Travel Rome to Pompeii/Amalfi Coast

As for the flight, I'd be surprised that the airline would allow you to cut it that close, with just a 65 minute layover. If they do, then they must be confident they'll be able to get your checked luggage onto your Atlanta flight. If you're not checking anything, that might be less of a factor.

Is your last question indicating that you're possibly thinking of driving a rental car south from Rome, then taking a train back to Rome? We flew out of Rome (to Sicily), then drove to Naples/Sorrento/Pompeii from the south (very scenic!), then used the train to get to back to Rome for our return flight (stayed at the Rome Airport Hilton for our very early flight the next morning, after visiting Ostia Antica our last day). I don't recall the Naples-Rome train being particularly scenic, but maybe I just wasn't looking out the window, but it was easy and relatively quick.

That is a legal connection time with Delta, but I'm not confident that we can make it. We don't plan to check luggage.

I did think about a car, but I don't know that we want to bother with driving. If the scenery is worth it, we might be willing. Might be better to take the train, then get a tour or a car in Pompeii.

We rented a car in Germany last year, and we did fine most of the time except when the GPS had the wrong address for Hertz to return the car at a city location since it had not been updated in several years. It was very frustrating and wasted a big part of our day!

We went to Israel in July and just took tours which was much less stressful.

We based ourselves at a Sorrento B&B in the Naples/Amalfi Coast area, and although we used the Circumvesuviana train to get around a couple of days, we kept the rental car, which was really handy for getting to some sights (including the highly recommended Herculaneum ruins, smaller and different than those at Pompeii, but buried in the same eruption), as well as for a scenic drive along the Amalfi coast. This was in early January, so the traffic was much lighter than it would be in the summer. Also, we drove to the Pompeii ruins and were able to find a parking spot in the small parking lot on New Year's Day, but using public transportation to those ruins might be more convenient at other times of the year.

If you intend to go into Naples by car I would suggest otherwise. On the other hand, at the time of year you are there a car would be useful for the short amount of time you have on the Amalfi - it would allow you to see more in the available time.

As for the drive from Rome to Naples, if you take the autostrada it is not very scenic. Although, the benefit of driving is you can visit the Palace of Caserta on the way.

If you have direct flight Atlanta to Rome and back, I would do Rome roundtrip. If you have to change planes from Atlanta to Rome and back I would fly open jaw Atlanta Rome and Naples Atlanta via Paris. I would risk it in Paris. Car is not needed. Besides driving in Naples is for kamikadze. There are many fast (much faster than car) trains going to Naples. From there you can take Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento, make that your base. From there it's easy to reach Positano and Amalfi and also Pompei. Pompei by C.V. train, Amalfi by bus or boat. If the boat is still going take a bus there and boat back. We came from Naples to Sorrento by boat (much more enjoyable than Circumvesuviana train) in September. If that option is still available in November I don't know. Italy is scenic practically everywhere and also between Rome and Naples.

becky,
You can go round trip Rome or fly into Rome, take the regional train to Naples then transfer the local train to Sorrento. Stay in Sorrento it is close to the Amalfi coast and Pompeii. The fly home from Naples or back up to Rome. I would rather fly without worring about transfer/plane changes and luggage lost. I alway find paying a few more dollars for non-stop flights is better than worring about missing flights or lost luggage. Never take a risk...... your on vacation why worry?
Lorie

Although it's a "legal connection", I would certainly not risk it at CDG.

Why not fly into Naples and out of Rome.

Thanks for all the info! We are flying to Naples via CDG with a little under a 4 hour layover. We can stretch our legs and eat breakfast before flying to Naples. We will fly back from Rome nonstop. We shouldn't have any checked luggage for just 6 nights.

I know Nov is less crowded, but I don't think we want to have the stress of driving so will probably take the train to Rome.

I would take the train from Rome Termini to Naples then transfer to the local train to Sorrento. Fly from Naples home if time and $$ is an issue take the train back to Rome for a flight home. You can also take a drive from Sorrento to Rome. It isn't particularly scenic as is much of the rest of the country, and if you are driving you will miss the countryside. Try to stay at least 3 nights in Sorrento. There is so much to see and do the same for Rome if you are able 4 nights is a minimum. I have traveled to most of Italy and perhaps one of my favorites is Sorrento.

Enjoy your trip.

Lorie-ann

At CDG, have breakfast at the caviar bar.

Becky, since you're flying into Naples, take the Curreri Viaggi Bus to Sorrento
10 euro.
Much nicer than the Circumvesuvian
Zoe's tip is a great one😀