Naples Circumvesuviano Train Ticket Alerts

Are you sure it was 2.50 round trip? That sounds too cheap. 2.50 each way seems more reasonable.

Hi, it was 2.50 EUR for each way. EUR 5 for a round-trip, per person. So the official total is EUR 10. As mentioned I gave a EUR 20 note and they would they would not give any change despite me pointing to the ticket that shows EUR 2.50 on it.

Hope that helps.

Frank, he said he bought 4 tickets - Two people, round trip. That said, similar events happen occasionally in the USA to me. How many times has a cashier asked me, "Did you give me a $20?". That's why they often lay the $20 on top of the cash register to remind themselves of what you gave them while they make the change. I'm not prepared to accuse the cashier of cruel tourist robbery. It could have been a misunderstanding.

It takes a lot of alertness (if little Italian), and I'm not saying I would remember to flourish the bill and say "Venti" as I paid for something.

Sorry, I had the impression that there were four traveling and not two. Didn't read close enough. If that is worst event on your trip, you did OK.

Disappointing, definitely, but the OP took it in stride. I have heard the same about some other business personnel in many countries, and try to remember to name the bill I am handing over as well, but as posted, easy to forget.

If there was one place I would avoid in my next trip to Italy, it would be Naples, and particularly the train station. Had a woman with baby sitting on the floor, distracting people just below the ticket window and 3 or 4 guys surrounded my husband and son who had to argue for their rights with the ticket seller. My son finally turned around and told them to "back off," Not pleasant, and a little scary. I was thankful my adult son and husband were with me. Love Italy, but something should be done about this harassment of visitors.

Regarding Naples, we were a bit worried about the security situation especially in and around the train station and along the some of the walking routes we planned. We would have liked to walk more but used taxi instead.

Napoli Centrale station (right above Garibaldi) is more modern and safer than Garibaldi. I didn't think it any worse than what we found in Rome. However, Garibaldi was darker, dingier , and less populated. We didn't encounter anyone approaching us.

For the rest of Naples, we walked Via Toledo, in the late afternoon/early evening, which was safe and heavily trafficked with shoppers, etc. It felt completely safe due to the open stores and night markets. However, we didn't stay out too long due to the advice the hotel gave us about staying out too late. We had great meals in and around the ship terminal area.

All that said you could tell that Naples isn't the place to get lost, aimlessly wander or otherwise not know what your doing.

Joseph,

I've encountered the "slow change" scam in several places in Europe, including Italy. At one location in the north, it appeared that anyone paying cash was being short-changed.. I generally manage fine in dealing with situations like that when I'm prepared, but if caught off-guard I sometimes get flustered.

Travel is always a learning experience!

Agree, travel is a learning experience. I live in Asia so I'm quite used to scams, double-charging because I'm a foreigner, etc...I just wouldn't have expected it at an official ticket booth. You just have to take it in stride to the extent possible and most of all not lose your cool.

I found a scam at the Immigration Office in Miami several years ago - the clerk was hand-writing amounts on invoices, making the $33 charge look like $88. I alerted the people in front of me as they were handing over their money, then the people behind me, then stepped out of line to make a "General Announcement" that the fee was $33, not $88, which brought the supervisor out to relieve the clerk of her duties. So, yes, even in government offices, it happens.