Fares and options compared
Herculaneum ticket prices
Herculaneum ticket prices come down to three things: your age, whether you take plain entry or a package, and whether you buy at the gate or online. Here's every line item, what's included, and where people waste money.
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Available tickets, tours and packages
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Quick summary
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket | €16 at the official ticket office |
| Reduced, EU 18–25 | €2 |
| Under 18 | Free with ID |
| Online booking fee | Depends on the channel: resellers include the booking fee in the final price (online entry from about €19.50) |
| Time to allow | 2–3 hours |
| Booking | Recommended April–October and at weekends |
Official source: Fares are set by the Italian Ministry of Culture and published on the official website of the Archaeological Park of Herculaneum. Figures flagged as to verify change with fare revisions — check the live price before you buy. ercolano.cultura.gov.it
What the entry ticket includes
Standard admission covers the whole excavated area open to the public: the insulae, the baths, the House of the Deer, the House of the Bicentenary, the beachfront chambers and the Antiquarium when accessible. It does not include a guide, an audio guide or transport.
- Included: access to every house and street open on the day
- Included: a paper map at the ticket office, when available
- Not included: licensed guide, audio guide, storage for large bags
- Not included: temporary exhibitions with a separate ticket
Reductions, free entry and free days
- Under 18: free for everyone, regardless of nationality.
- Ages 18–25 EU citizens: reduced fare with valid ID.
- Tenured teachers and some university students: national concessions apply.
- Visitors with disabilities and one companion: free entry.
- First Sunday of the month within the ministerial calendar: free, but the site is packed from 10:00.
You can't book on free days — you queue. If your time is worth more than the ticket, pick a normal day with a timed slot.
When a package beats plain entry
| Option | Relative cost | Worth it if |
|---|---|---|
| Entry only | € | You already know what to look at |
| Entry + audio guide | €€ | You want context without joining a group |
| Entry + guided tour | €€€ | It's your first visit and you want the houses explained |
| Herculaneum + Pompeii | €€€ | You have a full day and a base in Naples or Sorrento |
| Herculaneum + Vesuvius | €€€€ | You want crater and ruins without handling transport |
Buying at the gate or online
Out of season, arriving at opening, the ticket office works fine and you pay no fees. From April to October, arriving after 10:00, the queue can cost you twenty to thirty minutes — buying online with a timed slot is simply more efficient.
- Buy online for weekends, public holidays or group travel.
- Buy online if you have a train or a tour to catch afterwards.
- Buy at the gate if you're off-season and arriving early.
Ticket price FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much is a ticket to Herculaneum?
The full fare is set by the Ministry of Culture and revised periodically; the live price is shown when you book.
Do children pay?
No — entry is free under 18, but a free ticket still has to be issued and ID shown.
Does the ticket also cover Pompeii?
No. They are separate parks. There is a combined Vesuvian sites ticket, and resellers offer combo packages.
Are tickets refundable?
It depends on the reseller and fare: flexible options usually allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Do I need to print the ticket?
No — the QR code on your phone is scanned at the gate.
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Updated 2026-08-04 · Official source