My wife and I fly into Venice early Fall 3 nights then on to Rome 4 nights and Amalfi Coast 3 nights then fly back out of Naples. Pompeii is a must as is a great Amalfi Coast experience without breaking the bank.
Not sure to stay in Sorrento or Amalfi or Positano.
Ideas?
Posted by
Chicago
8223 posts
Stay in Sorrento; it has the best transportation options you can use to get everywhere
Posted by
316 posts
I second Sorrento
Posted by
Cincinnati, Ohio
303 posts
Or you can take the Frecciarossa directly from Rome to Salerno where you will find buses, trains and ferries at your disposal. The lodging prices might be better there as well. Since it is on the Amalfi Coast, it is an easy ferry ride to Positano and Amalfi. I hope you take the bus up to Ravello from Amalfi village. There is a local train that will also take you to the town of Pompeii where you can walk 5 minutes to the scavi site. We made Salerno our home base during our stay on the coast and loved it.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15798 posts
I've stayed both in Sorrento and in Salerno, both times in February. I used Sorrento as a base for Pompeii, Herculaneum and Naples day trips. I used Salerno to visit the Amalfi Coast and Paestum. I liked both towns but they are very different. Sorrento was kind of romantic but with no history to speak of, no sights of its own and perched on the cliffs with the beach and ferries down a lotta stairs (I never went down . . . it was February after all :-). Salerno is more of a "real" with a modern shopping street next to the historic center and a short level walk to the large sandy beach and long promenade. It's easier to get to from Rome. There's high speed train service (back to Naples as well of course). To get to Sorrento you have to change to the local train (more like a surface subway train) from Naples. Also Salerno is cheaper than Sorrento for both rooms and meals. Pompeii is a little more complicated to get to from Salerno - high speed train, then a long walk or a short taxi ride, while the local train from Sorrento stops practically in front of the entrance.
If you choose either Amalfi or Positano, you complicate the transportation. Best would be Rome-Salerno by train, then bus or ferry. To get to Pompeii, you'd have to take the bus to Sorrento, then the local train. That could easily take 2 hours each way, more if there are lines for the bus.
I think Salerno is your best option for the AC towns and Pompeii.
Posted by
1059 posts
Sorrento is your best option and is a very enjoyable place to stay. It is easy to reach from Rome (via Naples), is closest to Pompeii, and has excellent ferry and bus connections to Amalfi Coast and Capri. For an easy Amalfi Coast day, I would just take a ferry to Amalfi. Wander around Amalfi for a bit, then ferry over to Positano before heading back to Sorrento. You did not mention what time of year you’re going. That can impact crowds and ferry schedules. If the ferries are running (mostly are) then use them as your primary mode of travel over busses.
You’ve only got two full days, so you’re probably Pompeii one day and Amalfi Coast the next. If you’re feeling up for it, I definitely recommend visiting Herculaneum as well. They can both be done in the same day if you manage your time. And/or a few hours in Naples is kind of a must. Perhaps you can visit on your way in. Ravello is great, and even though it’s a quick bus from Amalfi that adds up to a lot of traveling. It’s kind of a stretch for a day trip.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
This small group gets good reviews here.
But if you get an early start you can easily do it on your own.
Bus & ferry timetables.