Security on Italian Trains

Never allow your bag to be out of your sight. Better yet, never allow your bag to be out of your grasp. If you travel light, it's not too hard to do. Have a great trip.

Mary,

When you travel from Naples to Sorrento, you'll be using the Circumvesuviana which is basically a commuter train. Don't be shocked at the appearance. The cars are often spray painted with graffiti and don't look too modern. However, they will get you to Sorrento.

Rick has posted warnings in his books about that particular train, but if you keep watch on your luggage and wear a Money Belt, you should be fine. I've seen both lightly loaded and "standing room only" conditions on that train, but so far haven't had any problems.

On the other trains in Italy, again you have to be somewhat careful but not to the same degree as the Circumvesuviana. If you're going to leave your luggage in the bin at the end of the car (possibly next to a door), it's a good idea to secure it to the bin with at least a strap so it's not easy for someone to grab it when the train stops. If you're travelling a bit lighter, it's easy to store luggage above your seat in the racks (but of course you have to be able to lift it into the rack).

If you'll be using the Subway (Rome), be sure to wear a Money Belt. One final point - be sure that you have purchased reservations for trains where these are compulsory (usually the fast trains). If you're caught without a reservation, you'll be nicked with a fine on the spot!

Happy travels!

For Naples airport to Sorrento, consider taking the direct bus - www.currerviaggi.it. Have traveled on Italian trains (including the Circumvesuviana) more times than I can count with no problems. Use reasonable precautions and you should be fine.

And just what horror stories have you heard? Probably like Bob's comments. It is kind of ridiculous to think that you can keep your hand on your luggage all the time and even think that you need to do so. We have been on trains all over Europe including Italian with no problems. You need to take some simple precautions but you should always take precautions. Traveling light with carryon size bags is smart just because they are easier to handle than one large bag. Always have your luggage lock. We use the small combo locks so we don't have to worry about keys. We also use the retractable cable locks to attach our bags to anything handy. Even on overhead racks will slip the cable through handles on the bags and the rack. That way if you are in the bathroom or asleep, your luggage is secure. We do the same thing when using the luggage bins at end of the cars. If you cannot find something to attach the bag to, then cable the bags together. The whole idea to prevent someone from snatching your bag and running. The greatest risk of theft is in the station when there is a lot of confusion of people getting on and off. Once the train is moving, the risk is much lower.

The local and commuter trains can present a bigger problem because they are crowded and making lots of stops and generally do not have good places to put luggage. Then it probably a good idea to keep good watch on your luggage. But you will recognize those situations. Train travel is very safe so don't be overly paranoid. And the same for general pickpockets and random theft. We done over 300 days of travel over the past 15+ years with no problems. Just be reasonably careful.

You should be fine, Mary, with just a little common sense. Pittsburgh is a big city, and the same precautions you'd take there, you should take on the trains in Italy. Just keep the bags near you or above you, but if they're easily removed (light, or with a strap hanging, or small), just run the strap through the bar on the luggage rack or something to ensure they can't be grabbed quickly, on the fly). Theft can happen anywhere. I'm a native of Chicago's south side, and I certainly don't feel any more fearful of theft on an Italian train than I do at home! (:

As for getting from the airport in Naples to Sorrento...well, Naples isn't exactly picturesque, and the airport is rather shabby, but not at all dangerous. You have three options, really, for getting to Sorrento: the aforementioned Circumvesuviana train (looks worse than it is, as has been mentioned), the bus, or a private car hire, the most convenient but also most expensive tranfer method. We hired a driver to get us from the airport to our hotel in Sorrento last June, mainly because it was the start of our trip and we wanted to get settled and on our way. We used Benvenuto Limo service at info@benvenutolimos.com, and it cost us, for two people plus luggage, 110 Euros. We did take the train from Sorrento back to Naples (stopping at Pompeii) and then on to Firenze, so we knew we'd get to experience the train later. We just wanted to get to Sorrento pronto upon arrival. The driver was great, even stopping for a few scenic pictures of the Bay of Naples along the way.

If you're traveling the way Rick recommends, with one bag, you are unlikely to have problems. People with several pieces of luggage that have to leave some at the top of stairs while they retrieve the rest are at risk anywhere. I've taken trains many times in Italy, including the Circumvesuviana (which offers some nice views along the coast) without problems.

My vote is to relax. As others have said, use the same basic precautions you would at home and you'll be fine. We too were semi-pre-paranoid and our trip experiences (including several rides on the Circumvesuviana) were safe and easy. You can often snuggle with your luggage at your seat if no space is available to store it at the end of the car. And after one month of overpacked train travel, towards the end we almost wished somebody would grab 'em and run :-) Have fun!

Frank has the right idea. Take a modern air conditioned bus from the airport to Sorrento. Fare is 10 euros each. Trip takes about 1 hr. 15 min. Frank left out an i in the link to the web site. It is www.curreriviaggi.it