Is it safe to catch train from Naples to Sorrento ...???
Oct 31st, 2011, 12:03 AM
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Is it safe to catch train from Naples to Sorrento ...???
We are older independent travellers with luggage.
Does it make any diiference if it is day or night - we have heard that there can be some risks as to safety on this particular train trip.
Should we consider other options to train transport ... if so, what would you recommend as a better means of travel between these two towns; and at what estimated cost?
We are taking other train journeys through Italy, but have read this one is more 'risky'.
Thanks,
Marty R (Australia)
Does it make any diiference if it is day or night - we have heard that there can be some risks as to safety on this particular train trip.
Should we consider other options to train transport ... if so, what would you recommend as a better means of travel between these two towns; and at what estimated cost?
We are taking other train journeys through Italy, but have read this one is more 'risky'.
Thanks,
Marty R (Australia)
Oct 31st, 2011, 12:37 AM
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I've done this train trip a couple of times. It was crowded, but, if you use common sense, I can't see that it is too risky. I'd probably opt for a day trip, and perhaps at times when the rush of, for example, school children, is over. That was my main hassle, lots of kids, and having to stand! (And, I'm a senior citizen too, by the way.)
How much luggage will you have? Unless they've changed the trains, there's not a huge amount of space for big bags.
How much luggage will you have? Unless they've changed the trains, there's not a huge amount of space for big bags.
Oct 31st, 2011, 01:57 AM
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Hi Marty. I've travelled this line several times and never had or seen a problem. I think that on the rare occasion that someone does encounter something untoward, they post it on a blog and it gets blown up out of proportion.
If you are travelling in the late Spring/Summer/early Autumn, this service will be busy with tourists from all over the world and you will find safety in numbers if you are concerned, but apart from being aware of your surroundings, looking after bags, luggage etc. you should not have a problem. The train is of course busier during the day as it is used for the stop at Pompeii and although I think that some trains might by now have been replaced and updated, they still don't have much luggage space.
If Peter in Ischia sees this thread, he might be able to give you much more up to date info on rolling stock updates.
There was also a recent thread on this topic if you have a search for "Circumvesuviana".
If you are travelling in the late Spring/Summer/early Autumn, this service will be busy with tourists from all over the world and you will find safety in numbers if you are concerned, but apart from being aware of your surroundings, looking after bags, luggage etc. you should not have a problem. The train is of course busier during the day as it is used for the stop at Pompeii and although I think that some trains might by now have been replaced and updated, they still don't have much luggage space.
If Peter in Ischia sees this thread, he might be able to give you much more up to date info on rolling stock updates.
There was also a recent thread on this topic if you have a search for "Circumvesuviana".
Oct 31st, 2011, 04:56 AM
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Hi M,
>Is it safe to catch train from Naples to Sorrento<
No. It is much too big and you will be squashed.
Your alternatives are
http://www.curreriviaggi.it/inglese/E_index.html from Naples airport only
a private limo about 95E
http://www.directferries.it/snav.htm from the Movo Bevellero docks Stops running before Nov 1.
If the weather was nice, I would take the ferry.
>Is it safe to catch train from Naples to Sorrento<
No. It is much too big and you will be squashed.
Your alternatives are
http://www.curreriviaggi.it/inglese/E_index.html from Naples airport only
a private limo about 95E
http://www.directferries.it/snav.htm from the Movo Bevellero docks Stops running before Nov 1.
If the weather was nice, I would take the ferry.
Oct 31st, 2011, 05:55 AM
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Hub and I were warned of pickpockets in Naples every time we told someone we were going there. Frightened beyond belief, we found more police than anyone else-it was fine. Just take normal precautions. Hub always wore a money belt. Maybe get a attendant to help with luggage so it is not a distraction.
At the Naples train station, you will look for signs for the Circumvesuviana line on the lower level to get to Sorrento.
Enjoy this gorgeous area of bella italia!
At the Naples train station, you will look for signs for the Circumvesuviana line on the lower level to get to Sorrento.
Enjoy this gorgeous area of bella italia!
Oct 31st, 2011, 06:21 AM
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The Circumvesuviana is more a commuter train or light rail than a real train. You won't find any attendants. The Circumvesuviana station is in the basement of Naples Centrale, down some stairs. You must be able to carry your luggage yourselves. And would-be luggage carriers appear in the Naples station; don't accept their help, they just want money.
Pack lightly and watch your bags closely. I'm also a fan of money belts. Take these precautions, then relax and enjoy your trip.
Pack lightly and watch your bags closely. I'm also a fan of money belts. Take these precautions, then relax and enjoy your trip.
Oct 31st, 2011, 06:28 AM
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well two additonal comments - its a bit of a trek from where you get off the train in the Naples station to where you actually board the Circum. train - think extended Paris metro station - I don't remember if there are elevators but you need to be comfortable schlepping your bags.
As far as looking for an attendant to help - just be aware there are numeruous men in a uniform of sorts - light blue shirt, dark blue pants, that are not actually attendants. They may be helpful and will ask (demand) a tip - not sure they are any more tricky than that but in my experience they are not real attendants. Also, I'm not sure they would escort you all the way to the Circum. train platform.
My summary is, it's doable if you are comfortable schlepping your bags and have your valuables secure is some fashion so you can be navigating the stations.
As far as looking for an attendant to help - just be aware there are numeruous men in a uniform of sorts - light blue shirt, dark blue pants, that are not actually attendants. They may be helpful and will ask (demand) a tip - not sure they are any more tricky than that but in my experience they are not real attendants. Also, I'm not sure they would escort you all the way to the Circum. train platform.
My summary is, it's doable if you are comfortable schlepping your bags and have your valuables secure is some fashion so you can be navigating the stations.
Oct 31st, 2011, 09:46 AM
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DH and I rode the Circumvesuviana train last week from Naples to Pompeii. It was very crowded, and we ended up standing for part of the journey, although younger people did offer us their seats (we're not that old, but my husband does have white hair). I think it would be difficult to do with luggage, just due to lack of space. Taking a taxi from the train station to Molo Beverello would be only about 10-15 euro (depending on number of bags), and the boat to Sorrento from Naples is only 11 euro, so you might want to consider that. It would be pretty easy to get your bags on the boat; there's a ramp from the dock to the boat, and plenty of room onboard for bags.
Do make sure you have a money belt or neck pouch under your clothing for your passport and credit cards. We did not find Naples to be particularly dangerous. We were there for a week, during which we rode the bus, the train, the boat, walked and took taxis. But we always keep valuables under our clothes in a pouch, just in case.
Do make sure you have a money belt or neck pouch under your clothing for your passport and credit cards. We did not find Naples to be particularly dangerous. We were there for a week, during which we rode the bus, the train, the boat, walked and took taxis. But we always keep valuables under our clothes in a pouch, just in case.
Oct 31st, 2011, 09:54 AM
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Wish I could definitely advise you one way or the other....
We've used the system a good number of times, almost always by day and without encountering any problems worse than a rather sparse service on some lines on Sundays. Few though would call it lovely, and for those who aren't familiar with public transport it will not probably be an experience they'll enjoy much!
Money problems, I imagine, seem to have stalled the hoped-for replacement of the entire old fleet of trains with new rolling stock...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/125740296
For a look at the station (much more pleasant since the refit they finished around this time last year) and the transfer from the Trenitalia platforms to those two floors down that are used by the Circumvesuviana railway, try this earlier thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-or-pompei.cfm
... and maybe have a hunt on YouTube, where there are lots of clips of the journey itself!
Recently they'd been having some difficulties - with frequent breakdowns, cancellations etc - which may have been solved now with the introduction of winter's timetables, available here:
http://www.vesuviana.it/web/it/OrarioInvernale
But, with tickets costing only 4 Euro each, there's no similarly-priced alternative from the centre of the city!
Going out to the airport by taxi (some 15/20 Euro) or on the Alibus (€3) and then catching the €10 Curreri bus will take a good while - say 20 minutes, then a wait perhaps, and 75 more to Sorrento - with the possible further drawback that the last of their services (which operate hourly to two-hourly) leaves at 19:30.
For more, look under "Bus routes" here...
http://www.curreriviaggi.it/inglese/E_index.html
This may also be of interest if considering that?
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/114454837
.........................
If ruling out both of those, the most pleasant option might be to taxi to the port (c€15) for one of the 5 or 6 hydrofoils that cross the Bay most days (times and number varying slightly with the season). Tickets about 15 Euro, plus €2 per suitcase - although, if you'd then need another taxi to get from the Marina Piccola to your hotel, it could total €65 or so for two!
Or the easiest way is to be driven. A Naples taxi should charge you the official rate (currently €100), which the limo firms can normally undercut - by an amount that will vary with time of day, the season etc. Prices may be best from those operating from Sorrento, who are also more likely to be familiar with your hotel - although, unlike the taxis, they can't ply for hire... so one must be arranged beforehand!
For more on the taxis, see this - and do download the PDF, whose second page is in English....
http://www.comune.napoli.it/flex/cm/.../IDPagina/6665
.................................
We ourselves would probably go on the CV most times, but if it were a friend or friends of ours, any older than we are (very slightly nearer to 80 than 30) making the trip for the first time and arriving at all late in the evening or tired from a long flight or train trip - and with luggage and every one of their documents, credit cards etc to hand - I think I'd try to persuade them against doing so...
However I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to them for unencumbered daytime trips around the local sites and sights - and might well do so if they were moderately good travellers and only coming down from, say, Rome (or indeed starting from Naples) in good time, so they'd be properly fresh and alert!
Horses for courses.... or courses for horses, perhaps?
Peter
We've used the system a good number of times, almost always by day and without encountering any problems worse than a rather sparse service on some lines on Sundays. Few though would call it lovely, and for those who aren't familiar with public transport it will not probably be an experience they'll enjoy much!
Money problems, I imagine, seem to have stalled the hoped-for replacement of the entire old fleet of trains with new rolling stock...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/125740296
For a look at the station (much more pleasant since the refit they finished around this time last year) and the transfer from the Trenitalia platforms to those two floors down that are used by the Circumvesuviana railway, try this earlier thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-or-pompei.cfm
... and maybe have a hunt on YouTube, where there are lots of clips of the journey itself!
Recently they'd been having some difficulties - with frequent breakdowns, cancellations etc - which may have been solved now with the introduction of winter's timetables, available here:
http://www.vesuviana.it/web/it/OrarioInvernale
But, with tickets costing only 4 Euro each, there's no similarly-priced alternative from the centre of the city!
Going out to the airport by taxi (some 15/20 Euro) or on the Alibus (€3) and then catching the €10 Curreri bus will take a good while - say 20 minutes, then a wait perhaps, and 75 more to Sorrento - with the possible further drawback that the last of their services (which operate hourly to two-hourly) leaves at 19:30.
For more, look under "Bus routes" here...
http://www.curreriviaggi.it/inglese/E_index.html
This may also be of interest if considering that?
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/114454837
.........................
If ruling out both of those, the most pleasant option might be to taxi to the port (c€15) for one of the 5 or 6 hydrofoils that cross the Bay most days (times and number varying slightly with the season). Tickets about 15 Euro, plus €2 per suitcase - although, if you'd then need another taxi to get from the Marina Piccola to your hotel, it could total €65 or so for two!
Or the easiest way is to be driven. A Naples taxi should charge you the official rate (currently €100), which the limo firms can normally undercut - by an amount that will vary with time of day, the season etc. Prices may be best from those operating from Sorrento, who are also more likely to be familiar with your hotel - although, unlike the taxis, they can't ply for hire... so one must be arranged beforehand!
For more on the taxis, see this - and do download the PDF, whose second page is in English....
http://www.comune.napoli.it/flex/cm/.../IDPagina/6665
.................................
We ourselves would probably go on the CV most times, but if it were a friend or friends of ours, any older than we are (very slightly nearer to 80 than 30) making the trip for the first time and arriving at all late in the evening or tired from a long flight or train trip - and with luggage and every one of their documents, credit cards etc to hand - I think I'd try to persuade them against doing so...
However I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to them for unencumbered daytime trips around the local sites and sights - and might well do so if they were moderately good travellers and only coming down from, say, Rome (or indeed starting from Naples) in good time, so they'd be properly fresh and alert!
Horses for courses.... or courses for horses, perhaps?
Peter
Oct 31st, 2011, 11:09 AM
#11
>>>I don't remember if there are elevators but you need to be comfortable schlepping your bags.<<<
There are escalators, but some were not working last time I was in Naples (Sept.). I did get to experience one of the newer trains a couple of times, but also ended up on the old trains quite often.
I ride the train alone with luggage, but I'm used to Italian transport.
If you are coming from Rome, you would have a bus option from Rome to Sorrento (either Marozzi or Curreri) which wouldn't involve any changes.
There are escalators, but some were not working last time I was in Naples (Sept.). I did get to experience one of the newer trains a couple of times, but also ended up on the old trains quite often.
I ride the train alone with luggage, but I'm used to Italian transport.
If you are coming from Rome, you would have a bus option from Rome to Sorrento (either Marozzi or Curreri) which wouldn't involve any changes.
Oct 31st, 2011, 04:19 PM
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Have never done this - but wouldn;t anyone ("official" or not) helping you schlep your bags from the train station down to the local train require payment? Why would someone do this for free? You pay for redcaps anywhere I've ever been. It;s worth 5 euros to have someone drag your stuff around IMHO.
(Not that we never have this problem - we typically drive. And when we do train, we take luggage we can handle ourselves.
(Not that we never have this problem - we typically drive. And when we do train, we take luggage we can handle ourselves.
Oct 31st, 2011, 04:30 PM
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We were on this train four times in 2009. On one trip a woman with a baby walked down the aisle asking for money. Following behind her was a not so nice looking guy checking, I am quite sure, for still open purses/wallets. It was so obvious it was almost humourous.
At one point they spotted a train employee and off the train they raced. You would have to be very distracted not to notice their plan of action.
At one point they spotted a train employee and off the train they raced. You would have to be very distracted not to notice their plan of action.
Oct 31st, 2011, 05:32 PM
#15
Marty; Taking the train was so easy with luggage. [But how much luggage]. We each had a suitecase and I had a carry on. You have not asked about a hotel. For us, this hotel was a few hundred yards after getting off the train. All downhill, on a sidewalk on the left hand side of the road. Loved this hotel. www.hotelantichemura.com/en/hotel/
Nov 1st, 2011, 02:19 AM
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Very safe fine station a little dodgy.
Train was 4 euro for me in May Circumvesuviano
left from Naples Garibaldi and ended in Sorrento
hoteldelfino.com was awesome there for me in May
$60/nt www.otel.com
Other options 10X more expensive.
I felt safe at all times
It is possible to board the wrong trunk line
and end up in the wrong place so ask an employee or local
which train to board it can be confusing if you have
not done it... Ferry would be ok if you can make that work.
But I always prefer train cheaper best
seat61.com/italy good training info.
Train was 4 euro for me in May Circumvesuviano
left from Naples Garibaldi and ended in Sorrento
hoteldelfino.com was awesome there for me in May
$60/nt www.otel.com
Other options 10X more expensive.
I felt safe at all times
It is possible to board the wrong trunk line
and end up in the wrong place so ask an employee or local
which train to board it can be confusing if you have
not done it... Ferry would be ok if you can make that work.
But I always prefer train cheaper best
seat61.com/italy good training info.
Nov 1st, 2011, 02:34 AM
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We caught this train a couple of weeks ago. It was no different from any other local train and probably safer than some. Sometimes it is packed and other times not. Travel as light as you dare, extra luggage is a distraction. But that applies to any travel experience.
Seeing beggars and being bothered by them is not a familiar experience to us, but beggars exist throughout most of Italy so get used to it.
Seeing beggars and being bothered by them is not a familiar experience to us, but beggars exist throughout most of Italy so get used to it.
Aug 10th, 2017, 08:37 AM
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left from Naples Garibaldi and ended in Sorrento>
Garibaldi adjoins Naples Centrale - connected by walkways
Yes Ischia Brit says it all.
For general info on European trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Garibaldi adjoins Naples Centrale - connected by walkways
Yes Ischia Brit says it all.
For general info on European trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
