Best Base for Amalfi Coast?
Jun 4th, 2004, 02:24 PM
#21
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Okay, I've been totally won over: Positano is a better place for us to base than Sorrento. We can hire a driver from Naples and see Pompeii on way to Positano. What's the best way to get from Positano back to Naples train station?
Jun 4th, 2004, 04:43 PM
#22
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Hi everyone, wow, thanks so much for all the feedback, this is really great. I am still torn between Sorrento and Positano...sounds like the choice is convenience vs. charm/beauty. Both are tempting, though it's good to hear that some of the places we want to see seem to be accessible from Positano. I may just start trying to find hotels in both and see if price or availability guide my final decision.
BTW, Steve, Pompeii wasn't dropped, we may just try to stop there en route from Rome to Sorrento/Positano on Wednesday as you suggest.
Keep the great suggestions coming! I really appreciate it all.
Oh and PS, I'm a "she"...
BTW, Steve, Pompeii wasn't dropped, we may just try to stop there en route from Rome to Sorrento/Positano on Wednesday as you suggest.
Keep the great suggestions coming! I really appreciate it all.
Oh and PS, I'm a "she"...
Jun 5th, 2004, 01:25 AM
#23
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Carmen - There are several options - limo, jetfoil, bus/train ...
LIMO
Positano-Naples by limo will cost you € 85-100.
JETFOIL
This is another good option if you're in a hurry.
Metro del Mare runs a direct service once/twice daily to Naples (Molo Beverello).
Journey time: 1 hour.
www.metrodelmare.com
From Molo Beverello port you can reach Napoli Centrale station in 10 mins by bus or taxi.
BUS/TRAIN
You can take a bus from Positano to META station (25 mins). (This is the Positano-Sorrento bus).
From Meta it's 1 hour by train (Circumvesuviana) to Napoli Centrale.
This is the cheapest option.
Hope this helps ...
Steve
LIMO
Positano-Naples by limo will cost you € 85-100.
JETFOIL
This is another good option if you're in a hurry.
Metro del Mare runs a direct service once/twice daily to Naples (Molo Beverello).
Journey time: 1 hour.
www.metrodelmare.com
From Molo Beverello port you can reach Napoli Centrale station in 10 mins by bus or taxi.
BUS/TRAIN
You can take a bus from Positano to META station (25 mins). (This is the Positano-Sorrento bus).
From Meta it's 1 hour by train (Circumvesuviana) to Napoli Centrale.
This is the cheapest option.
Hope this helps ...
Steve
Jun 5th, 2004, 07:13 AM
#24
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I just returned and would really encourage you to see Ravello moreso than Amalfi. You can easily catch a bus from the square in Amalfi up to Ravello for a few hours. Go to Villa Cimbrione and Rufolo for the best views in Italy. Amalfi was not as nice as Positano and Ravello. Ravello is exquisite and worth seeing.
Jun 5th, 2004, 07:21 AM
#25
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Hi Carmen
>..We can hire a driver from Naples and see Pompeii on way to Positano. What's the best way to get from Positano back to Naples train station?<
Hire the same driver to take you back.
We used Renato Cuomo
www.cuomonet.it [email protected]
>..We can hire a driver from Naples and see Pompeii on way to Positano. What's the best way to get from Positano back to Naples train station?<
Hire the same driver to take you back.
We used Renato Cuomo
www.cuomonet.it [email protected]
Jun 5th, 2004, 08:00 AM
#27
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Great info on getting from Naples to Positano...any advice on how the trip is via public transportation with all of our luggage in tow? Is it worth the splurge on a car and driver or can it be done on the busses and ferries?
I'm leaning towards Positano now...but prices are crazy all around. The Euro just isn't what it used to be!
I'm leaning towards Positano now...but prices are crazy all around. The Euro just isn't what it used to be!
Jun 5th, 2004, 08:33 AM
#28
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If you can afford it, hire a driver. I don't think it is fun at all to hassle with luggage on a train, ferry or bus, egads, the thought of it brings back memories of luggage lugging.
I figure that since I am on vacation I will pamper myself not turn myself into a pack mule.
If you can't afford it, pack very lightly and take public transportation.
I figure that since I am on vacation I will pamper myself not turn myself into a pack mule.
If you can't afford it, pack very lightly and take public transportation.
Jun 5th, 2004, 08:35 AM
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ps: I shouldn't have said if you can't afford it, I know some people are frugal and think that saving money is very important.
But I wouldn't haul anything around even my home town on public transportation, but that is just me and my opinion.
But I wouldn't haul anything around even my home town on public transportation, but that is just me and my opinion.
Jun 5th, 2004, 08:42 AM
#30
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Thanks Sea Urchin. I'd like to save money somewhere on this trip (the hotels are already killing me) BUT I am also one to spend for the luxury of convenience. In recent trips to Italy I've found traveling on the trains with suitcases is a real pain, unless I go back to the days of my youth and strap on a backpack. How do the rest of you out there do it? Has anyone mastered the art of traveling via public transportation with luggage in tow?
Jun 5th, 2004, 08:44 AM
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Iffy,
Taking the bus with luggage is a breeze. We hired a car and driver from Naples to Positano, but decided to save 90 euro and take the bus (for 1.80 euro pp), from Positano to Sorrento to pick up our rental car, and it was quite easy. We just had one rolling suitcase each, and rolled them into the luggage compartment of the bus along with 95% of the other passengers on the bus.
Oh, we can well afford hiring a car, I guess we are just frugal and saving money is important to us
!
Taking the bus with luggage is a breeze. We hired a car and driver from Naples to Positano, but decided to save 90 euro and take the bus (for 1.80 euro pp), from Positano to Sorrento to pick up our rental car, and it was quite easy. We just had one rolling suitcase each, and rolled them into the luggage compartment of the bus along with 95% of the other passengers on the bus.
Oh, we can well afford hiring a car, I guess we are just frugal and saving money is important to us
!
Jun 5th, 2004, 08:48 AM
#32
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Also iffy, we decided to travel second class rather than first on the train we took from Rome to Naples, since we have traveled first class on previous European trips and honestly, I can't tell the difference.
PS, we are in our 40's and dh is SVP of one of the largest advertising agencies in the world. We don't consider it beneath us to take our luggage on public transportation. More money to spend on good wine!
PS, we are in our 40's and dh is SVP of one of the largest advertising agencies in the world. We don't consider it beneath us to take our luggage on public transportation. More money to spend on good wine
!
Jun 5th, 2004, 08:51 AM
#33
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Thanks Nina, that's great to know - we'll definitely consider it if it's not impossible! Any experience with the trains or ferries, and/or with transferring from trains to buses with luggage?
Jun 5th, 2004, 08:52 AM
#34
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I thought I might get misunderstood, it is not because I think it is beneath me, it is just such a hassle with luggage, for me, iffy may slightly overpack like it do.
I take trains in Europe all the time but with my luggage left at the apartment or hotel.
I take trains in Europe all the time but with my luggage left at the apartment or hotel.
Jun 5th, 2004, 08:54 AM
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Hi iffy,
We kept our hotel costs low by staying at the Hotel Le Sirene in Praiano instead of a more expensive place in Positano and were very pleased we did.
(See www.lesirene.com)
Not only could we afford to have Mr Renato pick us up and take us back, the views were every bit as good as at the expensive hotels.
See the AC part of my trip report.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044
We kept our hotel costs low by staying at the Hotel Le Sirene in Praiano instead of a more expensive place in Positano and were very pleased we did.
(See www.lesirene.com)
Not only could we afford to have Mr Renato pick us up and take us back, the views were every bit as good as at the expensive hotels.
See the AC part of my trip report.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044
Jun 5th, 2004, 08:59 AM
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Haven't done it on a ferry, the only ferry we take is to Nantucket, but then we have all the luggage stored in our car onboard.
It really was simple. I suggest investing in a good rolling suitcase with a detachable smaller bag for extra's that can be clipped together. We took the train from FCO to downtown Rome, then just rolled our suitcases to the hotel, we rolled our suitcases back to Termini and dh just lifted them onto the train and stored them overhead for our trip from Rome to Naples. In Naples we did have a car and driver waiting for us, as I said, but after we realized how easy it is to get around with a small amount of luggage, and the fact that the bus stop was across the street from our hotel, we decided why not save ourselves a lot of money and take the bus? As it turned out, we weren't alone in our thinking. Most passengers on the bus from Positano to Sorrento were older, well dressed, experienced travelers, not student backpackers (although there were a few young backpackers). The bus stops right in front of the train station, so it's all very, very easy. Just don't overpack!
It really was simple. I suggest investing in a good rolling suitcase with a detachable smaller bag for extra's that can be clipped together. We took the train from FCO to downtown Rome, then just rolled our suitcases to the hotel, we rolled our suitcases back to Termini and dh just lifted them onto the train and stored them overhead for our trip from Rome to Naples. In Naples we did have a car and driver waiting for us, as I said, but after we realized how easy it is to get around with a small amount of luggage, and the fact that the bus stop was across the street from our hotel, we decided why not save ourselves a lot of money and take the bus? As it turned out, we weren't alone in our thinking. Most passengers on the bus from Positano to Sorrento were older, well dressed, experienced travelers, not student backpackers (although there were a few young backpackers). The bus stops right in front of the train station, so it's all very, very easy. Just don't overpack!
Jun 5th, 2004, 09:03 AM
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Seaurchin, I didn't mean to imply that I thought you thought it was beneath you, I'm serious, we're just not big spenders, we ARE frugal at times.
And Ira did have great suggestions for nice affordable hotels. We tried tham but they were unfortunately all booked. Hopefully you have more time and are able to get reservations there.
And Ira did have great suggestions for nice affordable hotels. We tried tham but they were unfortunately all booked. Hopefully you have more time and are able to get reservations there.
Jun 5th, 2004, 09:40 AM
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We spent two gorgeous weeks in Sorrento in March 2003,,,(Elderhostel,) and had MANY day trips, to all the above places. We usually travel on our own with a car.
Sorrento is a wonderful place, HOWEVER there is ONLY ONE ROAD in and out, hilly, curvy, costal and beautiful, but I don't think a good place to BASE as you are doing. Poistano is lovely, and would be central...but as some have said, summer traffic is often bumper to bumper on the Amalfi coast...it is hairy, and one canNOT pass at all!
Poistano is interesting,and a gorgeous seaside location.. BUT built on the side of a steep hill, and be prepared to cLIMB up and down.
Amalfi is a little more on the "flat" and probably would be a comfortable place to base. Search GOogle can tell you about each town/.
You COULD do a day trip to Sorrento, and over to Capri...(we usually try to see it ALL, and it depends how you like to travel) But if you don't do Sorrento and Capri, then you will have PLENTY to see and do on the Amalfi coast, Pompeii, Pasteum, etc.
The boat from Positano to Sorrento on a daytrip might be the best option.,as opposed to driving.
Jun 7th, 2004, 11:18 AM
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Iffy: Another two cents. . .
My husband is laying flat on the couch with a heating pad and painkillers for his back. A direct result of lugging our 50 lb. suitcase up and down steps in Positano and in the metro stations in Rome (where there wasn't an escalator) and up the steps to a train. We did take our luggage on the ferry and it was probably one of the easiest modes to deal with (ramp to the boat, no stairs) and the bus was easy, too, because as Nina said, the luggage just goes in a compartment below the bus. I hate spending a lot of money on transportation, so we went that route. But I could see how a private driver would make life a lot easier. A matter of priority, I guess, and physical fitness. Just remember to lift with your knees, not your back! By the way, we just got home and looked at our Fodor's "Escape to the Amalfi Coast" book. . . we realized that there are a lot of beautiful places in Sorrento (featured in this book) that we didn't see. And Sorrento might have better night life than Positano, depending on what you like to do. We found there wasn't much night life on Positano. . . hence, a lot of wine on the terrace of Villa Rosa!
My husband is laying flat on the couch with a heating pad and painkillers for his back. A direct result of lugging our 50 lb. suitcase up and down steps in Positano and in the metro stations in Rome (where there wasn't an escalator) and up the steps to a train. We did take our luggage on the ferry and it was probably one of the easiest modes to deal with (ramp to the boat, no stairs) and the bus was easy, too, because as Nina said, the luggage just goes in a compartment below the bus. I hate spending a lot of money on transportation, so we went that route. But I could see how a private driver would make life a lot easier. A matter of priority, I guess, and physical fitness. Just remember to lift with your knees, not your back! By the way, we just got home and looked at our Fodor's "Escape to the Amalfi Coast" book. . . we realized that there are a lot of beautiful places in Sorrento (featured in this book) that we didn't see. And Sorrento might have better night life than Positano, depending on what you like to do. We found there wasn't much night life on Positano. . . hence, a lot of wine on the terrace of Villa Rosa!
