Landing In Naples, need Advice

Take the bus to Sorrento. Little to be gained by staying in Naples. If visiting Pompeii on the way to Sorrento, you would have luggage to deal with so hit Pompeii from Sorrento - if is closer and easier. Option 2 - are you staying in Naples on the night of the 24th? That is really not necessary.

Thanks Frank!

It was recommended to me on an earlier post that I should consider staying in Naples on the 24th, the night prior to taking the train to Rome to give me an earlier start. I figured if I saved visiting Pompei or Herculaneum for the 24th from Sorrento I would be half way to Naples anyway. I am hoping to get to Orvieto by early afternoon so I thought it might be worth the night in Naples, but if you think having my 17 lb backpack to lug with me would be too much to deal with at Pompei or Herculaneum then I will not stay in Naples. Do they have storage lockers at either Pompei or Herculaneum?

Do you have any interest in Naples? It is definitely worth seeing, although a day would probably be too short (it seems like you are very tight on time). As much as I liked the Amalfi Coast and Capri, they're not comparable to Naples in terms of attractions (very different, and both interesting in their own right). You should check out the Archeological Museum if you can. I loved Naples (many folks give it a bad rap, however, which is a shame).

Hi Agnes, This is my 1st trip to Italy. I am visiting my daughter who is studying abroad for fall semester in Florence. She has her heart set on seeing the Amalfi coast and Capri--she is not really a museum or history type of person. Our itinerary is based on her two must see areas. Amalfi/Capri and then Tuscany by car (not do able on her own). After Tuscany we will return to Florence and I will stay on for 3 more days and tour by day and see her after class. I guess you could say this is more a mother daughter trip--making memories no matter where we are in beautiful Italy! My total trip is fly into Naples on the October 21st, fly out of Florence November 1st.

If it turns out we do head to Naples early on the 24th, maybe do Pompei or Herculaneum in the morning and the museum in Naples in the afternoon. What do you think?

I know there are a lot more iconic sights to see and I hope to plan another trip with my husband (he does not like to fly-so hopefully when he sees pics for this trip he will have a change of heart!). I would like to get to San Donato Val di Comino (Frosinone) at some point to see where my grandmother was born so we may plan a trip to Rome which is realtively close to San Donato VDC.

If it turns out we do head to Naples early on the 24th, maybe do
Pompei or Herculaneum in the morning and the museum in Naples in the
afternoon. What do you think?

I would check the museum hours and just play by ear. You may not be able to squeeze in as many things in a day as you'd like. If you can swing it, great...if not, maybe another time. I thought since you're already flying into Naples, it would be a shame to skip it altogether but your itinerary sounds like it has very little to no "give", so no need to force anything. Everything is a tradeoff. Naples is a big, busy, traffic choked city (not very "relaxing" per se) but it has some world attractions that make it very worthwhile. I only mentioned it so that folks know that "yes, it is worth seeing!". Of course, if you do go, just know what to expect (it will be chaotic but I don't think it's too much different from Rome as people say...there's lots of cars, graffiti, etc.).

Have a wonderful first trip to Italy!

Pompeii has bag storage both at the site and at the Circumvesuviana train station. Rick Steves Italy points out that Herculaneum bag storage is only at the site and involves more station stairs and a hill.

Instead of both train and car rental on the 25th, I would pick up the car at 9:00 a.m. in Sorrento.

I am from Boston so I understand trying to navigate the transit system in a big city can be overwhelming AND time consuming, it may be too much to get to the museum...playing it by ear sounds like a plan. Thanks for your insight Agnes!

Thanks for your reply Laura. This is my 1st time in Italy, I am not sure that I could manage driving from Sorrento to Orvieto. I hear the Autostrada requires nerves of steel! Can you share more on the routes involved in getting to Orvieto?

For planning purposes, download the app Rome2Rio. It is free and fantastic, and gives times and modes of travel between cities and towns.

Thank you, I will download that app. Good to know about that for sure!

Let's preface this with regards to the autostrada. It's not nearly as busy as the 95!
In October, you'll have a 30-40 minute drive on the coast road.
Then you hop on the autostrada outside of Naples. The road is easier to travel
than most major highways in the U.S. Speed limits are 68 mph. Unless posted lower. Just stay in the right right lane.

If you wanted to visit San Donato, from Sorrento,it's just about half way (2 1/2 hrs) to Orvieto.

Perfect for a quick look around and have lunch.

Might be a special moment for you and your daughter.

Just a thought 😀

Wish I had better advice to offer, but none of your options are bad choices. A few thoughts though: With a late afternoon arrival I'd just head to Sorrento. By the time you get settled, you'll be ready for a lovely dinner and stroll, which is pretty much Sorrento's raison d'être. Sorrento sounds like it will be the best home base for your interests, and staying there the whole time gives you some flexibility if you need to adjust your sightseeing (my first day there included a partial strike on the Circumvesuviana line). I'm not sure the particulars of a private car tour of the Amalfi coast, but it sounds handy. Personally, I loved taking the ferries between towns here. You get spectacular views from the water. You could ferry to Positano or Amalfi on your own, have lunch and work your way back easily enough. The key to seeing anything around there is to get an early start, it felt like I had Pompeii and Capri to myself before 12:00. I'd also recommend the 1hr boat ride around Capri, it was great. Enjoy!

Driving the Autostrada is no scarier than driving US Interstates.

Just keep to the right (yes , you will be doing the speed limit)

Thank you all for the great advice! We will head right into Sorrento as suggested.

To all of you who offered perspective on the Autostrada... I feel much better! I sometimes forget that I am a Bostonia an many from other areas would say "you need nerves of steel to drive in the Boston"...we do have a reputation :(

I am mulling over whether I want to sit and relax on the train ride Naples to Rome to Orvieto or drive on the 24th. Part of me feels like 3hrs of driving (in unfamiliar territory) on the 24th after the flight on the 20-21st, then touring Amalfi and Capri on the 22nd & 23rd might be pushing things.

I am waiting for confirmation from Hertz for a pick up on the 25th in Orvieto to be returned on the 29th at FCO. I think the rate is good $237 including insurance, unlimited miles & gps for a Fiat 500 automatic. They just need to confirm with the office in Orvieto.

You may find that "the insurance" is the government mandated 5,000 or so Euro deductible product. Be read to make the decision to buy more. Have you got your IDP? Have you studied up on ZTL's? On the train side, note that Frecciarossa tickets are no-change, no-refund if bought at the advance-purchase discount. You just have to be on schedule.

I think you are going to enjoy the illusion of All-American freedom with the car, but except for touring Tuscany (where it's almost essential), it adds no value to the trip. Do check whether your hotel offers parking and how much it costs in Sorrento or on the A.C. Your programs are head-spinningly busy. You don't have time to search for a parking space on the Amalfi Coast, so I recommend a pricey car and driver service, which we did "from" Sorrento and back. Even in the no doubt, pleasanter shoulder-season, Capri is more than you can see in a day, as is the Amalfi Coast.

Tim, thanks for your advice on the car insurance. I will ask more about that when call Hertz back. I also am using my AAA when renting the car and will see if I get more coverage with that. If needed I will purchase additional insurance.

Regarding Sorrento, if I decided to pick up the rental in Sorrento I would do so the morning of the 24th when we are heading out to Orvieto. I do have parking arranged through our Airbnb in Orvieto.

I realize our time in Sorrento is a bit tight but, we have booked the tours through Mondoguide, they are Rick Steve's shared tours. Amalfie leaves at 9am 10min walk from our hotel and Capri leaves at 8am with hotel pick up. I feel we will be ok as these tours are associated with RS.

If I decide to pick up the car in Orvieto, I will be picking it up on the way out of Orvieto to use for the next 4 days in Tuscany's Val D'Orcia region. We are booked at Il Rigo.

Thanks for the tip on the Frecca booking, I did notice that they are non 'everything' so for sure it is important to be on time and I have an email into a private driver service for possible transport to the Naples station on the 24th vs relying on public transport from Sorrento.