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.

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.

If you only spend two nights in the area, I don't think it would be possible to visit both Naples and Paestum.

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.

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.

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.

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/

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/

Great comments all. Thanks Rostra for reminding me about getting a Paestum Guidebook BEFORE we get there. So smart. Ellen

Yes, having a guide book in advance can really make a difference! I found the coverage of Paestum (and other parts of southern Italy) in the Rough Guide quite helpful.

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.

Are you only wanting to visit Paestum and Naples, not Pompeii? If so, it would probably be easiest to stay in Naples instead of Salerno.

"it would probably be easiest to stay in Naples instead of Salerno" - that would make it difficult to see the highlights of Salerno on the same day as Paestum.

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.

PalenQ, you make good points and thanks. We will think through our options.