We are headed to Italy for a Tuscany bike tour in September. We fly into Rome and have 2 full days there before heading to Tuscany. We want to go to Pompeii and along the Amalfi Coast on a long day trip. Private tours from Rome are quoting 450-500 euros/pp including pick up at hotel, 2-3 hours at Pompeii, plus stops in Positano and along the coastline. Makes it easy but I'm wondering if anyone has done this, and what recommendations you may have for operators or approaches.
Posted by
Centreville, VA, USA
7 posts
Yes I have used Viator and they do have an Amalfi and Pompeii trip. I am booked for 4 trips with them this summer.
Posted by
Dallas, TX, USA
1170 posts
Have you looked into getting a guide based out of the Naples area? You will find that it is more like 450 Euro for a small group and not per person. I would arrange for a tour guide to meet you at the Naples Termini and start from there. It is a much more efficient use of time and you will be able to fit everything in as long as you arrive early enough in Naples.
Posted by
Centreville, VA, USA
7 posts
Meg: If you are a traveller and pretty smart - then try doing this trip on your own. If you can eassily get around without needing help, then you should be fine. You can take the train from Rome to Naples and be there fairly quickly. You can transfer to the Circumvesuivius train and that stops directly at Pompeii. Its a 4 minute walk to the gates. If you feel like you need a guide - the pay a few Euros to join a tour. You can also do a day tour from www.viator.com. They are $160 for the full day from Rome. Hope that helps.
Melanie
Posted by
OP
Olympia, WA, USA
3 posts
@Melanie. I am a traveler and smart, but I've never been to this part of Italy and concerned a bit about figuring out the logistics after arriving at 5 p.m. the day before! Have you used ViaTours before?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23652 posts
Just doing Pompeii as a day trip from Rome can be a long day. Plan on at least three hours from your hotel to Pompeii via train. And Pompeii can easily take a half day just to see most of it. You can do it in less but it is massive. From there you need to get to Sorrento to catch a bus along the coast. Depending on time you could catch a bus to Rome from Sorrento or reverse the train ride. A tour has the advantage of efficient transportation
Posted by
Farmingville, New York, USA
381 posts
Is the tour a one or two day trip? I wouldn't dream of doing all that in one day. I agree that it is alot for a short trip. It would take you a day just to get down there and see pompeii. A second day to see the towns along the coast. But it would be alot to drive up north again the same day.