Amalfi Coast Itinerary Help
 

I am finalizing my plans for my first trip to the Amalfi Coast. I am going for five nights in late October (and then off to Paris afterwards). My current plan is to spend my first night in Naples after arriving in the late afternoon after a long multi-leg trip from the States, and explore Naples a little my first night and then more the following day. I then plan on going to Positano for the next four nights, taking a private car from Naples to Positano in the afternoon.

But I am having second thoughts about this itinerary, both for logistical and experiential reasons. I am thinking it would make more sense (and probably save money in rental cars and taxis) to follow my night in Naples (yes, I have heard various things about Naples, but I want to see and experience it for myself) with two nights in Sorrento, followed by two nights in Positano. This way, I would also get to experience Sorrento in addition to Positano, but perhaps more importantly, it seems Sorrento is more practical for a day trip to Capri and a day trip to Pompei, both things I definitely want to do (seeing Pompei is of great interest to me, and is a prime reason for this trip). I also want to rent a car at least one day and drive the coast and see Ravello and Amalfi. Additionally, it seems that from Sorrento, I could train to Pompei and ferry to Capri, whereas from Positano I would have to hire a driver or rent a car for Pompei ( money I do not wish to spend, ideally); and apparently in late October to get to Capri, if I am based in Positano, I would have to first cab to Sorrento, which of course adds time and money to the equation.

I would love any advice on if splitting the stay between Sorrento and Positano makes more sense than staying in Positano for four nights. Additionally any advice on transportation/ logistics is appreciated as well. Or if there is another suggested itinerary, I would welcome that too. Thank you.

Was just there in May go a fair amount.

For me cheapest best way to do it for 4 euros

Cirumvesuviano Naples Garibaldi to Sorrento

Stop a Pompeii Scavi to tour Pompeii.

In May www.hoteldelfino.com was great paid $60/nt

www.otel.com beautiful views over Capri Ischia

best free breakfast of my trip. Positano and

Amalfi nice too cliffs vertical touristy pretty no island

views hopped the SITA bus from Sorrento for a couple of euros

So pack light and use public xport to save what I do.

onebag.com amalfiweb.com

Happy Travels!

QV: I am tired of the endless touting for Hotel Delfino, and the claim that a room can be had for $60US. Funny, each time I look at the link you list, I get double room prices close to $200! Give us a break, QV--we get your point after dozens upon dozens of posts extolling the same hotel, which is quite far from Sorrento in any case.

Fishkis: At first glance, I think your plan to split the stays is a good one. People will tell you that you will lose time in packing and unpacking, etc etc, but you obviously know that and are willing in spite of the slight inconvenience.

This is hardly relevant, but I will be in that area in a few weeks and have chosen 3 bases on that stretch of coast, including a one-nighter in Furore!

The car should be no issue at that late date.

If you're taking a private car (do you mean with driver?) from Naples to Positano, why don't you stop at Pompeii on the way? You can either keep the car during your visit and then move on, or leave your bags at the left luggage at Pompeii Scavi and then catch the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento.

You then have your two nights in Sorrento to see Capri and with a relatively short visit to the area, this would free up most of a day for you. Then move on to Positano for the Amalfi coast leg.

Another alternative is to stay longer in Naples and visit Pompeii from there. You might. then have the chance to visit the archaeological museum which I hear great things about. (Never been to museum but Pompei x2)

Also if you're interested in daytripping to Capri you may be able to take ferry from Naples. Of course you want to make sure you're well situated in Nap. Then you can base in Positano for the rest.

If you rent a car chances are you will have to pick it up in Sorrento for that area.

Good idea to visit Pompeii from Sorrento and the best way to get there is by Circumvesuviana. Pompeii Scavi (the stop at the site) is a quick trip from Sorrento.

Thanks for the replies.

Lifeman: Yes, I am taking a car with driver from Naples (at least that's my plan). But since I am getting in to Naples in the late afternoon, I want to have the full day following to explore Naples, so doing Pompei from Naples does not work.

QV: Thank you for the hotel advice, but I think I am ok with my choices: Excelsior in Naples, Antiche Mura in Sorrento, and Buca Di Bacco in Positano ( though I am still considering a splurge at Le Sirenuse). Any comments or suggestions are welcome, but these all seem to have good reputations.

I know this might be a tough question, but how much time does a visit to Pompei usually take? Is it a few hours, or more like a full day?

Pompeii depends on how muchyou want to see. It is huge. We have goe twice - once for 4 hours (very hot) and once for 6.

I don;t see that anyone has mentioned that by the end of Oct soe places by be closing for the season. Also - you will need to pick a day with a very flat sea (if you get one) to go to Capri - or you can;t enter the blue grott - except swimming underwater.

So arrive Naples late afternoon, take the whole of the next day to explore. Stay Naples overnight again, then do Pompeii on the way to Sorrento/AC.

While we're pointing out things that aren't quite right...

>>>For me cheapest best way to do it for 4 euros

>>>Cirumvesuviano Naples Garibaldi to Sorrento

>>>Stop a Pompeii Scavi to tour Pompeii.

The through ticket for that journey at that price is valid for no more than 180 minutes - and can only be used for one ride on the railway.

To visit the site for very long at all, and also do the 60 minute journey, you'll need two separate tickets...

- one from Naples to Pompei, at €2.80

- then one from there to Sorrento, at €2.10

The law in Campania, if you're caught evading, allows for a penalty of up to 100 times the fare you're dodging.... and "I read it was OK on Fodors" may not be an acceptable excuse?

Peter

How about putting your day in Naples at the end of your visit? Instead of staying in Naples upon arrival, go directly to your destination, then work your way back.

5 nights is only 4 days, not much time. A day for Naples, another day for Capri, and most of a day at Pompeii uses up a lot of this time. Since you're going in what's pretty much out-of-season when hotels and restaurants on the Amalfi coast will be closing, consider staying in Sorrento for 3 or 4 nights. You could do a day trip by bus from Sorrento to the AC, and pick the day with the best weather for Capri. And even do Pompeii on your way back to Naples, storing your luggage at the Pompeii Scavi station.