Will it be possible and easy to see both Mt Vesuvius and Pompeii via public transportation on the way from Rome to the Amalfi Coast (Positano)? We are planning on leaving Rome in the morning, seeing both sites, and ending up in Positano to stay for the next few days.
Posted by
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
104 posts
Hi Laura,
You could do this, though it would be a long day. I don't know about seeing both Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius in the same day, but you could do one, say Pompeii. So what you would have to do would be take the train from Rome to Naples Centrale (I think the high-speed train take about 1.5 hours, and they require a reservation), and then from there take the Circumvesuviana (the local train) to Pompeii. This train is found in the bottom of the Naples Centrale Station, and the stop for Pompeii is called Pompeii Scavi. It lets out very close to the ruins. I am guessing you will have bags with you? I think Pompeii has a place to leave your bags, and I know some of the bars and restaurants in the area will hold them for you as well.
To get to Positano, you have to get back on the Circumvesuviana train and take it to Sorrento, and then once you are in Sorrento, you can take the bus to Positano. All of this would of course depend on the train and bus times - I am not sure when the last bus leaves Sorrento, but I am sure someone else on here would know that, and it might be in Rick's Italy book. The bus ride is a lot of fun - it goes right along the coast, and the roads are VERY close to the edge - but the views are fantastic!
To me, this would be a long, tiring day. I think I would rather go from Rome to Positano on your first day and get settled into your hotel, walk about the town, etc., and then visit Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius on one of your other days. This way, you won't have your bags with you and you will have an entire day.
Hope that helps!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32222 posts
Laura,
I suspect it's going to be difficult to see both Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius on the way from Rome to Positano on the same day.
As the previous post mentioned, it should be relatively easy to make a short stop at Pompeii. Apparently you can check bags for free at Pompeii or at the train station's Bar for Eu$1.50, but I've never had occasion to try either of those.
It will take you at least 2 - 3 hours to see Pompeii. I'd suggest using one of the Guides at the site (Rick has some recommendations in his book).
The main difficulty with also visiting Mt. Vesuvius on the same day is transportation. There's a Bus connection that departs from the Pompeii area, which takes about an hour each way to reach the site. Add to that 30 minutes each for the hike up and down from the crater, waiting time (I believe visitors have to use the mandatory Guide) and time touring the top of the crater. After that you have to get back to Pompeii and then Sorrento to access the Bus to Positano. That's not something I would try!
Happy travels!