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Transportation questions - Sorrento, Naples, Rome

Posted by on

I have a few questions regarding transportation around this area.
1. We will be coming into Naples on the train and then going to Sorrento. We are trying to decide whether to take the Circumvensuviana train or the ferry (if weather permitting). Is the dock to where you catch the ferry within walking distance from train station? And if we took the ferry, is it easy to get tickets that day and get on the next ferry? I believe I read that on the circumvensuviana train that there is no where to put luggage, so I assume you just put it between legs or on lap if sitting and just hold onto it next to you if standing? Is it easy enough to take the train with luggage? I have read that you need to be very protective of your stuff on the train.

  1. I know it is recommended to book the fast trains in advance and I am doing that for all our other train trips. I am wondering if it is recommended for Naples to Rome (October 4th). Just wondering what the availability for the fast trains are if not prior reservation along with the difference in cost. We will be staying in Sorrento for 4 nights and are trying to decide whether to use one of our 3 days to take a side trip to Naples and Pompeii or stop at both on the way to Rome. I would rather take the fast train versus the regional train to save on time.
Posted by
1070 posts

Sorrento is one of my favorites - this was year 10 (same hotel, same room). The freccia trains are wonderful to and from Naples. If you book early the ticket price is lower. Like airlines, the number of seats available at the lower prices can change. I pretty much book as soon as I know my schedule and the train schedule is up on trenitalia.it.

The port really is not close enough to walk, especially with suitcases. The taxii should run you about 25 euro. You need to chek the ferry schedule, especially for an October trip. The circumvesuviana train is not as bad as it used to be - but watch out for pickpockets anyway. The trains are cleaner but the trip is long. You don't say how many are travelling - a car service might be more to your likeing. Your hotel can arrange that for you easily.

Pompeii and Naples are both worth a day trip - but not in the same day. Personally, I would go to either one from Sorrento rather than stop on the way to Sorrento. 4 nights in Sorrento is (for me) a good start - I just got back from 6 nights and never got bored or ran out of great places to eat! Enjoy!!!!

Posted by
23653 posts

It would be far easier to take the Circum.... since it is a short walk, down some stairs to the Circum... train. And it would be faster. Getting to the pier would take extra time, money, less frequent, and more hassle. If you going to visit Naples on a day trip do the ferry to or from.

The Circum... is a commuter line with some old equipment. Not unlike either the NY or Chicago train system. It is fine although some people complain about it. Luggage on the Circum is put where you can find it. In the middle of the day you will have plenty of room. Early morning, later afternoon could be crowded. You always need to be protective of your stuff. Don't know if the Circum... is much different. We have ridden it four times, mid-day with no problems.

The only reason to book in advance is the potential for discounted tickets. The probability of the train being sold out especially in October is close to zero. Since trains are frequent, the next one would not be until you are hitting some special holiday. I would not be concerned about getting a ticket.

Pompeii has luggage storage at the entrance so you could do that on the way to Sorrento. Not so with Naples since getting downtown with luggage would be a problem.

Posted by
5697 posts

We (finally) got to the National Archeological Museum in Naples on the way back from Sorrento to Rome -- took Circumvesuviana to Napoli Centrale, left our bags at the train station, saw the museum for as long as we wanted, then bought tickets on the next regionale train to Rome. Yes, it took longer than the fast train but for the price not too bad, and we didn't have to worry about getting back at a specific time for a pre-booked train.
As I remember, bag storage was €6 per bag for about 4 hours.
We had visited Pompeii as a day trip from Sorrento -- no bags!

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