We are leaving the Chianti area by taking a car up to Florence and then planning to take a high speed train down to Naples and then a car to Amalfi where we have a hotel for several days. When I search the forum and also the internet, I find several options for high speed trains. Is there one that is recommended over another for the specific places I'm leaving from and going to? Also, I was thinking of booking business class so that we can relax and eat and drink on our trip, rather than try to hurry to get to the train to get to Naples and eat there. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2384 posts
When taking trains in Europe, I generally aim for a mid-day train ( to coordinate with hotel check-out/check-in times), and pick up picnic supplies at the station to eat on the train. I would do this even in first class!
Posted by
OP
63 posts
Do you recommend a specific train line? I find it odd that there are so many options!
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2384 posts
Check this site for an explanation:
https://www.seat61.com/Italy.htm
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
362 posts
Italian train companies are trenitalia.com and italotreno.it, use stations Firenze SMN & Napoli central. Ride is under 3 hrs. I’d book whichever is cheaper & fits your itinerary. As for class, your choice, 1st being roomier & less crowded. The drive from Naples to Sorrento is 1 hr, 1 1/2 for Positano.
https://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm#What%20are%20Italian%20trains%20like.
Posted by
Halton, Ontario, Canada
208 posts
Parking in Amalfi can be very expensive and very difficult to acquire. You could take the train right into Sorrento or Salerno, then the Ferry to Amalfi. Might be more relaxing with less hassles than a car along the Amalfi or in Amalfi town itself.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15186 posts
If you plan to go to Amalfi (with or without a rental car), you should take the train from FIRENZE SANTA MARIA NOVELLA to SALERNO, not Naples.
Two companies operate high speed trains:
www.trenitalia.com
www.italotreno.it
Personally I don’t see much need for business class, as the standard is already very comfy, especially when compared to air travel. But that is up to you.
Once in Salerno these are the options to Amalfi:
1.SITA Bus to Amalfi
2.Boat to Amalfi (the Salerno Harbor is just a few blocks from the station)
3.Rental car (several agencies are located within a block from the Salerno station.
If you decide to rent a car, first inquire about parking options with your hotel. There are parking lots in Amalfi, but consider that parking comes at a premium there (at least 3€ per hour up to about 25€ a day)
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1003 posts
We have taken an ITALO train Florence-Naples but I would just go with whatever is cheapest. What month will you be on the Amalfi C? You may want to rethink having a car on the A.C. esp if here in the summer months. Have been to the A.C. a number of times always staying in Sorrento--1x in July with a car that we left parked at our hotel the entire time and used boats/buses to get around, 2x, July & Oct, with no car and most recently last Oct. when we drove the A.C. road coming from Paestum following our trip to Puglia but got rid of our car upon arrival in Sorrento. Even in mid-Oct. parking was a problem in Amalfi town and Positano. You may want to check with your accommodations in Amalfi town re. parking. There is also the Luna Rossa parking garage located between Amalfi town and Trani. The blog Caio Amalfi has good info.
http://www.ciaoamalfi.com/blog/ Also if you are going to walk from Amalfi town to Atrani or vice versa, take the pedestrian tunnel. In A. town the entrance is in Piazza Municipio and gets you there in minutes.
Posted by
OP
63 posts
This is all so helpful, thank you! We aren't renting a car, so taking the train all the way to Salerno is probably a better idea for us. I will look into the boat option then to Amalfi, as we would much prefer to look at the water than be in a car! We're going in July so it's the high season and I know it will be crowded.
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1003 posts
Re. the crowds--when we were there mid-october of last year the crowds in Amalfi town were horrendous as there was a HUGE cruise ship docked. (It left port about 6 p.m.) Had to wait quite awhile to get on a bus to Ravello. Both A. town and Ravello were more crowded that day than when here on a mid-July trip as there was not a cruise ship docked the day we visited. Another trip here in early Oct and no cruise ship and it was wonderful! Have a great trip!
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15585 posts
The buses to the Amalfi Coast start next to the train station in Salerno. The ferry pier is a 5-10 minute (level) walk from the station. I have no specific knowledge but I'd imagine you won't find long lines for either, from Salerno. Check with your hotel to find out how far or near the bus stop and the ferry dock are. The ferry might be faster since it isn't subject to the traffic jams on the coastal road.
You don't need business class, standard class is very comfortable. You can bring food and drink on the train. Most (all?) trains have a "dining" car - coffee, cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches.