Planning a visit to the Great Cone of Mount Vesuvius requires a little preparation.
Entrance to the crater is regulated by timed tickets, which must be purchased online in advance. Opening hours change during the year, and access can also be temporarily suspended because of adverse weather or safety conditions.
Mount Vesuvius opening hours
The Great Cone is normally open every day, including public holidays, according to the following seasonal schedule:
January, February, November and December
09:00 – 15:00
March and October
09:00 – 16:00
April, May, June and September
09:00 – 17:00
July and August
09:00 – 18:00
These times refer to the last permitted entrance to Trail No. 5 – the Great Cone.
The visit must be completed no later than approximately one hour after the final admission time.
Opening hours can be modified or access can be suspended because of weather, safety conditions or other exceptional circumstances.
Important: tickets must be purchased online
There is no traditional ticket office at the entrance to the crater.
Standard Great Cone tickets are sold online and admission is only possible with a valid ticket for a specific time slot.
For this reason, it is strongly recommended to organize your ticket before travelling to Mount Vesuvius.
For a complete explanation:
How to Buy Vesuvius Tickets Online
How timed entrance works
Admissions are organized in 10-minute time slots.
Up to 60 visitors can enter every 10 minutes, for a maximum capacity of approximately 360 visitors per hour.
Of these:
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50 standard tickets are normally released in advance for each time slot;
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10 additional tickets are reserved for the Last Minute system.
This system is designed to control the number of visitors on the Great Cone trail.
When are standard tickets released?
Standard tickets are normally made available online up to 30 days before the visit.
For each 10-minute admission slot, approximately 50 standard tickets are released.
During high season, weekends and holiday periods, the most convenient times can sell out in advance.
Booking early is therefore recommended.
Last Minute tickets
If normal tickets are sold out, a limited number of Last Minute tickets may become available.
There are normally:
10 Last Minute tickets for each time slot
They are released approximately 30 minutes before the corresponding entrance time.
Last Minute tickets can only be purchased using the Wi-Fi network available near the entrance at Piazzale di Quota 1000.
A maximum of 5 Last Minute tickets can be purchased per email address.
Since April 2026, Last Minute tickets are nominative, so the name entered during purchase must correspond to the visitor's identity document.
Because availability is very limited, Last Minute tickets should be considered an emergency option rather than the normal way to plan a visit.
How early or late can you enter?
For a standard pre-purchased ticket, the current access rules allow entrance:
from 40 minutes before until 120 minutes after the time printed on the ticket
However, this flexibility is always subject to the daily closing time.
For example, if your ticket is for a late-afternoon slot, you cannot use the full 120-minute tolerance if doing so would make it impossible to complete the excursion before the trail closes.
You should therefore aim to arrive as close as possible to your booked time.
Last Minute ticket time tolerance
Different rules apply to Last Minute tickets.
Entrance is currently permitted:
from 30 minutes before until 15 minutes after the time printed on the Last Minute ticket.
After this period, admission is not guaranteed.
How much does the official Mount Vesuvius ticket cost?
The official base entrance prices currently indicated by the Vesuvius National Park are:
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Full ticket: €10
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Reduced ticket: €8
The online ticketing platform may show a higher final amount because booking and service fees are added.
The official online platform currently displays approximately:
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€11.68 for a full-price ticket
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€9.55 for a reduced ticket
Always check the final price displayed during booking.
Who qualifies for the reduced ticket?
The reduced ticket is currently available to:
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visitors under 25 years of age, with valid identification;
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residents of the 13 municipalities of Vesuvius National Park, with proof of residence.
Special conditions also apply to schools and other eligible groups.
Bring a valid identity document if you purchase a reduced ticket.
Free admission for visitors with disabilities
Adults with certified 100% disability, as well as minors with certified disabilities, can currently obtain free admission.
The accompanying person is also entitled to free admission under the conditions established by the Park.
These tickets require a specific procedure and should be arranged before the visit.
Is a guide included with the official entrance ticket?
Visitors to the Great Cone are managed under the supervision of the Permanent Vesuvius Volcano Guide Service for safety purposes.
However, this should not be confused with booking a private or dedicated guided tour.
If you want a more detailed experience with an audio guide, guidebook, transport or organized tour, several alternatives are available.
See Mount Vesuvius tickets and tours
Where does the visit begin?
The principal visitor entrance to the Great Cone is at:
Piazzale di Quota 1000
Ercolano
The entrance is approximately 1,000 metres above sea level at the end of the Ercolano–Vesuvius provincial road.
From here, visitors continue on foot towards the crater.
Parking at Mount Vesuvius
Private vehicles cannot park at the Piazzale di Quota 1000 entrance area.
Visitors arriving by car must use designated parking areas along the provincial road.
Parking is managed separately from the entrance ticket.
It is therefore advisable to:
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obtain your Great Cone ticket;
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organize parking;
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allow enough time to reach the entrance before your scheduled visit.
For transportation information:
How long does the visit take?
The Great Cone route requires an uphill walk on volcanic terrain.
The first section from the entrance to the crater rim generally takes approximately 20–30 minutes, depending on fitness and walking conditions.
The complete excursion normally requires around 2 hours, although visitors should allow additional time for:
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reaching the entrance;
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ticket controls;
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walking conditions;
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panoramic stops;
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returning to the transport or parking area.
For practical advice:
Mount Vesuvius Visitor Guide: What to Wear, Tickets & Tips
What happens if Mount Vesuvius closes?
The Great Cone can be temporarily closed because of:
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severe weather;
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strong winds;
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snow or ice;
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fire risk;
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trail damage;
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other safety conditions.
Closures have occurred during 2026 because of weather and trail conditions.
If the Park officially closes the trail, refund procedures depend on the type of ticket purchased and the conditions of the seller.
Visitors with official Park tickets for affected time slots may be entitled to an automatic refund under the Park's rules.
If you purchased a package through another provider, check that provider's cancellation and refund conditions.
Check conditions before travelling
Even if you already have a ticket, check conditions before leaving for Mount Vesuvius.
Weather at approximately 1,000 metres above sea level can be very different from conditions in Naples or Pompeii.
A sunny morning on the coast does not guarantee that the crater trail will remain open throughout the day.
Tickets with transportation
For many visitors, the simplest option is a ticket that combines Great Cone admission with transportation.
Options are available from:
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Naples;
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Pompeii;
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Herculaneum.
This avoids coordinating a separate timed entrance ticket with buses or shuttle services.
See all Mount Vesuvius tickets and transport options
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Mount Vesuvius open?
The Great Cone normally opens at 09:00 throughout the year.
What time does Mount Vesuvius close?
The last entrance varies by season:
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15:00 in January, February, November and December;
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16:00 in March and October;
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17:00 in April, May, June and September;
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18:00 in July and August.
Do I need to book Mount Vesuvius in advance?
Yes. Standard entrance tickets are sold online with timed admission.
Can I buy a ticket at the crater?
There is no normal physical ticket office for standard admission.
A limited Last Minute system is available near the entrance, but availability is not guaranteed.
How many tickets are available?
The current system allows up to 60 visitors every 10 minutes: approximately 50 standard tickets and 10 Last Minute tickets.
How far in advance can I book?
Standard tickets are normally released up to 30 days before the visit.
How early can I enter?
With a standard ticket, entrance is currently allowed from 40 minutes before the booked time.
How late can I enter?
With a standard ticket, entrance can currently be allowed up to 120 minutes after the booked time, provided this does not conflict with the final daily access time.
What is the tolerance for Last Minute tickets?
From 30 minutes before until 15 minutes after the time printed on the ticket.
How much does a ticket cost?
The current official base price is €10 for a full ticket and €8 for a reduced ticket. Online service fees may increase the final amount.
Can bad weather close the crater?
Yes. The Park may suspend access whenever conditions make the trail unsafe.
Can I park at the crater entrance?
No. Private parking is not permitted at Piazzale di Quota 1000.
How long should I allow for the visit?
Around 2 hours for the Great Cone excursion itself, plus transportation and arrival time.
Is transportation included in the official entrance ticket?
No. Transportation must be organized separately unless you buy a package that specifically includes it.