My family is planning to take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Sorrento next Sunday (June 1)around 7 pm(19:00). We have 2 daughters ages 11 and 13. Rick warns of pickpockets etc. Does anyone have any experience riding this train on a Sunday? Thanks.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
search the forum (box at top right) and you can find this comes up periodically. I've been on the train several times and felt it was safe. Of course I had my passport, etc. in a moneybelt so I felt safe from pickpockets. The only other thing I'd advise is not getting a seat right near the door; sometimes thiefs will grab a bag just as the door closes. But overall I think people worry to much about this; it isn't as if you'll be running a gauntlet of pickpockets grabbing at you.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
For the most part, the Circumvesuviana train is very safe. Pickpockets are in many tourist locations and not just on this particular train. Just keep your passports, credit cards and money in your moneybelt. When I travel in Italy, I even have a nice wallet in my back pocket that has nothing in it as a possible decoy. Nothing has ever happened.
Just be very aware of your surroundings. Don't let yourself get lost in space with the sites and family. That's when you become vulnerable. Looking around at the sites is why you are there but at the same time, and unfortunately, you must be keenly aware of your personal surroundings and who is near your personal space.
Posted by
sauk rapids, mn
267 posts
we used the circumvesuvania in early april and never felt threatend. we were on the outlook and careful how we went about our bussines. good luck:):)
Posted by
boulder, colorado
192 posts
I have taken that train several times with no problems. Have lived in Italy and traveled there many times in the past 40 years with no incidents at all. Just take the normal precautions you would take anywhere - do not leave your possesions unattended. I too carry a tempting dummy wallet in my back pocket, but it has never been taken. In fact, it dropped out of my pocket once while I was reaching for a backpack and someone picked it up and returned it to me!
Posted by
Macungie, PA, USA
59 posts
We have just taken the Circumvesuviana line on May 21 (Wednesday) and May 24 (Saturday) without any problem. Since the training is also for locals, I will expect not much difference on Sunday, except Sunday is on holiday train schedule.
Once you arrive with the inter-city train at the Naples train station, just follow signs directing you to the Circumvesuviana line ticket office and then walk downstairs to the right depot.
There are a few 'DD' trains - direct/express from Naples to Sorrento with less stops, but most have many stops in between.
I was sensitive to the warnings about pickpockets warnings from the book and this board, and exercised cautions. In the end, the rides were safe and comfortable. Notice this is a local train with no reserved seating with half of the people standing.
Posted by
Texas
13 posts
We took the Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Sorrento a couple of weeks ago and we also took it from Sorrento to Pompeii. It felt safe to me and there were a lot of locals, students and tourists on board. It was a little crowded and my husband stood with our luggage when we first got on, but after a few stops a nearby seat was found. I was worried about pickpockets too, but after 12 days in Rome, Sorrento and along the Amalfi coast, I never felt threatened. I always tried to be cautious and aware of my surrounding though.