I'm flying into Rome and then want to go down to Pompei. I've debated staying in Naples or Sorrento, but Sorrento looks more of an experience.
How much time does one usually spend at Pompeii? What's the luggage store situation at the train station? Will it fit large suitcases or just the carry on size?
We're going to Orvieto after that. Is it best to continue from Pompeii and arrive later that night or go back to Sorrento and start fresh the next day?
Thanks for your help.
I would say that Napoli is more of an experience than Sorrento, plus it has the Archeological Museum with many artifacts from Pompeii.
At The Pompeii Scavi stop on the Curcumvesuviana, you could leave your bags at the site entrance. Or, since you will most likely have to go back to Napoli Centrale to take the train(s) to Orvieto, you could check your bags at the Deposito Bagagli at that train station. If you opt for staying in Sorrento, check your bags at Pompeii Scavi archeological zone entrance.
You can easily spend a half day or more in Pompeii depending on how interested you are. Agreed, Naples is "more of an experience" whereas Sorrento is more calm and touristy.
Yes, Sorrento is more calm and picturesque with it's dramatic sea cliffs plunging down to the beautiful blue Mediterranean. Very easy to reach Pompeii from Sorrento. But do you realize you can easily and get from Rome to Ostia Antica which is even better preserved than Pompeii? Just a thought.
It's about 150 miles by train from Rome to Naples--south. FYI: Orvieto is a 70 minute train ride north of Rome Termini--where you'll have to change to a local train.
I'd be good for 1 day at Pompeii. And it's preferable to stay down at Sorrento over Naples--a somewhat rough port town.
You mention large suitcases. I remember my poor father hauling my mother's 45 lb. suitcases around the world until about age 80. We long ago learned to travel indefinitely with a 22" rolling bag and a small back pack apiece.
Naples--a somewhat rough port town.
There are plenty of areas of Naples that don't feel like this, and hopefully you won't get totally discouraged (as many folks do). There are lovely areas in the Vomero, Chiaia and Mergellina districts. I'm guessing that most Americans who tour Naples do so off a cruise ship so they see a sliver of the city and have a negative impression of it. It's like comparing apples and oranges with Sorrento, since Sorrento is much, much smaller and less populated/dense. Both are interesting in their own right, so I hope you get to see both somehow.
Agnes beat me to it. I love Napoli, and the areas she mentioned are lovely. Sea views along the water are beautiful, too. I stay in a small B&B not too far from Napoli Centrale station. I have never had a problem in Napoli.
Randall, your actual topic is "Pompeii Daytrip from Rome". I mention that because you should use the search box at the top center to read many, many past ideas and comments about this frequently asked question. You are going to spend the whole day on this trip, but many people want to do exactly that. It is a major, but entirely practical excursion. It is not a stop along the way.
The bag check at Pompeii is not in the tiny commuter rail station but at the ticket booth complex. I didn't need it, but many readers have reported that it was safe and convenient, over a counter with humans.
Most visitors spend two to four hours at Pompeii, some spend all day. Heat and sun can be a big problem. There is a snack bar inside the excavation, which is important because you can't pass-out and return on the same ticket.
The train line to Pompeii (continuing on to Sorrento) is on the lower level of the same, newish, modern rail station you'll arrive in at Naples. It can be very noisy and crowded. Your luggage won't fit in the tiny racks over the seats that you can't get to because the car is full!
Tim, do you mean you can not leave the excavation sight and return back to it on the same ticket?
Tim, do you mean you can not leave the excavation sight and return back to it on the same ticket?
Yes, I remember that rule even more specifically at Herculaneum, where there is NO food inside the excavation, but many more food choices just outside than at Pompeii. We had their three-day ticket that includes five related ancient excavations. The ticket only says "... may not be reused", but I remember vividly a sign before we exited, making the rule clear. We were there in May, 2014.
I wish I could cite something on their website, http://www.pompeiisites.org/Sezione.jsp?titolo=TICKETS+AND+INFO&idSezione=6786 , but it's not mentioned that I can find.
In typical Italian fashion, the bar code scanner for the tickets wasn't working at Pompeii, so the workers were making some kind of code mark on the face of the ticket as we entered, to cancel it for Pompeii.
