What train should we take from Milan to Rome, then a bus to Sorrento? We are trying to not have to change in Naples and I read somewhere one of the train stations in Rome has a bus we can take right to Sorrento. Which train out of Milan will get us to the correct train station and what is the correct train station to catch to bus directly to Sorrento?
Thanks.
Paula
My recollection from prior posts is that the Sorrento bus departs from Tiburtina station. Since Milan trains will arrive at Rome Termini station, you would need to take the metro to Tiburtina to catch the bus. It would be simpler to take a train from Milan to Naples (possibly with no change in Rome) and then take the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento. The Circumvesuviana station is on the lower level of the Naples train station, so it's an easy change. Also, the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento runs twice hourly whereas there are probably only a few buses from Tiburtina to Sorrento each day.
If you take the train to Sorrento, you have no choice but to change trains in Naples. Or, you can walk a mile or so to the ferry docks in Naples and take the hydrofoil. The bus from Rome takes 4 hours and has a very limited schedule (twice a day).
From Milan, there are a few trains to Naples with no train changes in Rome (the train will stop there, however). It's a 6.5hr. run. CLICK HERE to see a morning train schedule for the Milan to Naples runs. Note the 10:00am train that requires no train changes.
The bus isn't going to save you any time because you have to get off the train at Rome Termini, metro on Line B to the Tiburtina train station and then catch the bus. You will have already missed the morning departure which leaves at 7:00am. If you take the 9:00am train to Rome, you will arrive at 13:30 which gives you enough time to transit to the Tiburtina train station to catch the afternoon Marozzi bus which leaves at 15:00.
Don't freak about changing trains. That's what European train travel is all about.
Agree - I can't think of any good reason not to take the train. It's easy, quick, convenent.
Come on. You're not going to be jumped by mafiosi as you're walking the 200 steps from the platform where your train from Milan/Rome arrives, and the platform where the Circumvesuviano train leaves. It's not exactly Baghdad.
Yes, there's a lot of crime in Naples, but there's a lot of crime in NY or LA or Chicago (and yes, even in Champaign). Treat it like any other big city train station and you will be just fine. Relax. It's no big deal, and there's no reason to be so spooked.
Here's my thing about trying to avoid Naples...
I am afraid of the crime there and especially of the crime I've heard about in the train station against tourists. We've travelled to Europe many times and made many train changes but Naples makes me nervous. This trip we'll have our small son with us. I didn't know there were only two bus runs to Sorrento - that may make up my mind but I still can't help feeling nervous about Naples. That being said: Do we catch the Circumstra (sp?) train at the same Naples train station that we'll get in from Milan? Do we need to buy our tickets at the Naples station or would it be smarter to buy these tickets to Sorrento while we're buying our tickets in Milan. Also, the best price I'm finding is about euro 183 for all of us. Seems high. Is there a better price or way to find a price?
Thanks again.
Just re-read Frank's post about where to catch the Circumvesuviana in Naples.
Thanks.
I never take advice from travelers here in the US. I always go to the RR counter and talk with the agent about where I want to go and how to change trains to get there.
Often the agent will print computer instructions on train numbers and departure and arrival times. It really helps to have a copy in hand while you are on the train. Sometimes I show it to other travelers and ask if I am in the right car to get there.
Since the RRs in Europe drop cars in transit you must be careful when deciding on your car.
Unfortunately, in this case, Carl, the RR agents won't have any information about the Circumvesuviana line, since it's a privately-owned line and not within the ken of the Trenitalia people. That's why experiences from travellers in the U-S who have done this route is so valuable to people like Paula. Also, an RR agent isn't going to tell you whether it's better to take a bus or the train....that advice, again, comes from experience.
Re the message from David in Seattle:
There is a lot of crime in Champaign? lololol
Yes, I can't tell you how many times I've had my pocket picked in our truly Gothman-like Amtrak station here in the thriving metropolis of Champaign, Illinois!!! ;-) No doubt our Mafiosi corn crops were behind it.
As for Chicago or New York, if I were arriving to either of those cities by train, especially if English were not my primary language and I were unfamilair with the cities (and knew their crime rates), and also had a young child with me, of course I'd be on the nervous side!
In short, there is nothing wrong with a little caution. It should be met with suggestions rather than derision on these boards!
Sincerely,
Randall --no relation to fellow Champagnian Paula!
