Hi we are thinking about one of the night ferries from Palermo to Naples but we are staying for 3 nights in Sorrento as a base for the Almalfi Coast and Pompei. Is there a train station within walking distance of the ferry terminal. We are thinking about taking the Circumsuviana from Naples and stopping (BEFORE we even get to our hotel) at Pompei and exploring it. If all goes right we will only have back packs and no real luggage.
1. Is there a connecting train?
2. Does this sound like a good plan?
It is our first time visiting Italy.
Thank you
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Depending on where this particular ferry docks in Naples, the ferry terminals that I am familiar with are about a mile from the Naples main train station. You can walk it. Or, I believe that there is a city bus along the route. At this particular train station, the Circumvesuviana train station is on the lower level. For Pompei, you get off at the Pompei-Scavi stop. You can easily get back on a later train to Sorrento. They run about every 20 minutes or so.
Posted by
Wichita
831 posts
bill,
Cosider arriving in Naples and walking two piers over and getting the ferry to Sorento then the bus up to town and drop your backpacks at the hotel. You can then take the train to Pompeii.
Posted by
OP
welland, ontario, canada
6 posts
Henry, wouldn't that be too time consuming? Yes it sounds better than taking our big packs into Pompei but we would have to take the ferry, then bus? to hotel, then train back to Pompei? I appreciate your advice and giving me options to think over. That might not sound so bad as the ferry arrives around 6am ish so that by the time we would get to Pompei would be 8am ish. Can we even enter at that time?
Thank you Henry,
Bill
Planning...it is a curse and a joy!
Posted by
Wichita
831 posts
bill,
The ferry is actually faster than the train from Naples to Sorento but I don't know about the timing of connections. The bus from the port in Sorento just takes you up the cliff about five minutes.
Posted by
OP
welland, ontario, canada
6 posts
Well that sounds ok. Do you know what ferries run that route off hand? I wil do a search tomorrow. Do you know that area well? We will be staying at Ulysse Deluxe Hostel.
Thank you
Bill
Posted by
Wichita
831 posts
bill,
I think it is called metro del mare but there are at least two different ferries. I have been there three times so I know a little.
Posted by
Wichita
831 posts
bill,
I disagree with Ellen.
I don't think it is an easy walk from the port of Sorrento to the town, especially with back packs. See http://www.sorrentoinfo.com/ the picture above how to get to Sorrento shows the cliff that Sorrento sits on. Click on the how to get to. If you take the circumvesuviana there is no train change.
Looking at the ferry schedule it appears that taking the circumvesuviana will work best for you. Sorry for the distraction.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1895 posts
Ask for the FAST ferry when you go from Naples to Sorrento. It is fast, and it's fun, and it is so much less hassle than the train.
if you take the train from Naples, you have to get a taxi to get to the train station, then you have to switch trains.
If you take the ferry, you get on in Naples, off in Sorrento. It's easy to walk up to town from the dock in Sorrento, you end up just a block or so from the main piazza.
You might consider taking a guided tour from Sorrento. We did this and really enjoyed the education, and the ease.
Our trip was about the same as yours, we biked in Sicily for 9 days, took the overnight ferry, caught the fast ferry to Sorrento, based there for 3 nights. One day we dedicated to Pompei and Vesuvio. The bus trip was great. One suggestion, go to the grocery and pack a lunch for the bus trip (if you take it) that will save you a tourist lunch that costs too much.
another day we took the ferry to Amalfi, walked over to Atrani and hiked the stairs up to Ravello - that was great too.
Posted by
OP
welland, ontario, canada
6 posts
Henry and Ellen,
Thank you both for the input and advice. I also looked into a ferry and decided on the train with a stop at Pompeii. No distraction, options are good,
Thank you both
Posted by
gaston, oregon, usa
842 posts
Bill, there is a wonderful museum in Naples that should not be missed. It houses all of the artifacts that were found in Pompeii. I would rather miss Pompeii, than the museum.
The museum would make a good stop on the way in, and then you could train to Pompeii and Herculaneum. We enjoyed Herc more than Pompeii...it is much smaller, the wood has been preservced, and not as barren, hot, and much easy to walk thru.
Watch out for pickpockets on the Circumvesuviana train.