We are traveling by train from Riomaggiore and Sorrento. We love train travel, however, at our age this is probably more than we want to do in one day. We originally thought of spending one night in Naples. After a little research, I am concerned about the safety there. Now, I am considering spending a night in either Civitavecchia or Orvietto. Checking train scedules on line I know we could do it easily through Civitavecchia. However, there doesn't seem to be much reason to go there. We have been to Orvieto and loved it. I know there is a train station there. However, I don't know how many trains stop there. ie: Could we take a train from La Spezia and have the afternoon in Orvieto and then take a train to Naples and arrive in the early afternoon? (By the way we are spending 4 nights in CT and 5 in Sorrento - we hate one night stands - and this might be out last trip we can take on our own. So, Please don't suggest we visit these spots on another trip.)

I see that from La Spezia to Orvieto you can arrive in 3 - 4 hours (changing twice the trains). Then you need 3 hours from Orvieto to Naples (direct train).

Another option is La Spezia - Naples 7 hours, with two (changing twice the trains).

You can enter trenitalia site and check there different options:

http://www.trenitalia.it/en/index.html

I can understand your dislike of a long train ride, but I don't think the option of an overnight in Orvieto improves the overall journey.

The 7-hour trip from Riomaggiore to Naples involves only 2 changes and no checking in/out of another hotel. An overnight in Orvieto means more train changes overall and rides of about 4-5 hours on back-to-back days.

I'd do it in one day and splurge on a hired driver to meet the train in Naples and take you to your hotel in Sorrento.

Wow! I'm impressed with the speed of responses.
Jean, your idea is a definite possibility. However, I didn't mention that we rather look forward to returning to Orvieto. For one thing the last time we missed St. Patrick's Well,which I would really like to see.
Perhaps I did not make myself clear. We love train rides. Our real issue here is staying in Naples.
Valtor- I really appreciate your input. Can you tell me where I can find your input on the internet? When I go into trenitalia orvieto doesn't seem to exist.

Hi,

I used to stay regularly in Naples - never really found it a problem - mind you of course I always got a taxi from the airport to the hotel (can not remember the hotel name - somewhere close to the harbour!!) - in the evening I used to walk around to the local resturants - never felt threatened.

But my office was on an industrial estate - & the area we went through to get there was very run down.

But I assume that if you stay somewhere central, you should be ok.

Mark

Hi,

Just thought - you do realise that from Naples to Sorrento is only 2 hours by train.

I've done it a few times - never felt threatened.

Mark

There is no real reason to stay overnight in Naples, unless you want to visit the place. In Sorrento you're only an hour and ten minutes away from the main Naples Train station, via the Circumvesuvia, where you can catch any train to the rest of Italy. As Rick Steves says why stay in Naples when you can stay in Sorrento?

Jane, i had not problems find Orvieto in tenitalia. Maybe you did not write it correctly.

i tried from La spezia to Orvieto, here is a link, just copy and paste it:

http://orario.trenitalia.com/b2c/Tim...p;x=16&y=6

I (older female) just spent two nights and a separate day in Naples, and although I would avoid the Spanish Quarter after dark I otherwise felt quite safe. I found the locals very willing to help with directions when needed.

If you don't like the trenitalia site, try bahn.de. If you leave Riomaggiore at 7:00 you can get to Naples with only one change by 14:30, while Orvieto will require at least two changes and take nearly as long.

You'll be safe in Napoli.

If you want to revisit Orvieto, I can understand that perfectly, but you'd be as safe in Napoli as you would in Roma, or even Sorrento.

That said, the area of the train station in Napoli is the very least appealing part of Napoli, so book a hotel elsewhere if you decide to stay there. And while the town is safe, do realize that Napoli is one of the most chaotic cities in Europe, and traffic speeds are alarming. You may not want to put up with it.

Therefore, I think the idea of having a car transfer directly to Sorrento is an excellent one, especially since you dislike one night stands. It sounds extravagant, but under the circumstances it isn't, and it may open up your eyes as to a way to continue to travel independently for the next couple of years.

No need to spend a bunch of money on a car from Naples unless you really want to. The Circumvesuviana trains go from the basement of Napoli Centrale, and if you catch a direct train it's less than an hour to Sorrento.

If you have decided to stay in Naples the Grand Hotel Europa is just around the corner from the train station and quite safe. It is the hotel the police department uses for offices on the top floor, officers are going in and out all day. Simple and clean think motel 6 with very good breakfast. 80e night double. Here is link
http://www.sea-hotels.com/grand_hotel_europa.php