joanne

We're leaving on Friday flying into Rome, training down to Naples, then taking the Circumvesuvia to Sorrento. There are 6 of us, two adults, three teens, and one 11 year old. We've all traveled alot. I had planned to use the trains and buses for trips to Pompeii, Vesuvius, naples, Amalfi and Capri, and walk around Sorrento. Now I'm worried that two cars or a van might be better. Advice?

Rex

If it were me and my family, I would absolutely choose a nine passenger van.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

NFW

For Capri, you catch the boat at the dock in Sorrento which you can walk to. For Pompeii and Naples,you can take the train, Circumvesuviana, which you catch at the station in Sorrento, which you can walk to also. For Almafi you can take a bus, hire two cabs, or rent a car/van for the day in Sorrento. For Vesuvius you can hire day tours, check with the tourist board or travel agency in Sorrento right in town. I can refer you to a cab who does tours to Almafi if you would like.

Missy

I very successfully used the train/bus/ferry system to do almost the identical trip with family. I was nervous and thought it might be an impossible plan, but it worked brilliantly. One warning: we found that ferryboats ignored their schedules and left earlier than scheduled departure time if they got full to capacity, and that even if one has a confirmed ticket for a particular sailing it means nothing. We arrived to the docks half an hour before departure time and watched in shock as the ferry sailing happily for the mainland. We missed the last ferry off of Capri and had to spend another nighton this magical island. Forewarned is forearmed! Enjoy your trip.

Joanne

Thanks all. NFW, yes please give me a referral. I think we'll proceed with our plan to use trains/bus/ferry, and then rent a car if it doesn't work out.

Michelle

Dear Joanne:<BR><BR>Since you are experienced travelers, I probably don't have to warn you. But watch out in the Naples/Circumvesuviana station for the con-artists. They will pretend to work for the railroad, helping you to your train. A guy did this to us in Naples last month. I knew better, but my mother and sister were convinced he worked for the railroad. I kept telling them no, the real rail people would not be helping us get our bags on the train. He got us into the train compartment and was a big help lifting our 22&quot; cases to the rack above. But then the hand came out. My sister handed over 1 Euro, which he promptly said 5 please. We handed over 5, feeling conned but he was a big help. <BR><BR>We met another elderly mom with her daughter at the airport in Munich. They didn't get off so easy. Their con man told them he was a porter and they needed him to carry their bags down to the Circumvsuviana station(not true). They got stiffed for $20!!<BR><BR>Just watch out. Also met several men who got pickpocketed on this train. <BR>If you are careful, you will be fine.<BR><BR><BR>Have fun!!<BR>Michelle

Tim

Joanne,<BR><BR>Six people in a car on the Amalfi Coast?<BR><BR>Four of you would have a great time. I sure wouldn't want to be the driver, though. (Or the driver's spouse.)<BR><BR>The SITA buses are a better choice -- especially this time of year, when there might actually be empty seats.

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Low Jistics

With 6 people, I think that you'll be paying through the nose in terms of train fares. Therefore, it probably will be cheaper to rent a car.<BR><BR>That said, getting from Point A to Point B via public transportation will be logistically easier. You'll be able to watch the scenery go by -- especially on the Amalfi Coast Road -- and not worry about reading a map or missing the exit. Having a car in Sorrento, Amalfi, and Pompeii is going to be a headache, having to find a place to park it, dealing with ZTL's (zona di traffico limitato -- basically a no-traffic/no-vehicle zone) and having to fight traffic on the ONE main road between Sorrento and Point B.<BR><BR>It might cost more it absolute terms, but you'll save your sanity if you use public transportation.

susie

We hit almost the exact same spots and used the train/bus/ferry route. We had no problems and would do it again. While on the SITA bus, there were certain narrow roadways and it was always the cars that had to back up and give the right of way. <BR>If you do decide to drive Amalfi coast, I think the best way would be in a convertible.