Safety- Any concerns about using this train in the evening between 1930 and 2130 to go from Naples-Sorrento? (We finish our tour of the Naples Museum with our guide at 1900 and need to get to Sorrento.) (I read in the guide book there are problems with gangs of ruffians riding the train late in the evening but not sure if this applies to when we'd be on it.) I understand the ferry to Sorrento quits running around 1700-1800 so that travel option is out.
We'll be carrying our backpack-type suitcases (1 each), and we don't want to have them nabbed by thieves. Thanks for any thoughts-suggestions that might be offered. We want to be safe and minimize walking into problems...
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9420 posts
I would have no reservations about riding the Circumvesuviana in the evening. I've ridden it 30+ times and have never seen anything remotely negative. I think Rick's warnings are way, way over the top.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9420 posts
Cheryl - check this thread out from Jan '08 : www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/9633/circumvesuviana-train.html
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
I've not experienced evening problems on the Circumversuviana, but may not have taken it all the way from Naples. If you sit in the front part of the first car, there's often a couple of train personnel riding along and chatting with the engineer.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver, Canada
40 posts
Thanks very much for the responses, and for the link.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
251 posts
The first time I went down to the Naples/Amalfi Coast area, the train down to Naples broke down, so we didn't end up arriving into Naples until late at night. Then we had to catch the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento a little after 23:00 (I think). Anyway, there were a few sketchy characters on and around the platform as we were waiting for the Circumvesuviana. But, they did not approach us or do anything that made us feel unsafe. Once on board the train, it was so late that only a few others were on board, and after the first handful of stops, we were essentially the only ones still on the train. With that, there was nothing to worry about. So, essentially, I'd just say be careful around the station/platform when you are getting on if it's really late, but you should really be fine with nothing to worry about. Enjoy your travels!
Posted by
Opal, USA
119 posts
Rick warns about getting on the RIGHT train from Naples to Sorrento. We accidentally got on the wrong one after previously doing it correctly. We ended up in Sarno instead of Sorrento! The train personnel were extremely helpful in getting us back to Sorrento. A group of young folks on the first train were very friendly to us. Later we realized that tourists usually aren't on that train!