Naples to Positano to Rome- Private Transfer, Marozzi, etc.

It sounds like you have done your homework and know the tradeoffs. Pompeii really is a special site, more so to me than other stop on your plan. Rather than worrying about security and pickpockets, my plan would be to take the Circumvesuviana, being careful that most of your valuables are securely hidden under your clothes. You only need enough cash accessible to pay for that day's plans. Don't take your hands off your roller bags, except to deposit them in the official bag storage areas. Please see also http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/theft-scams.

P.S. With the Marozzi bus only running 1 - 2x/day, there does seem to be a risk of it filling up, and we wouldn't make that plan unless you are staying overnight in Rome before your flight. Trains from Salerno to Rome run about hourly.

The Naples Circumvesuviana station does seem to have a reputation. A couple of hints. 1) don't take your hands off of your roller bags. 2) don't let any person assist you with placing your luggage on the train. In the end, they are not doing you a favor for free; they want money, 3) Keep your eye on your luggage at all stops. Pompei is only a 30 minute ride. Just be alert and watch your luggage. 4) The luggage storage area is inside the entrance to the ruins. It's a staffed left luggage facility. You pay 4-5Euros a bag. It's quite safe.

Thank you so much! That is really helpful! We are staying in Rome overnight as our flight leaves early the next morning, but I'm still not sure I'd want to chance it. Do you have any recommendations on getting from Positano to Salerno? I've just heard that some of the SITA buses can fill up fairly quickly. I assume we would then take Trenitalia from there back to Roma Termini? Thank you again!

Thank you so much, Larry! I really appreciate the tips!

Did not find Naples train station too crowded but we were not there at rush hour and you won't be either. As you face front of train station, the ticket booth to train to Sorrento is to your right. As others have said, watch your belongings at all times but we did not find this as nearly as bad as Barcelona. When you go to Pompeii, be sure to get off at the correct station for ruins, I think it is Pompeii Scavi but others can tell you for sure. Wear good shoes and take or buy a water bottle from the stands outside train station, probably expensive but worth it as it is hot there. Bus to Positano is right outside train station, looks like a big tour bus and you store luggage underneath. Try to get on side of bus opposite from driver for best view and be sure to get off at second Positano stop, first one will involve you getting on local bus which is size of airport shuttle and you have to squeeze onto it with luggage. We did it by big mistake. The second stop means a simple walk down hill to town. Getting on bus in Positano the only problem we had was trying to get on the bus as no one wanted to let people off, there was plenty of room on the bus. Takes an hour to Sorrento and then about 70 minutes to Naples. Just a little more info, if you need bathroom, there is one downstairs in Naples station, I think we went downstairs and down long corridor but it has an attendant and costs a euro but was immaculate. Enjoy whatever you decide.

Note that you will most likely be on two different SITA buses going from Positano to Salerno. You change buses at Amalfi. SITA buses run round trips from Sorrento to Amalfi and from Salerno to Amalfi. Here are the two bus schedules. http://www.sitasudtrasporti.it/public/tpl/campania/5070.pdf (Sorrento/Amalfi) and http://www.sitasudtrasporti.it/public/tpl/campania/5010.pdf (Amalif/Salerno)

And if there ferries are running, the best way to get to Salerno from Positano (or vice versa) is the ferry!