I'd like advice on travel from Rome to Pompeii and then on to Amalfi (town) in the same day. We are a couple in our 50's, quite adventurous and travelling light. Our trip is in early May. I assume that we'd leave Rome on the 10 am train for Naples and to switch to the Circumvesuviana in Naples for Pompeii Scavi. I understand that we can stow our luggage at the site. However, I'm baffled by how to get from Pompeii to Amalfi. The last ferry from Solerno to Amalfi leaves at 3:30 pm -- too early for us. We will need to brave the SITA bus -- how to we link to that from Pompeii? Thanks for your help!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I would expect you to continue to Sorrento by Circumvesuviana train (30 minutes) before switching to the SITA bus (1 h 40 m). Was it from Sorrento that you checked the ferry schedule?
Another possibility would be to take a taxi from Pompeii Scavi to the main-line Pompei train station and catch a train to Salerno (35-45 m), then again connect to SITA bus from that end of the line (1h 15m), or ferry option again possible. Since this exercise of typing out this option did not reveal any particular benefit, it's here for info only.
You might also decide to pay 100 euros or so for a taxi.
I'm not an early riser, myself, but I might try for an earlier train, especially if your hotel is convenient to the train station.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Laura and I were typing at the same time.
Get an earlier start and expect a somewhat long day. Do you mean "Sorrento" ("Solerno")? Is Amalfi your destination?
Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale: 1.25 hours. Circumvesuviana to Pompei: 35 minutes + waiting time. Time at Pompei? Up to you, generally 3+ hours. Pompei to Sorrento: 30 minutes plus waiting time. Sorrento to Amalfi by SITA bus: 1.5 hours. Leaving Roma at 10am, you would get to Amalfi by 6-7pm if all the stars align.
Posted by
5268 posts
Seems like bus the from Salerno is a much shorter ride than the bus from Sorrento. I would opt for that, but it means getting from the Circumvesuviana station in Pompei to the Trenitalia station in Pompei.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16700 posts
I could be wrong but I'm guessing you planned to get to Pompeii via Circumvesuviana from Naples, and then a Trenitalia train from Pompeii to Salerno? These trains arrive/leave near different entrances to the scavi: the Circumvesuviana stops right in front of the main Porta Marina entrance (Pompei S. Villa dei Misteri station), and Trenitalia trains stop at Pompei station nearer the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance.
The Circumvesuviana doesn't go to Salerno so you could:
Take a Trenitalia train to Pompei station, enter/exit the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance (I believe it's less than 1/2 mile walk or so from the station) and take another Trenitalia train from there to Salerno. From there, take a bus (or ferry, if schedules work) to Amalfi. Or...
Take the Circ. from Naples to the Porta Marina entrance, collect your luggage when ready to depart, and then take a cab to the Pompei station to catch a train to Salerno. I believe it's about a mile between stations, and you could probably walk it if not completely pooped but I'm guessing you will be. Or....
Take the Circ. onward from the Porta Marina entrance to Sorrento and then a bus (or ferry IF they're running that early in the season and running late enough in the day) to Amalfi.
It's possible there will be a later ferry from Salerno in the spring - I see mentions of one around 5:00 PM on some other threads - but as schedules won't be up for awhile, I can't swear to it. It's also possible that there is a later ferry but it only runs in the summer months.
I would definitely leave Rome earlier in the morning than 10:00.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks, Kathy. Yes, I was thinking that I should try to get a connection on the Salerno end -- the bus ride is quite a bit shorter from that end of the line. I think it is a good idea to start out from Rome earlier in the day. I see there are trains at 8:48 and 9:20. If we catch one of those, AND there is a later ferry from Salerno, then I think we may be able to avoid the bus ride after a long day. Is Travelmar the only ferry company that goes from Salerno to Amalfi town? Do you have suggestions of other places to look for ferry updates?
I agree that it makes sense to go by taxi to the Trenitalia station in Pompei town. We will be quite exhausted after touring the ruins, no doubt!
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16700 posts
For ferries around the region, these are the two sites I usually go to first, although they won't show schedules until they're posted for spring.
https://www.capribooking.com/en/ferry-schedule?path_id=21
http://www.coopsantandrea.com/en/servizidilinea/servizi.asp
And I would assume they'll update this one when spring schedules are available: