During my recent trip to Italy, I decided to take a day trip from Rome to Pompeii. Pompeii had been at the very top of my husband’s bucket list for ages, and I was beyond excited to finally make that dream come true for him!

I wanted to bring a backpack with my laptop and some snacks for the train ride but the thought of lugging it around all day wasn’t exactly appealing (and, come to find out, my bag was too big to bring inside the ruins anyway!).

I tried researching Pompeii luggage storage options near the train station, but everything I found online was pretty unclear. So, I decided to just figure it out when I arrived. 

When we arrived at the Pompeii train station, I saw a sign for luggage storage that seemed fairly expensive, so I continued on to the entrance of Pompeii.

When I arrived at the entrance, I was pleasantly surprised to see a sign that said ‘Luggage Storage.’ Turns out, Pompeii offers free luggage storage for visitors! I couldn’t believe this isn’t more widely advertised online—it was such a lifesaver and a great surprise not to have to pay an exuberant amount for my small backpack.

To save you the hassle I went through, I’m going to share everything you need to know about finding and using the free luggage storage at Pompeii. That way, you can explore the ancient city hands-free and worry-free!

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Pompeii is about 30 kilometres south of Naples, in between Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Pompeii is well connected by public transportation, so there is no need for a car.

Honestly, I’d recommend skipping the car altogether; parking is limited and can get pretty pricey for the day.

Plus, taking public transit lets you sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery without worrying about navigating Italian roads.

The nearest airport is Naples International Airport. It’s a decent-sized airport, but not as big as those in Milan or Rome.

In my experience, flights into Naples can be a bit more expensive depending on where you’re coming from. I’ve often opted to fly into Rome instead and make my way down via train.

Bus and Train: Catch a bus to Naples’ main train station, then hop on the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii. The whole journey takes about an hour.

Drive or Taxi: You can drive or grab a taxi, which takes about 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Tour Bus: For a hassle-free option, consider taking a tour bus. It’s about a 30-minute ride and removes all the guesswork.

Driving: It’ll take you about 2.5 to 3 hours to drive to Pompeii, traffic depending. It’s a scenic route if you don’t mind the drive!

Train: Taking the train is my personal favorite. The journey is around 2-3 hours, depending on which train you catch. 

Pro tip: Book your train tickets as far in advance as possible. Prices increase the closer you get to your travel date, and tickets can sell out, especially during peak season.

Tour Bus: A third option is to take a day trip tour bus from Rome. This might be the least hassle of all because you don’t have to worry about transferring trains, buying tickets, or dealing with parking.

Everything is straightforward and planned for you. Plus, many of these tours include a guide, so you’ll get insightful commentary about Pompeii’s history along the way.

Depending on where you’re traveling from, you might find that there aren’t any direct trains to Pompeii. Most routes will have you stop in Naples first, and from there, you’ll need to take a separate train to reach Pompeii. 

Pro tip: If you’re using travel planning sites like Trainline or Omio, they often won’t show the Circumvesuviana L1 train that runs from Naples to Pompeii. This local train costs just €3.30 and takes about 35 minutes. In my experience, it usually makes the most sense; its faster and cheaper than the other options. 

If you’re considering taking a bus, there are several options available too. The 5000 bus goes from Naples’ main train station to the Porta Marina entrance of Pompeii for about €4 each way and takes around 30 minutes.

Personally, I tend to avoid buses unless I have to, since trains are generally faster and more reliable—they’re not affected by traffic, which is a big plus!

Another option is to hop on a tour bus, which is definitely hassle-free. If you’re interested in having a guided experience or planning to visit more places after Pompeii, this might be the easiest and most seamless choice for you. Here are my recommendations: 

Here is the tour I would recommend if you are staying in Rome:

Here is the tour I would recommend if you are staying in Naples:

When I was planning my trip from Rome to the Pompeii Archaeological site, figuring out which train station to go to was a bit of a puzzle. There are actually three train stations near the Pompeii archaeological site: Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri, Pompei Santuario, and Pompei.

Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri Train station

I highly recommend using this train station when you visit the Pompeii archaeological site. This station is the closest to the main entrance, about a 5 minute walk to the Porta Marina entrance, which makes it super convenient.

Plus, the Porta Marina entrance is the location of the free Pompeii luggage storage. This train station is served by the L1 Circumvesuviana train that runs between Naples and Sorrento. You can’t buy tickets for this train on the Trenitalia website; instead, you can purchase them at the station or via the EAV app. 

Pompei Santuario Train Station

This station is served by the L4 line from Naples to Poggiomarino and the L6 line from Naples to Sarno. It’s about a ten-minute walk from the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance to Pompeii and a thirty-minute walk to the Porta Marina entrance with the luggage storage.

Pompei Train Station

This station is where Trenitalia trains stop. These trains are generally more expensive than the Circumvesuviana trains, but you might snag a direct train here depending on your starting point. This station is also about a ten-minute walk from the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance and around thirty minutes to Porta Marina.

The main area of the Pompeii archeological site is about 110 acres and takes people an average of 2-4 hours to explore. You will walk through well-preserved remnants of Roman life like streets, houses, public buildings, and temples.

There are not very many signs on the site, so if you decide to go without a tour I would recommend getting a map and downloading the PDF Guide to Excavations available at the information desk at the entrance. If you prefer to visit with a tour, I would recommend going on a smaller group tour.

I’ve visited Pompeii twice, and each trip offered a unique and unforgettable experience. The first time, I joined a small group tour led by an archaeologist that lasted about 2.5 hours.

Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and gave us a fantastic overview of the site’s history and significance. He pointed out hidden features that other tours didn’t cover, which made it even more special. I loved being part of a small group because I didn’t feel rushed, and I had plenty of opportunities to snap some great photos.

The second visit was more recent, and my husband and I decided to explore without a tour so we could wander at our own pace and see the entire archaeological site. We used the PDF Guide to Excavations and a map as our ‘tour guide’.

In total, we spent about 7.5 hours exploring and managed to visit almost the entire site, including the suburban villas. Toward the end of the day, we did feel like we had to rush a little to see everything we wanted.

So, if you’re like me and want to soak in as much as possible and read everything as you meander through the ruins, I’d recommend setting aside a whole day for your visit.

There are three entrances to Pompeii archaeological site:

1. Porta Marina (via Villa dei Misteri) which is the main entrance to the Pompeii archaeological site and is the location of the free pompeii luggage storage. It is conveniently located near the Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri train station, where the Circumvesuviana line stops on its way to Sorrento. 
2. Piazza Anfiteatro (Piazza Immacolata) is closer to the town of Pompeii and near the Pompei and Pompei Santuario train stations.
3. Piazza Esedra is used less frequently, but is the third entrance where you can enter the site.

Yes! Aside from the fact that lugging a big bag around all day is a total hassle, you actually can’t bring large bags into Pompeii at all. Any bags larger than 30cm x 30cm x 15cm (that’s about 11.81 inches x 11.81 inches x 5.91 inches) into the archaeological site. 

This size limit is roughly the size of a small kids’ backpack, a petite tote bag, or a messenger bag. The restriction is in place to prevent any damage to the delicate ruins of Pompeii.

Plus, trust me, you won’t want to be carrying a bulky bag around while exploring. There’s a lot of walking involved, and traveling light will make your visit much more enjoyable!

The Pompeii luggage storage operates on a seasonal schedule:

April to October (Busy Season): Open from 8:30 AM to 6:45 PM.

November to March: Open from 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM.

If you’re visiting during the busy season, I highly recommend arriving early to secure a locker before they all fill up. 

Friendly reminder: don’t forget to grab your bag when you’re done exploring! The storage area closes right after Pompeii does, so it’s not available for overnight storage.

Don’t assume you can leave your belongings there while you head off to dinner. Make sure to collect your bag as you exit the site!

There are two sizes of lockers available:

Small Locker: This locker is about the size of a personal item you’d bring on an airplane. It was the perfect size for my backpack.

Large Locker: Fits a bag roughly the size of a European carry-on (note that European carry-ons are smaller than the oversized ones in the U.S.!)

If your bag is larger than the big locker, no worries! There’s additional “Left Luggage” (a.k.a. luggage storage) near the ticket office, just inside the entrance to your left. You’ll need to pass through security metal detectors to access this area. You can also use this area if the luggage storage lockers are all filled.

Using the luggage storage at Pompeii is super simple—it took me less than five minutes to secure my bags. Let me walk you through the steps to make it even easier for you.

Step 1:

Go to the Porta Marina Main Entrance of the Pompeii Archaeological Site, near the Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri train station.

Step 2:

Before entering through the gates, turn left and you’ll spot a sign and a gated area with lockers. That’s where you’ll find the Pompeii luggage storage.

Step 3:

Enter the gated area and approach the ticket machine to the left.

Step 4:

Press the # button to select your language.

Step 5:

Tap the green button to reserve your locker.

Step 6:

Choose either a standard size (small) or large locker, depending on what size you need. Try to fit all your bags in one locker, if you can to free up space for others to use the free storage.

Step 7:

Wait for the machine to print out a ticket. Do not lose this ticket! It contains the code you’ll need to reopen your locker. Keep it somewhere safe. Do not put it inside the bag you’re storing. I recommend taking a photo of the ticket with your phone, just in case.

Step 8:

Once your ticket is printed, the first available locker will automatically open. This is the locker that you will store your bags. The ticket also has the locker or ‘box’ number listed.

Step 9:

Place all your items inside the locker and close the door securely.

Step 10:

If you need more space, simply repeat steps 4 to 9. The machine only allows you to book one locker at a time.

***Note: If you have oversized luggage or multiple large bags, there is additional storage available inside the Pompeii entrance. After passing through security (you’ll go through metal detectors), turn to your left. You’ll find a small office labeled ‘Left Luggage’, where they can store your larger items. Subject to availability.

Using the Pompeii luggage storage really enhances your visit by letting you explore hands-free. Plus, knowing your belongings are safe allows you to fully immerse yourself in the wonders of this ancient city. Enjoy your adventure through time!

Honestly, the free Pompeii luggage storage at the Porta Marina entrance is a game-changer for visitors. It allows you to securely stow away your bags and explore the ancient ruins hands-free, making your experience so much more enjoyable. Discovering the free luggage storage was a total lifesaver—both my back and my bank account are thanking me! Take it from me, there’s no need to pay for luggage storage when you have this super convenient free option right at the Porta Marina entrance. Make use of the free Pompeii luggage storage, and enjoy exploring the ruins without any extra hassle!

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