Amalfi to Pompeii

You haven't read all the posts: You could also take the bus to Sorrento and take the other train, the Circumvesuviana, to the stop that is directly across the street from the entrance to ancient Pompeii. The "long distance" train from Salerno to modern Pompeii does not stop within luggage-carrying distance of the ancient excavation. I do believe that all entrances to Pompeii have safe, reliable luggage storage, however. Both the Circumvesuviana and the long distance Trenitalia trains use directly adjacent, modern stations in Naples. They are connected by an escalator down to the Circumvesuviana. I should note that large luggage is a big problem on the Circumvesuviana - it's THAT crowded, from May to October.

Do you understand how HOT and SUNNY and CROWDED everything is going to be in August? You cannot overestimate how desirable it is to be at Pompeii at the opening moment, to beat SOME of the heat. The busses will also be unbearably crowded. I would consider a car service to the train (or even, one way to Pompeii) from Amalfi - since there are 4 of you. But it might be hard to fit the luggage in a sedan with 5 riders. For more money, the car could wait at Pompeii and take you to the Naples train station after 2 to 4 hours of sightseeing.

You may want to consider a car service to take you from Amalfi to Pompeii, store your luggage tour the ruins and then take the Circumvesuviana to Naples and then the train to Rome. Using a car service is probably the quickest way to get you to Pompeii, so you can start as early in the day as possible and from there it just one local train to Naples and the another direct to Rome.

Buses and ferries are going to be too slow for your needs

thats my $0.02

okay, thanks. Can anyone recommend a good car service to do this? Still confused as to where to take the car service to in Pompeii (where would we leave luggage?) Then, take the train from Pompeii to Naples (which station?) then Naples to Rome?

Would it be better then to leave luggage at hotel and just go to Pompeii as day trip?

Thanks!

I guess I am not clear as to where I pick up the "Circumvesuviana"? And where this goes to?

We used the car service partner of our hotel (which was in Sorrento, not Amalfi, so I don't want to suggest you hire someone starting so far away.) I figure such a company has a BIG incentive to provide satisfactory service to the hotel customers. And I charged it to our hotel bill.

Here are some useful posts I found with the search box at the top center:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/pompei-from-salerno

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/rome-to-amalfi-town-via-pompeii

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/salerno-to-pompeii-to-amalfi-coast

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/transportation/rome-to-salerno-with-a-stop-in-pompei

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/sleep-in-sorrento-vs-salerno

You might find some benefit to general orientation from going to the library and looking at our host (Rick Steves) books that cover this area. Because there are two (or more, if you count ferries) public transportation routes from Amalfi (you did mean the town of Amalfi, not "the Amalfi Coast", didn't you .... ?) to Pompeii, the decision could go either way.

There's free left luggage storage at the Porta Marina entrance to Pompeii, opposite side from the ticket windows. I've used it with no problems. So, you would want the car service to drop you off as close as possible to the Porta Marina entrance.

The Circumversuviana is a privately-owned railway that services the area along the coast south of Naples, but only as far as Sorrento. You can catch it across the street from the Porta Marina entrance to Pompeii and take it north to the Piazza Garibaldi train station right below Napoli Centrale. Ask the driver to point out the Pompeii Scavi train station when he drops you off.

Edit: As to whether a day trip or a stop on the way to Rome is "better," you'll have to weigh the pros and cons and decide for yourself. A day trip without luggage in tow would of course be easier, but it will take more time and possibly cost more for travel (e.g. if you did car service both ways). It might however allow you to prepurchase discounted train tickets from Salerno to Rome (Freccia or Italo) that would offset some of the cost. A stop on the way to Rome is more efficient, but then you have to deal with luggage and the Circumvesuviana. I would also hesitate to prepurchase discounted train tickets from Naples to Rome unless you book a time that allows some buffer, in case you decide to linger at Pompeii or would miss a Circumvesuviana train.

All,
Does Salerno have a luggage hold? Assuming they do, wouldn't it be easier (with luggage) to ferry from Amalfi to Salerno, check luggage, train to Pompei and then back to Salerno and pick up luggage and then head directly to Rome?

How much time/effort would I be saving taking my luggage to Pompei and then taking the bus/train to Naples and then to Rome? The first option seems easier right?

Plus all drivers have quoted me over $150 just to get to Pompei from Amalfi so I do not think this is in our budget.

Also, tried finding bus to Sorrento (http://www.sitabus.it/en/circumvesuviana-timetables-and-rates/) but the links are not working. Do I need to book bus tickets in advance?

SITA bus from Amalfi to Sorrento:

http://www.positano.com/en/bus-schedule?bus_route=amalfi_positano_sorrento

Thanks Kathy!

So I assume tickets for the bus to Sorrento can be purchased while in Amalfi?

Once in Sorrento, we need to take Circumvesuviana to Pompeii entrance. Where is link to this schedule? Do these tickets need to be purchased in advance?

Thanks

Also, is the bus station in Sorrento near the Circumvesuviana station in Sorrento?

Tickets for the bus to Sorrento can be purchased while you're in Amalfi.

The bus' final stop in Sorrento is in front of the Circumvesuviana station.

You can buy the Sorrento to Pompei Scavi tickets at the station.

Not backtracking to Salerno to retrieve your luggage will save you at least an hour. It would take longer to get back to Salerno than to get to Naples on the Circumvesuviana.

Thanks Frank. So I am assuming when we are ready to leave, I can just buy tickets for the Circumvesuviana ( train) from Pompeii to Naples same day/ on-site as well? Is there a specific station in Naples I need to go to?

How long does it take to get from Pompeii to Naples train station to take train to Rome? Assuming ticket from Naples to Rome needs to be purchased in advance?

Still unable to find Circumvesuviana schedule:) Thanks!

Circumvesuvian timetable

http://www.sorrentoinsider.com

Thanks Gerri!