standingbear

What is the best way to get to Pompeii and see mt Vesuvius? Should we use public transportation or a driver. We have two kids, ages 8 and 13. With the low dollar we are trying to save money but do not want to make things too difficult for us either. Does anyone know how early the bus leaves and if it goes straight to Pompeii? How late do the buses run at night? This is all so confusing to us. We will be there in July. Thank you!

Castellanese

Hi,

One option is to go from Positano to Sorrento by bus. Click on Amalfi-Positano-Sorrento for the bus schedule on this link:

http://www.sitabus.it/wps/portal/OrariCampania

Then, take the circumvesuviana from Sorrento to Pompeii. Choose Sorrento and Pompeii (Scavi Villa dei Misteri) and you will find the train schedule on this link:

http://servizi.vesuviana.it/orari/orarinew2/modulo.htm

I hope this helps,

Have a great trip.

ms_go

When we did this, we took the SITA bus from Positano (two stops in town) to Meta and then the Circumvesuviana to Pompeii. I want to say it took a bit over an hour and was very easy and inexpensive. We left fairly early (7:30am ish) before the buses got crowded. The bus lets you out right at the Meta train station. Meta is closer to Positano and closer to Pompeii than Sorrento. On the return, though, it is better to take the Circumvesuviana from Pompeii to Sorrento and then catch the bus there (that is the first stop for the bus).

We did not go to Vesuvius, so no advice there--sorry.

dina4

i think ms. go gave you great advice. it is the same advice i received, as we plan to do this with our kids in a couple of months!

Steve_James

Hi SB -

POMPEII from POSITANO:

Take the SITA Sorrento bus to META (- 25 mins). See map:
http://www.supermappe.com/campania/meta.html

[Meta is the nearest railway station to Positano on the Circumvesuviana line - the bus stops at Meta station].

From META it takes 25 mins by train to Pompeii SCAVI.

This is the quickest option on the outward journey.


N.B. On the return journey, however, it's advisable to take the train from Pompeii back to SORRENTO (- rather than changing at Meta) - to guarantee yourself a seat on the Positano bus.

[Positano buses often leave Sorrento full - so for anyone boarding at Meta it's standing room only ]

Buy bus tickets in advance - and N.B. 'validate' them on boarding.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Steve_James

The VESUVIUS Bus departs from Pompeii (- Piazza Amfiteatro) at:

08.00 - 09.00* - 09.30 - 10.15 - 10.30 - 11.25 - 12.25 - 13.20 - 14.30 - 15.30*

[Departures leave Pompeii Terminus bus station 5 mins before the above].

The service is year round except -
* 09.00 and 15.30 deps (- 1 April - 30 Sept only)

Fare: € 8.60 round trip. Journey time: 70 mins

Service operator: Vesuviana Mobilita

http://www.comune.ercolano.na.it/erc...suvio_2006.pdf


Bus tickets can be bought at:
- Circumvesuviana railway station OR
- 'Sgambati' (- station newsagents/tobacconist kiosk)

Entrance fee to the crater: € 6.50


Hope this helps ...

Steve

KellyRome3

I would really recommend getting a car to drive you in this situation. Get a couple of quotes and compare to the costs of the bus. If you can afford it, it will be a much better trip for you.

With two children, I don't think I would want to deal with packed buses (they will be bad in July). In addition, we have been in a situation where they wouldn't let us on the bus because it was too full. Not fun!

Castellanese

I didn't know about Meta being a closer option, so I'm glad this thread was posted.

At least I hope that the links I posted are of help

Castellanese.

LAwoman

If you get the bus in Positano around 7:30 it's unlikely to be crowded. On the return trip from Sorrento, people line up for the bus - it's a good idea to know the bus schedule and plan to be at the Sorrento station 30 minutes before the next bus. A cab from Sorrento to Positano is around E80 (you can bargain them down a little sometimes).

standingbear

Thank you everyone for all the great info! If there is no room on the bus is it a long wait for the next one? It sounds like bus travel is very crowded in July.
Alicia

LAwoman

Standingbear, I think they run about every 45 mins, but you should check the summer schedule at the link posted above. If you don't want the inconvenience, pay the bucks and take a cab or use a driver.

If you don't mind a little waiting & like saving the money (I think you have to buy a day pass now, so it will cost the same to take the bus one way as it will to go round trip) then leave one of your party in line with a good book and walk a few blocks to the main drag in Sorrento & get some gelato.

Personally I would plan to take the bus but be prepared to bail and take a taxi if the bus is looking like too much work.

Steve_James

Yes - buses are crowded in July.

On your outward journey to Meta your best bet is to leave early.

On your return journey from Sorrento EITHER plan to be in the bus queue 20-30 mins early - OR go down to the dock and return to Positano by ferry.

You can check timetables online before you go.

Steve