2 nights in Naples-Paestum area
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2 nights in Naples-Paestum area
We'll be spending 2 weeks in Rome in April 1-14 but would like to visit Naples while we are there. About ten years ago we had a car and did a day trip to Pompeii from Rome. That was exhausting. This time we were thinking of staying in a hotel, possibly in Salerno, and traveling by train. We know we can get from Rome to Salerno, Pompeii and Naples. Is it possible to get to Paestum by train?
Basically, is it advisable to use the trains to do all this or would we be better off renting a car to get to Paestum?
if you recommend trains, is there a cheaper better way to buy tickets than one ticket at a time as needed?
We welcome all comments, advice, recommendations and warnings. If anyone has favorite and inexpensive places to eat in Naples and Salerno, we'd like to hear about those, too!
Thanks for your help.
Basically, is it advisable to use the trains to do all this or would we be better off renting a car to get to Paestum?
if you recommend trains, is there a cheaper better way to buy tickets than one ticket at a time as needed?
We welcome all comments, advice, recommendations and warnings. If anyone has favorite and inexpensive places to eat in Naples and Salerno, we'd like to hear about those, too!
Thanks for your help.
#2
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,956
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are direct trains from Salerno to Paestum that take just a little less than half an hour. The station is not far from the archaeological site; however, we drove there and I can't give you exact directions from the train station.
#4
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The archeological site at Paestum is pretty much a straight, flat walk from the station; as I recall, it is well marked and took maybe 15 minutes. Be sure to buy your return train ticket BEFORE leaving for Paestum, as there is no place to buy tickets once you are there. (Unless things have changed.) While in Paestum, don't miss the museum -- it is small, but has some outstanding and unique pieces. And consider stopping for some fresh buffalo mozzarella.
If you have any time in Salerno, walk the lovely Lungomare and, if possible, visit the cathedral, which has some remarkable treasures.
If you have any time in Salerno, walk the lovely Lungomare and, if possible, visit the cathedral, which has some remarkable treasures.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
bvlenci and kja, that's a big help. Yes, we know it's not much time. We are trying to use the best part of three days and leave the area late on the third day. kja, thanks for the heads-up on the Paestum museum and the Lungomare and Salerno cathedral. That's just the kind of suggestion we treasure.
#6
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
These directions are *dated* but will give you a general idea on the Salerno-Paestum train journey.
http://m.fodors.com/community/europe...ed-paestum.cfm
And ditto on kja's advice on the R/T train tickets, in 1999 there was also no place to buy (or validate even)'return' train tickets.
Also I thought that the Paestum Museum was one of the best laid-out (space, lighting, etc) museums I had ever visited.
I would also try to pick-up a 'Paestum Guidebook' (in Rome or Salerno)so you can highlight and understand the site beforehand rather than doing it on-the-fly when you arrive.
http://m.fodors.com/community/europe...ed-paestum.cfm
And ditto on kja's advice on the R/T train tickets, in 1999 there was also no place to buy (or validate even)'return' train tickets.
Also I thought that the Paestum Museum was one of the best laid-out (space, lighting, etc) museums I had ever visited.
I would also try to pick-up a 'Paestum Guidebook' (in Rome or Salerno)so you can highlight and understand the site beforehand rather than doing it on-the-fly when you arrive.
#7
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Still no return ticket office in Paestum station as of 2013.
There are several discount cards available for the region, perhaps one will be of use: http://www.campaniartecard.it/
There are several discount cards available for the region, perhaps one will be of use: http://www.campaniartecard.it/
#8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Paestum is a wonderful site. We were able to take a day tour there in May last year. If you are interested images of the Greek temples are in this album number 36 through 56.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632117917828/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632117917828/
#11
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
there are direct Regionale trains from Naples to P{asestum - these are not only cheaper than the Ic train to Salerno then regionale train to Paestum but regional trains do not even take reservations whereas IC trains required them - thus you can hop on any regionale train to come back whenever you are ready - trains - regional ones take about 1.5 hours so it should be easy to spend a day in Naples and a day in Paestum and even have a look at seaside Salerno on the way back - nice place for dinner on the sea.
If a regionale train I think you have to validate your ticket before boarding for it to be valid - stick it in some machine - IC trains which require a change of train at Salerno require seat reservations for a specific train when bought - they can be changed but if there is not staffed station at Paestum you'd have to do it at Salerno where lines could be longer.
Easiest take the direct regional trains Naples to Salerno. buy a return ticket in Naples - validate it yourself each way -ask when buying about that to see if it has changed.
If a regionale train I think you have to validate your ticket before boarding for it to be valid - stick it in some machine - IC trains which require a change of train at Salerno require seat reservations for a specific train when bought - they can be changed but if there is not staffed station at Paestum you'd have to do it at Salerno where lines could be longer.
Easiest take the direct regional trains Naples to Salerno. buy a return ticket in Naples - validate it yourself each way -ask when buying about that to see if it has changed.
#14
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are you only wanting to visit Paestum and Naples, not Pompeii?>
In OP she says they have already visited Pompeii on a previous trip. I nearly made the same mistake of saying why Paestum and not Pompeii or both.
In OP she says they have already visited Pompeii on a previous trip. I nearly made the same mistake of saying why Paestum and not Pompeii or both.