Train routing for Rome, Pompeii, Amalfi

There are fast trains from both Naples and Salerno
From Naples it’s about an hour
From Salerno it’s 1.5-2 hours

No matter what it’s a super long day but I would prioritize Pompeii and save Amalfi for another time

Or do 2 days

Can you fly out of Naples?
If not consider heading to Naples or Salerno on arrival and spend 2 nights
Then return to Rome for the rest of your

High speed trains from Salerno to Rome take 2h10mm or 1h27mm, depending on the route. The faster trains bypass Napoli Centrale and stop only at Napoli Afragola on the way north to Rome.

High speed trains from Napoli Centrale to Roma Termini do the run in 1h15mm. It's 45 minutes by local train from Pompeii's main gates to Napoli Centrale. Add 15 minutes to walk upstairs, to the area used by high speed trains.

What's taking you from Pompei to Salerno in less than 45 minutes right at the time to take a train to Rome that calls only at Napoli Afragola?

I purchased my flight as a package through Expedia so making changes is difficult. I don't know the train system, but am attempting to understand the routes. it sounds like a lot of the extra time is the time on the local trains in Naples/Pompeii. If that is the case, then a return route through Salerno would not make sense...

If funds allow perhaps consider taking the high speed train to/from Naples (1 hr, 15 mins) and hiring a private driver or driver/guide for the day. Sometimes a splurge is worth it when trying to accomplish a lot in a little time. In 2016 we took the high speed train to Naples and picked up a small group tour to Pompeii, but not the Amalfi coast, and were back in Rome before dinner.

What time of year is this trip?

I wouldn't try to combine Pompeii and Amalfi. Italy is better savored rather than rushed through. Folks say there are great views of the Amalfi Coast from the ferries serving the coastal towns. Will you have time to see the coast from the water, or will you just be taking a bus to Amalfi, walking around for an hour or so and retracing your steps?

For either or both of those places, you'll be outdoors. I haven't been to Pompeii, but I've read here that it has no shade. I'd want nice weather for this day trip (Naples averages nine days of rain in April), but not a super hot day, which you might well encounter if your trip is in the summer. So I would prefer not to have to buy a day/time-specific train ticket way ahead of time, before a reliable weather forecast was available. Tickets on the fast trains vary in price, being relatively inexpensive if purchased early and considerably more costly if you buy close to the day of travel. You can see this in action on trenitalia.com by pricing out a trip from Rome to Salerno (or Naples if you prefer) and checking the fare for today or tomorrow vs. the fare for much later. Choosing to wait to buy tickets for the Freccia legs until shortly before day-trip day could cost you rather a lot of money. I see Rome-Naples fares up to 52 euros one way for late today; all tomorrow's Freccias are 48 euros. Salerno fares can cost a few euros more.

Because of the weather uncertainty and Freccia fare structure, I'd be more inclined to maximize use of non-express trains (whose fares never change) for a day trip like this, when you'll only have hours at your destinations. However, that may well take longer and could be really impractical if you can't resist the temptation of going to both Pompeii and Amalfi on the same day.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/pompeii-day-trip-from-rome-2c38f926-9036-480d-95fd-403dd7694e4a

There are some complexities to the rail trip, but you don't seem to have mentioned the long, and only once every half-hour, bus trip from Salerno to Amalfi. Do you understand that the "local train" (let's call it the Circumvesuviana, since that helps to indicate that it is a commuter service, operated separately from Italian long-distance trains) stops right in front of the Porta Marina entrance to ancient Pompeii? If you were going to back to Rome from Pompeii, you would also have the option of exiting at the Amphitheater entrance and (probably) paying for a taxi to the long-distance rail station (NOT the Circumvesuviana) in modern Pompeii city. The Frecciarossa (fast) services don't stop there, that's why they are fast (!)

We don't want to spend the entire time traveling

I'm not sure what you mean by this quote, but you need to add up all the travel time for the one-day trip and look critically at it. I agree that just Pompeii (which is in fact good for eight hours for enthusiasts) is a better idea than both spots in one day. Have you given the month of the year yet? This area is very hot from May to September, crowded, and Pompeii is very exposed to the sun. There's nothing wrong with Amalfi, but what is your son's particular interest? Honestly, Rome has a lot more to see than Amalfi. (Opinion.)

Do you know that the Frecciarossa tickets tend to be non-changeable, non-refundable and good only on one specific departure?

The trip is in late March. We arrive on a Sunday morning and depart the following Saturday.
That gives me 5 days. By "we don't want to spend the whole time traveling" I mean that I am trying to be aware of how much time we would lose if we try to take the train to Florence one day and then Venice the next and so on. Our plan so far has been to primarily stay in Rome. I thought one excursion to someplace further out would be a good use of a day, but I'm not sure about going back and forth. We booked as a package (and got pretty inexpensive flights) so we won't be able to fly out of a different city. My son really wants to see Pompeii which is why we headed that direction. The Amalfi coast was an add on since it seemed relatively close with the trains. I think he has seen pretty photos of those towns on his social media and likes the idea of seeing them in person. I don't know that he really wants to do much there besides get a few pictures, visit the beach and have lunch on the side of the mountain.

I am trying to keep our plans as flexible as possible, but have scheduled a tour of the colosseum and the Vatican since I've heard they can be difficult to get into if you wait. We are staying in the old historic part of the city within walking distance of the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish steps. That leaves us a lot of time to simply wander and and enjoy. This is a Dad/Son spring break trip without Mom and little brother so I want to make sure we make all the memories we can.

I do need to look at the train routes again. I did notice that the commuters and high speed were different companies. I'm working to get my mind wrapped around the locations of the stops and travel distances between. I contacted a couple local tour guides about Pompeii. A couple have offered to pick us up at the train station, drop us off at Pompeii, pick us up afterward and drive us around the Amalfi coast to see the sites and then return us to the train station. That sounds like a good option, but its pricey. It would avoid the commuter trains and allow us to use only high speed rail.

An alternative to Pompeii is Ostia Antica just outside of Rome
Many find it just as fascinating

Another easy day trip is the beautiful Umbrian hill town of Orvieto, lots to see and do there- about an hour from Rome

Tim,
Do you know the approximate cost of a taxi from Pompeii to the high speed rail line? That sounds like a good option.

It’s about a 30 min drive, but traffic can be a problem there

The Circumvesuviana is so cheap and easy, runs every 15-20 min and you do not need to book in advance

Here’s the taxi rates

https://www.napoliunplugged.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Tariffe_taxi_2017.pdf

Also, if this is just crazy and we need to do two days, please let me know that as well. Thanks!

I vote for the 2 day alternative.

I am not qualified to assess 'crazy', but if we were on an airplane, I would prefer you not have a knife and fork :-)

It seems to me that what you need is a taxi to pick you up after you see Pompeii, show you Positano or Amalfi, and deliver you to the Naples or Salerno rail station. But that would be well over 200 Euros anyway. I think you asked me for the taxi fare from the Amfiteatro entrance of Pompeii Scavi to the best of the three Trenitalia stations in modern Pompeii. I don't know the answer but it's an ordinary, short, local, in-city cab trip. I'd guess 15 or 20 Euros. It's your long-distance and waiting-time car trips that are running up the bill.

I think you are applying, let's say, German rail travel practicalities, to a poorly connected, cash-starved part of southern Italy. Have you looked at Google Maps yet? Write down some of the mileages and think about it. Did you look at the link I provided?

Your time calculations may not yet include waiting for public transit intervals. You need to spend car service money to save time on an ambitious plan like this. I wonder if Positano might be a better target than Amalfi? But maybe you are using the word to mean ... Coast and not "Amalfi [town]."

Is it reasonable to assume that your son will never be in Italy again?

Tim,
I do not live in the city so any rail travel is not something I do a lot. I really am not sure what level of efficiency to expect you comments help a lot. I may be thinking the transitions will be simpler/faster than they are. I have looked at google maps quite a bit, but lack of familiarity with road conditions and traffic volume is making hard to wrap my mind around it.

I generally avoid taxis because of the cost, but that may be a better option.
I agree that Positano may be a better choice. My son is 14 and probably is using "Amalfi" in the more general sense.
I don't know that he will never return to Italy again, but flights to Italy from the Midwest in the US are not cheap. We are trying to make the most of our time there as we will probably not be back soon.

I think he has seen pretty photos of those towns on his social media
and likes the idea of seeing them in person. I don't know that he
really wants to do much there besides get a few pictures, visit the
beach and have lunch on the side of the mountain.

Hey there, Aaron -

LOL, I hear you about train systems looking complicated when you are not used to using public transit!

I'll throw this out just for simplicity? What about if you skipped Amalfi and went to Sorrento instead? Commuter train is really easy and really cheap from Naples> Pompeii > Sorrento, and likewise back to Naples. The town is plenty pretty enough for pictures, and March isn't beach season anyway. Let's just say that while it's close but not ON the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento might fill the photos +lunch thing. Google up some pictures?

Yes, the Circumvesuviana commuter is a battered, homely thing with no air conditioning (not an issue in March) but tickets are easily purchased at Garibaldi station in Naples (connected the Napoli Centrale, where trains arrive from Rome), at Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri, (the station nearest the main entrance) and the station in Sorrento (they only have one). I don't think they even sell them online in advance. So, while you'd be backtracking to Naples from there, it would be an economical choice and, again, very easy. You would need to remember to validate tickets before boarding.

https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/naples-to-sorrento-train-schedule

If not wanting to fork over the $ for the fast trains between Rome and Naples, you could take less expensive, albeit slower, trains between Roma Termini and Napoli Centrale.. Say, a little over 2 hours versus a little over 1.

Anyway, I'd head to Naples early in the morning, catch the Circumvesuviana to Pompeii, head to Sorrento after you've toured the scavi, then back to Naples on the commuter, and then to Rome.

Pompeii: this is a really nice, printed guide in English that's on the official website. Take a look?

http://pompeiisites.org/wp-content/uploads/A-Guide-to-the-Pompeii-Excavations-2.pdf

Editing to add: I think I already gave you the link to the Pompeii printed guide on your other post but oh well, now you have it twice. :O). There is also a youtube video on the excellent "Man in Seat 61" website that walks you through how to get from Naples to Pompeii (or Sorrento) on the Circumvesuviana, switching trains in Naples. Just ignore the price posted in the video; that part may or may not be out of date.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU9U07u-UZM

Aaron, what I meant about transit latency was simply statistics: If a certain SITA bus (like the one from Sorrento's Circumvesuviana station to Positano) runs twice an hour, then the "average waiting time" for the bus is 15 minutes. Even a rigidly scheduled train product (which the Circumvesuviana isn't exactly) may not arrive precisely on schedule. So it's naive to believe that a train arrival at 10:20 will let you take a bus leaving at 10:30! At least, in March, you can expect to get on the "next" bus. But in May-September, you have to expect more people waiting for the bus than will fit on the next one. You also have to go to the newsstand near the Circumvesuviana station to buy four bus tickets! (round-trip for two), which takes time.

Is this your first trip to Europe? Have you read our host's general tips about European train travel?
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains

You have to add in the ... weak infrastructure ... in southern Italy that I alluded to earlier. Honestly, we once got on an S-Bahn serving Frankfurt (Germany-home of reliable rail travel!), at the originating suburban station. But because there was a passed-out drunk on the floor, the train did not leave for over a half-hour after the scheduled time. We called a taxi to get to our non-changeable, prepaid train departure from the downtown HBF to Berlin.

I don't mean to create fear about your plan. VAST numbers of budget travelers take the train to Naples and change to the Circumvesuviana every day. But if they're spending the night, exact travel times become less important. Although you are (perfectly reasonably) planning an independent trip (I mean, not a Viator daytrip by coach to the AC!), you have requirements (sleeping in Rome) that call for extra expenditures. Have you checked a climate website yet?

https://weatherspark.com/y/76556/Average-Weather-in-Pompei-Italy-Year-Round

I wouldn't worry about a 30% chance of rain, but you need foul weather gear because you have no date flexibility if you book a car service. It does look like you need to be prepared with "layers" of clothing. I personally don't consider Sorrento to be an adequate substitute for Positano (opinion.) At least you don't have to worry about road traffic in March like you would from May into the summer. But look at this trip:

https://goo.gl/maps/y2MLbUwoGAt5kgmbA

Even if you hire the car, and start from the Circumvesuviana in Sorrento (to save money), you have 1:20 just in travel time, to see only one of the AC towns. If you take the 2 or 3 Euro bus, you have to add bus stop and vehicle size time, as well as 15 minutes of latency. Google Maps is not a precise tool, but if you click the Bus icon, the travel time becomes 51 minutes instead of 37. That's 51+15= 2:20 rounded off. The point I'm trying to make is that hiring the car is not a sinful indulgence, it's almost necessary, to achieve what you want. And you need a researched plan (or a paid tour) to make the most of Pompeii in, say, only two hours. You also need to plan a quick tourist lunch, instead of "slow food" at a regular restaurant.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/getting-around-amalfi-coast

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/naples-to-sorrento-train-or-private-driver

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/how-do-i-get-from-pompeii-to-positano-is-there-a-direct-route

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/amalfi-coast-day-trip

(note that some pricing in these old posts will be out of date.)

A Good Website to use to Rome to Rio, you plug in departure and arrival and you get results for different solutions with times, so bus, trains, fly.
Just plugging it in if you do Rome to Pompeii or Rome to Amalfi it is 3 hours each way, so your looking at minimum 6 hours for just travel. To get to the Amalfi Coast (which towns?) from Pompeii it would be a bus which looks like an additional 2 hours. With that being said I 100% recommend you hire a private driver to pick you up in Naples, drive you to Pompeii then drive you to a couple of the towns on the Amalfi coast. It can run you around $300-$500 USD. We Stationed in Sorrento for Pompeii (we took the train) and for private driver to take us to three towns on the Amalfi coast it ran us $300.

Also The Man in Seat 61, is an excellent website, he actually has pictures...which I have printed out before just to have. I have NEVER taken trains or subways prior to Europe travel, I just drive everywhere, so like you it was all foreign to me, but I found it all to be very easy and efficient. You just need to be on your toes, aware of your surroundings, not flashy with your cell phones and cameras.

Just plugging it in if you do Rome to Pompeii or Rome to Amalfi it is 3 hours each way

It's 2 hours and something from Rome Termini to the Pompeii's Circumvesuviana station in front of the site entrance. This is exactly why Rome2Rio should be seen as a "first step" when planning a journey in a foreign country.

High speed train from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale : 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Circumvesuviana to Pompei 50 minutes. 39 runs a day per direction, notwithstanding the weakness of the southern railways. In season add the Campania Express runs, the tourists' train that goes from Naples to Pompeii in 42 minutes because it stops only at Herculaneum on the way to Pompeii (and then Sorrento).

With that being said I 100% recommend you hire a private driver to
pick you up in Naples, drive you to Pompeii then drive you to a couple
of the towns on the Amalfi coast. It can run you around $300-$500 USD

I'm getting the idea that our OP is needing to do this trip on a conservative budget, and this amount would be beyond what they'd be able to comfortably swing. That's OK; while maybe more time-consuming, there are less expensive ways to skin this cat! As well, the LAST way I'd personally want to sightsee the Amalfi Coast is in a vehicle: I'd be horribly carsick the entire twisty-road way, not that motion sickness is everyone's problem. 🤢 They would also have to book it in advance, which could be an issue if the day they reserved turned out to be pouring rain and they couldn't cancel without penalty. I think having the flexibility to make the trip based on favorable weather is desirable?

And yes, I'd be cautious with using Rome2Rio for more than maybe a starting point. The best tools for your rail trips are the websites of the rail companies themselves (Trenitalia, Italo, and in some cases regional lines).

Just for the record, neither my wife nor I got carsick in our air conditioned Mercedes sedan. (Positano-Amalfi-Ravello-Sorrento.) It's hard for the driver to go fast, from May to September anyway. But carsickness is different for everyone. I get seasick, but only very rarely carsick. The last time was a long airport transfer on St. Lucia, not on a road overhanging a cliff, either. Just wavy and curvy, at high speed.

Dario- Good Catch! And I agree Rome To Rio is a great starting point to see your options, but of course you would book on the actual official train sights and get the real time frames. Plus things just take a lot longer than you plan, so even if it is a 2 hour train ride, by the time you start your journey from your lodging, get there with time to spare to figure it all out, grab something to eat/drink...you can add at least an hour.

Carsick- we had an air conditioned Mercedes Benz SUV with a very very experienced driver , saw the beautiful views, no stress. If you hire a car for a day you kinda know what your getting into, which would be a taste of the three towns we visited and a better understanding of where we want to spend more time next. We took the cost there and mountains back, we got a really good idea of the whole area.

An air-conditioned car doesn't make any difference in March, nor does it make a difference if one has a car-sickness issue. I only mention it in case the OP or his son has challenges with that. If one is not prone to it, then there's no way to explain why a great driver or an expensive car or air conditioning is going to relieve the misery. Medication can help but I'd use what you KNOW in advance will work for you. If it hasn't been an issue thus far in their lives - and they would know if it is - then no problem.

All of this is great information and much appreciated. As many of you mentioned, google maps and train schedules leave out a lot of important information. I've done some looking and a driver is not out of the question. Certainly it is a trade-off of cost v. time, but it may prove the best option. I can book high speed train tickets round trip from Roma Termini to Napoli Afragola for $60 for both of us (free ticket for him) with a flexible ticket on the return (trainline). I also got Pompeii admission for both of us for $20. That said, we've done pretty well on the cost of this portion of the trip and a splurge on a driver might be the right solution. We don't get carsick and are really more interested in the views than activities. It could be a "road to Hana" or "California 101" style trip. I like the Positano idea as opposed to Amalfi. I have looked on toursbylocals and have found a couple leads at a reasonable price. I also emailed Raffaele Monetti who I believe someone above or in on the the linked forums suggested. Hopefully, I will hear back.

Thank you all! If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to add them. I was not expecting so much experienced advice. I will definitely be asking for advice again!

I can book high speed train tickets round trip from Roma Termini to
Napoli Afragola for $60 for both of us (free ticket for him) with a
flexible ticket on the return (trainline).

Book on Trenitalia (trainline is a reseller it can’t be any cheaper)
Why Afragola? I’m not sure how you get to Pompei from there.

https://www.trenitalia.com/content/tcom/en.html
Or the easy to use app

Be sure to check 1 adult, 1 child

So much great advice in this thread. Please leave it online.

This can all be done on your own. I think that would be a lot more fun for both you and your son. Pretty sure my daughter would have preferred a train and bus adventure to sitting in backseat of a car all day at that age. So much to see and people to watch along the way!

I would add up the cost of a DIY day vs train/driver/train.

And would consider a 1 nighter- even if you have hotel in Rome- you got a deal on that, right?
There are quite a few places available on booking.com in Sorrento last week of March for 1 night 100 euros range.
Pretty sure a driver for any portion of this day will be well over 100 euros
Pick a place close to center/station. Very walkable town.

Your transportation cost to/from Rome remains the same.

I am echoing Kathy’s idea- which I love
This will be easy.

Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale
Fast train at 7 am- arrives Napoli 8:12

From Napoli Centrale take the Circumvesuviana to Pompei Scavi (47 min) runs every 30 min
https://www.positano.com/en/naples-to-sorrento-train-schedule

Arrive at Pompei 9:45? - you are going to be here for several hours. We spent a bit over 3 and only left because it had been pouring rain the whole time. It was still so fascinating, so massive and so exhausting. Be realistic about this. Give it the time it deserves after such a trek getting there.

Leave Pompei 12:15 earliest

DIY
Circumvesuviana to Sorrento 35 min
There is a very good pizza place right across from the train station. Il Leone Rosso

Bus to Positano 1 hr- runs about every 30 min, a couple of euros
https://www.positano.com/en/bus-schedule
(Bus station at train station)

Arrive Positano 2:30ish- sunset is about 7:30.
5-6 Bus back to Sorrento
7-8 Train Sorrento- Circumvesuviana-Napoli Centrale-
9ish Fast train to Roma

Or
Arrange driver from Pompei to Positano only- arrive 1:30?
Bus to Sorrento then onwards to Rome

Or
Stay over in Sorrento after Positano, then back to Rome early am.

Positano- the pics your son sees on instagram are likely from the water which is the best view, that won’t be possible for you. Positano is tiny, steep, lots of steps, high end shops, fancy cafes, not sure how much open end of March. Be sure the expense/time to get there is worth it.
We spent barely 3 hours and that included lunch.

There will be a whole lot more going on in Sorrento than Positano. Lots of new instagram moments, excellent views of Bay of Naples, Vesuvius, local passegiatta, more gelato, great walking around place, many more food/souvenir choices. Maybe show your son some pics of Sorrento.

If you are back in Sorrento for an overnight you get both towns. That’s a lot of bang for your buck IMO. More fun staying over than taking train all the way back to Rome in the dark.

Kathy’s idea

I'll throw this out just for simplicity? What about if you skipped
Amalfi and went to Sorrento instead? Commuter train is really easy and
really cheap from Naples> Pompeii > Sorrento, and likewise back to
Naples. The town is plenty pretty enough for pictures, and March isn't
beach season anyway. Let's just say that while it's close but not ON
the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento might fill the photos +lunch thing. Google
up some pictures?

We spent five nights in Sorrento (cliffside Ambasciatori), because it is such a good transit hub for daytrips. Sorrento is primarily a purpose-built, postwar resort town, with much reinforced concrete construction. Only a few high-rises, like the Hilton. There are some sweet older buildings in the mostly level downtown, steep hill with elevator to the two marinas and the only beach in town, tiny, sand not pebbles, and with an aroma of diesel from the marinas.

Note that I am not slamming Sorrento, or suggesting that it is not enjoyable.. I am simply suggesting that it is **not the "dream" of the OP's son. I was disappointed with Positano, but even without a boat, it delivers, visually. I suspect that the CT towns are even prettier, but I have not been there.

Thank you all! Here is my thought on a new itinerary...
7am -- Roma Termina to Napoli Centrale
Circumvesuvia to Pompei Scavi
Half day at Vesuvius
Circumvesuviana to Sorrento
Ferry to Amalfi
Overnight in Amalfi
Bus to The Path of the Gods
Hike the Path of the Gods to Positano
Afternoon in Positano
Train Sorrento- Circumvesuviana-Napoli Centrale-
Fast train to Roma

Whew! That seems like a lot, but the overnight takes the pressure of the time table. This allows us to see the shoreline from the water which several people said was the best view. It allows us to have a relaxing evening in Amalfi, which one of the guidebooks says is a great spot to catch the bus to The Path of the Gods. We can then spend the morning in Positano and catch an evening train back to Rome. It also gives my son a chance to travel by high speed train, commuter train, bus, ferry and foot. Who could ask for more than that. LOL! What do you guys think? :)

I would not waste 30 seconds on Vesuvius, but I am not a teenager, and I did get to see Mt. St. Helens in the US. The point is, you see it every moment at Pompeii, towering in the background. Who cares about slipping and climbing a cinder slope? (Opinion)

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/pompeii-and-vesuvius-69e8366c-1e75-4a14-a0bc-0677269492d1

I have no personal Path of the Gods experience, but you may need to make sure that all of your attractions (including the summer choice of multiple van trips to Vesuvius) are available in March. Some tourist businesses in the area are closed off-season. Make sure you eventually get the off-season ferry schedule.

It is not true that Amalfi and Positano are "alike" really, but your new schedule prioritizes the less important of his two desires. Pompeii has influenced western culture since it was rediscovered. A luxury town is a luxury town. The loss of a day in Rome is just as "bad" as missing Amalfi or the Path of the Gods. It's your choice. Are you allowing for a last night in Rome to get the plane the next day?

Has he seen pictures of Villa d'Este and Villa Adriana, just as an example? Does he care about the art in the Vatican museums or Borghese Gallery? Were you going to the Baths of Caracalla, the inspiration for NY's Penn Station, among other places?

7am -- Roma Termina to Napoli Centrale
Circumvesuvia to Pompei Scavi
Half day at Vesuvius
Circumvesuviana to Sorrento
Ferry to Amalfi
Overnight in Amalfi

Unless you alter/slow the rotation of the Earth, ( or have perfected the technology of a Star Trek 'transporter'), I cannot imagine how you can spend "Half day at Vesuvius" and do everything else you plan to do that day.

Good to see you have decided to make it an over-nighter, but looks like you are trying to get a size 9 shoe on a size 10 foot.

Can’t count on ferry running late March- if it is it would be quicker to train from Pompei to Salerno then catch ferry to Amalfi.

Afternoon in Positano
Train Sorrento- Circumvesuviana-Napoli Centrale-
Fast train to Roma

Missed a step- here-- bus from Positano to Sorrento

Skip Vesuvius
You can see it from Pompei- much more impressive than being there.

I wouldn't consider Sorrento a "luxury resort"

Joe and Tim
Sorry, I misspoke about Vesuvius... I meant half day at Pompei. I agree about skipping Vesuvius.
The new schedule was intended to allow us to hike and see the natural beauty of the area and the picturesque towns, possibly a nice sunset. We don't really have much interest in the "luxury town" aspect. Perhaps a nice lunch or historic sites. I did check the Alicost site and they do show a 2:30 ferry that day. That might be too early.

The trip schedule for us is:
Saturday -- overnight flight. arrive Sunday morning
Sunday -- unscheduled day in Rome, self-guided walking tour to get situation. See Trevi Fountain/Parthenon/etc from the outside. Nice dinner
Monday -- AM Vatican tour, afternoon unscheduled
Tuesday -- AM Colossem tour, afternoon unscheduled
Wednesday -- Unscheduled
Thursday -- Pompeii and Amalfi
Friday -- Hike Path of the Gods to Positano and return to Rome
Saturday AM -- taxi to the airport

I'm trying to lay down a basic framework to get the major expenses and more difficult to get tickets locked down. If we miss something, I want it to be by choice, not because of poor planning on my part. I don't know how many museums my son will want to see... the art/sculpture seems less important to him than the architecture and food. We are discussing seeing catacombs, Castle SanAngelo, and the aquaducts. I will check out the other galleries you mentioned. We discussed a day trip to Florence, but he seemed to think that was pretty far to go and that there would be a lot overlap in terms of what interests him. He really liked the idea of doing the hike. From my perspective, a lot of the days feel pretty unscheduled, but I haven't been there before and am a go-go-go type of person when travelling. I don't want to overschedule and have him not enjoy it. My thought was to keep the long excursions to just Thursday (now Thursday/Friday). This group has been really helpful for gaining perspective on what is and isn't possible.

I will check out VIlla d'Este and VIlla Adriana as well as the other items you have mentioned. Any further information is truly appreciated. I'm a planner and am working on this a lot as I am well aware of my ignorance on this and value the perspective of those who know more.

Consider a visit to Capuchin Crypts- truly weird/creepy and very unique. I think a 14 yo boy would like better than catacombs.
https://museoecriptacappuccini.it

On the Monday at the Vatican, you may want to consider doing the St Peter's Dome climb while you are there. Definitely a change of pace from wandering in museums.

Sorry, I did not mean that Villa d'Este and/or Villa Adriana were must-dos. You don't have time for them if you take another day trip, like Pompeii. I was just using them as an example (like Galleria Borghese, which has unbelievable sculptures by Bernini, even if one gets tired of "paintings on the wall!") of how rich Rome and the adjacent towns are, without going to the Amalfi Coast. Don't spend too much time looking at the additional list.

Joe,
Yes! We hope to climb the dome while we are there. We got a “early access” tour, but it wasn’t included. I read that we can pay for that while we are there. Also, we got on the list for the Papal Audience on Wednesday.

Hi, all!
I wanted to take a moment and thank you for your wonderful advice. My son and I had an amazing trip and it was in large part to your help in planning. We did end up leaving Rome in the morning to take the train to Naples and then on to Pompeii where we had the most amazing guide! After a morning with him, we caught to train to Sorrento and the bus to Positano. We hiked up the stairs to Nocelle and on to Bomerano. Then caught the bus down to Atrani for the night. We slept in a bit the next morning, caught the bus and then train to Paestum, spent the afternoon there and were back in Rome by bedtime. You were all correct that it was an absolute whirlwind! But, it was an awesome adventure for an active teen. We will definitely need to come back and spend multiple days as you all suggested!
Thank you again!
Aaron

Thanks so much for reporting back. Good luck on future travels!