than 2 - 6 minutes at a time, with 5 - 15 minutes in between each use. Some people experience mild dizziness that usually goes away within a few minutes. Anyone experiencing excessive dizziness should immediately discontinue use of the headsets and we will provide you a full refund. Everyone booking our tour is required to read the Health & Safety Notice that is posted here on our website (in 8 languages) and is shown to you during the reservation process.
The Technology
Q: Can you tell me more about what I'll be seeing in the headsets?
A: You will watch a 2- to 6-minute virtual video at each point of interest covered during the tour. Each video is shown in true stereoscopic 3D in a 360˚ environment. Each scene is an historical re-creation of the particular point of interest you are standing at as it looked 2,000 years ago before the destruction of Mount Vesuvius. You can turn your body or your head to see what is around you. You will not be walking while you are watching the videos. Audio commentary accompanies each scene (you can choose between 6 different languages).
Q. Is there audio in the headsets as well?
A. Yes, informative audio commentary accompanies each scene (available in 6 languages).
Arriving late/missing the tour
Q: If I arrive less than 15 minutes before the start of the tour, as instructed, what happens?
A: You may cause the tour to depart late and will keep the other tour participants waiting. It takes a few minutes to check you in. If you arrive after the start time you risk missing the tour entirely. If this happens we will do our best to reschedule you on another tour (according to availability). It is best to give yourself extra travel time for delays and traffic.
Q. What if I arrive too late and the tour has already departed?
A. If you arrive after the start time you may miss your tour. If this happens we will do our best to reschedule you on another tour (according to availability). It is best to give yourself extra travel time for delays and traffic.
What to bring or not bring
Q: What can I or should I bring on the tour?
A: Bottled water/drink (which you can refill at the many water fountains inside the ruins), comfortable shoes, a camera, a poncho or umbrella if the forecast calls for rain.
Q. What should I not bring?
A. Try to minimize large backpacks and pocketbooks. You may be wearing a small, lightweight bag across your shoulder which holds the equipment.
Q. Is there a baggage check and is there a charge?
A. Yes, every entrance to the ruins has a baggage check free of charge.
Payment
Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
A. We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover Card.
Q. Can I pay cash on the day of the tour?
A. Yes, but a credit card is needed to secure your reservation.
Foreign language tours
Q. What languages do you conduct your tours in?
A. The tour guides and tour assistants speak English and Italian only. The commentary in the headsets is available in English, Italian, French, Spanish, German and Russian.