We rode the Circumvesuviana several times and encountered nothing like this. Just be aware of your belongings and those surrounding you. It's likely safer than the subway in NYC where I have seen muggings (and where they are much more likely to be violent).

I think I might be worried if I were using these trains late at night, but I have never had any problems on the occassions I have used them.

There are almost certainly buses from Naples. GAC will probably know (He is somewhat of an expert on travel in that region). Try searching on his name - alternatively, he is often on the SLow travel message board.

I am currently stationed in Naples, Italy and agree with Texas... If you are aware of your surroundings and try to blend in you will be fine. I have ridden the trains here often and have never seen anything horrible.

My daughter and I rode on it on our trip from Rome to Herculaneum. We had no problems, but there was a band of gypsy children that made their way through the car that made me a little nervous. I kept my eye on them, but they caused no trouble, except for begging for change from the other passengers.

We went to and from Naples/Sorrento in 2002 and I believe 2000.

We had no problems safety-wise then although we happened to take it during the day all four times.

I would caution you to be careful in Naples as far as getting on the correct train is concerned.

After you buy the tickets and head down to the tracks (escalator), there's an electronic board indicating the track number.

Unfortunately, many trains use each track and there come and go rather quickly. Here is where you have to be careful.

On the platform there are relatively small (actually not really that small) electronic boards. As a train is about to pull into the station, the board begins to flash the destination. Watch for Sorrento. The first time we were there we let several trains go by as we weren't sure which to take. By the second time I had it figured out.

For the return from Sorrento to Naples there's no problem as you have only one place to go.

Don't miss Sorrento. Very nice town.

We have ridden it as late as 10:30pm and encountered no problems (May 2005). It was largely desserted at that point except for a few fellow tourists straggling back to Sorrento from the day's sightseeing activities.

Texas, I take great offense to your comment regarding NYC. As a life long resident who travels the subway at all hours, I can say that the NYC subway is as safe or safer than you may come across in your travels in Europe.

The key is to be smart.

Hi Lostmymind,
I wasn't saying that NYC's subway system isn't a fine system or is unsafe, merely that one is as likely to be mugged there as on the particular train in Italy we were discussing... primary point being, that it is unlikely to occur on either train as long as you are careful and aware. As you said, the key is to be smart.

I'm sorry you were greatly offended but perhaps you should not try so hard to find offense in what were general comments.

I've taken the Circumvesuviana several times and have never had any problems. I will admit, though, that I am a little more "on guard" on it than I usually am, probably because of its reputation. But honestly I don't think it is any more or less safe than taking the subway in Rome or any other city. Just pracice precaution, be aware of your surroundings, and you should be fine.

Tracy

>..they talked to a couple that witness a horrid mugging and robbery the day before.<

So, what did this couple do to help the victim?

How come hardly anyone ever witnesses these things themselves?

If you are going to get mugged on a train in Italy, I would place my money on the Circumvesuviana and give you odds.

But the odds are you will not have a problem and I would say take the train, I still do .

But we have to ask ourselves why did the Amalfi Coast hotels warn loc's friends about the trains?
Not a good rumor to start in the tourism trade, so there must be a reason.

And the couple that witnessed a violent mugging and told loc's friends about it? Why would they make-up this story?

I was almost mugged by 2 young men on the Circumvesuviana in '02 I believe.
Based on my size (6'2" 250lbs) compared to them, their only shot would be a violent quick attack or an armed robbery when I got off the train.

I had just missed the Circuvesuviana train in Naples and had 30min to wait.

I'm wearing a gold chain with a gold dragon, large gold cobra ring and gold bracelet and loading my $300 camera. Ok so I'm an idiot in Naples, in Rome and elsewhere I don't give this a 2nd thought.

Skinny dude approached me and asked in Italian something about the train.
I told him I didn't speak Italian.
He motioned to me that he'd like a cigarette.

I felt something was amiss with him, so I stood up (size intimidation) and give him a cigarette and a light.
He thanked me and left.

Now the train pulls in and I'm in the crowd getting into a car.
I see skinny dude also in the crowd watching me.
I hang back slightly so he enters the car first.
I walk over to the next car and enter. (I'm assuming he wants to try and snatch my daypack at this point)

~5mins later Skinny dude and a friend left their car and *moved into my car* and are watching me with sidelong glances from about 4m away.

As I put on my daypack (I don't want to lose it if trouble starts) Skinny says something to friend who slightly glances over.

In a few minutes I move to side of car playing Joe Tourist gaping at Mt. Vesuvius thru the door's window.
As soon as I moved Skinny said something to friend they both looked over at me.

They have now slightly shifted positions (~90deg) to keep me in their line of sight.

I turn now with my back to the door. They must assume I am going to probably Pompeii or Sorrento possibly Herculaneum which I am and it's 2 stops away.

The doors open at Herculaneum and I don't move, my back is still to the door.

At the last second before it closes I take a giant step backwards and onto the platform.

Thru the window I see both of their heads shoot-up looking at me and Skinny says something.

I smile and this wasn't planned but I give them the 'French Connection' movie wave .

I'm not trying to sound like Joe Cool or a tough guy and I'll admit I was scared.
Because this was going to be either a violent or dangerous confrontation if I didn't get away from these men.
And if that door reopened like they sometimes do, I knew that I couldn't let them get thru the door and onto the platform alone with me no matter what.

I have gone back to Naples 3x since then and still take the Circumvesuviana. And I only mention this story as a heads-up to others.

But Naples is not Rome, Florence, Venice, etc where you never hear stories about these types of crimes against tourists.

Also I recall someone here (GAC maybe?) mentioned a couple of years ago a Japanese tourist got off at the wrong Circumvesuviana stop and was murdered and I assumed robbed? Regards, Walter

Walter (ParadiseLost) - do you think people are safer traveling in a small group? It sounded like you were by yourself on the train to Herculaneum. I will be traveling to Sorrento via Naples and am still debating between the hydrofoil or the train. I am wondering if our group of 5 adults will be less likely to be targeted if we stay together...

Hello,
the circumvesuviana train is safe. I have never seen anything like what was described to you. I don't use it at night, but during the day it is fine. Just be aware of your surroundings and you will be fine.

I have taken the circumvesuviana and I would take it again. That said, however, my husband was pickpocketed getting on the train at the station in Naples. As he was entering the train, a crowd of guys (well dressed, and not kids) all were getting on at once making it hard to get past. Turns out they were picking his pocket. So, if you see a particularly difficult door to get in, it's only that way because the thieves are making it so-- go to another door, and be aware of your stuff.

No annimal I think it is fairly safe and would never recommend anyone avoiding it.
And that wasn't my intention.

It's just that there have been incidents on it and I was almost one.
So I don't believe it is as perfectly safe like others seem to think.

I was asking for it.
But after all the warnings I heard about Termini in Rome only to find out that it was all bull, I assumed the same for Naples. I was wrong.

I would have been a very good score and hard to pass up. They already saw the gold and the camera so even if my wallet was empty they knew they were way ahead of the game .

Honestly being alone played no part in it. I'm big, ugly, mean looking and dress funny (jeans, leather) .

I would be the last person someone would rob unless I had $2K in gold hanging off me .
Regards, Walter

The story about the Japanese tourist is a true one. Tragically.

Nevertheless, it is very unlikely that you'll be attacked on a Circumvesuviana train during daylight hours, unless the railcar or the station platform is nearly empty.

The OTHER way to travel from Naples to Sorrento is by hydrofoil (7 per day),

or by SITA bus (only two per day, excluding Sundays).

But the Circumvesuviana light rail, with its half-hourly departures and very long operating hours, is by far the most common way to travel by public transportation.

Also, the hydrofoil costs nearly three times more than the bus or train (9.00 Euros versus 3.20 Euros).


www.sita-on-line.it
www.aliscafi.it
www.alilauro.it

Hi GAC,
Does the Corcumvesuviana still post its schedules online? The link I used in 2005 no longer appears to work

My husband was also pickpocketed getting on the train at the Naples Circumvesuviana in 2005. Same situation as the previous posted except these were older teenagers with music and tamborines. They made it difficult to get on the train and they were going through our pockets.

Sorry to say they got a bundle. Our mistake.

TexasAggie,
Please tell us what "muggings" you have witnessed on the NYC subway, Or were you just making a general comment based on something you heard or read in the newspaper?.

I ride the NYC subway twice or more a day, every day, and many times late at night. My nephew rode it through Harlem daily all through high school, without incident. I also take my 5 year old niece to the beach on the subway through the "wilds" of Brooklyn. I have been doing that for many years. We do have violent incidents, as in any big city, but I have never witnessed a mugging personally, so your claim surprises me (you have "seen muggings", plural?). I too find it offensive when these kinds of aspersions about NYC are tossed casually into debates, often thoughtlessly. It puts a bee in my bonnet, so to speak!

re the Circumsuviana, My friend who lives in Massalubrense uses the Circumsiviana as a commuter train to get back and forth from Naples, as do many other citizens of the area. I also rode the Circumsuviana late at night during Easter week to go from town to town to witness various festivities.

The Circumsuviana is the best way to get to Pompeii, it stops almost right at the entrance.

We've ridden the Circumvesuviana several times Naples-Sorrento and back and also from Sorrento to Pompeii Scavi and back without incident. However, we have been accosted by some toughs, and also the guys who grab your bags and carry them to the platform, despite your objections, and then demand an exhorbitant amount of money.
Now, when we arrive in Naples, we have made arrangements with DriveAmalfi and there's Salvatore waiting on the platform for us. He drives us to Praiano, 90 minutes, in a Mercedes Minivan for 110 Euros for 4 of us. We just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride and views. Contact him at info@driveamalfi.com and he'll quote you.
italybound@verizon.net

Hi bellastar,

If you will trouble yourself to read my second post I clearly make the point that I don't think the NYC subway is a bad system, unsafe, etc. etc. Shall I SHOUT it? I ride the subway every time I visit NYC just like I ride the Circumvesuviana every time I am in that area of Naples-Sorrento. I think BOTH are great systems! It's just been my own personal experience to witness two (hence the plural) pickpocketing episodes in NYC and none in Naples. One was in 1997 and the victim was a fellow choir member (high school church choir). The girl, a 10th-grader, whose purse was snatched received a nasty hit in the face when she held onto her bag (which probably was not the wisest decision), resulting in a broken nose. The second was in 2001 and I was in the same car with a woman when she discovered that the wallet she had with her in her purse on the platform was no longer in her purse. I don't know her personally so I cannot vouch that she didn't lose her wallet on her own, only that she was very upset and convinced it must have been lifted.

Satisfied?
Good grief, I truly do not understand why people are getting so upset over my posts as I've now repeatedly made it clear I am not criticising the NYC subway! Just drawing a comparison that pickpocketing can happen to anyone, anywhere if you are not careful.

P.S.
bellastar,
I have always known you to be a delightful poster and one whom I respect and admire. Please do read what I have said carefully and I really don't think you will be offended!

Hi Texasaggie-
Thanks for your compliment, and I am happy to make peace now. Your claim that you witnessed muggings is now more clear- these were a purse snatching incident and a case of a missing wallet-likely pickpocketed, but not a mugging. A mugging is when a person is targeted and physical harm is done, such as a beating followed by being robbed.

It's a very important distinction.
We New Yorkers take alot of "stuff" being said about our city on many levels which is not usually based on reality, so you caught me at one of those "I've had it up to here" moments!

Regarding missing wallets- I once discovered that my wallet was missing in Positano and started freaking out- I was traveling alone and it contained all my ready cash, credit card, etc- I had just gotten off the SITA bus. Was I pickpocketed?

I called a driver I knew, and he called the busdriver, who had retrieved my wallet from the seat on the bus where a local had found it- he passed it along to the driver coming back in the opposite direction, and the bus made a stop at the trattoria where I was waiting- and returned it to me-completely intact- all while I was sitting enjoying a coffee kindly offered to me by the barista to help me calm down. As you might imagine, my opinion of the local people, not to mention the busdrivers of the Amalfi Coast was formed that day.

As travelers, we need be careful, but also to consider the daily realities of life in our destinations, rather than form abstract and often alarmist opinions based on single incidents or overheard stories.

We got the hydrofoil recently & while it's a nice journey, you then have to get a taxi or a (very crowded) small bus up from the port to the centre of Sorrento.

I was born in New York and have lived here most of my life. A "mugging" is getting robbed. Period. You are "mugged" even if somebody only intimidates you into giving up your money.

People should be careful, especially at night, riding the NYC subways, especially outside the core of Manhattan. They should be careful entering the station and exiting it at night, and they should move to another car if they ever are the only person in it.

Bellastar is speaking only for herself about New Yorkers. Many are proud of the city's reputation for toughness and danger, and even get a kick out of it.

It takes all kinds.

nessundorma,
yes, it absolutely takes all kinds.
Having also lived in NY most of my life, and having been mugged, I will again say that the definition of mugging is:
physical assault with the intent to rob.

It's the physical assault part that makes it a mugging.

I am proud of being a New Yorker, but I also strongly believe that:
A) not all New Yorkers are pushy and rude, as is sometimes reported, and
B) based on personal experience, yes you should be careful on the subways and streets of New York, taking the precautions necessary in any urban environment. Though you may be proud of New York's "tough, dangerous" reputation, we are no longer on the top three most dangerous US cities list!

I think a lot of cities get a worse rep then they deserve, including many cities in Europe such as Rome or Naples. I'm sure there are plenty of muggings in NYC, but my own city, St. Louis, ranked as the 3rd most dangerous city in the US last year. We are a fairly small midwestern city, so many wouldn't think that. Still, I never feel unsafe because most of the problems happen in places that most tourists, or many citizens for that matter, would travel to.

I think its more important to practice precaution in any place you visit. I think that, overall, places that attract tourists are places that one should be the most careful in.

Tracy

Reply for TexasAggie:

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