We are visiting Rome in May and looking at going to Pompeii. If we do not stop in Naples, is is possible to go to Paestum by rail in one day. We anticipate a long day, however the Greek Temples in Paestum are a great opportunity since Greece is not on our European Itineary and we love archeology. Any input on the feasibility of this day trip? Unfortunately overnight in Paestum is not an option. Thanks!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
You have a split question. If you go to Pompeii, you will switch from the Trenitalia train system to the Circumvesuviana train system in Naples. If you want to go to Paestum from Rome you can remain on the Trenitalia train system. Some train runs require a train change in Naples and some require a train change in Salerno. If you want a trip to Paestum from Pompeii, I'm betting that you will have to backtrack to Naples to pick up the Trenitalia train system.
Posted by
OP
Clermont, FL, USA
18 posts
My apologies, what I meant was we are not stopping in Naples to tour or go to museums, but saving whatever time we have to get to Paestum. Our goal would be to visit Pompeii and Paestum in one day, preferrably by rail and return to Rome in the evening. Thanks
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Wow, that's an ambitious schedule...I wouldn't even do Rome to Pompeii and back in one day.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
I do understand that you won't be touring Naples. However, your train will be stopping there nonetheless. It's a major hub. Your Rome/Naples leg on Trenitalia will take 3hrs one way. Naples to Pompeii takes about 30-40 minutes on the Circumvesuviana. Time back to Naples is 30-40 minutes. Naples to Paestum will take 90 minutes. Paestum back to Rome will take 4.5hrs plus train change time. Just for travel time and train changes, you're looking at about 11.0hrs-12.0hrs depending on how long you wait in the station for train changes. Not much time for looking at the sites.
Again, there is the bus tour I mentioned above from Rome to Pompeii that provides 4hrs at Pompeii. It didn't look cheap.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
While extremely ambitious, it appears to be logistically possible. You could take an early train to Naples and then the Circumvesuviana to Pompeii Scavi. When you buy your entrance ticket, ask if you can exit near the arena into the new town of Pompei (may be shorter than backtracking to the Pompeii Scavi entrance) and walk from there to the Pompei train station. Take an afternoon train from Pompei (town name has only one i) to Paestum (57 min). Return from Paestum to Rome in the early evening. You would probably need to leave Rome between 6:00-7:00 and probably wouldn't get back until after 21:00. As you say, a very long day.