New Direct Bus Service: FCO - Florence and FCO - Naples

Grazie, Roberto!

Thanks Roberto, this should answer some questions before they are asked.

Ok, but most people have been taught to be afraid of Naples (and very afraid of the Circumvesuviana)...they will still want a direct bus to their cliff-hanging hotel in Sorrento so they can bypass any ounce of discomfort. Regardless, I suppose that avoiding Termini is considered a "win" either way.

Thanks for sharing the info.

I am sure someone will figure out that a direct bus FCO-Sorrento would be a good idea, at least in the summer mornings, when all the transatlantic flights arrive.

Thanks for posting this information, Roberto!

Those willing to take a 4:00 a.m. bus might be able to catch some morning FCO flights without sleeping overnight in Rome, but I would be nervous about counting on that. Or take a later bus and sleep at an airport hotel. For our US travelers, it would probably most often in the opposite direction, if arriving at FCO.

Regardless, I suppose that avoiding Termini is considered a "win"
either way.

Agnes, I must admit that I find avoidance of Termini at all costs to be confusing. We didn't find it any worse than a lot of other major train stations in Europe we've encountered so far.

Wellll, Kathy...I wouldn't go that far...

Although I will use Termini station at least two or three times on an upcoming trip, it is like no other I've seen in Europe. The multiple levels have screwed me up more than once. I always allow extra time at Termini for navigational purposes. That said, it's a necessary hub for travel around the country, although it's a real 'rogue's gallery' of characters, especially around the doorways and perimeter. It makes Milano Centrale look positively peaceful and homogeneous.

In comparison, I have yet to step foot in any German stations, but I have been to Basel and Lucerne in Switzerland, which are like walking into hyperbaric chambers. And Paris' Gare du Lyon is quite charming.

I like 'em all, to tell you the truth...

@Kathy - I was being sarcastic. I don't find Termini, Naples, or Circumvesuviana to be particularly scary (only busy). It's all relative, of course, but to me they don't need to be singled out to avoid in an effort to create a "safe space" for travelers free of any discomfort. A cautionary warning is OK, but most people are so put off they will avoid altogether. I went through Termini several times and don't remember anything about it that stands out.

Agnes, I knew you were being sarcastic. :O)

Was just commenting on our own observations. We were far more pestered by panhandlers at Gare du Nord in Paris. They were RIGHT on top of us when the taxi driver was unloading our bags: he kept brushing them away but they were mighty persistent. Persistent inside the station as well. Munich wasn't particularly pleasant either. Whatever the case, one just needs to keep their wits about them?

Great news, Roberto. Very useful.

BTW, everyone, Termini now has a couple of new and appealing areas. There is a new terrazza (though not outside it is what they call it) up above the tracks, with pleasant eating areas and (so far) quiet at least in the mornings when we've been there. There is also a new Mercato Centrale on the west side upper level. Hoping to get over there during open hours this week. It was not open at 7:00AM when we passed through earlier this month.