noproblem

We are staying on Capri for four nights and after taking a ferry to Naples we wonder if we should take the trains to Assisi or should we pay the extra money to hire a driver to drive us directly from Naples to Assisi. Suggestions?

Jean

Have you investigated the cost of a driver? Were you thinking of making any stops along the way (and including that additional time into the overall cost)?

bobthenavigator

That trip would cost you perhaps $500 to $600 for a driver--is that OK?
The train trip is quite feasible via Rome. You will need a taxi the last 2 miles.

kismetchimera

If moneys is not an object I would hire a driver otherwise take the train, much cheaper.

The lenght of the voyage is anywhere from 3 hours 39 minutes to 5 hours.

The train route usually is Naples/ Rome (change)
and Foligno/Assisi.

You are going to love Assisi I was there in September.



http://www.fsitaliane.it/homepage_en.html

greg

Of course, you can do either. Its about 4hrs either way.

But what is your selection criteria?

I am not sure you looked at a map. It is perhaps about 380km from Napoli to Assisi. You will certain need quite an "extra money" to do such a trip with a driver. Do you have a compelling reason to consider this idea?

You can look at train schedule at www.trenitalia.com. It's about 55EU per person using 2 or 3 trains.

kybourbon

There's also a bus option. Leaves Naples at 8:15 and arrives Assisi at 13:15.

http://www.sulga.it/orari/assisi_pompei.pdf

A_Brit_In_Ischia

From here on Ischia, our journeys are a lot like those that start on Capri - and usually we'll catch a hydrofoil between 8.30 and 9 - to be 'ashore' just within the hour.

Although the fastest trains get up to Rome in only 70 minutes, we often use the cheaper ICs - paying half the price, but taking an extra hour. Those from Rome to Umbria are a good bit slower, and the time we spent New Year in Perugia we didn't arrive until just before 3.30.

At present Trenitalia's schedules have FrecciaRossas from Naples at 09:50 and 10:50 - with which you could arrive in Assisi by 13:43 or 14:33, for about €54 each...

Of course you could set out at some hideous time of day (and crossings start just before 7) but otherwise - even with the fast train to Rome and then a car (c.83 miles, and 2 - 2.5 hours perhaps) - it doesn't look as though you'd be there a whole lot sooner....

But that shorter drive might be quite a pleasant experience, especially with an accommodating driver prepared to stop anywhere interesting along the way?

Peter

qwovadis

seat61.com/italy
train WAY better and cheaper.
FrecciaRosa 1 hour Naples to Roma
then on to www.Assisi.com

noproblem

My husband and I will be traveling with our twelve year old son and daughter. So I wondered if it the train trip would be hard on them, given the fact that they would need to be able to carry their own bags on and off the three trains we would have to catch. Would the cost of hiring a driver, $700 be worth it to avoid having a stressful day. Or do you think the train situation would be feasible for two twelve year old kids traveling with us???

bobthenavigator

Only you can answer that?

A_Brit_In_Ischia

I'm sure they'd cope awfully well if offered $50 each - leaving you still a saving of another three hundred?

Peter

greg

Now we see more of your situation, but it poses more questions.

Do your children have medical conditions preventing them from carrying their own bags? Also, would it not be an issue on other segments you have not mentioned?

If you are heavy packers, reducing your luggage solves this segment as well as all your segments.

The one bus suggestion mentioned above eliminates changing train issue, if there was any in the first place. I don't like bus ride this long even if it eliminated changes. The seats are tight like airplane economy classes. Train seats are more comfortable. Also, I don't like cargo hold being opened and closed several times during the trip. I might be too worried about someone taking my luggage away at one of these stops. I always sit on the cargo door side, if it is one sided, to make sure my luggage stay under me until the destination.

A_Brit_In_Ischia

greg.... only for fun - the way that one pair of enterprising thieves in Spain were supposed to have circumvented even precautions such as that:

http://estaticos.elperiodico.com/res...7480433648.pdf

Peter

StCirq

What is the issue with your children carrying their own bags? They should be prepared to do this for any trip, anywhere.

I can't imagine paying essentially the equivalent of a RT US-Europe airfare to be transported from one Italian city to another, especially when train rides are usually so much fun, but it's up to you.

greg

Even if one postulates that your children cannot carry their own luggage, if you are using wheeled luggage, they can be tandemed together. We had one handle damaged in cargo bay and could not extend the handle. No problem, we just tandem connected them together and pulled two at the same time. It actually gives balanced load and pulling them on a flat surface was easier than just pulling one luggage. Stairs? No problem. Just unsnap them and carry them up individually. With 4 people, there are enough of you to watch luggage at both ends. Getting on trains? No problem. Have the stronger person relay up luggage over steps from the platform level to the person on the train.

A_Brit_In_Ischia,
these thieves in Spain are ingenious if not suffocating. If only can they be taught to post here to answer never ending "what are must sees in Barcelona" questions... LOL

fouDor

Your children are lucky to be able to join you on your trip!!! Don't spoil them by suggesting an idea that the trip might be complicated or tiring - that is part of the fun!
"Wake up and smell the coffee, kids"...

Now - there is ONE cardinal rule when travelling (especially by train):
don't take more stuff with you then you can carry (regardless of wheeled suitcase).

A small backpack plus a carry-on that is allowable on the airplane is all that you should travel with (or a large backpack + a small tote).
Oh, and everybody is responsible for their pieces of luggage.

And no, I would not suggest hiring a driver/taxi for such a long trip - it would make more sense to rent a car for one day, but train will be still the best option!

noproblem

Thanks for your suggestions. My kids can carry their own luggage as long as they pack light for our six week vacation. Since I have not traveled on the Italian trains since I was in college, twenty-five years ago, I just did not know how difficult it would be to make the following transitions in one day:
Ferry from Capri to Naples---taxi to train station---train from Naples to Rome---change trains to go to Foligno---change trains to go to Assisi---taxi to our hotel in Assisi.

A_Brit_In_Ischia

You'll presumably have seen what the initial stages of that journey would be like when arriving?

At Napoli Centrale, the worst you'd have to do is climb the 4 steps into the carriage and stow your bags in one of the places provided - reversing the process an hour or so later at Rome's Termini station... where the layout's much the same.

But if you wanted some help with detraining, there's this - though only available to those using the FrecciaRossa service:

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD

.... and any decent hotel on Capri ought to be able to assist you with the arrangements.

(Better perhaps to direct them to the Italian version, which is often more complete!)

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD

And for the latter stages, perhaps get a quote from one of the Rome-based limo firms for the trip from Termini to Assisi - and decide whilst on Capri whether or not you need to call on them?

Like the Boy Scouts, be prepared!

Peter