We are planning a trip to Rome next January and one of the days want to do a tour to Pompeii and a stop in Naples on the way back to Rome. We are fully aware that it is alot to put in one day and will be taking one of the first trains leaving Rome and doing our own tour but was wondering if anyone has taken a taxi or knows of another reliable and safe way to get to Naples city centre for us to enjoy the afternoon and early evening there before getting on the train back to Rome??
Thanks
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7054 posts
I used the local transit (commuter train called the Circumvesuviana - same train you'd need to get to Pompeii from Naples), it's safer than riding the streets of Naples in a cab.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
The station is in the city center, but you can Take the M1 metro from the subway stop under Centrale station and get off at Toledo. Or at Museo if you want to see the most precious things dug out from Pompeii.
Posted by
Central Connecticut, USA
1103 posts
When we visited Pompeii, we spent the entire day there.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
1005 posts
I'm not sure if you've booked a tour from Naples to Pompeii or are doing it on your own. If on your own, the commuter train from Naples to Pompeii is called the Circumvesuviana and is known for pickpockets and sketchy stations. It is not run by the Italian state railway so you need to buy tickets once you get to Naples. If possible, consider instead taking the CitySightseeing shuttle bus that runs from the train station direct to Pompeii. It only runs four times a day, but it's faster and safer. On your return to Naples, get a taxi to take you to the Archaeological Museum from the bus stop at the train station, or if you just want to see the city center, you can take the Metro. This will be a really long day, but it's worth it if you love ancient Rome.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15806 posts
You can easily take the fast train to Naples, then take the Circumvesuviana to Pompeii Scavi. It takes about 10 minutes to get through the train station. The Circumvesuviana runs about every 30 minutes and the ride to Pompeii is about 40 minutes. The train station is just a few meters from the entrance to Pompeii. The audio guide is pretty good, be sure to get the booklet with it. You can also download Rick's free audio tour. Allow enough time to see the sights of Pompeii. Walking is slow and the place is big. I wouldn't bother walking out to the amphitheatre, but I do recommend taking the walk out to the Casa dei Misteri. There's a cafeteria near the entrance where you can get drinks and snacks and light meals.
The Circumvesuviana is safe. In January there are few tourists, so not so many thieves either. And you'll probably be wearing coats, so as long as your valuables are tucked away under your outer wear, you should be okay.
There are several things you can do in Naples. My favorite is the Archaeology Museum. When you get back from Pompeii, take the metro in the train station. You can also do the RS self-guided walk, which starts across the street from the museum, but I doubt you'll have time for both. Each takes a couple hours. I'm not sure I'd want to take the RS walk after dark. I think the museum is open until 7 pm even in January, but do check. The archaeology sites close around sunset.
You'll save money by buying the Rome-Naples train tickets in advance. BUT you don't want to go on a rainy day, so you may be better off paying a higher price to ensure good weather. Alternately you could go to Herculaneum, another town buried by Vesuvius. It's a very worthwhile place to see and it's not bad in the rain (I went on a rainy day). I think Pompeii would be much harder, because wet surfaces would make walking much more difficult in parts.