Naples to Capri transportation
 

Hi all, My wife and I are going to go from Rome to Naples via train, then our agent wants us to rent a car and drive rest of the way. Are their other convenient way's to get to the Capri area (I know Capri is an island and we are not staying on the island) without renting a car?

Thanks
Bobby

Not sure what the "Capri area" is, since as you know, Capri is an island, a boat might be more suitable than a car.

If you mean the Amalfi Coast -- all the major towns can be reached by ferry and/or bus, and sometimes rail (Sorrento). If you don't want to rent a car you will not need one. You can hire a driver and car if there is someplace not served by public transportation.

Driving and parking can be very difficult during the summer.

Hi Bobby: Where are you staying? If you are going to Capri from Naples you would take a taxi from the train station to Molo Beverello (the port) and take the next aliscafo (jet boat) to Capri. A car would be an extreme problem and you don't need it. Make sure the only take you to Molo Beverello. That is the closest port. Your travel agent may be saying that you should take the car to the ferry and then to Capri. You don't need a car on Capri at all. If you are staying in Sorrento and want a car, then rent it in Sorrento. You can't bring a car from Sorrento to Capri, they don't have the ferry there only the jet boats. On Capri you walk and take buses or taxis. Forget the car.

From the Naples train station you can go into the basement and purchase a ticket for the comuter train (circum.....) to Sorrento.

The ride is not air-conditioned (not really necessary as windows are open) and takes about an hour. It goes directly to the middle of Sorrento as the last stop.

On the way from the ticket booth to the tracks there is a large electronic board indicating the track # for Sorrento.

Then down to the tacks. Be careful as a commuter train, many trains are "flying" thru that little station and several use the same track.

As the Sorrento train is about to enter the station the little electronic board over the track will flash and indicate which train is arriving. Make sure you take the one to Sorrento.

Thanks for all the reply's
Ok - update on where we are going.
We will be staying at the Hotel Aurora
(http://en.venere.com/hotels_amalfi/c...el_aurora.html) this has a map of where the hotel is located. So I need to find the most convenient way to get to the this hotel

Thanks again
Bobby

You're on the A/C.

1) You can get there by either going to Sorrento and taking a bus.

2) Train to Salerno and boat.

3) Boat from Naples.

4) Hire a driver in Naples.

5) Boat from Sorrento.

I happen to be a fan of Sorrento and avoid the hassle by staying there.

Bobby - For Amalfi the best option is really via Salerno.

If I were you I'd do Myer's option No 2 - train to Salerno, then ferry to Amalfi.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

If you're going to AC in the summer you can go by aliscafo from Naples to Positano and not bother with trains.

I went from Naples to Capri and we took a boat. I don't remember walking very far from where we got off the train to catch the boat.

Have I got the "picture" right. If I want to travel from Naples to Sorrento, I can go the lower level of the Naples train station and get on a local train (circum.....)and get to Sorrento. Meaning I do not have to leave the building of the Naples train station and walk around the streets. I will travelling through Italy in October with my daughter and was concerned about finding my way around Naples - many of the stories here seem to be warnings to be very wary in Naples. If anyone has used this local train, can you let me know how much the ticket cost?? and did you just turn up and catch the next available train - i.e. did not make any booking??? Many thanks.

2toitaly: Yes, that's all you do. Go down stairs to the circumvesuviana. It's a little grungy down there but it's a local train. Kind of like an above ground subway. You can go to Pompeii that way, too. Your other choice is to just take a taxi to Molo Beverello and take a jet boat to Sorrento. Either way depending on where your hotel is you walk or take a taxi. As I mentioned before....make sure they take you to Molo Beverello and no other ports.

Ann1,
thank you for reply. We have grungy looking railway stations in Sydney as well. But forewarned makes the planning a little easier, and maybe not such a worry that I am in the wrong place.
2toitaly.

2toItaly - From Rome to Naples a 2nd cl ES train is about 22E per person one way and includes seat reservation. www.trenitalia.com

From Naples to Sorrento the Circumvesuviana leaves about every 30 minutes and costs 3.10E. There are no seat reservations as this is a local commuter train. The only schedule I could locate on www.vesuviana.it is from 2005.
http://www.vesuviana.it/stazioni_est2005.htm

2toItaly,

The commuter (circumvesuviana) train runs at least once per hour and probably more often.

As I wrote above when describing it, be careful which train you get on to.

The process is as follows:

1) Go down to the lower lever of the train station. I'm sure there are a few signs.

2) I believe on the left you'll see a row of ticket booths. Buy your tickets.

3) Take the escallator to yet a lower level where the tracks are located. Just before going down, I believe on the right, you'll see an electronic board telling you which track for Sorrento. There are 3 or 4 tracks.

4) The trains come and go pretty quickly, so be on your toes here. Different trains all use the same track. Be careful. This took me a while to figure out. Don't just go by the time as several trains will come and go at almost the same time. There is a small electronic board above the track (I think it may be above the walkway beside the track). When it say Sorrento you know that's next. When it starts to flash you know it's about to arrive. Once you have the process down it's no problem.

The ride is above ground and not really very much to see.

Pompeii is approximately midway between Naples and Sorrento.

Sorrento is at the end of the line so no decisions here. The little station is about 1 short block from the main street (directly in front of the station) and about 2 blocks from the main square.

Have a great trip. I'm a Sorrento fan.