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Here's some feedback on Campania Express and more

My family and I just came back from a trip to Italy and Poland. I know I had quite a few questions about Campania Express when planning the trip, so I thought I would give some feedback on our experience using the Campania Express.

We were looking to travel from Rome to Sorrento. We booked Italotreno from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale, but did not have reservations for the Campania Express, and I can confirm that reservations are likely not necessary as the service is still probably underutilized. After arriving at the Napoli Centrale station, we walked to the Napoli Garibaldi station downstairs and bought our tickets for the Campania Express. After asking what track it leaves on, we were directed to stand by the ticket station where we bought the tickets as we were informed that in about 15 -30 minutes before the train left we would be escorted down to the platform by a representative of Campania Express. Sure enough, approximately 30 minutes before departure, two representatives from Campania Express wearing a red hat with the insignia Campania Express appeared and told the group that gathered that they would be escorting us down to the train. One we got down to the platform, we were told that only two doors on the Campania Express would open and they monitored that only our group entered the train. The train was air-conditioned and a looked like a cleaned up, better version of the Circumvesuviana. I debated whether to take the Campania Express or the Circumvesuviana, as taking the Campania Express meant that we had a 2 hour wait at the Garibaldi station since the Campania Express only runs 4 trains a day vs the Circumveuviana which runs constantly. In the end, we took the Campania Express due to the amount of luggage we had with us, but, if it were not for the luggage, I think I may have opted to take the Circumvesuviana which reminded me of some of the old New York City subway trains I used to ride in my younger days. We found a nice little casual restaurant in the Garibaldi station, and spent a good part of our two hour wait for the train eating lunch, so it worked out well.
I also want to put in a plug for Monetti Taxi which we used to transport us from Sorrento to Santa Maria Capua Vetere where my husband wanted to visit some family graves. The driver was extremely professional and helpful, and went out of his way to translate and help us locate the graves which were not properly recorded by the cemetery officials. We had the driver the entire day, and after taking care of business at Santa Maria Capua Vetere, he took us to Napoli. I thought the charge for the service (we had him for about 10 hours) was extremely reasonable for the service provided. Our driver's name was Lorenzo, so if anyone is planning a trip in the Naples/Sorrento/Amalfi Coast area, I would definitely recommend this company and especially Lorenzo who was fantastic!

Do you remember the name of the "nice little casual restaurant in the Garibaldi station"? We will be in a similar situation next month and trying to decide which train to take.

Posted by
140 posts

jayandcharletteo, actually, I think a café would be more an apt description of the place. It offered sandwiches, salads, pizza, coffee, wine, desserts, etc. I looked through my receipts and the name was VyTA Santa Margherita. It has a website - vyta.it. It served our purposes well for that 2 hour wait as it was fairly close to the ticket station where we were to meet the Campania Express representative. Enjoy your travels to Italy!

Posted by
490 posts

Terri thanks for the update! Could you please consider providing the taxi charge or inbox me? I am looking to go 2 hours outside of Naples for a similar family reason and don't want to drive, park etc...as it will be done the day after I arrive jet lagged!

Next time you are in the Naples Centrale/Garibaldi area try the sofogliatelle at Antanasio...2 blks straight on from the station..divine, I always bring a dozen back home and freeze them..they hold up better than anything I can buy here! :)

Posted by
140 posts

jj-nowVoyager, I have PM you the details. Thanks for the tip about the sofogliatelle!