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Public transportation in Campania

I will be spending some time in Campania here in a couple of weeks. I will arrive to Pompei, where I will spend most of the day, then move into Sorrento for 2 days. Then, I will double back to Naples for 2 days.

I have most of my major transportation issues taken care of, and now I am zeroing in on some of the minor ticky tack transportation....bus rides, etc.

So, I have been looking at Google Maps, Rome2Rio, and cross-referencing with the timetables I am finding for the buses. Which, aren't exactly syncing minute for minute, but it's at least close, and give me an idea of the times, and also the bus numbers, route names.

It is still a bit of a struggle because G/R2R are telling me bus stops that don't exist on the time tables. For example, Google Maps will say a route is 3 stops. On the timetables, it's the very next stop. However, at the end of the timetable, there are stops listed which aren't listed on the timetable. Do the timetables only list major stops? I am just trying to make sense of it. Granted, I know I won't know the exact times I will be there coming and going, but I know a general range, and it at least gives me an idea of what buses to look for.

I was going to purchase tickets ahead of time as much as I could. But, ultimately, I started leaning toward just paying for the single trips. But, even that might change. Here are my plans:

I will need just two bus trips in Pompei- one from train station into town, and one vice versa.

Then, in Sorrento, I will need 3 bus trips. One from the train station to my hotel. Then 2 from my hotel to the ferry dock/town. So, at this point, I am thinking that just paying per trip makes the most sense.

But, then...we come to Naples. Now, with Naples, I do expect to be doing a lot more sightseeing, so I expected to use much more public transit. My plan all along was to purchase some sort of pass that includes the metro, bus system, and funicular.....just so I have access to all of them, and can use whatever mode is most convenient at the time.

So, then I thought that maybe I should just buy a week pass and combine all of them.

But, I am getting so confused with all the different companies and what not. I downloaded the Unico app, and from what I can tell, they all run through Unico. But, like I said....it's so confusing. I'm unsure if it is better to just pay per ride in Pompei and Sorrento, and then just get a pass in Naples.

Any thoughts? My brain is all jumbled right now.

Posted by
4624 posts

I could be wrong, but I don't recall a day pass when we were there in April for the train and bus in Sorrento. But cost is only a couple of Euros for a ride anyway. Naples does have a day pass.

Sorrento is easily walkable and a bus may not be necessary depending on where you're staying.

The Circumvesuviana train station between Naples and Sorrento is right outside the gates of Pompeii Scavi and you don't need a bus unless for some reason you're getting off/on the other station in town.

Are you going to have luggage with you for all these trips? These are public buses and not much space for luggage.

One of the best Rick Steves guidebooks I've read is the Naples and the Amalfi Coast one. I'd highly recommend it for the transportation information.

Posted by
77 posts

Okay....I wasn't sure if the Unico regional pass included Sorrento or not. Again....confused.

I actually will be traveling on the Campania Express. My bus trip would be into town....not to the archeological site......but into town itself. It's about a 25 minute walk from the train station, which is doable, but I'd prefer to bus it if I can. (Will be storing luggage at the train station)

Yes, I will have luggage with me, but it's relatively small, so I feel like I can set it in front of me in the seat pretty easily.

Posted by
4105 posts

Circumvesuvian.
https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/naples-to-sorrento-train-schedule

Campania Express.
https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/campania-express-train-schedule

Tickets to the busses on the coast.
cost?
There are different types of tickets, prices of which vary according to the geographic area and duration of validity:

COSTIERASITA 24 hours: EUR 10 with unlimited rides on SITA SUD buses between: Agerola, Amalfi, Atrani, Cetara, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Maiori, Massa Lubrense, Meta di Sorrento, Minori, Positano, Piano di Sorrento, Praiano, Ravello, Salerno, Sant’Agnello, Scala, Sorrento, Tramonti, and Vietri Sul Mare. You must validate your ticket on your first ride. Tickets are per person and cannot be used by other riders. You must fill in your name and date of birth in the spaces indicated on the ticket.
*COSTIERASITA 24 hours: EUR 12 with unlimited rides on SITA SUD buses between the towns listed above and also valid for local buses running in the Comune di Positano via Mobility Amalfi Coast.
For routes to and from other towns and destinations in the region of Campania (Naples, Caserta, Benevento, and Avellino), travellers can use tickets issued by each single bus or transport company, or a combination ticket combining connections with more than one bus or transport company. Request detailed information and prices at the ticket office.
When you purchase your ticket, you can ask for information regarding which ticket is best suited to your travel plans.

Bus, metro, funicular in Napoli. Ticket good on all transport. Daily ticket is very inexpensive.

https://www.visitnaples.eu/en/tourist-information/how-to-use-public-transport-in-naples-while-saving-money.

Map of attractions and metro bus and funicular. Metro will save you time.

https://www.mapsta.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mappa-integrata-transporti-napoli.pdf

Posted by
28247 posts

Rome2Rio absolutely cannot be trusted on fares, travel times or frequencies. Ignore anything it tells you. Just look for the name of the company providing the transportation and go to its website for (one hopes) accurate info.