You will need to take the train from the airport in Rome to termini, then the train to Naples...from there you can get a car service or take the local commuter train and there are options form there. The Naples train station is fine, just use your common sense, don't let people help you or carry your luggage, and don't keep valuables in view..

The train station in Naples is safer than the train stations in New York, Newark and Philadelphia by a factor of about 1,000. It is also comparable to the train station in Rome. You need to put your passport and money away in a money belt, and not carry so much luggage you look like a great target for someone who wants to pick your pockets, but that's it. No guns, no psychopaths, no road rage, no people galloping to catch their commuter trains home they knock you over.

You can take a bus from Rome to Sorrento and get to Positano from there. I don't have the details, but if you ask on the TripAdvisor message board for Sorrento, someone will walk you through it.

I have been told repeatedly that the train goes to naples and it's a very unsafe train station>

Naples itself may have some problems with street crime but IME not in the train station itself - though take jamikins advice about people coming up to you.

The CircumVesuviana train to Sorrento leaves from a station attached to Naples Centrale - the main station with most of the train from Rome - there is a walkway between the two - from where that train ends in Sorrento you hop the world-famous Amalfi Coast buses to Positano.

an alternative route avoiding Naples would have you taking a train from Rome to Salerno, then by Amalfi Coast bus or fast catamaran boats to Positano - this route may take a bit longer but IMO is more scenic and you need not worry about transiting Naples.

For lots of great info on Italian trains I always spotlight these IMO superb sites - www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. Check www.trenitalia.com for fares and schedules - you will always be able to get on trains IME as there are so so many, especially to Naples - you can get online discounts if you book early enough but beware that those are in practice hard to change or refund so build in a lot of fudge factor time for your plane to be late - you also have to take the Leonardo Express from the airport into Rome Termini station.

Thanks guys.. if someone could please explain the difference between IMO & IME . I really like the idea of going to Sorrento and then ferry but is it a much longer route and are the prices much different ?

Going to Salerno then ferry you could also get a ferry from Sorrento but that is if you come via Naples.

In my opinion
In my experience

Can't comment on the train station in Newark - but those in Rome and Naples are most certainly NOT safer than those in NY or Philly - which are perfectly safe unless you are very careless with your belongings. (Granted commuters run to trains but they aren;t know for actually running down other people.) And the armed soldiers in Penn ST and Grand Central tend to discourage criminal activity.

Getting off a plane from NY to Rome and then taking multiple trains (3) to Sorrento and then a bus to Positano is NOT the way I would choose to travel. (Ferry might not be an option since they don't run late in the day and there might not be any by the time you get there.)

If it were me I would either get a car and driver to take me (YES, very big $) from the airport to Positano - or stay in Rome for the night and make the trip the next day when you are not exhausted and jetlagged.

There is a bus I believe from Rome direct to Sorrento ad you could get either the local bus or a taxi from there. Caveat: we have done this trip only by car so don;t have details on the bus.

Part of what will make most sense for you is how much luggage you have and how willing/able you are to schlep it on and off trains and through train stations (again remember possibly after a sleepless night and partly disoriented). Our rule is the day we land never to travel more than an hour or so the from the airport.

Last year we discovered that a flight from Boston to Rome, then Rome to Naples was actually cheaper than just Boston to Rome. So, if you haven't bought your plane tickets yet, you might check this out. We hired a driver to take us from the Naples airport to Ravello. That was 110 euros and a very pleasant experience. On our return the driver took us from Ravello to the Salerno train station, where we got a train to Rome. I would not attempt to take trains, buses and/or boats to Positano with luggage.

nytraveler's post is simply a lot of hooey.

In recent trips to NYC, I have twice needed to change my daily plans because of gunfire in the center of Manhattan. Nothing remotely comparable happens in Italy. Yes, there are pickpockets in Rome or Naples (or most of touristic Europe). I would rather deal with a pickpocket than either NJ's or NY's population of violent thugs.

I would love to know when the last time nytraveler was in Naples, or in Italy, or indeed away from her computer posting idiocies about Europe. I think "traveler" in the screen name must refer to some long ago life and weird memories.

It is a ridiculous expense to hire private driver to take you to Sorrento when you can get a bus there.

Like I said, ask on TripAdvisor. You will get accurate, detailed assistance, not hysteria.

How about staying in Rome first, then making your way down to Positano? It is a really exhausting day otherwise. Rome to Positano is about a 3-hour drive. Of course if you're training to Naples first it's longer.

And if you can't change your itinerary, I highly recommend opting for a private driver from FCO ( Rome airport) to Positano, if at all possible. It would be much less of a headache than transferring luggage to/from a train to/from a boat or bus to Positano.

What time does your flight arrive in Rome? There is a once daily bus to Salerno where you could catch a ferry to Positano or changes buses to Positano. Ferries don't run late so you would need to check schedules for May.

>>>I have been told repeatedly that the train goes to naples and it's a very unsafe train station.<<<

Not sure who told you that, but the train is safe. The fast train from Rome to Naples is reserved seating only so there are not random people wandering around the train. Everyone on there is in their seat they've paid for. The station in Naples has a few scammers trying to make a buck. They meet arriving trains and target people with luggage heading to the commuter train to Sorrento. They attempt to look like official baggage transporters and offer to help with luggage. They want (more like demand) a tip for helping. There are also random pickpockets so you need to watch your belongings.

You are talking about a long day:

Train from airport to Rome - 30 minutes plus connection time (only runs every 30 minutes).

Train from Rome to Naples - 70 minutes

Train from Naples to Sorrento 75 minutes (runs every 30 minutes)

Bus from Sorrento to Positano - 60 minutes

Ferries don't run as often as the buses. You may have to wait for a ferry a few hours.

There is no train to Positano. You will have to get there either by ferry, bus or private car. As mentioned above, the bus runs from Sorrento. Not the best option in my opinion. The ferry is a much better choice. You can take a cab from the Naples train station to the port and take a ferry from there to Positano. It will take about an hour and a half by ferry, but it is a nice ride.

The actual train from Rome Termini to Naples is quick and safe. Once you are on the train you have nothing to worry about. Public transportation from the Rome airport to Termini station will take about 45 min. You can take a cab which will cost about 40 euros and take 30-45 min depending on traffic. Both train stations are like most others in Europe. Your only real concern should be theft. Make sure to secure your money and passports and always keep an eye on your luggage. And do not let anyone handle your luggage in the station.

If you are concerned about the safety of either train station the best and easiest way to travel is by private car. We took a private car from Naples to Rome and from Naples all along the coast. The car from Rome to Naples cost 300 euro and took a couple hours. A car from Rome to Positano will be around that amount, maybe a little more and will take 3-4 hours. A private car from the Naples train station to Positano will take about 1-1.5 hours and cost 100-130 euro. I would suggest not going through the hotel if you go with a private car since they add a little extra on top.

pizzaguy -

Sorry - I have been to erope more than 100 times - the last in December. And have been to Italy numerous times - and Naples/Amalfi cost twice.

Based on what I have read tourist crime rate in Naples is much higher than in NYC - when you consider that tourists are usually victims in train stations, airports and similar. (No one would argue that the US has - very sadly - much more violent crime - but this is typically either personal/familial or gang related - and not focused on tourists). And I am not suggesting trains in Italy are not safe. As far as I am aware they are very safe. However, when jetlagged and disoriented, tourists have a habit of not keeping perfect control of their belongings are are subject to pickpockets and scammers.

Separately, if you keep running into gunfire in the middle of Manhattan you must be the unluckiest person on the face of the earth. I have lived here my entire adult life - for almost all that time regularly riding the subway and going out to dinners, theaters, etc in the evening on a regular basis. And in more than 30 years have never run into gunfire in midtown Manhattan.

Since NYC is the safest largest city in the US, I would really like to know the details of the gunfire in the middle of Manhattan that you're talking about. Please - specific time, date and event that can be verified in public sources. (And even if this can be verified - it has nothing to do with the experience of the average tourist.)

And I am not suggesting that the OP hire a driver. Just that after an overnight flight, and probably being jetlagged, a further journey of many hours involving 3 trains and a bus is probably not a really good idea. (Per the list above, with waiting for trains, riding trains, then walking to the next one, waiting for that and taking that - the trip from FCO to Positano will take at least 6 hours - probably more like 8 hours from the plane's wheels down - and going through Immigration, waiting for luggage and going through Customs).

Here is what I would do.
Take the train from Rome airport to Termini, then train to Naples. Then have a driver take you to Positano.

P.S. NY is safe. Newark is safe. Rome and Naples are generally safe. Just avoid people who volunteer to 'help' you.

Train from Naples to Sorrento 75 minutes (runs every 30 minutes)>

this is sadly dated info - fast trains now all seem to take 37 minutes Naples Centrale to Salerno and there is even some direct trains from Rome to Salerno that take 1 h 57 minutes. So the trip is not nearly as long as kybourbon says and not having to change in hectic-looking to novice travelers perhaps Naples Centrale.

Amalfi buses I believe leave from very close to the Salerno train station and boats not far away either.

So rather than a minimum of 3 changes via Naples and Sorrento (unless the sporadic Naples to Positano ferry is running) I'd rather do the only one change, from train to bus or boat in Salerno, a much smaller station than the much busier Naples Centrale.

There are some trains from Rome to Salerno with no change in Naples, so you can possibly skip the debate on which train stations are more dangerous. You only change trains at Roma Termini, and the connecting time is a very comfortable 30 minutes. What time does your flight land at Fiumicino?

I didn't find the Naples station scary, but I think the option via Salerno is more scenic.

WOW 1ST let me say thanks to all of you. 2ND big thanks to the defenders of the NYC trains. My husband an I live in Jersey directly across the Hudson River and are in the city all the time. Never ever had a bad experience. I also want to say that the statement about the safety in Naples was not meant to offend anyone,so if it did , my apology. Well let me start with saying our flight arrives at 7:45 am and I can almost guarantee I wont get even a little snooze on plane. So having said that the idea of multiple trains and buses and ferries are making me tired just reading it
Now so far I've figured out that the ride from Rome train to Termini is 1/2 hr then from termini to Naples on the fast train 70 mins. Now if I take a car (how do it get car? ) from Naples to hotel in the heart of Positano how long of a drive is that? Also if you know the approximate price for the car ride( which I dont know how to get) from Naples to Positano that would help also.
Again thank you all for your help and patience. ?"

Reading this with interest since I am doing this same thing in May.

Hey scatcat are you getting a driver from Naples ?

What time does your flight land in Rome? That will affect how feasible this trip will be to do on the same day.

>>>PalenQ on Feb 10, 13 at 7:52pm

Train from Naples to Sorrento 75 minutes (runs every 30 minutes)>

this is sadly dated info<<<

PalQ - You are totally wrong and the info is current, not dated. You have confused two different towns, Sorrento and Salerno. The train from Naples to Sorrento takes 75 minutes as I stated.
http://www.vesuviana.it/web/en

Additionally, going to Salerno by train will probably not save much time as those trains don't run as often so you have to add in wait time (plus time from the airport to Rome).

>>>Now so far I've figured out that the ride from Rome train to Termini is 1/2 hr<<<

You mean from Fiumicino (the airport is in Fiumicino) to Rome Termini. The train is called the Leonardo Express and is 14€ (validate this ticket before boarding!). Departs every 30 minutes.

Fast train to Naples (70 minutes). This ticket does not have to be validated. It will be checked on board.

>>>Now if I take a car (how do it get car? ) <<<

You do not want to drive in Naples. NYC traffic/driving is tame compared to Naples. If you want a car, pick it up in Sorrento, but first you should check if there is any parking at your hotel (many places in Positano do not have parking and it may be 30-35€ a night to park).

You have several options once you reach Naples.

1.You can take the tram or bus to the ferry port and ferry to Positano. Ferries don't run often that connect with Positano and may not put into Positano if weather is rough. There is more ferry option from Naples to Sorrento.

2.Take the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento (70 minutes), bus to Positano or pick up car in Sorrento(1 hour drive on very curvy roads).

3. Taxi from Naples to Positano. Naples offers a set fee for taxis, but you must request this before getting in the taxi. From Naples to Positano is 120€. Click on the pdf link for the rates. Page 2 is English.
http://www.comune.napoli.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/EN/IDPagina/6665

4. While you could also go to Salerno by train from Naples, I'm not sure there is any advantage unless you wanted to pick up a car there. A ferry or bus from Salerno to Positano will take longer. The bus will require changing in Amalfi. the ferry would also stop in Amalfi.

I've done this route (airport to Sorrento) in the last year on arrival. It's very tiring after an overnight flight and I am very familiar with all these trains/stations/towns as I have been all these places multiple times. I think it's more stressful for someone not familiar with everything.

redtop969, I think we will train to Sorrento, then bus to Positano. I haven't booked a hotel yet. Where are you staying? Not sure how to get to the hotel in Positano from the bus either.

If you haven't booked your hotel in Positano, then get on it! This is the most popular and scenic of the AC villages and hotels sell out fast.

The bus from Sorrento enters Positano from the main coast road and winds down the hill to the village centre. It stops at various points along the way, so you need to know where your hotel is if you're taking this route.

For those who take the ferry, be aware that you are at the bottom of a cliff with steep narrow walkways up to the village road. There are porters who will take your bags and you on golf type carts up to your hotel, but as a reasonably fit person I would not attempt to carry my bags all the way uphill on my own. The porters are not inexpensive.

We hired a driver to take us to Positano from the Naples train station. Use this company and would highly recommend them: http://www.cuomonet.it/

From memory the drive is about an hour...? You can email the above company and ask...

kybourbon - my apologies for my misreading - I should have known you were right - and the train to Sorrento from Naples is a dumpy commuter train - the U S State Department once issued warnings about theft on those trains - that was several years ago and the last time I took it locals were shooting up heroin in the rear of the car.

Not to say it is not safe now but some folks may find this train rather seedy.

When we went to take the Circumvesuviana from Naples to Sorrento, we discovered that there are about a half-dozen different Circumvesuviana routes, only one of which ends in Sorrento. Luckily, a fellow passenger told us we were on the wrong Circumvesuviana and instructed us on which station on the route had a change to the right one. The trick is to look for a "Sorrento" sign in the front window of the lead car of the Circumvesuviana in Naples before getting on the train.

Anyone who has traveled on the NYC subway will have no trouble with the Naples train station. I do agree that after a transatlantic overnight flight, the prospect of multiple trains and transfers and more would be daunting. I believe there is a bus from FCO to Sorrento and then an easy change to Positano, but I would check out the schedules and pick up points carefully. And using only one piece of luggage per person would be a must.

Last May my wife and I did Rome and Sorrento, staying first in Rome, taking trains to Sorrento, and flying back via Naples connecting in Rome, just to avoid the multimode difficulties that would occur in an itinerary like yours. Click my screen name if you want to see my trip report.

>>>the train to Sorrento from Naples is a dumpy commuter train<<<

They have some very new trains and have for a couple of years although they haven't replaced all of the old ones yet. I've never seen any problems on this train except for a few people playing music and passing a hat. They usually stay on a stop or two. The train is full of tourists, commuters, kids going to school or sports (soccer teams), etc. Late at night might be a different story.

>>>The bus from Sorrento enters Positano from the main coast road and winds down the hill to the village centre.<<<

The bus doesn't leave the main highway (SS163)that passes through the upper part of Positano. It doesn't go down into Positano, but makes a couple of stops on the highway.

>>>When we went to take the Circumvesuviana from Naples to Sorrento, we discovered that there are about a half-dozen different Circumvesuviana routes<<<

The Circumvesuviana does have a few train lines with one of them Naples/Sorrento. It's easy to tell which one you need as there are electronic signs on the platform. Here's a map of the train lines.

http://www.upsa.org/_downloads/766-Italiano-circumvesuviana.jpg

This is a transport map of the peninsula.
http://www.unicocampania.it/files/mappe/costiera.pdf

redtop - If you are planning to visit Pompeii, I would stop in Naples train station and buy the Campania Arte Card Tutta La Regione 3 day (consecutive). It gives you two free entrances (discounts after the free ones) and transport on the coast from Naples to Paestum. The cost is 27€ (Pompeii entrance is 11€). It would cover your Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Sorrento (4€), the bus from Sorrento to Positano (3.60€). It would only be cost effective if you were visiting a site or two and using the buses/trains on 3 consecutive days. If you didn't want to activate it on the way to Positano, you could start using it the last 3 days of your visit and for your return to Naples. Only the 3 day Tutta La Regione has the coastal transport included. Scroll down for the list of sites. Click a site and it will tell you the transport needed (hours, etc).

www.campaniaartecard.it

The Arte Card is in a small store front in a line of stores. You will have to look around for it. They may want only cash (as did Herculaneum last time I was there) or at least that was my experience.

I second getting the ArteCard if you are going to 3 sites. The store has an "i" information sign, and it was cash only.

Cost of a driver from Naples to Positano is about E110. Two recommendations to make, one from many years of personal experience, the other through a long-time friend.

First one: Tourofitaly.com

Second one: Tiberlimo.com

Either of these companies will pick you up at FCO and drive you to Positano. But as you can guess, it won't be cheap! Last year we paid around E400+ for the trip.

Lastly, yes, if you haven't already booked a hotel in Positano,you should get on it ASAP. Some of the more popular hotels book a year ahead.

If you post your budget, I can make lots of suggestions ( been to Positano 4 times, most recently last summer) and so can other posters here, too.

Weadles, I have looked at the Buca di Bacca only because it rates #1 on Tripadvisor. The rate is 260€ per night. I would like to keep it at no higher than that if possible. I will apprecate any suggestions. And I think I will go with a driver from Naples.

scatcat,

I'd highly recommend taking the boat from Sorrento to Positano. It's much more pleasant, scenic, and less crowded than the buses in the summer months.

Buca di Bacco is really nice. So is Palazzo Murat, closer to the church in the town center, but only if you can get one of the better rooms on the top floor which has a water view.

If you don't mind stairs/steep road back and forth to town, try Hotel Poseidon. That's where we always stay, and although the rooms in the lesser categories (standard) can be small, the views from the room and restaurant terrace are spectacular. Much better than any of the views from the hotels in town, though you do miss out on easy access to the beach and dock.

Thanks Weadles! I had thought about the ferry from Sorrento to Positano. I will check out the websites of these hotels. I don't mind the stairs. I do need to make up my mind soon. Do you think 4 nights are enough for this area? I would like to visit Pompeii too.

>>>I'd highly recommend taking the boat from Sorrento to Positano.<<<

If there is a boat running to Positano in May. Even if there is, it might be an earlier in the morning and a late afternoon run. There will be nowhere as often service as the buses. Much of the ferry service to smaller towns such as Positano will not start until mid-June. You can see from both of these links that service is not running.

http://www.metrodelmare.net/

http://www.coopsantandrea.com/en/servizidilinea/servizi_b.asp?id=20

Metro del Mare had lots of budget cuts the last few years and didn't run as much as in previous years.

Thanks kybourbon. Is May too early to visit this area?

May is a PERFECT time to visit the Amalfi - weather will be just hunky dory and the obnoxious tourist mobs of summer will have yet to materialize - you will have little trouble finding accommodations of your choice - can't think of a better time for this area, which even though on the sea can get very hot in summer at places like Pompeii.

Glad to hear that Pal. I was afraid things might not be open since tourist season is not in full swing. I'm having doubts about a base location. I would like to stay in Positano, but we do want to visit Pompeii and possibly Capri. Not sure how difficult that might be from Positano. Just reading everything I can to help me decide.

Ferries will be running from Naples, Sorrento and Capri. You can see schedules here:
http://www.capri.net/en/ferry-schedule

FYI - Ferries do not run late. Not much beyond 6 or 7 pm. Make sure you know the last return ferry and it's a good idea to buy r/t ticket.

It's about an hour by bus from Positano to Sorrento. You can catch the train to Pompeii where the bus drops you (about 30 minutes Sorrento/Pompeii). You would have to get from the station in Sorrento down to the port to get a ferry. There are buses or you can walk.

Details of this year's Alicost service on the Sorrento - Positano - Amalfi route should eventually appear here:

http://www.alicost.it/content/?id=6

Nothing for 2013 there as yet but, just to give you an idea: they ran it for the first full season in 2011 - starting on April 16th - and from the 26th last year.

Both times they had two daily runs in each direction - an earlier one from Sorrento around 10:30, and a second shortly after 3PM.

Coming back, they were leaving Amalfi around 11:30 and again at 4.30PM / 16:30.

Peter

scatcat,

It's much easier to get to Pompeii from Sorrento. There's a local train that goes there which takes about 30 minutes.

To get to Pompeii from Positano, you'd have to backtrack to Sorrento and then take the train. Only other option would be hiring a driver for the day, but that's very expensive.

You can visit Capri from either Sorrento or Positano, but should be aware that the boats are more frequently canceled out of Positano, due to rough water conditions. This doesn't seem to happen as much in Sorrento which has a deeper harbor and more boats.

Thanks again everyone for all your help.. . This forum has been a wonderful. PEACE ��

You would have to get from the station in Sorrento down to the port to get a ferry>

It is really an easy downhill walk - a short stroll. And you can get off the bus in Sorrento I believe closer to the docks than going to the train station.

The way from central Sorrento (including the train station) to the docks is indeed downhill, but there are a lot of steps, and would be a bother with luggage after a long day of travel. There are busses for a small fare from the squre to the marina and back. There are two marinas, by the way, so be sure you are going to the right one.

I again seriously advise minimizing the number of transit changes in a single day, but it is, of course, your choice.

Yes that road down to the docks in Sorrento is prodigiously steep - with luggage sans wheels hop the bus or taxo.

As everyone else has weighed in I'll stick my oar in:

We did it something like this:
Rome 2 n
Sorrento 2 n with day trip to Pompeii
Amalfi Coast (in our case Ravello) 2 n, day trip Positano
Paestum 1 n (Greek temples)
Rome 2 n

yes, it means moving around, but the commutes between each stop are relaxed and easy - no leg is more than 3 hours or so long. After arriving in Naples, we took the Circumvesuviana (the station was a bit creepy and I didn't care for the 'luggage assistants' but it wasn't too bad) to Sorrento.
We went back to Rome using the bus to first get us to Paestum, then from Paestum to Salerno where we caught the Eurostar back to Rome.

Enjoy your trip.

Don't see a mention of this so far - but to travel between Sorrento town and its harbour..

http://www.unicocampania.it/index.php?lang=en&center=inside&colonna=primopiano&action=dett&id_primopiano=25

Peter

>>>The bus from Sorrento enters Positano from the main coast road and winds down the hill to the village centre.<<<

The bus doesn't leave the main highway (SS163)that passes through the upper part of Positano. It doesn't go down into Positano, but makes a couple of stops on the highway.

There may well be a bus that doesn't go down into Positano, but there most certainly is one that does.

>>>There may well be a bus that doesn't go down into Positano, but there most certainly is one that does.<<<

The Sita buses (blue) between Sorrento and Amalfi do not. There are two stops, coming from Sorrento the first is Chiesa Nuova (intersection of SS163 and via Chiesa Nuova) and the second is Sponda (intersection of SS163 and via Cristoforo Colombo - closer to the shops, etc.). Both stops are on the main highway SS163. There is a little internal bus (orange I think) in Positano, but it is not the bus that travels the coast.