Which place is cheaper, Pompeii or Rome?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rome and Pompeii can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Rome is a fun-filled, popular, and ancient city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Pompeii is a iconic, one-of-a-kind, and ancient archeological site. Other popular activities here include museums.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome. Although Rome and Pompeii are popular destinations, Rome has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rome is famous for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. It is also well known for The Colosseum. Pompeii is famous for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pompeii and Rome. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Rome or Pompeii.
You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Rome on the map. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.
Travelers visit Pompeii from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.
Rome is renowned for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.
Rome has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.
While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.
Rome is renowned for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.
Rome is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.
Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.
Rome is renowned for its music scene. However, Pompeii is not a live music destination.
Rome has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.
Pompeii is not a live music destination.
Rome is renowned for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.
Many people travel to Rome specifically to go shopping. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.
Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.
Both Rome and Pompeii are superb to visit with kids.
Rome is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.
Pompeii is a very family-friendly destination. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.
Rome is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.
Rome makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.
Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.
Rome is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.
A large number of backpackers visit Rome, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).
It's common for backpackers to visit Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.
Rome is renowned for its student-friendly activities. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.
Students come from all over the world to visit Rome. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.
Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.
Rome is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.
Rome has a great public transit system. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.
You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.
Rome and Pompeii both are amazing when exploring on foot.
Getting around Rome on foot is easy. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.
Pompeii is a very easy city to get around on foot. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.
For even more information, also check out Is Rome Worth Visiting? and Is Pompeii Worth Visiting?.
You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Rome or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Rome than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Rome, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.
Families should spend more time in Rome than Pompeii. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rome, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Rome than Pompeii. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rome that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rome than Pompeii if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Rome.
Because Rome is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Pompeii. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.
Because Rome is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
Pompeii is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Rome is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rome has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
You'll find museums around the iconic destination of Pompeii. This archeological site offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rome. Because Rome is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.
The one-of-a-kind archeological site of Pompeii offers museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Rome is €170, while the average daily cost in Pompeii is €151. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Rome and Pompeii in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Rome or Pompeii? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
Also for Pompeii, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Pompeii and Rome change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
For Pompeii, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For Pompeii, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Pompeii:
When comparing the travel costs between Rome and Pompeii, we can see that Rome is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rome Expensive? and Is Pompeii Expensive?.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer brings many poeple to Rome as well as Pompeii. Many visitors come to Rome in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Pompeii for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Rome is around the same temperature as Pompeii in the summer. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Pompeii fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. In the summer, Rome often gets more sunshine than Pompeii. Rome gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.
Rome usually gets less rain in July than Pompeii. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Pompeii and Rome are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Rome is around the same temperature as Pompeii. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rome in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Pompeii averages at about 17°C (63°F).
Rome usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii during autumn. Rome gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. In October, Rome usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Pompeii and Rome during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Rome because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums are the main draw to Pompeii this time of year.
In January, Rome is generally around the same temperature as Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 8°C (47°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Rome often gets more sunshine than Pompeii. Rome gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.
Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rome usually gets less rain in January than Pompeii. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and Pompeii. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Rome this time of year.
Rome is around the same temperature as Pompeii in the spring. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Pompeii fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rome usually receives more sunshine than Pompeii during spring. Rome gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Rome usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Rome | Pompeii | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 8°C (47°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
Feb | 9°C (49°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
May | 18°C (64°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
Dec | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |