First time in Naples/Sorrento - Help!

Hi, Tom The bus station to Sorrento is just across the street outside the arrival building. It cost 10E. I think the taxi will cost more that 70E. Last year, we have four people, the driver want 125E. It is a very small airport. You might be able to find some one to help you. The bus stop in Sorrento is right outside the train station. You should be able to buy bottle water very where in Italy. I do not drink tap water myself.
Have a good trip.

Thank you, good to know I won't be dealing with a massive airport and that bottled H2O is available. I do have one other question, if anyone knows the answer: is the bus usually really crowded? Is it possible to get a seat? Standing on long bus rides can be a problem for me. Thanks,
Tom

Tom, Rather than pay a huge cost to hire a Taxi, I'd suggest using the Curreri Viaggi Bus from Naples Airport to Sorrento. As the previous reply indicated, the fare is €10 each way. I don't know if there are Porters available at the airport, as I've never flown into Naples and don't use Porters. I suspect that you will be able to find some help. You may want to pack along some Euros in small bills in order to pay them, or stop at an ATM in the Airport. Note that for ATM use, your travel funds must usually be in a chequing account with a four-number PIN. A "backup" ATM card is HIGHLY advisable! When you arrive in Sorrento, you may have to take a Taxi to your Hotel (another good reason to have a few Euros on hand). The Hotel staff should be able to provide further information (or perhaps may be willing to send a car for you). Regarding the water issue, I've never had an problem with the water in Sorrento. I usually buy a 500 mL bottle at the start of my trip, and then just keep refilling it from the tap. If you'd prefer to use bottled water, it won't be hard to find. The water in street fountains is normally good, unless there's a sign that says Aqua Non Potabile. When you order water in restaurants, you will very rarely ever get tap water, even if you ask for it. You'll have a choice of still water (Aqua Naturale) or carbonated (Aqua Gassata). Happy travels!

Tom, you may want to contact your airline to let them know in advance that you may need help, or at least let the flight attendant know when you board your plane for Naples. It is a smallish airport. You can take a bus from right outside the exit to the Naples train station (you'll be dropped off near the station but not at the door), once inside, follow signs for the Circumvesuviana, which will take you from the Naples train station to the Sorrento station. There's one every half hour or so. The Circumvesuviana station in Sorrento (the last stop) is very near a taxi stand and is in the center of Sorrento. Buses and trains (except for the fast trains) can sell standing room at the same price as a regular ticket, but the bus from Naples Airport into the city isn't usually crowded. You can find bottled water everywhere, from grocery stores and bars to restaurants. A little tip: eat some yogurt every day for a week or so before you go, and buy some bottled water from Italy (readily available in Brooklyn) to see how you react to it.

We do this journey two often three times a year and these days prefer the private transfer option, see it as part of the travel cost ie airfare etc. If the price given by your host is an actual quote for a private transfer at 70 euro, take it. We usually pay 75 - 80 euro. You will be met in the Arrivals Hall, helped with your luggage at both ends and driven in an airconditioned car for the hour plus journey. A public taxi from the airport is a fixed price of 100 euro last time I looked but you MUST agree this price BEFORE you get into the vehicle. Another reason for hiring a door to door transfer service is that. in comparison, the cost per mile of local taxis in Sorrento is very high. A ten minute ride from Sorrento railway station (the airport bus also drops off there) to your lodging could cost 20 euro plus depending on traffic conditions.

I agree with Linda. If your host in Sorrento can indeed arrange a private transfer for you for 70 euros, you should take it. After a long overseas flight, especially if you have physical constraints, it is such a luxury to be greeted at the airport and delivered right to your hotel. In the context of your entire budget, 70 euros is a small price to pay for starting the trip out in such comfort.

Tom,
Naples airport have 2 ATM in the arrival building. I use my DC last year, no problem.

Thank you, all, for your insights. I am leaning towards thinking that 70 euros for a cab after a 12 hour flight (which I am somewhat dreading) would be worth it, as one woman pointed out. I'll ask my contact if this is the guaranteed price, and if it is, I'll spring for it. Otherwise, I guess I'll manage on the bus or train. Thanks esp. for the warnings re: 125 euros being the more likely fare, that would have been a nasty surprise! I probably will stick to bottled water, and I've already started looking for an Italian brand here in Brooklyn, to see how I handle it. If it doesn't work out, I may be introducing poland Spring to Italy! Thanks again to everyone who replied.

Hi Tom, You got great advice from the previous folks. I would just like to applaud your first trip and tell you that you will have the time of your life. Flights look long, but have great entertainment these days - the time flies with you! Don't forget to keep a journal - its a great way to remember how really great your vacation was. The few disasters I have experienced in my 28 yrs of overseas travel has always led to new experiences and friendships, so you're going to have a great time.
Betsy

To Betsy, thank you for that wonderful encouragement. And again, thanks to everyone else who replied to my "plea for help." I am actually attempting to learn as much Italian as I can before this trip - within reason (I'm not going for a degree) - it's something I've always wanted to have a reason to do, and now I do! It's fascinating, fun, and a nice distraction from the mundane things in life. Ciao,
Tom

Hello, Tom,
You did not say how long you plan to be in the Naples-Sorrento area and what you want to see there. If the Compagnia Card is still available, it is a great buy as it provides 3 days transportation and free entry to 1st two sights (Pick Pompeii and Herculaneum, the most expensive, and check out Rick's book for details). This was so convenient. Two years ago it cost only 23 or 25 Euros, and it was worth it just for transportation between Sorrento and Naples 3 times. Getting to Sorrento from Naples by train is easy, covered by the Compagnia Card, and there is a lovely new station in Naples. You go right by Mount Vesuvius. You must get from the airport to the train station in Naples to get the taxi, but, or train to Sorrento (unless the taxi your landlady is arranging will pick you up at the airport and take you directly to Sorrento) and the train is a good way to dive into the flavor of the area. Naples was easy to get around on foot, and we were there after dark two nights and felt totally safe. We have used tap water everywhere in Europe (including Istanbul) and never had a problem. You can probably ask for a bottle of water on the plane shortly before you land, bring it with you on the train or taxi, and refill it. But peace of mind is critical--so stick with bottled if you are unsure. Buon viaggio!

The 3 day Campania arte card is now $27.00, the 7 day is 30, includes all sigts,but no transportation. The current metro/bus ticket is 1,50E

Tom, there are several different zone (and price) levels for traveling in Campania, and they are all quite inexpensive. I believe there is a card that is valid for a day (that's until midnight on the date you first validate it, not for a 24-hour period).

Thanks for the Campania-card tips. I had intended to buy something that would help me cut down on travel expenses between Sorrento-Naples and also surrounding towns. I'm still making an itinerary - I will be there for 5 full days - and I do have a question: Since the Campania card no longer covers travel, if I'm planning to go to Naples a few times from Sorrento, are there any budget options? You know, a card I could buy for 20 euros or whatever and be covered for any train or bus travel, at least for a few days? I would like to take the train, it does sound like a great way to experience Naples. Also the ferry to the island of Procida, which I've read great things about (and since I want to swim, it's supposed to have at least one nice beach). Does anyone know where the ferry from Naples to Procida leaves; or, if it's accessible from Sorrento? Thanks again for any feedback, I really appreciate this.

Thank you, Zoe

my family and I went to Italy last summer and we drank, they call it gas or no gas. Thia is seltzer and no gas is water. we drank both and we are still alive. Enjoy

AFAIK you will have to go to Naples from Sorrento to catch a ferry to Procida. The following site will give you the details - it has an English version http://www.procida.net/index.htm Here are the current Sorrento - Naples ferry times. http://www.alilauro.it/orari.php?cartella=orari&lingua=english&id_tratta=9 I can appreciate wanting to experience local life on public transport but not when it is hot, crowded and you are laden with luggage. As with all crowded places in a new country with a different language you will need your wits about you and IMO luggage is a distraction you can do without.

Linda, thank you for the ferry info - Im surprised none of the guidebooks provided it (they just said, "Take the ferry from Naples" - perhaps Rick Steve's book would have been more specific?) Also, I appreciate everyone's comments about the water. It's good to know no one's gotten sick from it, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to drink bottled just to play it safe. Since I intend to do some light cooking, I will need to clean with the tap water - hopefully that won't be a problem. OK, possible last question: I almost went to Sicily instead of Naples. A part of me would stil like to get a glimpse of it, at least - not sure why, it just sort of beckons me (as does Puglia). I switched to Sorrento for various reasons, largely having to do with more travel options, as well as high recommendations from my sister and several other people. I know there's a ferry from Naples to Sicily; has anyone taken it? Does it run during the day (some comments I read on another board made it sound like an overnight thing). How long does it take? If anyone has done this, I'd really like to hear your experience. At most I'd have a day in Sicily, which isn't a lot, but would at least give me a taste. So, would anyone encourage or discourage a ferry from Naples to Sicily? Thanks again, Tom

Tom, I love Sicily! It's big, and deserves some time, however. You might want to save it for another trip if you will only be in Naples/Sorrento for a few days. I think the ferry is an overnight one and the train trip is long; I flew from Naples to Palermo a few months ago for about 100 euro (sale price on the Alitalia website) and spent three weeks in Sicily. Send me a private message if you want more specific information. Sicily and the South of Italy (Puglia, Calabria, Basilicata) have some of my favorite places.