This July, we are planning on spending three nights in Positano,, three nights in Capri and then three nights in Rome. We are flying into Naples on arrival to Italy and out of Rome when we leave. I was planning on taking ferry from Capri to Naples, and taking train to Rome from Naples. Is it feasible to do a trip to Pompeii on the way to Rome or easier to do while we are staying in Positano? Or any other ideas?

If you want to visit on the way to Rome, ferry to Sorrento. Catch the local train Circumvesuviana to Pompeii Scavi, store your bags at the entrance to the ruins (they have free storage). The Pompeii Scavi train stop is just across the road from the ruins. After just take that train on to Naples and switch to your train to Rome. It will be very hot in Pompeii in July and little to no shade.

The most effint way would be perhaps taking a high-sped ferry to Sorrento, transfer however the about a mile at most to Sorrnto's Circum Vsuviana train station which has frequent trains north to the Pompeii-Scavis train station and thn put your bags in the luggag storage at the entrance to ancient Pompeii National Archaeological Site. And then when finished poking about the Dead City of ancient Pompeii, return to the train station, right by an entrance to the archaeological site andd then take this train to its terminus in Naples and change to high-speed trains to Rome.

No doubt many here will say this is all too much in one day but that is a personal thing. If this were the only way one could experince Pompeii then go for it but

IMO you should do this as a day trip from Capri if possible and make a leisurely day out of it and also traipse around Sorrento, perhaps dining there before taking a fast night boat back to Capri.

>>>IMO you should do this as a day trip from Capri if possible and make a leisurely day out of it and also traipse around Sorrento, perhaps dining there before taking a fast night boat back to Capri.<<<

You won't find a fast night ferry. They don't run much past 7 pm. You would have to hire a boat and it won't be cheap.

More than just feasible, it should also be a fun day's outing! After all, people come down from Rome to visit the site as a day trip, and this is much easier.

A few things to smooth your path...

Fairly reliable information on crossings to Sorrento (check nearer the time - and for the right route!)

http://www.capritourism.com/en/ship-timetable

A handy €1 bus service from Sorrento's port up to the Circumvesuviana station

http://www.unicocampania.it/index.ph..._primopiano=25

(and also, whilst on that site, good PDF maps of Sorrento and Pompei)

The free 'left luggage' cloakroom service at Pompei

http://www.pompeiviva.it/pv/en/serviziofferti.htm

Their selection of timed itineraries round the site

http://www.pompeiviva.it/pv/en/mappa...rsi_pompei.htm

A place to get of the sun if you need one

http://www.pompeiviva.it/pv/en/autogrill.htm

And my own small contribution - if you can read it in reverse - for navigating through the Napoli Centrale station

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-or-pompei.cfm

Peter

Do it from Sorrento/Positano

as a tour or DIY on the circumvesuviano

cheap fun get off at Pompeii Scavii

Thanks all for you info. I will try to figure it out using your help.

I am actually planning to do the exact same day trip in June from Capri to Pompei to Rome all in one day...this is very helpful information!

Couple more questions:

Is the luggage storage safe? Is is like a coat check with an attendant or storage lockers? Do we need locks for our luggage?

For the high speed train from Naples to Rome after we tour Pompei, do we need to buy our tickets in advance to avoid the trains being sold out? Or can we just play it by ear and see what time we finish up at Pompei and buy the tickets once we get to the station? This will be on a Thursday in late June.

Thanks!

Earlier in the day, the fastest trains(ES/AV - travel time 1 hour) run more often than later in the day, but summer schedules aren't out yet so that may change (although schedules don't typically change much). After 6, you might need to take a bit slower train (ES - 1:45 or IC - 2 hours).

The Marozzi bus departs Pompeii (most days) at 17:45 in summer and arrives Rome at 21:00 (16.50€). Takes longer, but is another option.

Thanks kybourbon. We are only planning to do a 2 hour tour of Pompei, so were hoping to take a high speed train from Naples to Rome around 2pm-ish. The earliest date I could check the train schedule on Trenitalia is for June 6 (our travel date would be June 23) and it looks like there is a 2:35 pm train. Clearly the schedule could change by then, but gives a rough estimate.

If we know we want to leave by about that time, should we go ahead and book the ticket in advance? Or is it safe to wait to buy the day of in case we are running late? Don't wait to miss the train and waste the train ticket fare. But rather have a seat confirmed if there is any risk of trains being sold out that time of year.

We live nearby and frequently take the train up to Rome - but, with a ferry crossing involved, we often just turn up and buy tickets immediately prior to travelling... without (touch wood!) any problems in a decade of doing it that way.

Make a note of the various trains, and check them on the Departures board before going to the ticket office or machine - so you can sidestep any that are running late!

And do remember that the normal fare on some of the slightly slower trains may in any case be cheaper than you can get on the ESAVs with that advance-purchase Mini scheme...

Although it covers only the first trains of the day, and is out of date now, this will give an idea of the full variety that's on offer!

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/132354103

Peter

Thanks Peter- that's a relief we don't need to book in advance and can have a bit more flexibility. I appreciate the response!