tinamidon

I am trying to figure out which train we will want to take out of Rome (645am or 9:45)in order to catch a ferry to Positano. This will be on July 24, 2007--Tuesday morning.

I have been studying the Metro del Mare schedule. I just want to have some sort of idea what our plan will be--it does not have to be written in stone. I feel really stupid trying to read this schedule, but from what I gather, it would leave Salerno at 8:05, 9:30, 11:30 & 1800....would that be all? Are there generally that few ferries during the summer? Maybe I am missing something on these schedules! Are there other ferry companies around there? If this is the case, we will want the early train so we don't have to wait around til 6pm...I read that it is 3 blocks from train station to Ferry...can anyone give me specifics as to where to go? We will be traveling w/2 kids & luggage in tow....I need a game plan!

What is this area of Salerno like? Big busy city? Small port area? Will we likely be approached for cabs, tours, etc.?

Thanks so much for any details you might be able to provide!

GeoffHamer

The Metro del Mare is a publicly-subsidized service designed to relieve road congestion. There are lots of commercial boat services in the area as well.
Salerno is a big, busy city but is of little interest to tourists. The only reason why tourists might go there is to get a boat to Amalfi, Positano or Capri.

kja

Hi, tinamidon - I'm afraid I can't answer your questions about the ferry schedules, but I did want to defend Salerno - it has a few wonderful things to see! The Duomo is very special, as is the ivory altarpiece in the museum associated with the Duomo (Museo Diocesano). And its seafront promenade - the Lungomare Trieste - is lovely.

I think the ferry dock is at the far (west) end of the Lungomare; the train station is only a few short blocks from its eastern-most end - but I'm not sure about that. I'm pretty sure I saw some postings about it when I was doing my research, so you might want to do a search this forum. The area is flat and has broad pavements, so it is easy to move around, but I'm not sure I'd want to try managing with children and heavy luggage.

Hope that helps!

TexasAggie

There is another company. We took a ferry from Positano to Salerno in 2005 (and saw ferries from the same company on our recent trip ending last week).

I'll look around and post the link

TexasAggie

http://www.salernocity.com/comune/tr...i/costiera.asp

ira

Hi T,

Your ferry docks at the Piazza della Concordia, about 3 blks from the train station.

You can find it at www.viamichelin.com and www.mappy.com

lawgirl

The ferries listed on the link provided by TexasAggie all leave from Molo Manfredi, not Piazza Della Concordia. Are there no ferries that leave from Piazza Della Concordia??? I recall seeing a schedule from the same website for the 2006 summer that had many more time options for the ferry from Salerno to Positano, and they left from Piazza Della Concordia. We will be leaving from Rome to Positano on July 9 and could really use some advice. Thanks!

Pazza22

There are two ferry companies offer service from Salerno to Amalfi, and the one closest (2.5 blocks, 10 minute walk across two streets to the pier behind Piazza della Concordia) to the Salerno FS Train Station is run by the Travelmar or Coop Sant'Andrea people. Both companies charge around 1.50 euros for each piece of luggage taken aboard. If the weather is bad, neither company will run boats:
http://www.coopsantandrea.com/it/ser...izi_b.asp?id=1

Rick Steves has a good map of how to get from the FS Salerno station to the pier behind Piazza della Concordia. It's not that difficult.

keepswimming

Ira - I hope you have outdoor wi-fi, b/c otherwise you are inside helping all of us plan our trip. One last question re: ferry. We're taking Rome-Salerno train on Sat. 22 Sept, BUT our final destination is Praiano (Le Sirene, based on your rec). I would love to get on the water after being on the train, but does it make more sense to just hop on the SITA bus directly to Praiano from Salerno? Is there ferry service to Praiano from Salerno? I'd like to have a plan in mind since it's a Saturday/high season. Thanks again for your insights.

keepswimming

Steve James - same goes for you. You've helped immensely w/trip. Grazie!
K

Steve_James

Hi KS - It depends on your arrival time in Salerno.

Really IMO it's best to take the ferry from Salerno to Amalfi (- 30 mins). From Amalfi you can take a bus (- or taxi) to Praiano (- 20 mins).

For ferry times see the link I gave you previously.

[Salerno-Praiano by is a slow journey, and you have to change bus in Amalfi. Journey time is 1.5/2+ hrs - depending on connection time in Amalfi].


All in all you may still prefer the Marozzi bus option from Rome. It goes direct to Praiano via Sorrento - and is a relatively hassle-free inexpensive option if you have luggage.

Journey time will be similar - approx 5 hrs.
Fare: € 20

Steve

ira

Hi K,

>We're taking Rome-Salerno train on Sat. 22 Sept, BUT our final destination is Praiano ...

You could take the ferry to Amalfi and then the SITA bus to Praiano or take the ferry to Positano and then the Orange bus to Praiano.

The first is more scenic, but you have the problem of possible traffic jams.

As noted, if you go by bus from Salerno, you have to change in Amalfi.

Get your tickets for the SITA bus at the nearest tabac shop or grocery. For the Orange bus, you pay on board.

Enjoy your visit.