The official information website is pompeiisites.org, managed by the Archaeological Park of Pompeii. From 2 March 2026, tickets are sold exclusively through vivaticket.com — which replaced TicketOne as the official ticketing partner. Ticket prices on the official site: Pompeii Express €18 adult; Pompeii Plus €25 adult. GetYourGuide and Tiqets are authorised third-party resellers. The official site does not sell guided tours.
Every year, visitors arrive at Pompeii having bought tickets through unofficial sites that charge 50–100% markups — often because they searched ‘buy Pompeii tickets’ on Google and clicked the top paid result. In 2026 the problem is compounded by the platform change: TicketOne was the official partner until 2 March 2026, and is now replaced by Vivaticket. Any site still advertising TicketOne as official is out of date. This guide tells you exactly what to use and what to avoid.
Top Tickets
# Entry Ticket with Audio Guide
# Guided Tour with an Archaeologist
# 2-Hour Small Group Tour
Table of Contents
What Is the Official Pompeii Website?
pompeiisites.org — The Information Site
The official information website is pompeiisites.org, managed by the Parco Archeologico di Pompei (Italian Ministry of Culture). This is the authoritative source for: current opening hours, temporary building closures, new excavation announcements, accessibility information, the Pompeii Artebus shuttle schedule, and ticketing policy updates. Check it the day before your visit to confirm nothing has changed — individual buildings close at short notice for conservation.
vivaticket.com — The 2026 Ticketing Platform
From 2 March 2026, Pompeii’s exclusive official ticketing partner is vivaticket.com — replacing TicketOne. Always reach the ticketing page by clicking ‘Buy Tickets’ on pompeiisites.org. The final checkout URL will be on the vivaticket.com domain.
Warning: Never search ‘buy Pompeii tickets’ in Google — top paid results are frequently unofficial resellers. Type pompeiisites.org directly into your browser and navigate from there.
Authorised Third-Party Platforms
GetYourGuide and Tiqets operate from separate ticket allocations and are fully authorised. They are not the official site, but they sell legitimate tickets — with more flexible cancellation policies, availability up to 6 months ahead (vs 45 days on the official site), and the ability to book guided tours (which the official site does not sell).
Official Ticket Prices 2026
- Pompeii Express (adult 18+): €18
- Pompeii Plus (adult 18+): €25
- Pompeii + Herculaneum combo: €22 (valid 48 hours from first use)
- EU youth concession (18–24): €2 — must be purchased at the box office with valid EU ID; not available online
- EU under 18 / non-EU under 12: Free — must still collect a free timed ticket at the box office
- Disability + 1 companion: Free with valid documentation
- MyPompeii Annual Pass: €45 (€10 for under-25 EU citizens) — unlimited entry to all Archaeological Park sites for 12 months; includes advance notification of events and annual meeting with the Park Director
Note: GetYourGuide prices include service fees and (for some products) digital audio guides. From €34 adult for the entry + audio guide bundle. See our full ticket prices guide for the complete comparison.
Step-by-Step: How to Buy on the Official Website
- Go to pompeiisites.org and click ‘Buy Tickets’ — you will be redirected to vivaticket.com
- Create a Vivaticket account — required before checkout; if you have an existing Vivaticket account from another Italian site, it will work
- Choose Express (€18) or Plus (€25) — see our Express vs Plus guide if unsure
- Select your visit date — the calendar shows available slots; dates in July, August, and Easter week sell out quickly after the 45-day release window opens
- Select your time slot (peak season only): Morning 9:00 am–1:00 pm (up to 15,000 admissions: 12,000 Express + 3,000 Plus) or Afternoon 1:00 pm–5:30 pm (up to 5,000 admissions: 3,000 Express + 2,000 Plus). Applies 16 March – 14 October
- Enter visitor names — all Pompeii tickets are nominative; enter the name exactly as it appears on the ID you will bring on the day
- Complete payment — Visa, Mastercard and major cards accepted; payment window is 15 minutes
- Save your e-ticket — arrives by email as a PDF with QR code. Screenshot the QR code before arriving — signal at the entrance can be weak
When the Official Site Releases Tickets
The official site releases tickets approximately 45 days in advance — significantly shorter than most major European sites. This means that if you are planning your trip 3 or 6 months ahead, the dates you want are not available on the official site yet. GetYourGuide and Tiqets allow booking up to 6 months in advance from separate allocations, which is why most visitors planning further ahead book third-party.
Popular dates — July and August weekends, Easter, Italian public holidays, and the first Sunday of every month (free entry) — often sell out within days of the 45-day release. If your dates fall inside the window, book immediately after the release date.
Official vs GetYourGuide: When to Use Which
Should I book on the official Pompeii website or GetYourGuide? Use the official site if: you want the lowest entry price (€18 vs €34+), you are booking within 45 days of your visit, and you do not need a guided tour. Use GetYourGuide if: you want a guided tour (official site doesn’t sell them), you are booking more than 45 days ahead (official site has no availability yet), the official site is sold out, or you need flexible cancellation (official Vivaticket tickets are non-refundable).
- Use pompeiisites.org → Vivaticket if: you want the lowest price (€18/€25), you are booking within 45 days, no guided tour needed
- Use GetYourGuide if: you want a guided tour, booking more than 45 days ahead, official site sold out, or you need free cancellation flexibility
- Never use: any site other than pompeiisites.org, vivaticket.com, getYourGuide.com, tiqets.com, or viator.com — unofficial resellers charge 50–100% markups and are not authorised
What to Do When the Official Site Is Sold Out
- Check GetYourGuide — separate allocation, often available when the official site is not
- Check Tiqets — another authorised reseller with independent allocation
- Refresh Vivaticket throughout the day — cancellations are released back into availability in real time
- Walk-up — box offices at Porta Marina and Piazza Anfiteatro open at 8:30 am. Arrive by 8:00 am in peak season. On days near the 20,000 cap, walk-ups may be turned away after the morning slot fills
How to Spot Unofficial (Scam) Websites
- URL is not pompeiisites.org, vivaticket.com, getyourguide.com, tiqets.com, or viator.com
- Prices significantly above €18 (Express) or €25 (Plus) without a clear service fee explanation
- No requirement to enter visitor names (official tickets are nominative)
- Claims to be ‘official’ but reached via a Google search ad rather than directly from pompeiisites.org
- Still advertising TicketOne as the official ticketing partner — this has been replaced by Vivaticket since 2 March 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official Pompeii website?
The official informational website is pompeiisites.org, operated by the Archaeological Park of Pompeii. From 2 March 2026, the exclusive official ticketing partner is vivaticket.com — which replaced the previous TicketOne platform. Always reach the ticketing site through a link on pompeiisites.org to avoid lookalike resellers that charge inflated prices.
How far in advance can I book Pompeii tickets?
The official site releases tickets approximately 45 days in advance. Authorized third-party platforms such as GetYourGuide and Tiqets allow booking up to 6 months ahead — which is what most visitors planning further in advance use. In peak season (April–October), popular dates on the official site sell out quickly, so book as early as possible once the window opens.
Do I need to print my Pompeii ticket?
No. A digital e-ticket shown on your smartphone (PDF with QR code) is accepted at all entrances. Screenshot the QR code before arriving in case of poor signal at the site.
Why do I need to give my name when booking?
Since November 2024, all Pompeii tickets are nominative — issued in the visitor’s name, with photo ID checked at the entrance. This is an anti-touting measure enforced by the Archaeological Park. Make sure the name on your booking matches your passport or ID exactly.
Are Pompeii tickets refundable?
Official tickets bought on Vivaticket are non-refundable and non-transferable. Third-party platforms are generally more flexible — GetYourGuide typically offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the visit for most tickets. If you need flexibility, book third-party.
What’s the difference between Pompeii Express and Pompeii+?
Pompeii Express (€18) covers the ancient city of Pompeii itself — the Forum, the Amphitheatre, the main houses, the Lupanar, the baths. Pompeii+ (€25) adds the suburban villas: the Villa of the Mysteries (with its famous fresco cycle), the Villa of Diomedes, and the Villa Regina at Boscoreale with the Antiquarium. If you have a full day and are interested in frescoes and domestic Roman life, Pompeii+ is worth the extra €7.
Can I still use TicketOne?
No — from 2 March 2026, TicketOne is no longer the official ticketing partner for Pompeii. All new tickets must be purchased via Vivaticket (reached through pompeiisites.org) or an authorized third-party platform. If you see a site still advertising TicketOne as the ‘official’ Pompeii seller, it is out of date.
What if I can’t find the official website?
Type ‘pompeiisites.org’ directly into your browser. Do not search ‘buy Pompeii tickets’ on Google — the top paid results are often unofficial resellers. The official ticketing link is always reached via pompeiisites.org, and the final checkout URL is on the vivaticket.com domain.
