Few questions on Train Travel/Private Cars

1. A ticket from Naples to Venice will be on a Freccia high speed train (transfer required at either Rome or Bologna). It will be train specific with a seat reservation, so there is no need to validate it. The conductor will come by and check your ticket. Trains leave from Naples every hour on the hour in the morning. Takes 5 1/2 hours to Venice.
2. Trying to save money? Take the Circumvesuviana train from Meta to Naples Central. They go about every half hour in the morning and take a bit less than an hour to Naples Garibaldi which is right next to Naples Central. Meta is about a half hour drive or less from Positano. There is an 8:31 limited stop train that gets there at 9:15.
   

Thanks Sam..I thought the validation thing would not apply..but I had to be sure. I think I would rather get a ride direct to naples even though this will cost more but it seems like less of a hassle if I have a specific train, date and time to catch.

thanks for the suggestions :)

In terms of checking a ticket on a reserved train, the conductor needs the PNR code which is in the PDF that is emailed to you. I like having a print out because the PDF indicates carriage and seat number(s)

1. Freccia train tickets are train specific and don't need validation. Only commuter trains (called "regionali" do).
2. The drive is less than 1.5 hours, buT allowing for traffic is good when you deal with Naples. The Circumvesuviana train from Meta or Sorrento to Naples Centrale suggested above is a good cheaper alternative and the trains aren't affected by Naples' notorious traffic. However if you have a lot of luggage, the private transfer is more comfortable than the commuter train and the Circumvesuviana to Naples is crowded with commuters in the mornings.
3. If you take the 10:00 train from Naples you need to leave Positano at about 8:00. That's rush hour commute into Naples. How about leaving with the 11:00 train from Naples instead?
4. I have never used private transfers in Italy, other than taxi rides for short distances. But check www.viator.com. They have good deals sometimes.

Regarding question number 2: I think 30 minutes is plenty of time to find your platform at Napoli Centrale. As far as a car company, we used "Amalfi Coast Private Destination Tours" and they were excellent. We used them twice during our stay, including a transfer from Sorrento to Napoli Centrale. They were very friendly and reliable both times. All of the drivers are from the area so if you tell them when your train leaves, they will recommend what time to pick you up. I imagine this would be true with any car service company.

Regarding the Circumvesuviana train: It is cheap but I found it to be fairly unreliable with regard to time. This isn't a huge deal when you are out sight seeing but it is a big deal if you are trying to catch a train. Several websites said it took " a little over an hour" to get from Naples to Sorrento. In our case, it took close to 2 hours plus an extra 30-45 minutes when it broke down and we had to wait for another train that was not packed with people and we could get on. This is why we ended up just booking a car on the way back. So if you take the Circumvesuviana, just be prepared to give yourself a lot of extra time!

EDIT: I just read Roberto's post and he has a point on traffic. I guess you should give yourself extra time no matter what!

Thanks everyone, good suggestions and info!!!!
Right now on the Trenitalia website the 11:00 a.m train is a bit more expensive (176.00 euros) than the 10:00 a.m. (136 euros) and the 10:00 a.m has first class available at the cheaper price. This is why I was considering the 10:00 a.m. train. Thoughts?? :)

A lot of people would say you don't need to bother spending more for a premium/business/executive seats. And I would agree for the short trips. But I am tall so I appreciate the extra leg room on a longer train. But economy class is comfortable enough so I don't think it is worth paying significantly more.

Pay attention to the travel times on your trains! Sometimes that is the reason the prices are cheaper. You should be able to take the high speed train all the way from Naples to Venice. You would pay less for one of the slower trains but it will take a lot longer to get there!

Thanks Kristen,
Both trains have a stop in Bologna and take approx. 5.5 hours so I'm not sure why the 11:00 a.m. is more expensive at this point? i guess a more popular time..more people booking that train?? I would rather the 11:00 a.m just for a little extra time in the morning, but will prob end up booking the 10:00 a.m. for the reasons above.
Cheers

One thing to factor in is that you're more likely to be sitting with "regular" Italians in 2nd class than in 1st. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing depends on the kind of experience you want. But we always choose 2nd class in the hopes that we'll sit with a friendly local and I can inflict my Italian skills on them. :-)

Sitting with everyday locals sounds fine to me..it's just that the first class fare is actually cheaper than the regular fare. You can still get the first class super economy fare but not for 2nd class. That is the only reason I am considering the first class and there is just two of us so a two seater would be nice also. :)

I think you've decided. Now just leave at 7 am to make sure the traffic doesn't screw you up.

Grazie, tutti.

Yes, Thanks everyone, appreciate all the input for sure :) Getting excited !!!!!!!!!!!