We want to return from Sorrento in early June to Florence in one day. I see on the guides that we take the circumvesuviana from Sorrento to Naples, but the info I am getting on the train in Naples is that we catch the train to Florence at the Centrale Station: my map indicates that the Circumvesuviana arrives in a different Station, so I would like to know how we will get from the Circumvesuviana drop-off to the departure location for the train to Florence. (Most likely we will have an Italy train pass)
Any help on this topic would be appreciated; we will each have a bag with wheels. Thanks,
Laura
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
The train lines use two different floors of the same station, called Napoli Centrale on the upper level and Napoli Garibaldi on the lower (Circumvesuviana) level. In Rick's Italy 2015, see also pages 1001-2 and 1042, in the Naples chapter. Circumvesuviana trains are not covered by rail passes, so buy those tickets separately in the station.
Posted by
693 posts
Before buying a rail pass seriously consider whether you would be better off buying individual tickets for your travel legs. www.trenitalia.com has tickets on sale with big discounts exactly 120 days before departure (you do need to get in early). They are non refundable but if you have your plans mapped out represent excellent value.
To get an idea what all of your legs would cost in June (too early to buy tickets now) put in a date around mid May on the trenitalia website. You need to use italian place names eg. FIRENZE not Florence, Roma etc...
If you find the website confusing try www.italiarail.com
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
A point of confusion is that coming from Sorrento, the stop you want (Garibaldi) is the second to last stop on the Circumvesuviana, not the last one.
I agree that if you haven't bought an Italy rail pass yet, don't; it's very hard to make one pay off. Even Rick, who tends to be much more "pro pass" than most of us on the Forum, doesn't recommend one for Italy: "Are rail passes a good value for Italy?
Not for most people — think carefully before buying a rail pass, especially if your trip doesn't extend beyond Italy."
Full page here: http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/italy-rail-passes
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
You would get off at the Garibaldi stop, walk upstairs and follow the signs to Centrale.
Do NOT by a railpass for Italy. You would never come out even.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
Laura,
One other point to mention regarding a Rail Pass is that you won't be able to use it on the Circumvesuviana. In addition, you'll likely be using a Freccia high speed train from Naples to Florence, and the Rail Pass does not cover compulsory seat reservations on those trains, which you would have to buy separately "out-of-pocket". Even with a Rail Pass, if you're caught without a valid reservation for the train you're riding on, you'll face hefty fines of about €50-60 PP which will be collected on the spot!
A Rail Pass is generally not a good idea for travel in italy.
Posted by
752 posts
I love the Napoli train station. It's huge, multi-leveled, and it has plenty of sitting areas in the airy lobby where you can actually sit down!
Buying a ticket there is so fast and easy, spacious area, No lines, and easy-going smart agents who can figure out what you want immediately. I love buying tickets at Napoli.
Family tells me that the City intends to turn the Piazza in front of the station into another Cinquecento. a central outdoor bus terminal with schedules and routes, making the city more easily accessible. Construction had begun when I was there a year ago.
And there is wonderful coffee at a very large deli/cafeteria (next to but before McDonald's) on one side of the lobby. It's Italian caffe', but I always asked for "American" coffee so they would fill up a big cup!