Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Pompeii, Italy
+5
- 6 to 11 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Pompeii and Herculaneum are among the world’s most important Roman archaeological sites, but the ruins can be hard to interpret to the untrained eye. Experience the extraordinary archaeological wonders with a professional archaeologist on this hassle-free small-group tour. Learn about the history and architecture of these two cities buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79. Choose the departure option that best suits your travel plans and enjoy a seamless visit with admission tickets included.
- Skip the hassle of following a map by visiting the sites with a guide
- Benefit from your guide's insights into the main villas, temples, and other highlights
- Assistance during travel between the two archaeological sites by train
- Admission tickets to both Pompeii and Herculaneum included
What's Included
- Circumvesuviana one-way train ticket from Pompeii to Herculaneum (Tour from Pompeii)
- Round-trip transportation to/from Naples, outside Starhotels Terminus (Tour from Naples)
- Round-trip transportation to/from Sorrento, P.za Angelina Lauro (Tour from Sorrento)
- Train tickets to/from Rome to Naples + Full Day transportation service (Tour from Rome)
- Entrance fee - Herculaneum entry tickets - 'Pompeii express' entry tickets
- Guided tour service in both Pompeii and Herculaneum
- Headsets for all participants
- Meals and drinks
- Personal expenses
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
Type to search
End points
This activity ends in a different location. See details below:
Type to search
Itinerary
Meet your archaeologist guide at the meeting point corresponding to your selected option: Pompeii (Porta Marina Superiore), Naples and Rome (Starhotels Terminus), Sorrento (Piazza Angelina Lauro).
Travelers from Naples, Rome, and Sorrento enjoy full-day transport by modern minibus, while guests starting in Pompeii receive a train ticket to reach Herculaneum with their tour guide.
Begin your guided visit in Pompeii, spending two hours exploring major highlights such as the Forum, Stabian Baths, the House of the Faun, and the famous plaster casts. After a short lunch break (own expense), continue toward Herculaneum—by minibus for Naples, Sorrento, and Rome options, or by train for the Pompeii option.
Skip the ticket lines and explore Herculaneum with your archaeologist guide for two hours, visiting several remarkably preserved houses, baths, and public buildings. The tour concludes according to your departure option: return transport to Naples or Sorrento, drop-off at Naples station for Rome travelers, or directly in the Herculaneum ruins for travelers departing from Pompeii.
Travelers from Naples, Rome, and Sorrento enjoy full-day transport by modern minibus, while guests starting in Pompeii receive a train ticket to reach Herculaneum with their tour guide.
Begin your guided visit in Pompeii, spending two hours exploring major highlights such as the Forum, Stabian Baths, the House of the Faun, and the famous plaster casts. After a short lunch break (own expense), continue toward Herculaneum—by minibus for Naples, Sorrento, and Rome options, or by train for the Pompeii option.
Skip the ticket lines and explore Herculaneum with your archaeologist guide for two hours, visiting several remarkably preserved houses, baths, and public buildings. The tour concludes according to your departure option: return transport to Naples or Sorrento, drop-off at Naples station for Rome travelers, or directly in the Herculaneum ruins for travelers departing from Pompeii.
1
Basilica
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Foro de Pompeya
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Via dell’Abbondanza (Pass By)
3
House of Menander
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Granaries of the Forum
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Stabian Baths (Terme Stabiane)
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Lupanar
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
House of the Faun
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
8
Odeon - Teatro Piccolo
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
9
Teatro Grande
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
10
Archaeological Park of Herculaneum
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
11
House of the Deer
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
12
La Terrazza di M. Nonio Balbo
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
13
College of the Augustales
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
14
Casa del Rilievo di Telefo
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
15
Partem Domus lignea - Casa del Tramezzo di Legno
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
16
House of the Skeleton
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
17
Central Thermae
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
18
House of the Black Salon
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
19
Casa Sannitica
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
20
Casa del Bel Cortile
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
21
House of the Grand Portal
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Herculaneum ruins' entry tickets: 16 euros (adult) 2 euros (EU citizens 18-25 y.o.); Pompeii ruins' entry tickets: 20 euros (adult)
- Not recommended for visitors in wheelchairs
- Not recommended for visually impaired guests unless accompanied by a dedicated personal assistant
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 1,720 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Viveka_J, Sep 2026
This was great. Due to the heat we were taken to an indoor mall to eat lunch in AC which saved us. Our guide was good and the archaeological sites were really fascinating.
Jason_M, Sep 2026
Great experience! Our guide was so knowledgeable and friendly. We got to see so much, definitely worth the time!
Rosanna_O, Sep 2026
Liana was very organized and knowledgeable. Highly recommend this tour.
The sites were amazing to see in person.
There was plenty of time to learn and plenty of free time to explore on your own and take a break.
Giovanni was a fantastic bus driver!
Maria_R, Sep 2026
Our tour began in Herculaneum and ended in Pompeii with a lunch break in between each site. We traveled via mini bus that was air conditioned. Although our group was larger than what was indicated in the tour itinerary it was still enjoyable. Our guide was knowledgeable of each site and tried to keep us hydrated and shaded on this extremely hot day. Information on each site was well thought out and interesting. Each site is wonderful to see.
Stephanie_B, Sep 2026
Raphael was an amazing tour guide. The tour exceeded our expectations! Pompeii and Herculaneum were fascinating!
Lina_A, Sep 2026
It was absolutely amazing!!! Best tour I have ever taken! Our guide Mario was so knowledgeable! We loved it! 100% worth every penny!
Paul_S, Sep 2026
We had an absolutely wonderful day exploring Herculaneum and Pompeii with our brilliant guide, Raphael. From the moment we met him, he was friendly, welcoming and incredibly knowledgeable. Raphael brought the history of both sites to life with fascinating stories, interesting facts and a real passion for the places he was showing us. He made the experience engaging and enjoyable, while also giving us plenty of time to take everything in. His enthusiasm and expertise made such a difference to our day. Exploring these remarkable ancient cities with Raphael was a true highlight of our trip and we would highly recommend him and trip.
Kelly_S, Sep 2026
Lots of walking. Shade is at a premium. Excellent information about both Herculaneum and Pompeii. So glad we took this tour.
Michel_M, Sep 2026
Raphael was a superb guide. Excellent info and knowledge of the sites. He made the experience unforgettable. Always cognizant of the groups capabilities to traverse the sites. Well done. Highly recommend This guide.
Lisa_R, Sep 2026
Great way to see both Herculaneum and Pompeii in a day with a guide and transport included. Guide was extremely informative. It would have been great if we had some free time to explore as well.
Brian_J, Sep 2026
This was not a small group as advertised (about 23). The coach was a bit cramped.
Our guide was very good both knowledgable and passionate about the subject. We should have had more time in Pompeii.
Alex_C, Sep 2026
The tour gives a fantastic up-close view of these world-famous ruins. The guides are knowledgeable and engaging and the journey was easy enough in an air conditioned minibus. They gave us a lunchbreak in a shopping mall which split the day nicely.
Peter_S, Sep 2026
Wonderful! Raphael was very informative, professional, caring and fun!
Lots of uneven walking and a long day!
Leigh_T, Sep 2026
Tour was excellent, despite being very hot. Mario was an excellent host, very knowledgeable, thoughtful and personable. The transport was smooth and on time, highly recommend.
Julie_P, Sep 2026
It was a great day. We started at Herculaneum which I appreciated. It gave context for Pompeii. Our guide, Mario, was wonderful. Having an architect provide background information and details about the buildings was perfect. Shade is scarce and the sites can be hot so check the weather before you go. Lots of stairs at Pompeii.
Brandon_C, Sep 2026
The tour was amazing! The pickup was seamless and the sites breathtaking. Our guide was so knowledgeable. The beginning at Herculeanum was a great “warm up” prior to Pompeii, both of which were just amazing. I was most impressed with our guide, she was just so great, I believe it was Roberta.
ArielEsteban_S, Sep 2026
We had a really great time visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum with our guide, Mario. He was very friendly, patient and knowledgeable, and he took the time to answer all of our questions with interesting and helpful explanations.
I especially appreciated how considerate he was about everyone’s wellbeing in the hot sun. He regularly checked that everyone was doing OK and made sure we had opportunities to take a break and stay in the shade.
What I found particularly interesting was how Mario compared the impact of the eruption on the two cities, and how this also influenced how the ruins were eventually discovered and preserved. I also found the explanations of the history and a view into the daily life of each very interesting.
Definitely a tour I would recommend!
Lori_V, Sep 2026
Great day visiting both Pompeii and Herculeon.
Both very different in a good way. Guide moved at a perfect pace in Herculeon, but in Pompeii, we stood around listening to our guide without continuing on often for 10 minutes. Would like to have seen more of the sites and walk and talk.
Steven_H, Sep 2026
A fantastic was to see the historic sights. The insight that Paulo provided us with was excellent, a depth of knowledge and understanding that you just wouldn’t get with a self guide / audio tour.
Jeremy_P, Aug 2026
Rafael (like the painter AND the ninja turtle) was an excellent guide. He really immersed us in the stories of Herculaneum and Pompeii and our day was one we will not forget!
Jean_B, Aug 2026
Pompeii - interesting, but no shade - Hell would be cooler on a hot day! If you have mobility issues do not go on a tour do it at your leisure in cooler weather. Most artifacts removed to Naples Museum therefore it’s just masonry and roads which stretch over a huge landscape.
Herculaneum - interesting and much more to see. Air conditioned museum here and recovered boat housed in own building also. If only time for one place choose here!
My guide was the worst I have ever come across and I have done many many tours!
This tour ended up being a large group and we were handed an ear pieces before she rushed ahead of us and I heard very little as she was out of range. There were a few stragglers of mixed ages and abilities that spent more time watching where their feet were going to get time to look up and see where she was and where exactly she was talking about. Taking photographs was not easy either as it was a whirlwind of a tour and on too many occasions you hadn’t heard what you were looking at. She would never have made a shepherd as her sheep would get lost.
We were taken between places to a shopping centre for lunch - couldn’t speak Italian so it ended up McDonalds!
Then we waited 40 minutes for the other group to meet up with us again as they had. Gone between by train. Too git to be standing about waiting and that 40mins could have been added to our Pompeii trip to allow a more relaxed pace.
Viator has never let me down before but this Askos Tour, for more than one reason, was just plain awful!!!!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We are very sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations, particularly regarding the pace, group management, and communication with the guide.
Our aim is always to make visits to Pompeii and Herculaneum informative, enjoyable, and accessible, and we regret that this was not your experience. Your comments regarding the earphones, waiting time, and overall organization are valuable to us, and we will review these points carefully with our team.
Pompeii can indeed be particularly challenging during the summer heat and for guests and our goal is to make these remarkable sites both informative and enjoyable, while remaining attentive to the different needs of our guests.
Please accept our sincere apologies.
Askos Tours Team
Joel_M, Aug 2026
Good way to see both. Train was easy to catch and fast.
Guide was knowledgeable. Avoided the tourist line.
Peter_D, Aug 2026
We had a brilliant time visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum from Sorrento as a family, and our tour guide, Liana (Lily), was absolutely fantastic!
We’d originally been put off taking the train after seeing how sweltering (no air-con on the train) and completely packed the carriages were, so booking this small group tour in a minibus with air-con was a total game-changer. The entire day ran like clockwork. Pickup was spot on time, moving between the sites was effortless, and stopping at a local shopping centre for lunch provided a lovely, stress-free break for the family to refuel.
Having Herculaneum included on the itinerary was a massive bonus—in my opinion, it’s an absolute must-see that is every bit as impressive as Pompeii in its own right, but with far fewer tourists (ironic as I realise that makes me one of them!).
Lily was exceptionally knowledgeable, bringing the history of both sites to life and ensuring we saw all the key highlights without ever feeling rushed. The relaxed pace meant we could properly take everything in at our leisure. I couldn't recommend this small group tour highly enough for families visiting the area—a massive thank you to Lily for a brilliant day out!
Mary_M, Aug 2026
We had a fantastic time visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum from Sorrento with our amazing tour guide, Liana (Lily)!
We are so glad we decided to visit the sites with a tour guide, as there was so much to see, and Lily ensured we experienced the best of both sites in the time we had. She was incredibly knowledgeable, offering us fascinating and extensive information about every aspect of the sites we visited.
I was particularly impressed by how well organised everything was. The entire tour was incredibly streamlined. Our coach arrived perfectly on time, we entered both Pompeii and Herculaneum with ease, and travelled smoothly between the two sites, stopping at a local shopping centre for lunch along the way. Everything ran perfectly, with plenty of time to spare, and at no point did we feel rushed or unsure of what was happening next.
I cannot recommend this tour enough, especially for first time visitors to Pompeii and Herculaneum. Having a guide as knowledgeable as Lily ensures that you get the most out of your visit, while still maintaining a relaxed pace that gives you plenty of time to appreciate these incredible historical sites.
A special thank you to Lily for making our visit to Pompeii and Herculaneum such a memorable experience!
Mark_D, Aug 2026
This is a fantastic tour, our guide was so knowledgeable and the entire operation was very well run. I’d highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to understand more about both of these places.
Thomas_C, Aug 2026
Great experience (besides the August heat - bring umbrella, hat, fan, water, etc. if you plan on coming in summer!). Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and clear which made the experience better. If you go without a tour guide, you most likely won’t know what you’re looking at. I believe you can also buy an audio tour guide but I always think and real tour guide is best (I believe mine was Vincenzo). Pompeii is huge so it is impossible to cover in a day. I felt like we spent a good amount of time at both Herculaneum and Pompeii - not too much or too little. If you book a package that also includes Vesuvius, it’ll probably decrease your time at these historical sites. I suggest doing at most 2 of the 3 (Pompeii, Herculaneum, Vesuvius) in one day instead of all.
Michael_L, Aug 2026
A great day visiting two great sites. Amadeus was a very engaging guide with a great sense of humour. He brought considerable enthusiasm and knowledge to the sites.
Emily_M, Aug 2026
We had a great time visiting the ruins of both Pompeii and Herculaneum! Rafael was so knowledgeable and pointed out lots of things we would’ve missed otherwise. We definitely recommend doing both Pompeii and Herculaneum: Herculaneum is much better preserved (Rafael explained why!) and gave us a better view of life at that time. There’s no shade in either of the ruins, so if you’re going in the summer, make sure to wear sunscreen, a hat, etc. and bring a fan and some water.
Marcie_W, Aug 2026
The tour was good for the most part. The tour guide did not want to stop for bathroom breaks or to fill water bottles which was irritating to me. It was a very hot day! She was very informative about Pompei and Herculaneum!
Wendy_W, Aug 2026
This is a fantastic highlights of both sites tour. The guide we had (Raphael) was an archaeologist who was very knowledgeable and engaging. The summer heat made the tour hard for all of us, but the minibus had excellent AC.
Offers Available
From $75.53
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Special Offer
Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist
1,718
6 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$75.53
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
- Audio Guides
- Archaeology Tours
- Shore Excursions
- Multi-day Tours
- Overnight Tours
- Nature and Wildlife Tours
- Walking Tours
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Cultural Tours
- Outdoor Activities
- Private and Luxury
- On the Ground
- Pompeii
- Audio Guides - Positano
- Archaeology Tours - Positano
- Shore Excursions - Positano
- Multi-day Tours - Positano
- Overnight Tours - Positano
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Positano
- Walking Tours - Positano
- Audio Guides - Amalfi
- Archaeology Tours - Amalfi
- Shore Excursions - Amalfi
- Multi-day Tours - Amalfi
- Overnight Tours - Amalfi
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Amalfi
- Walking Tours - Amalfi
- Audio Guides - Sorrento
- Archaeology Tours - Sorrento
- Shore Excursions - Sorrento
- Multi-day Tours - Sorrento
- Overnight Tours - Sorrento
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Sorrento
- Walking Tours - Sorrento
Attractions in Pompeii, Italy
- Mt. Vesuvius (Monte Vesuvio) Tours & Tickets
- Via dell’Abbondanza Tours & Tickets
- Herculaneum Archaeological Park (Parco Archeologico di Ercolano) Tours & Tickets
- Temple of Apollo (Tempio di Apollo) Tours & Tickets
- Ravello Duomo (Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta e San Pantaleone) Tours & Tickets
- Praiano Tours & Tickets
- Ravello Tours & Tickets
- Pompeii Archaeological Site Tours & Tickets
- Villa Cimbrone Gardens Tours & Tickets
- Lupanar (Brothel of Pompeii) Tours & Tickets
- Stabian Baths (Terme Stabiane) Tours & Tickets
- House of the Vettii Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Pompeii, Italy
- Pompeii Archaeological Site Tours & Tickets
- Mt. Vesuvius (Monte Vesuvio) Tours & Tickets
- Praiano Tours & Tickets
- Ravello Tours & Tickets
- Herculaneum Archaeological Park (Parco Archeologico di Ercolano) Tours & Tickets
- Stabian Baths (Terme Stabiane) Tours & Tickets
- Lupanar (Brothel of Pompeii) Tours & Tickets