Accommodations between Naples and Rome

I would recommend considering staying in Rome and doing Pompeii as a day trip from Rome. There is so much to do in Rome, and staying in the city adds so much to the experience, plus it makes it logistically much easier.

I second Leslie's suggestion: Rome is 150 miles from Pompeii and commuting into Rome from half-way, with a baby, is something you want to be fully informed about, as to what's involved before you commit yourself to it. There's really no obvious choice for a place to sleep that's midway between the two and on the train lines (tell me you aren't planning to drive into Rome, right?). If it helps, you're the first person in a couple of years to suggest doing it this way. Just want you to know what you're getting into before you commit to it.

We did what you're thinking about doing. We stayed in Caserta, a town North East of Naples. We got a great rate at the Novatel (80E/night for a quad), it's right on the Autostrada. Newly renovated and very quiet,with free breakfast, and free gated parking. 30 minute drive to Herculaneum, 45 minutes to Pompeii. Sounds good? Here's the problem. That part of Italy is not really for tourists. Very few hotels, almost no restaurants. The area, and around Naples, is sort of light industrial/warehouse. Very few people speak English. There is a 1000 room palace there, built by the King of Naples. We were shaken down for "protection money" for someone to watch our rental car while at the palace. There is supposed to be "Caserta Vecchia", old city with restaurants. But it's not marked, and we couldn't find it, even with directions from our hotel. We did however find a local Pizza place where we had the biggest pizza I have ever seen and wine for 20E for the 4 of us. Plus we got to watch Italy vs. Spain in the Eurocup with the locals. A true Rick Steves moment. We were also travelling with kids, so it was nice to have a close hotel room to drop in after a long day at the ruins. Pompeii, Herculaeum, and Vesuvius were easy to get to with our car. We took the train into Naples, don't drive in Naples! Very scary. I now understand why the tour books recommend using Sorrento as your base when visiting Pompeii. I think I'd do that leg of our trip differently if I had to do it over. Although the memory of our table sized pizza is one our kids remember more then all the art of Florence! Go figure.

Tanya - We stayed in Rome for 2 nights at a lovely convent (Casa il Rosario) which was walking distance to Colosseum, Trajan Market, Forum, etc. We then went south and stayed with family outside of Naples - from there we did Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast as well as the town of Gaeta (north of Naples)which was lovely. The Naples area has a lot of crime and when we were there in June lot's of garbage - like everywhere lining the streets. We only went into Naples to see the bay, the Archaelogical Museum, and have pizza.

There are not really places away from the coast between Rome and Pompeii that are easy for tourists who don't speak Italian and crime can be a concern. Pompeii can easily be done in a day from Rome so I would second the others that if you are not planning to go farther south than Pompeii, you will be happier staying in Rome.

Great! Thank you for all the help.