vantravelbug

My husband, my mom, 17 year old daughter and her best friend are travelling to Rome on July 18th and then we move on to Amalfi July 24th.

We're going to take the Trentiitalia Train from Rome to Naples and am wondering if we should purchase the tickets in advance, or wait till we get there?

I've read a lot of negative stories about taking the Circumcuvensivia(sp?) from Naples to Sorrento with pickpockets in the station and train delays, so we're looking at the Metrodelamare Ferry from Naples to Amalfi. Cost seems to be reasonable and seems like it would be more relaxing..Any feedback if this is a better idea?

Thanks for any advice!

Jean

Yes, some people have commented on pickpockets on the Circumvesuviana. I've never seen any, but I don't travel in high season. You can buy your Rome-Naples train tickets when you get to Rome.

You should research the cost of private transport from the Naples train station to Amalfi. You may find the cost attractive when compared to the ferry tickets and multiple cabs (Naples station to dock, Amalfi dock to hotel). I doubt you'll find a cab in either place that can hold five people plus luggage.

There have been several threads here about drivers people have used for this purpose. Perhaps Ira can chime in here -- I know he has a recommendation.

But if that doesn't work, I vote for the ferry to Amalfi, not because of the pickpocket possibility but because it involves less schlepping and more (and prettier) views.

jamikins

You dont have to buy your tickets to Naples in advance, although I think you can get a small discount if you do it online, called Amica I think. But train tickets are fairly cheap and you can just buy them when you get there at the train stations.

As for getting to Amalfi, my family of 7 used this private driver in Sept 2007: http://www.cuomonet.it/ He was very affordable and it was wonderful to be dropped off right at our front door and not have to worry about schlepping our bags.

Enjoy your trip!

carolemg

I've just returned from Amalfi coast and we had no probs at all using the Circumvesuviana on the day we took it from Sorrento - Pompeii, Pompeii - Ercolano, Ercolano - Sorrento. We were expecting delays but everything ran to time. One suggestion may be to get the hydrofoil from Naples to Sorrento?

luvtotravel

I traveled Rome, Capri, and Amalfi this past April. We had a private driver take us from Amalfi to Rome in a mini-van that would suit your needs. His contact information: [email protected]. Others on this board have used his car hire service and he is quite reliable. I believe he lives near Amalfi. If you would like to read my trip report, click on my name and look for my post "Wonton Soup...the Roman Way."

jetsetj

We have driven a rental car from Rome and all around the Amalfi and have taken the Circumvesuviana too.
We have never had a problem.

I enjoy having the rental car as you can stop and go as you like.

Always watch valueables on train and never leave anything in rental cars.

ira

Hi van,

There are pickpockets everywhere, not just Italy.

I suggest taking the train from Rome to Salerno. The ferry to Amalfi is 3 blocks from the train station. It drops you at the main square. Very pleasant and scenic ride on the ferry.

You can also take the SITA bus from the Salerno train station to Amalfi. Bus stops at the main square.

For Ferry schedules Positano – Amalfi - Salerno (P.zza della Concordia):
See http://tinyurl.com/3cbhkb

bxl4373

Ira,
Does the SITA bus have luggage compartments? What train would you take from Naples to Salerno?
Thanks

Jean

No problem with luggage on the SITA bus. The train to Salerno leaves from the same tracks as the train to Sorrento. In fact, you have to be alert and note the destination of the train before boarding. I once boarded the Salerno train by mistake, got off at the first stop, and spent several minutes waiting for the Sorrento train. If I hadn't realized my error that quickly, I would have had to return to Naples or go all the way to Salerno.

But I'd still look into private transport from the Naples train station. The Naples-Salerno-Amalfi option is easy enough, but it still involves additional steps to getting to your final destination.

kybourbon

vantravelbug - The easiest thing to do (if they are willing to get up early) is take the Marozzi bus. It departs Rome at 7 am and arrives Amalfi at noon. No changes involved. You put your luggage underneath the bus in the storage compartment and you don't have to worry with it until you arrive Amalfi. Cost is 20.50E.

Palenque

Depending on where you are domiciling on the Amalfi it may be easier and about as quick to take a train from Rome to Salerno and then from the station hop the thrilling Amalfi Coast buses to your base. No hassling with Naples, CircumVesuviana train, etc.

Last time i took the CircumVeusiviana there were two guys shooting up something in the rear of my car - not a comforting thought.

ira

Hi bx,

As jean says, no problem with SITA, they put your luggage in a compartment under the seating area. If you take the ferry from Salerno, there is lots of room for luggage.

Train schedules and prices are at www.trenitalia.com.

Ninkette

One thing to keep in mind is that the Circumvesuviana does not go all the way to Amalfi. It drops you in Sorrento, and then you have to take the bus to Amalfi. So you train to Naples, take the C to Sorrento, bus to Amalfi. I've done this trip and don't recommend it. The C also does not have a place for you to store your luggage the way the train from Rome to Naples or the bus does, so you have to stand with it the whole time. Take the train to Salerno or get the private driver from Naples (we did this on the return trip to Naples, worth every penny).

bxl4373

Ninkette,

What would you expect to pay for a driver from Naples to Amalfi?
Thanks
bxl

kybourbon

bxl - I think you should expect to pay 100-130€ for a driver between Naples/Amalfi.

vantravelbug

thanks to everyone that has responded on this. I'm comfortable knowing now we don't need to purchase our train tickets in advance and have emailed some of the transfer services that have been recommended.

Can't wait to go!

thanks again,
vantravelbug

colduphere

On the Trenitalia website there is an offer of train to Naples, bus to the Naples dock, hydrofoil to Sorrento and then bus into Sorrento from the dock....all on one ticket.

My first attempt at booking it was not successful.

kybourbon

I don't see that it shows bus transport from the train station to the dock when you click details and then info. It only shows the train to Naples and the ferry to Sorrento. Looks like you would be on your own for the transfer from the station to the port.

Very few Americans manage to get Trenitalia to process tickets with US credit cards. I'm not sure if Canadians have any better luck. Easiest thing is the bus from Rome to Sorrento (either Marozzi or Curreri) if that's where you are going. The Marozzi goes as far as Amalfi in summer.

http://www.marozzivt.it/web.aspx

http://www.curreriviaggi.it/

colduphere

Actually I was wrong in that there is no bus from the Sorrento dock into town. But here is the rest of the text:

"An agreement reached between Trenitalia and Volaviamare now lets you reach Ischia and Sorrento in greatest convenience. After your train journey, when arriving at Napoli Centrale station, you will find the personnel of Volaviamare to greet you on the platforms of AV 12 and 13. With a shuttle bus service you will be accompanied directly to the embarkation wharf to begin your journey in hydrofoil. On the return leg too, you will find the shuttle bus at the Beverello wharf to bring you back to the railway station."

kybourbon

You will notice some Trenitalia routes do use a bus connection (Siena/Rome for one) for certain routes/times of day. It shows a little bus symbol. I've traveled from Rome to Sorrento by all train, train/ferry and bus. Bus was by far easiest and least stressful, but if they are meeting you at the Naples train station, it might be a good deal especially if you have never ferried the coast before. Just know that there are lots of people trying to "help" you when you exit the train in Naples. Don't let the wrong ones grab your bags and demand money.

Does it say how you will get from the marina in Sorrento up to Sorrento? I've seen those shuttles refuse to take people unless they were part of a tour group or cruise ship. It seems the tour guides often make deals for their groups.