capxxx

Just this summer I stayed at the Best Western Hotel Plaza -- convenient to the train station and quite comfortable. It has a very pleasant roof-garden breakfast room, as well.

I didn't find the neighborhood sketchy (and I'm the type to notice those things), and had no issues walking to the train station.

Don't miss the archeolocial museum of Naples, where much of the ``stuff'' from Pompeii is now located.

Sher

Raincitygirl. Thanks for the info. I think she will customize a trip so I think that is very reasonable.

Holly_uncasdewar

Thanks, rain. I may email her.

kja

GREAT example of the merits of separate threads.

Hope you're still there, Peter_S_Aus, and finding the answers you need to your questions!

tdk320n

BOOKMARK

annhig

Hi Peter,

just spotted this, and in case you are still looking, can I tell you about the experiences of one of my colleagues in Naples earlier this year?

They booked a hotel near the station and spend every night in their hotel, too frightened to go out. Now, they are not overly experienced travellers, and might be described as a bit woosy. but nevertheless they have to Rome twice, stayed near Termini both times, and had a ball.

My only experience was a day trip over 35 years ago when I was somewhat green, I can't comment myself, but I would suggest being very picky about the location of your chosen hotel.

raincitygirl

I totally agree ann. I am an experienced traveller and have seen some dodgy things. Looking out of the window of my cab pulling away from Naples central train station I thought I was looking at a scene from Dante's inferno. There seemed to be some kind of weird market with the "goods" laid out on the bare ground and the most motley collection of people and large scary dogs I have seen in one place. Was SO glad I was in a cab.

We stayed in the Centro Storico which might have also seemed scary to some but it was fine and not at all like the scene around the train station.

Even our local guide enquired as to how we were going on to Sorrento and advised NOT to walk to the train station even in broad daylight.

Houseofthevetti

Raincitygirl - This is truly scare-mongering.
If you've been to Naples recently you would know that the Napoli Centrali station area is currently a construction site with the metro extension well underway. It has been this way for over 12 months. That market you speak of is no longer there and in any case - it was definitely NOT a daily occurrence.
I've walked from this train station down Corso Umberto and it's not terrifying. It's ugly and noisy but not dangerous. Please don't perpetuate these myths about Naples - it really does the city and its people a disservice.

raincitygirl

Houseofthevetti, not trying to be a scare-monger, simply passing on what I saw early last October. So, yes, a little more than 12 months ago. And I wouldn't have wanted to walk through there. Maybe no one would actually assault you but I'm sure pickpockets were rife. So not trying to perpetuate myths but the OP did ask about hotels close to the train station and I think he could find something in a better area.

As I said, we were fine in the Centro Storico, although to some people it might appear a bit rough. We felt fine there day and night. And we enjoyed Naples very much and I've said so before on this Forum.

Also, our guide who is a Naples native and loves her city to bits warned us not to walk to the train station. She gave us an amazing walking tour, gave us lots of info about her city: the good, bad and the ugly. We had the unexpected and interesting experience of watching her deal with a junior member of the Camorra who was trying to make her pay more for her weekly parking spot in the unofficial parking lot on their turf. No myths there.
She let him have it and refused to pay more. I couldn't help laughing a bit and then he laughed too. When she first refused to pay it, he asked her if she wanted to come back next time and find her car scratched and with all the windows broken. Then she really went bananas.