stonest

We're only spending 4 and a half days in Rome, but we've decided we really want to see Capri while we're there. We've found a tour that does a day trip from Rome. The bus will leave at 7:15am, head to Naples, and hop a boat to Capri. Lunch is planned in Capri and the rest of the day is free time. Then we leave and head back to Rome, to arrive back around 9pm.

I know a lot of you will say this is a bad idea due to the fact that we're in Rome for such a short period and that we'll spend a lot of time on the road, but we really want to do this. My question is this: the cost of the trip is $377 for my husband and myself. Is this a total rip off? Transportation and lunch are included and we take ease into consideration. Do you think we could do it ourselves cheaper and relatively easily?

I really appreciate any help y'all can give me!

Budman

Train to Naples, taxi to the hydrofoils, and return for 1/4 of the price. Then you have the rest of the money for a nice lunch and some great shopping.

stonest

But is that easy? I mean, really easy?

TravMimi

Sounds about right for a day trip to Capri from Rome. Train would be faster than bus, but an all included tour would be more restful.

Budman

There are many trains leaving Rome to Naples. You need to catch a direct one. There are plenty of people on this forum that can lead you to a schedule. I'm a rental car person.

Easy? It's as easy as getting to/from the train station and taxi to/from the ferry/hydrofoil pier.

Once you get to the island, you have the option of taking a taxi/tour of the island, or taking the funnicular up to the top to Capri city.

kybourbon

The AV train takes just 90 minutes to Naples from Rome. Sometimes the AV has a 2for1 special which is 33E one way 2nd cl. It's a short tram or taxi ride to the port. Hydro-foils are faster than the ferries, but cost a bit more (about 12-15E). Returning ferries don't run late so you will have to leave around 6 or 7.

stonest

Ok, thanks. Right now they aren't offering the 2 for 1, so we're looking at paying 33 euros each both ways, totaling 132 euros just to get there by train. And then we'll have to get a taxi and then either the ferry or hydrofoil and then pay for lunch. So it sounds like $377 is comparable to what we'll end up paying in the end..

Sher

This is your vacation and you should spend the time the way you want.

I am a rental car person myself, also.

That said, before I personally would spend $400 on a one day bus tour, I would find a way to do it myself.

If anyone is able to help you find a way to do this easily, you are going to find them here.

Good Luck.

Budman

Looks like you will be on your honeymoon, and I guess your first time to Europe/Italy. If you're not Europe savvy, and this is your first time, you just might want to save Capri/Positano/Sorrento area for another trip. There's lots to leisurely do/see in Rome in 4 days.

kybourbon

The ES and IC trains only take 30 minutes longer and ES is 25E.
For ferries see www.metrodelmare.com. There are others that will be available at the port. I think the tram price is around 1 E. Don't know the current Capri funicular price.

I personally would go for it if it was on my "must do" list. I would probably ferry from Capri to Sorrento for dinner and then train back.

Your bus will take about 3-3 1/2 hours (most stop along the way for a break) to get to Naples so you probably won't arrive until noon.

TravMimi

I have no problem with the price for 2 for the day in Capri, but the bus rides would kill me.

nytraveler

That price sounds outrageous. You can easily do it yourself - either via train or rental car for the day - for considerably less - and wasting less time en route.

The only risk I see - and you don;t say when you're going - is that the ses are rough and the boats to Capri don;t run. In which case I guess you would have to see Pompeii.

stonest

I'm leaving for Rome on the 15th, so I'm kind of planning at the last minute! Our hotels have long been booked, but the day excursions have yet to be determined. I haven't read anything about the seas being rough--when do the boats not go to Capri?

Yes, this is my honeymoon, but no, it's not my first time to Europe. I've been to Spain, Germany, and Austria, but I always went with the tour groups (I'm all about ease)--this is my first time out on my own. My fiance has never been to Europe, so he's definitely wary.

From all of this though, I think we will plan on doing it on our own. We figure worst case scenario, we spend about the same amount of money doing it ourself.

KYbourbon-- I love that idea. Think we could fly by the seat of our pants? I mean, train down to Naples, go to Capri, ferry to Sorrento for dinner, and train back to Rome? Do the trains run often enough to not worry about booking one in advance?

I can read on websites all day long, but I really like to hear what REAL people say.. I wish I had found these forums before I booked our hotels!

Dayle

Hi Stonest,

Just my opinion, but while Capri is nice, I wouldn't spend that much money and a precious day in Rome to do a day trip. Now, if you were to say you just HAD to see Pompeii - I would agree it was worth the time and money.

The hydrofoils (aliscafi) don't run if the sea is too rough. That can happen any time, but less chance in summer months.

Buon viaggio!

travelgirl2

I think if your heart is set on seeing Capri, since it's your honeymoon, you should see it.

It is cramming a lot into one day and taking up one of your few days in Rome, so I wouldn't do it. But if you want to, then go for it!

We took the train from Rome to Naples and then the circumvensia (sp?) from Naples to Sorrento about 3 years ago. The train from Rome to Naples was fine. The local circumvensia (sp?) was slow, hot, steamy, stopped a lot and was very uncomfortable.

Have fun!

Sassafrass

We did a similar thing, only one way though: Capri to Naples, tour bus from pier in Naples to Rome. Traffic leaving Naples in the late afternoon/evening was awful. It took hours. Lesson learned. Take the train.

valtor

Many years ago (in 1990) we made the same trip, I think that exactly the same trip, it costed 175 $ pp, and we enjoyed a lot. We were lucky, because the weather was very good, the see calm, so we can enter the Grotto Auzre (spe??). We had some time to spend in Sorento, we made a small tour of Naples and we had time in Anacapri (after a very good lunch, with folklore program). If you decide to do this tour, you will have some time to spend in Anacapri for shopping , but we used it to visit Axel Munte's villa San Michele.
I am sure that on our own we could not see all thses in one day.
After so many years we are still pleased to remember this trip.

Just now I saw that you will have 4 1/2 days in Rome and one of them you want to go to Capri. Please think again before take this tour, because 3 1/2 days in Rome is a a very short time.
Any case, with or without Capri, enjoy Italy!

SeaUrchin

From what I understand from your post, I would take the tour. I love Capri and I would take valtor's advice.

ira

Hi S,

>So it sounds like $377 is comparable to what we'll end up paying in the end..

Well $377 is comparable to $277, but it is 35% more.

vivi

Yes, I would do this if it were on my "must do" list (though there is plenty to keep you busy in RomE!)

If you are confident travelers you can do this on your own with a little bit of planning. Does the bus tour leave from Termini? If you have to meet there at 7:15Am anyway you could just as easily jump on a train to Naples, I did it alone in May and enjoyed the ride!

But if you are looking for ease and no worries, then do the tour!

Do you have to eat lunch en masse in Capri with your tour group? That does not sound like a fun honeymoon activity!