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Campania Express- can we make this train?

We will be arriving Rome to Naples Centrale at 11:00 AM. Campania schedule shows a train at 11:39 AM. Will we make that train? Should we purchase Campania tickets in advance or not take the chance? I know we can take a Circumvesuviana train instead, but would prefer the Campania.
We are experienced travelers and can move as fast as we need to!

Should add that I have read some not so great reviews of the Campania express- seats not rally guaranteed, no better than Circumvesuviana, etc. So I guess my question is- is it worth the few euros more and risk of missing?

thanks

Posted by
3812 posts

20 minutes should be enough to transfer from the surface to The underground tracks used by the Circumvesuviana, but check by yourself: you can walk around the overground station using Google Maps' streetview option. This way you will also see the company's logo.

What you read can't materially happen on the Campania Express, they have no way to sell more tickets than the available seats. Anyone saying it's not that better must be used to Indian trains, the crowds on the Circumvesuviana's regular trains are suffocating and the lack of AC in summer is terrible for US americans.

As a side note, Campania is the name of the region where Naples and Amalfi Coast are. If you ask neapolitans how to reach the Campania they would be puzzled. If you told them you want to "make" it, I'm afraid they would be a little skeptical.

Posted by
2829 posts

The Campania Express is just a not-so-special (more on that latter) operated by EAV, the same company that operates commuter trains to Sorrento and other lines. EVA was formerly known as "Circumvesuviana", which is no more (since 2016 or so). You still see some "Circumvesuviana" train signs though (it refers to railway lines, not the specific type of rolling stock).

Now here is the thing: when first introduced many years ago, the Campania Express was the only air-conditioned, modern train option between Napoli and Pompeii (or Sorrento).

Now, the only real differences between "Campania Express" and regular EAV trains are: (1) they don't take passengers standing (only sell reservations for as many seats are on the train); (2) the trains are slightly faster (just some 13 min or so). Because EAV has been replacing its rolling stock, most trains on the Sorrento line are otherwise identical to the "Campania Express".

So because these tickets are cheap, and the timing convenient, I'd buy the Campania Express at 11:39, but not be much bothered in case something happens. You then buy spot tickets to other regular trains.

39 minutes is plenty to change between the high-speed train platforms and the underground and rather claustrophobic EAV platforms. "Porta Garibaldi" station is just the name of the underground sector of the same large station-building complex.

Posted by
4105 posts

For the reviews you've found I'd bet some crazy tourist made a mistake, asking for the train to Sorrento and boarded the Circumvesuvian thinking it was the Campania Express.