Munna

I have looked at the Metro del Mare website, but can't make sense of the schedules -- it would be great if we could get some help. We are travelling to Naples on 20 September. Staying there till 22nd and thinking of going to either Sorrento or Amalfi for the next 6 days. I can see from the Metro del Mare website that there is a direct ferry from Naples to Sorrento, and another line that stops at a few other places before getting to Amalfi, but what I can't figure out is the times.
(1) Do these run quite regularly?
(2) What times and fares?
(3) Naples seems to have two stops. If we stay on Via Alabardieri in Naples, should we get the ferry from Napoli Mergellina or Napoli Beverello?
(4) Would Fodorites recommend staying in Sorrento or Amalfi? My hotel options in Sorrento are Casa Dominova B&B or Hotel Michelangelo. In Amalfi, possibly Hotel L'Antico Convitto.
Apologies for such a long post -- but we really need your help!

ekscrunchy

I am not an expert on the ferry timetables, but hopefully Steve James will see this and give you an answer. But I would recommend staying in Amalfi. We found it to be so charming and lovely. We stayed at the Hotel Floridiana, which I would recommend very highly. (It is now #1 on Trip Advisor).

My stay in Sorrento was so many years ago that I would not venture a comment, but I do not think it is as charming as Amalfi.

We also stayed on Via Alabardieri in Naples and liked the area very much.

Munna

That's a relief! I have been reading other posts about Naples which seem to suggest that choosing the right area to stay can make or break your time in the city, so I really want to pick the best hotel possible. We'd like to stay in Amalfi too, but getting to Sorrento seems simpler because of the direct bus-service from Naples. Hopefully, if Fodorites can solve my ferry-timetable-deciphering problem, then we can sort out an equally hassle-free way of getting to Amalfi.

ekscrunchy

I looked at the schedule and it seems (but you need to get another opinion, kind of like at a doctor!) that you can take the 8:25 from Naples Beverello and arrive in Amalfi at 10:30.

Munna

Thanks, ekscrunchy. I hope I'll get a few other responses, then!

ira

Hi M,

Your hotel, whatever you choose, will be able to give you all of the info you need for getting to Sorrento or Amalfi by train or ferry.

I would take the train from Naples to Salerno and the ferry (about 3 blks from the train station) to Amalfi.

See
www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

For Ferry schedules Positano – Amalfi - Salerno (P.zza della Concordia):
See http://tinyurl.com/3cbhkb

What's your hotel budget?

Steve_James

Hi Munna - Ekscrunchy's right. The 08.25 hydrofoil from Napoli Beverello port takes 2 hrs to Amalfi. Fare € 13.

Alternatively you can take the train to Salerno, then catch a ferry (- 35 mins, Fare € 6) to Amalfi from Salerno.
Ferries leave from Piazza della Concordia (- 4 mins walk from Salerno station)

Ferry deps: 08.40 – 09.40 – 10.40 – 11.40 – 14.10 – 15.30

http://www.aziendaturismo.sa.it/web/...460501C2B78CF2

There is also a direct bus from naples to Amalfi (- the cheapest option).
Journey time: 2 hrs approx

Take your pick

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Munna

Thanks, Ira and Steve -- I've made use of the advice you offer to forum members so many times in the past for trips elsewhere in Italy, that grazie mille would be an understatement!
Steve -- what's the direct bus from Naples to Amalfi? Is there a website where I could check the times?
Ira -- our budget is upto around Euro 150-160 per night for both Sorrento and Amalfi. As I said before, the hotels I have found that are within my budget, have reasonable reviews and rooms available, are My hotel options in Sorrento are Casa Dominova B&B or Hotel Michelangelo. In Amalfi, possibly Hotel L'Antico Convitto. Any other suggestions, or indeed, caveats about the ones I have listed?

Munna

By the way -- what about ferries from Naples to Sorrento? Are they fairly regular? What times?
In terms of journey comfort and scenic beauty, which one would you all go for -- bus or ferry?

ira

Hi M,

This is a newish hotel in Naples. It has gotten good reviews here. It is within your budget.

It is a good location. We stayed on the other side of the street when we were there.

Piazza Bellini
http://tinyurl.com/5tu2jy

ira

PS,

Also look at www.albergosansevero.it/index_en.php

Less expensive, but nice accomodations.

We stayed at one in Naples, but it is now closed.

WebVisionItaly

Ferries to Sorrento from Naples are fairly regular. We opt for the ferry when we are in Naples to visit Sorrento, Capri etc. b/c we love being on Bay of Naples. Bus around the bay, base of Vesuvius, is also quite easy to Sorrento.

ekscrunchy

Which is the hotel on the Via Alabardieri? (We stayed at the Palazzo Alabardieri where we paid 190 Euro for a double room) The area is much nicer than the one around the Pza Bellini.

Have you contacted other hotels in Amalfi? I ask because there are a number that get good reviews, including the Floridiana and the Residenze del Duca. I am guessing that those two have no availability. I believe the one you mention is well regarded as well. As I said before, I would highly recommend Amalfi. Good transport hub, charming town with good eating options, nice sandy beach, etc etc.

zeppole

Part of my decision-making regarding traveling to Amalfi would be

(a) whether or not I wanted to see the famed Amalfi Drive, which would argue for taking the bus

(b) where my hotel was in relation to the train station vs. the port, and the cost of a taxi to each

(c) whether I was carrying so much luggage I didn't want to be in the Napoli train station

Also, if I opted to stay in Sorrento, I probably wouldn't bother staying in Napoli. I would tour Napoli as day trips from Sorrento.

Steve_James

Munna - Ferries from Naples to Sorrento are normally approx. every 2 hrs (- weather permitting), with deps from Molo Beverello at:

9.00 - 11.00 - 13.05 - 15.00 - 17.15 - 18.25
[Alilauro - LMP]

(The 18.25 ferry may not be running in September).

In addition there is the Metro del Mare Naples-Sorrento hydrofoil service.
www.metrodelmare.com

I'd probably base in Sorrento rather than Naples.

Sorrento + Amalfi would be a nice split.

The journey between Sorrento and Amalfi is spectacular both by bus and by boat/hydrofoil - I'd try and do both

Steve

Munna

ekscrunchy -- yes, the hotel in Napoli is the Palazzo Alabardieri -- I'm glad to hear such good things about it!
Everyone who has given us such good info about the transport -- this is great! Looks like whether we manage to get the ferry or the bus, we'll have a great journey anyway!
It's making me think -- how about this for an itinerary?

(1) Sat, 20 Sept: Flight to Napoli (gets in quite late, around 8.00pm)
(2) Sat and Sun in Napoli, with trip to Pompeii and the Vesuvius (I hope trips to these run over the weekend?)
(3) Mon, 22 Sept, spend morning in Napoli, then transfer to Sorrento (maybe on the 3.00 o'clock ferry that Steve mentioned). Stay in Sorrento till Thursday 25 Sept. Side trips to may be Ercolano and Capri.
(4) Thursday 25 Sept, move to Amalfi. Side trips may be to Ravello and Positano.
(5) Get back to Napoli on Saturday, 27 Sept for flight in the evening (so there is a chance of looking around Napoli in the morning if we can find somewhere to stash our luggage for the day).
Does this sound reasonable, or too much running around?

zeppole

Why don't you just split your time between Sorrento and Amalfi, or Napoli and Amalfi?

ekscrunchy

I would probably eliminate a stay in Sorrento. You can visit Capri from Amalfi.

The Palazzo Alabardieri is a lovely hotel! In case you don't know this, they have free internet in the basement. The breakfast comes with the room and is excellent as well.

If you are looking for good eating nearby, I would recommend Umberto; good for pizza as well as full meals:

http://www.umberto.it/

Also, there is apparently a branch of the well-regarded restaurant Europeo-Mattozzi near the hotel; we were told this by the front desk person but we did not have time to dine there. This is their main place, which gets excellent reviews:


http://www.europeomattozzi.it/

Steve_James

Munna - As others have said, I'd eliminate one. 3 hotels in 7 days is too much moving about IMO.

You can visit Capri, Pompeii, Ercolano and Vesuvius* equally easily from either Sorrento or Naples.

On the last day you can store luggage at Naples railway station.

Steve

*The Vesuvius Bus departs from Pompeii (- Piazza Amfiteatro) at:

08.00 - 09.00* - 09.30 - 10.15 - 10.30 - 11.25 - 12.25 - 13.20 - 14.30 - 15.30*

[Departures leave Pompeii Terminus bus station 5 mins before the above].

The service is year round except -
* 09.00 and 15.30 deps (- 1 April - 30 Sept only)

Fare: € 8.60 round trip. Journey time: 70 mins

Service operator: Vesuviana Mobilita

http://www.comune.ercolano.na.it/erc...suvio_2006.pdf


Bus tickets can be bought at:
- Circumvesuviana railway station OR
- 'Sgambati' (- station newsagents/tobacconist kiosk)

Entrance fee to the crater: € 6.50

Munna

You are probably right -- three hotels in 7 days would probably basically mean spending the equivalent of 1 day packing and unpacking! So Naples and Sorrento it is, then. Has anyone tried the Casa Dominova B&B in Sorrento? Any under suggestions for places to stay aroun Euro 150 per day? Hotel Michelangelo has quoted us Euro 190, which is a bit on the steep side, and they keep saying that they might have a 'problem' on one of the days, without saying what the problem is, which is making me a bit nervous!