We have an extra day in Rome before our tour starts. An agent would like to book a private driver to take us to pompei and the amalfi coast but is there a less expensive way? who might we contact for a good tour? Is is feasible (not overly tiring) to return in one day to Rome?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16232 posts
A private driver from Rome is going to cost you hundreds of euros.
I've done Pompeii as a day trip from Rome. You can take a high speed Freccia train to Naples (70 min.), then from Naples Centrale station go downstairs in the underground to catch a commuter train run by the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento. About half way on the way to Sorrento, get off at Pompei Scavi station. The archeological site is almost across the street from the Circumvesuviana station (walk to the right as you exit the station, is just 5 min.). So from Rome to Pompei is just over 2 hours, including train change in Naples. Keep in mind that the last high speed train back to Rome departs from Naples at 7:30 pm, therefore you need to leave Pompeii by about 6pm. just to make sure. For the Amalfi Coast you need to stay on the train all the way to Sorrento (70 min from Naples). From Sorrento you can take a bus. Also in this case you need to make sure you are back in Naples by 7:30 pm. Either Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast are doable as a day trip from Rome. However I don't think you can do both on the same day because I'm sure you want to spend at least a few hours in Pompeii. So choose which one and decide.
Posted by
Piedmont, nc, usa
316 posts
This is definitely a one or the other deal. Which do you prefer - breathtaking scenery or incredible antiquity? There's no losing choice here. No matter which you choose you'll have a wonderful day. If you're going to the Amalfi Coast, though, I'd get a really early start if you're going during tourist season. Another suggestion - the first time I saw Pompeii I was sort of tired of guiding my friends around and being responsible so we took a bus tour from Rome. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the tour but our guide gave us the history of Pompeii on the trip down. We had a short stopover in Naples then went to Pompeii where a retired professor took us through the ruins. We had a great day and I didn't have to think about train schedules. Then the next time I went I was able to share some of what I'd learned with my traveling companions.
Posted by
Piedmont, nc, usa
316 posts
This is definitely a one or the other deal. Which do you prefer - breathtaking scenery or incredible antiquity? There's no losing choice here. No matter which you choose you'll have a wonderful day. If you're going to the Amalfi Coast, though, I'd get a really early start if you're going during tourist season. Another suggestion - the first time I saw Pompeii I was sort of tired of guiding my friends around and being responsible so we took a bus tour from Rome. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the tour but our guide gave us the history of Pompeii on the trip down. We had a short stopover in Naples then went to Pompeii where a retired professor took us through the ruins. We had a great day and I didn't have to think about train schedules. Then the next time I went I was able to share some of what I'd learned with my traveling companions.