I'm planning to travel from a rental apt near Catania to Praiano next May. I'm assuming the way to get here is to train to Salerno, then get on the SITA bus to go to Praiano. Is that correct? I've looked up the SITA schedule and am confused as to which route goes to Praiano - do I have to switch buses several times?

That seems the best, but you can also take a ferry to Amalfi and a bus from there. I think you have to change busses in Amalfi anyway.

Hi H,

You have 3 choices from Salerno:

A. Take the SITA bus from the train station to Amalfi. Change to the SITA bus to Positano, get off in Praiano.

B. Take the ferry (3 blks from the train station) to Amalfi or to Positano.

B1 Take the SITA bus from Amalfi as above.

B2 In Positano, take the Orange bus to Praiano.

Enjoy your visit.

Thanks, guys! Ira, which option do you think would be quickest or easiest? There are two trains on the Trenitalia schedule leaving Catania, the earlier one, which may be difficult to coordinate with returning a rental car, arrives at 15:30 , while the next one arrives at 18:30.

Hi H,

The last two ferries leave Salerno at 15:30 and 17:15.

I think that you should plan on taking the bus.

hazel,

Have you given any thought to taking a flight from Catania to Napoli?

nessundorma - yes, I did consider it, and in fact we're flying to Catania from Rome, but neither Air One or Windjet fly Catania-Naples. I'm also doing the train thing for my BF, who loves trains, and I've heard the trip up from Southern Italy is very pretty for much of the way. True or not?

I'm hoping that I can return my rental car in Acireale when the agency opens at 8:30 and make to the station to catch the 9:22 train to Salerno.

You can take a ferry (big ship) from Catania to Naples. It's overnight. It's TTT Lines www.tttlines.it but go to www.traghettionline.it (not sure if it's .it or .net) for the reservations. I don't think you can make them on their site. We had a cabin and it isn't expensive at all. It was very enjoyable. Then you can take the aliscafo or whatever you want from Naples. It was a great way to travel.

hazel1,

I took Alpi Eagles from Naples to Catania, so I assume they fly return flights as well.

I have never taken the train, but I have never heard anybody say it was pretty, but that doesn't mean anything.