After a great time with friends in Praiano (between Sorrento and Amalfi) next spring, we have to get to Spello, by train. Our friends will drive us either to the train station in Naples or the one in Sorrento. Which station would have a train that would get us to Spello in the smoothest, easiest way with the fewest changes. We are in our 80s and so the fewest times we move our luggage around the better. On Italian trains, do the conductors call out each destination? I am worried about getting off in time if we have to change trains. Thanks for any help.
Posted by
5117 posts
From Sorrento, you would have to take a commuter train and change, so it is best if they can take you to Naples. However, I would also check the schedules from Salerno, as it is a smaller city with a much more manageable train station.
Check train schedules at the Italotren and Trenitalia websites. If you have a smartphone, it will be helpful for you to download the app for whatever train service you use. That is the best way to monitor your stops.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
On Italian trains, do the conductors call out each destination?
No, it would take Pavarotti-lungs to be heard by everybody. You are supposed to know the arrival time at your station and/or the name of the stop before yours.
Which station would have a train that would get us to Spello in the smoothest, easiest way with the fewest changes.
Roma Termini station. You can get there by direct high speed train from Napoli Centrale, Napoli Afragola or Salerno. I bet your friends would vote for Afragola and Salerno, to avoid driving in downtown Naples,
Since you want to minimize the number of changes, you must arrive at Roma Termini in time to take one of the few direct trains from Rome to Spello. It's Either the RV4730 that departs from Rome at 14:28 or the RV4732 that departs at 18:00.
There is a third direct train to Spello, RV4734 at 19:02, but it doesn't run every day and you'd arrive in Spello at 21:00.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17567 posts
Trenitalia has a journey with only one change along the way, departing Napoli Centrale at 12:55 on a fast Frecce train. You change to a regional train at Roma Termini and arrive in Spello at 16:19, 3.5 hours later.
You will not have any difficulty recognizing the Rome train station where you get off; it looks like that is the first stop after leaving Naples. You have 20 minutes to make your way to the platform for the regional train.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7269 posts
Might be quicker/easier to be driven to Salerno station. It is certainly an easier station than Naples to navigate.
From there train to Rome then to Spello as explained above.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17567 posts
There are journeys with only one change from Salerno to Spello, but it takes longer overall ( 5.5 hours) because there is a long layover at Rome Termini. Also, the train from Salerno makes several stops before arriving at Rome Termini, so they will need to pay attention to the route and stations. Stops are announced innadvance on some trains, or you can watch the clock for the scheduled arrival time.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1176 posts
Trenitalia has an app for your phone that allows you to buy tickets, but also to track the progress of trains in real time. You can track the progress of a train you're waiting for and for knowing when you're approaching your stop - assuming you need to get off somewhere mid-journey. I can also tell you the track number of the train you're changing to if you have a tight change which can save you time on the platform checking the big board.
I was a bit skeptical but downloaded it on the advice of someone who lives in Italy and it was a great help.
Have a great trip!
=Tod