- Distance: Around 20–25 km by road.
- Why choose: Makes sense if Naples is your base and you want to return there after the hike.
- Read more on how to get to Vesuvius from Naples
Only one trail takes you to Mount Vesuvius' crater rim
Mount Vesuvius National Park has 11 marked trails. While the other 10 can be explored independently and free of charge, only Gran Cono (Trail No. 5) takes you to the accessible crater rim. This trail cannot be accessed without a ticket, and all paid Mount Vesuvius entry tickets grant access to Gran Cono, starting at Quota 1000, for an up-close view of the volcano's crater.
Which Mount Vesuvius ticket is best for you
| Ticket type | Starts from | Price | Sites covered | Duration | Transfers | Guide | Why choose | Trade off | Cancellation policy | Recommended experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gran Cono entry only | Vesuvius | From €11 | Gran Cono trail | ~2-3 hrs | ❌ | Park safety ranger + audio guide or digital guidebook, as selected | Cheapest and most flexible way to access the crater trail | You arrange your own transport to and from the trailhead | No free cancellation | Mount Vesuvius Entry Tickets |
Vesuvius from Naples | Naples city centre or port | From €40 | Gran Cono trail | 3 hrs | ✅ Round trip | Park safety ranger; audio guide available by option | Removes the hassle of getting to Vesuvius independently | Fixed transfer timings give you less flexibility | No free cancellation | From Naples: Mount Vesuvius Entry Tickets with Round-Trip Transfers |
Vesuvius from Pompeii | Pompeii | From €39 | Gran Cono trail | 3 hrs | ✅ Round trip | Volcanological guide when available; audio guide by option | Convenient if you're already visiting or staying around Pompeii | Pompeii ruins entry is not included | Free cancellation up to 24 hrs before | From Pompeii: Mount Vesuvius Entry Tickets with Round-Trip Transfers |
Vesuvius + Pompeii OR Herculaneum | Naples or Pompeii | From €86 | Gran Cono trail + 1 archaeological site | ~5–6 hrs | ✅ Round trip | Volcanological guide when available; audio guide by option | Combines the volcano with one major archaeological site | Less independent time at each stop | Free cancellation up to 24 hrs before | Combo: Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Entry Tickets with Audio Guide |
Vesuvius + Pompeii + Herculaneum | Naples or Pompeii | From €125 | All 3 sites | ~8 hrs | ✅ Round trip | Volcanological guide when available; audio guide by option | Covers the region's three headline sites with transport handled | Longest and most structured option | Free cancellation up to 24 hrs before | From Pompeii: Mount Vesuvius & Herculaneum or Pompeii Day Trip |
What to expect on the Gran Cono trail
Arrive at Quota 1000 and enter the trail
Watch the landscape open beneath you
Walk the permitted rim section
Learn as you explore
Head back with the panorama ahead of you
Where should you start your Mount Vesuvius trip?
Highlights along the Gran Cono trail

Vesuvius crater


















































