New High-Speed Train Line to Ease Access to Pompeii from Rome

Travelling from Rome to the ancient city of Pompeii will soon be a breeze thanks to a new high-speed train line. The Italian government has announced that it will add a direct link between Rome and the archeological park near Naples, offering a much faster and simpler way for visitors to reach the tourist attraction.
Here are the key takeaways from the announcement:

• The new high-speed train link from Rome to Pompeii will make travel to the ancient city easier and faster
• The new route is part of the existing train line that connects Rome to Naples and Salerno
• Construction on the new train station and transport hub near the ancient city will begin soon and is expected to be completed by the start of 2024
• The new route is part of the Great Pompeii Project funded by the EU
• The high-speed link to the capital could double visitor numbers at the ancient site from around 20,000 to 40,000 a day

Currently, travellers need to take a train to the city of Naples and then switch to a regional service called the Circumvesuviana, which stops at several small towns around the Gulf of Naples before arriving at Pompeii Scavi-Villa dei Misteri. The new high-speed link will provide a direct route to the Pompeii archeological site and avoid part of the Circumvesuviana’s coastal circuit.

The Italian Culture Minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, said on TV talk show Che Tempo Che Fa that the initiative will increase access to cultural heritage and provide a tourism boost. The project will involve the building of a new railway station and transport hub near the ancient city, which was buried in ash by a volcanic eruption in 70 AD. At the transport hub, travellers will be able to find connections to nearby archeological sites, including Ercolano and Stabiae.

The new route is part of the Great Pompeii Project, which was founded in 2012 and funded by the EU. While the high-speed link is expected to boost local tourism, it also raises concerns about overcrowding at the fragile archeological park.

Getting to Pompeii: Current Route

To arrive by train, travellers currently need to take a train to Naples and then switch to the Circumvesuviana regional service. The journey involves stops in several small towns around the Gulf of Naples before chugging into the station of Pompeii Scavi-Villa dei Misteri some two hours later.

New High-Speed Train from Rome to Pompeii

The new high-speed link will provide a direct link between Rome and Pompeii and avoid part of the Circumvesuviana’s coastal circuit. The plan is to add a new stop on the existing train line that connects Rome to Naples and Salerno. The project will involve the building of a new railway station and transport hub near the ancient city, which will increase access to cultural heritage and provide a tourism boost.

When will the Rome-Pompeii train start running?

Construction on the new train station is scheduled to begin soon, and it is expected to be completed by the start of 2024, according to Italy’s cultural ministry.

Impact on Tourism

The high-speed link to the capital could double visitor numbers at the ancient site from around 20,000 to 40,000 a day, predicted Italian newspaper Il Mattino. This could be a boon for local tourism operators and hotel owners, but it also raises concerns about overcrowding at the fragile archeological park.

Conclusion

Travelling to Pompeii from Rome is about to get a whole lot easier thanks to the new high-speed train link announced by the Italian government. The direct route will make travel to the ancient city faster and simpler, and it is expected to provide a significant tourism boost to the region. While the increased visitor numbers may pose a challenge to the fragile archeological park, the new transport hub near the ancient city will provide connections to nearby archeological sites, offering visitors even more opportunities to explore the rich cultural heritage of the area.

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