We arrive in Naples by cruise ship at 7 AM and leave at 7 PM. Is there time to do Pompeii and Sorrento by train and then Positrano and Amalfi by bus? Is this too aggressive a schedule?
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
It's a stretch. Let me work through this. You'll need to get from the cruise ship dock to the Central train station. I'd plan on a half hour (and it will be the scariest half hour of your life) to the train station. Catch the Cicumvesuviana commuter train to Pompeii (Scavi) - I think about 45 minutes. Sorrento is about 20 more minutes from Pompeii. So if you spend 2 hours in Pompeii, you're in Sorrento by about 11:00 at the earliest (time to disembark etc.) You'd need to be on your way back from Sorrento by 5:00 at the latest to catch a cab back from the train station to be at your cruise ship (if all goes well).
If you can catch a bus (and they are crowded an unreliable), I think you could get to Positano and back. But that's a tight squeeze if you'll spend any time in Sorrento. I don't think I'd try to get as far as Amalfi.
I'm being optimistic. Others here mght have even more caution.
If you decide to miss Pompeii (and I wouldn't) you could take ferry boats from Naples to Sorrento and Positano. Capri is another option.
Posted by
GABRIOLA ISLAND, BC, Canada
7 posts
No way in the best of cases... delays are inevitable. Maybe Pompei and a bit of Sorrento
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6790 posts
Nope, not realistic IMHO.
You could take the train and spend a few hours in Pompei and Sorento and get back in time, but if you try to go beyond that, there's a very good chance you won't make it.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
I'm assuming that you intend to return to the ship in time for sailing. IMHO, no way should you attempt this. Pompei and Sorrento, maybe but not Positano and Amalfi as well. No can do :) Sorry.
Posted by
OP
Divide, Colorado, USA
83 posts
Thanks for your imput everyone! We will either do the excursion through the ship or just Pompeii and Sorrento on our own.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
102 posts
I love Napoli but it is a terrible transportation hub. Really worth a visit but requires lots of time and a load of patience. Capri gets a bad rap for being too touristy, but we enjoyed it. I'd pick an easier day, Sorry!
Posted by
victoria, BC, Canada
8 posts
Les,
My husband and I and a friend were on the Golden Princess in Oct 06 - Naples was one of our ports. We did not buy a cruise ship excursion. Instead, when we got off the ship, we were met by a barrage of private tour operators. We selected an English speaking driver with a beautiful air-conditioned Mecedez sedan. We bartered and agreed on a price of 45 euros each which we later on discovered was a fabulous deal. We went from 9 am to 4 pm and covered Pompeii, Sorento, a gorgeous drive along the Amalfi Coast, Positano and the trip ended with a brief tour of "downtown" Naples. He was so patient and let us take as long as we wanted with each stop. DO NOT miss Pompeii. His price did not include the admission to Pompeii but we felt it was one of the best value we got on this cruise.
We will be on the Carnival Freedom, visiting Naples again in Oct 08 and plan on hiring a private driver and car again.
Hope this helps,
Gloria
Victoria BC Canada