Budget - Italy
 

I am trying to budget how much I will need for Transportation. Does anyone know how much (roughly) the following costs?
Train Naples to Rome
Commuter train (Sorrento to Pompei)
Ferry (Sorrento-Capri)

THank you so much!
Cynthia

Less than $100 all told - that's for one-way Rome-Naples. Naples-Pompeii-sorrento train is just 3.5 euros i believe. Rome-Naples as low as 29 euros or $40 depends on type of train.
Point: Public transit is extremely cheap in Italy compared to other European countries.

Hi,

you can find out rome to naples train prices at www.trenitalia.com - i think it's roughly 10 euros on a "normal" train, more like 25 on the eurostar. (single)

sorrento to pompeii on the circumvesuviana train (www.vesuviana.it)is roughly 2 euros single, if i remember rightly.

not sure about the ferry from sorrento to capri i'm afraid. it probably depends on what sort of boat you take and what company, and possibly on the time of year. i think i remember paying about 5 euros on a caremar ferry - www.caremar.it - but the hydrofoils ("aliscafi") will be more expensive.

Thank you both for your replies- That is great to hear.

Would you suggest to buy your train tickets in advance or just buy them the day of?

definitely wouldn't bother buying sorrento to pompeii in advance (i'm not even sure if you can!). naples to rome might be worth it if you want to travel on the eurostar as you have to have reserved seats and they can get full on busy routes at busy times. but if money is an issue then the "interregionale" train is a lot cheaper and takes about half an hour longer, i think, and for those trains there's no point booking in advance - just make sure you get to the platform early and get yourself seats!

The Eurostar requires seat reservations. If it's going to be one or two people traveling, then you can probably book your tickets the day of travel. If it's a larger group, book a day or two in advance if you all want to sit together. Seat reversations on the Intercity are optional but the same recommendations apply. If there's an upcoming train strike and you are planning to travel on the day before, day of, or day after the strike, <i>definitely</i> make reservations a few days ahead.

The train from Sorrento to Pompeii and Naples (the Circumvesuviana) is a glorified subway. The ticket agent probably will look at you like you're from Mars if you ask to make reservations on it.

ttt

Cynthia - Sorrento-Capri costs:

&euro; 5.80-7.50 by ferry (depending on company and type of boat)

&euro; 10.50 by hydrofoil

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Just for general info on this subject: Rick Steves' web site (www.ricksteves.com) has a map showing the approximate costs, in US$, for train travel between major cities in Italy. It's handy for budgeting purposes.