RCLCOLPB

I have received invaluable advice from Fodors boards for many trips around the world, but the depth of useful information on this board is still amazing. I have spent a lot of time learning what I can from previous postings, as well as from guidebooks, but I apologize in advance if these questions have been addressed before.
We are going to be in the Naples/Amalfi Coast/Capri area for 8 nights, arriving in Naples from the US at noon on October 6 and departing to the US from Naples at 1240 noon on October 14.
We have come up with the following very tentative itinerary, but we have not made any reservations and are eager for critiques and suggestions:
Sat. 10/6: Arrive Naples airport noon. Take bus to Sorrento unless we have just missed one, in which case take airport bus and train to Sorrento. Sleep in Sorrento (maybe Bellevue Syrene or Il Nido based on suggestions on the board, but I have not yet checked TripAdvisor).
Sun: Pompei and Herculaneum via train from Sorrento. Sleep in Sorrento.
Mon: Boat to Capri and sleep there. Might do a big splurge for us at La Scalinatella or Casa Morgano or Capri Palace, depending on how expensive they turn out to be, and comments on TripAdvisor.
Tues: Boat to Positano (if it runs that time of year) or to Sorrento and bus or boat from there. Sleep in Positano (depending on cost and availability and TripAdvisor, maybe Villa Rosa, Poseidon, or Albergo California).
Wed: Day trip by bus and/or boat to Amalfi, Ravello, and perhaps back and forth to Sorrento depending on whether we are going to be on that part of the coast road otherwise. Sleep in Positano.
Thursday: Day trip by bus and train or bus and bus to Paestum via Salerno. (Or maybe rent a car if the coast road doesn’t turn out to scare me too much.) Sleep in Positano. (Or are we better off doing this on Friday with our luggage and taking the train back to Naples, which would give us a little more time in Naples.)
Friday: Relax in Positano, or maybe take bus to and from Sorrento, or bus one way and boat the other, if we have not done this already.
Saturday: Go as early as we can to Naples via boat if that works, or by bus and train. Visit archeological museum, walk around, etc. Sleep in Naples.
Sunday: Go to airport for international flight at 1240 noon.
I also have a number of questions that relate to this itinerary (sorry there are so many, and thanks in advance for any you can answer):
--It sounds like the SITA buses along the AC are crazy in terms of lines, standing, etc., in July and August. Will they be sane in October? Will there be any problem carrying on a rolling bag for each of us (the size that fits on board a plane)?
--Is it possible to get ferry and bus schedules, or a rough idea as to what the schedules are, for early October? If not, does anyone know whether we will be able to get boats from Capri to Positano in the afternoon during this period? There are quite a few between 3 and 7 PM right now, but I assume there are fewer, or none, in October?
--Do boats run between Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi that time of year, with reasonable frequency? What about to Salerno?
--Similarly, any idea as to whether boats will be running from Positano to Naples in October? Right now there is boat at 1040 AM that arrives at noon, but I suppose that may not be the case outside of prime season? If it is not possible to get to Naples from Positano early by boat, it looks like we would not have a problem getting there by SITA bus to Meta and Circumvesuviana to Naples, or is that schedule a lot worse in October also?
--Some of the possible hotels seem to focus on being on a beach or having a great pool. We are not really going to the area that time of year to laze around a pool or beach, though some of that could be nice if weather permits, but I assume we should not plan around that in October given the somewhat unpredictable weather?
--We will probably stay in Naples Saturday night before our Sunday international flight at 1240 noon. Any idea how early we would have to leave the hotel that morning (I believe we are supposed to be there 3 hours ahead of flight time), and how would you get there if the hotel is not right where the airport buses go from? A cab?
--Any suggestions re the best ways to make hotel reservations? Email directly to hotel, or Orbitz type websites, or anything similar focused on this area?
--Is there any place to check luggage while visiting Paestum if we decide to go there on the way back to Naples (although we will probably end up doing it as a day trip from Positano)?
--Although I suspect we will not end up renting a car, is there a way to do that for 1 day in Positano if we decide to? Is there a big disadvantage to not arranging it in advance from the US? Any recommended companies in Positano?
--If we are going to stay on Capri for one night and then head to Positano from there, is there any problem bringing our rolling bags?
--Is it OK to visit Pompei and Herculaneum on the same day (by train from Sorrento), or is that a bad idea? I think we are going to skip Vesuvius for various reasons.
Thanks so much for any help you can offer!

Len

Inveteratetraveler

Len, we used to live in Rome and did practically everything you did by car - we never made it to Herculaneum, but both sites are nearby. We also never stayed overnight in Capri. It can readily be done in a day trip but many do like to stay overnight. Unless you speak Italian, I think you would go nuts trying to trvael by buses. Like all things in Italy, the schedules change frequently. Ferries to Capri are easy to catch in the fall. My advice to save time and many frustrations is to rent a car. I can elaborate even more my email, Ciao, Jack

RCLCOLPB

Thanks, Jack. I assume that means you don't think I should be scared off by driving on the Amalfi Coast, or that I won't be able to see enough if I am driving--2 hot topics on this board? What about driving myself up to Ravello?

In addition to cost, the other thing pushing me away from rental cars was challenges of parking in towns along the coast. Is that a problem in October, or only in the peak season?

Len

ira

Hi R,

We were on the AC first week of Oct, 2003. All of the ferries were running.

Buses weren't particularly crowded.

For your visit to Paestum, I suggest ferry to Salerno. Train to Paestum (Ferry is about 3 blks from train station) and back to Salerno. SITA bus to Positano via Amalfi.

RCLCOLPB

Thanks, Ira. That was when you stayed in Priano? Was it warm enough to spend time on the beach?

If beach is likely to be a possibility, is it a negatative to stay somewhere in town like Villa Rosa or Albergo California?

Len

Inveteratetraveler

No, you should not be scared about driving. Italians are aggressive drivers, that is true, but if you are careful you will be all right. Of course, you can rubberneck while you drive. Like tens of thousands of others. The roads are twisty but not all that difficult to negotiate. Parking is always a problem in Italian cities but as I recall you can always find places at f erry landings, archaelogical sites and at hotels -- if the hotel does not have its own parking lot they will find a place for you to park. Cost is another matter. That is a matter of you and your pocketbook, of course -lol. Trying to cope with Italian bus schedules and hauling luggage on a bus is enough to fray my nerves but maybe you and your wife are made of stronger stuff -lol.

bobthenavigator

Do yourself a favor and go to www.onelittleworld.com and find their trip report for Campania---good stuff.

sheri_lp

in 2008 the SITA bus line in Sorrento was huge and had to wait for the next one - get there early and jump on fast. If you end up taking the bus into Positano, the Royal Positano hotel is right at the bus stop and beautiful setting with views and was about 60euro with breakfast then. The boats to Capri were finishing their season in October so you have to check in Sorrento for the date. Have fun!

sheri_lp

sorry meant 2005

RCLCOLPB

Thanks, Sheri. That was in October, I gather? Would it have been possible to carry on a rolling bag for each person on the SITA bus from Sorrento?

SeaUrchin

The buses have a compartment for luggage. They shouldn't be crowded in October. The pools will likely be closing at that time of year. The views from higher in town are better because there is more of a vista so no need to be by the beach. It is not that long of a walk down to the water.

sheri_lp

Yes it was in October - and that bus was packed! They have compartments but you couldnt really give up your space in line to pack the suitcase so I dragged mine on with me. The bus coming back from Positano to Sorrento was certainly not as crowded though.

ekscrunchy

I am planning a similar trip and had many of the same questions. One thing that jumped out at me is the idea of renting the car in Positano to visit Paestum. As far as I can tell, the nearest car rental outlet is in Sorrento. Perhaps you will decide to hire a private car and driver for your Paestum day, as we will do if we decide not to hire our own car..

ira

Hi ek,

We took the ferry from Positano to Salerno, the train to Paestum and back, and the SITA bus from Salerno via Amalfi.

You get to see the coast from the water in the morning and ride the coast road at night.

Very, very, pretty rides and a very pleasant day.

msbeavers

We will be in Positano the first week of Oct and i have learned from many who travel to Amalfi coast that it is easies to just hire a driver/ taxi to take you around. yes it may cost a little more but my italy traveling friends agree that it is worth the few extra $$. we are going to use this method to go from Positano to Revello and the Amalfi area.
I booked all lodging via Venere.com and cross checked the locations with tripadvisor reviews. I am about to post my questions about experiences with my hotels. Good Luck !

ekscrunchy

I am leaning toward that option as well. After all, a rental car will cost us at least 600 USD for the week (we use automatic and pay in that range, more or less, in Italy) and that can buy us lots of time with a hired driver!

Steve_James

Hi Len/ Eks - For car rental in Positano there is only one option in town, I believe.

Here's the link:
http://www.positanosmartrental.com/

Otherwise there are a number of rental companies at Sorrento ...

Hope this helps ...

Steve

AmyKW

I stayed at the Villa Rosa last September and it was wonderful - if I'm ever back in that area will stay there again. I wouldn't worry about the location to the beach - the entire town is on a cliff but it's so easy to get down there (and the beach is public). The town is small so you can easily walk everywhere while there. If you stay at Villa Rosa, make sure to go across the street for dinner at La Sirenuse...a bit of a splurge but worth every penny.

Don't worry about taking luggage on the ferries - there is plenty of room.

When we visited Pompeii, we had taken the train from Rome to Naples, then took the subway to Pompeii (on our way to spending the night in Positano, so we had all of our luggage). You can store your luggage at the entrance of Pompeii. We had planned on taking a bus to Positano, but ended up meeting a driver on the street outside of Pompeii and he took us - he turned out to be a great tour guide! I think I actually still have his name and number...

abcdc

bobthenavigator, just wanted to say thanks for that link. What a wealth of info!!

ekscrunchy

Steve, thanks for that car rental link. I had NO idea..I will have to check to see if they offer automatics! You are a true font of information!