Hi all,
I will be travelling to Naples on 30th Sept, landing at 10am and returning 8th at 10am.
I wanted to get some advise on an itinerary to visit, Amalfi region so the costal towns, Capri, Pompei and Naples if I can. I wasn't sure what the best route would be and how to split my time.
Any suggestions?
Also how long does it take to travel by public transport from the airport to Posatino, getting mixed feedback!
Thanks
I like Sorrento as a home base. The town is delightful and affordable. From there you can take a bus around the Amalfi Coast. If the weather is nice I prefer the boat from Sorrento to Positano and Amalfi Town. Take it one way, take the bus the other. Capri is also easy to get to from Sorrento. For Pompeii use the Circumvesuviana train, it lets you off right at the entrance gate. For Naples, the same train, or if the weather permits, the boat ride is far more scenic.
To get from the airport to Sorrento (if that's your home base), I'd suggest a car service. It'll be about 80 euro but it will save you the awful train ride (the Circumsesuviana is ugly, uncomfortable and a pickpockets paradise).
You can spend 80 EUR on a car service or 10 EUR on a bus from the airport to Sorrento. http://www.curreriviaggi.it/eng/index.php
I wouldn't know how to allocate your time because it depends purely on your interests. I wouldn't skip Naples though (I think it deserves a few days). Perhaps you should pick two bases that are well located to the sites you want to see. Pull up a Google map and see what makes the most sense. I know that Positano gets quite a large reaction, but it's quite small and there's a tradeoff between price as well (but given that you're going at the end of Sept, maybe the prices won't be so bad). I stayed in Sorrento and Capri. I was able to see the smaller Amalfi Coast towns on a SITA bus since it goes right down the coast from Sorrento.
30/ Arrive Naples. Transfer to Sorrento (8 nights)
01/ Ferry to Capri
02/ Train to Naples
03/ Bus to Positano
04/ Sorrento (rest day)
05/ Train to Pompeii & Herculaneum
06/ Bus to Amalfi & Ravello
07/ Hiking Vesuvius
08/ Depart Naples
Nice time travel...ferry service becomes limited in October so check schedules!
I have traveled in Campania for many years, I strongly recommend two bases: Sorrento or Naples...then Positano ( or elsewhere on coast), taking a day trip EVERY DAY on vacation is not restful.
Sorrento or Naples base is used for archeological sites, Naples museums etc. and Capri day trip. Coastal towns can be seen in 2 nights, to keep cost down, which are magical, and day tripping won't allow for night time views.
Enjoy!
That's a perfect amount of time, you'll be able to see just about everything at a nice pace with flexibility. I highly recommend splitting your stay between the Bay of Naples side (Naples/Sorrento) and the Amalfi Coast side of the peninsula. Sorrento is a great home base for seeing Naples/Pompeii/Herculaneum. I wondered if I'd regret not staying in Naples itself, as there is a lot to see there, but I was glad to have a relaxing evening in Sorrento at the end of a long day. I didn't feel there was a particular advantage transportation wise between the two of them. You can take the ferry to Capri, even just doing a morning to afternoon visit before taking the ferry onwards to the Amalfi Coast. It's great, don't skip Capri. The only other question is where to stay on the AC. Positano is by far the most picturesque. I found Amalfi town to be kind of a drag, but it's extremely well connected transportation-wise. I stayed in nearby Atrani, and loved it. Make sure to spend a day in Ravello, it was a real highlight. When you're ready to leave, head onwards to Salerno rather than back via Sorrento. How long you choose to stay in one place depends on your interests. Make sure you give Naples a fair shake.
Positano has beautiful views, a LOT of boutiques, nice places to eat and drink, a pebble beach but that's about it. It also is a bit difficult to get there.
Here's one option.
http://www.positanoshuttle.com/positanoshuttle-bus-timetable-2/
As others have said the two transportation hubs are Sorrento, and Amalfi.
For a first time visitor, Sorrento, though it's not the Amalfi Coast, is a better location.
Busses for the coast, but ferries provide quicker times to most towns and the Circumvesuvian for travel to Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Naples.
I would do 4-5 nites Sorrento and 2-3in Naples. That way you have easy access to the airport for your 10:00 flight out.
S.l. Wolf. I sent you a private message.
Paestum is served by regular trains from Naples and Salerno.
You can visit Paestum easily from Salerno, but the best experience is to spend a night there. I like Hotel dei Templi, which is at the edge of the archeological zone, and last time I was there had its own ticket booth and entrance.
