Salerno to Pompeii to Amalfi Coast

The quickest way to get from Salerno to Pompei is to take the Trenitalia train. Many travelers know about the Pompei Scavi train stop on the Circumvesuviana train out of Naples or Sorrento that is right at the front entrance to the ruins, but there is also a Trenitalia train station in the center of town. It's a little over a mile from the Trenitalia train station to the back entrance to the ruins. You have two choices for the train. 1) Take the Trenitalia train from Salerno to Pompei. Trip takes 45 minutes. Then, you most likely will have to take a 3-4 taxis to the ruins. I'm not sure if there is a regular bus. Here's a snapshot of the current train schedule. http://gyazo.com/7d8c42facb661e7faf5bcdb44a660a78

2) Take a different train from Salerno to Napoli Centrale, go downstairs to the Circumvesuviana train station and take that train to the Pompei Scavi stop and go through the front entrance. No taxis needed. Add about 45 minutes for your extra travel time. Here's a snapshot of that schedule. http://gyazo.com/ff0065763182958b52eeae4460f8f7eb

After your time in the Pompei ruins, go out the front entrance and hop onto the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento. Trip time is about 40 minutes. Then, the primary bus system down the Amalfi Coast is the SITAsud line. You'll have to take two SITAsud buses to get back to Salerno as the buses don't go all the way. You will change buses in Amalfi. The first bus will go from Sorrento to Amalfi and the second bus will go from Amalfi to Salerno. Hopefully, there are seats for 12 people or it could be taxi time. Be sure to sit on the ocean side of the bus for the best views. Alternatively, you could get off at Positano and take the ferry to Salerno. However, that could be risky is the seas are rough and the ferry is not running or not running on time. Here are links to the two bus schedules.

http://www.sitasudtrasporti.it/public/tpl/campania/5070.pdf
http://www.sitasudtrasporti.it/public/tpl/campania/5010.pdf

Larry-Thanks so much for your detailed response! Sounds like a pretty fun day with a lot of travel time. In your opinion, would you suggest doing Pompeii and Amalfi Coast on a cruise port day from Salerno? Or would you suggest staying closer to the port and doing any "must-see" attractions in and around Salerno? My parents have been to Italy numerous times and have seen both Pompeii and Amalfi Coast but the rest of us haven't. We are open to suggestions! Thanks again.

To make sure you have enough time for both, I really would pick one or the other, you could take the train to Pompeii & Herculaneum or you could take a ferry to Amalfi/Positano....I wouldn't want you to be rushed and possibly miss your sailing....

those directions above will definitely work, but if it were me, I would rather have some leftover time to wander around in Salerno than possibly not enjoy where I went because I was rushing....Salerno has a great historic center and at the very least, killing some time by walking along the seawalk and eating gelato isn't a bad way to end the day anyways....

if you can swing it, maybe a private driver for the group to do both?

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the outstanding Greek ruins and museum at Paestum, well less than an hour by train from Salerno. I understand there are also buses that make the same run. Paestum and Amalfi are in different directions, but if the travel works out, or certainly if you get a private car, I think you could do both in a single day, within your time frame.

Paestum is great! But now it just adds to the decisions to be made for the short amount of time haha......try to swing a driver/tour for all your destinations!

I've only been on some under-400 person cruises. But you should chart out the day before you plan to do this without hiring a driver and a van/bus that will carry all of you. I'm a great believer in public transportation, but are you prepared to use two buses and two trains to get back to your ship? You need a precise schedule, and a plan for missing a connection or two. Even in Northern Europe, public transportation can be late.

I mean, make a schedule like this: 8AM realistic train boarding in Salerno .... Aren't 12 people at least 1/4 of a tender boat? And do you really want to be on the last tender, which is certain to be full? Where is the next ship stop, in case you miss it. (I do understand why you don't want to buy 12 shore excursions, but an official shore excursion will never result in missing a departure! I would not do this outing by public transportation: The trains insulate you from traffic on the least narrow roads. Admittedly June 8 is not really high season, but the buses will be subject to traffic on the coast.

Thanks to both Larry and Katherine for the fabulous suggestions! We will look into hiring a driver so we can maximize our day in and around Salerno. After long "commutes" from La Spezia to Florence and Civitavecchia to Rome it may be nice to enjoy Salerno itself instead of another long bus/train or car ride! However, we are hiring a company that offers tours at all 3 ports of call so if we decide to venture to Pompeii or Amalfi we may use them instead of "do it yourself" train/taxi option. Thanks again for advice!

Yes, sometimes those short excursion companies are very handy....

I didn't want to deter you from going anywhere...

but my ideal visit would be arriving at 8am, taking a taxi or bus to the tourist port, grabbing a cornetto and caffe, taking a 9ish ferry to Amalfi, wandering around there all day (beaching or even some hiking behind the town?) lunch, a 3ish ferry back, wander along the seawalk and grab a gelato before heading back to the ship....

OR

Arriving at 8am, taxi/bus to train station, grabbing quick cornetto/caffe and maybe even a picnic (sandwiches/drinks) from a shop nearby, hopping on a train to Paestum around 9ish, exploring the Greek Ruins (and picnic!), back to Salerno around 3ish, and a bit of wandering before the ship.....

Those are the easiest "do it yourself" outings, the Pompeii one relies on more modes of transport, which leaves more to go wrong.....but I bet the tour company would be able to take good care of you there....

OH! But I saw you were leaning in the direction of a private tour.....that sounds REALLY GOOD haha

looks like your questions were answered