What is the safest/fastest way to get from Naples train stn to Positano 22may10. Can only find boats to Sorrento at that time, and how far is the train stn in Naples to the marina where the boats go from. Are the busses from Sorrento to Positano terribly crowded to deal with the luggage?

If you're going to Sorrento on the way to Positano the easiest thing to do is to take the Circumvesuviana train from the basement of the main train station. Otherwise you can get a bus (or a taxi, I suppose) from the train station to the ferry docks.

Hi JM - Fastest/safest options are hydrofoil or taxi/limo transfer

There are 2 DIRECT hydrofoils from Naples (- Beverello dock) to Positano on 22 May (- weather permitting):

- dep. 08.25 and
- dep. 14.15

Journey time: 1hr 30'
Fare: € 14

For details see:
http://www.metrodelmare.com/cerca-orari

Alternatively a limo/taxi transfer will normally cost €100-120

Hope this helps ...

Steve

I have gone to the metrodelmare web site and first of all, you can't seem to change the date from 2009 to 2010. So that alone would indicate the schedule is not up to date. When I put in Naples to Sorrento I get the same two boats listed by Steve above. Even if I put in dates in July. According to all the guidebooks there are "numerous" sailings from Naples to Sorrento. So how can I find out what the options are if I want to go by boat from Naples to Sorrento in July. I'm also interested in schedules for boats from Amalfi and Positano to Sorrento. Thanks

Isabel - The Naples-Sorrento hydrofoil timetable is:

NAPLES - SORRENTO (dep. Napoli Beverello):
9.00; 11.00; 13.05; 15.00; 17.15
[Alilauro - Gescab]

SORRENTO - NAPLES (dep. Sorrento):
8.10; 9.45; 12.00; 13.40; 16.25
[Alilauro - Gescab]

Hope this helps ...

Steve

I think going downstairs to catch the Circumvesuviana can be safer than trying to get to the port. There are as many (or more)scams/pickpockets outside the train station than you will see inside.

The safest/fastest is to take a taxi or hire a limo. Taxis are set fees, but you must make sure you have an official taxi. This price list is from the airport. Page 2 is English.
http://www.portal.gesac.it/portal/pa...E_TAXI-agg.pdf

The Circumvesuviana train downstairs in the Naples train station to Sorrento is also a good option with a more convenient schedule than they ferries/hydrofoils, but takes longer(travel time to Sorrento is 67 minutes). Trains depart every 30 minutes. Catch the bus to Positano (it leaves from the train station)or taxi from there. Train 3.30€. Bus about 5€.
http://www.vesuviana.it/web/en

isabel - The ferry schedules really don't change much from year to year so 2010 schedules probably won't change from 2009. This list includes where the ferries stop in route and times.
http://www.metrodelmare.com/orari-estate

Each method has pros and cons you have to weigh.

Boat: weather issues plus you have to make it to the Beverello port from the Napoli Centrale station without scammed (by tax) or pickpocketed (by bus).

Cicumvesuviana to Sorrento then SITA bus: To get to the train station (Napoli Garibaldi) below the Napoli Centrale, you have to also contend with pickpockets - a fraction of the problem of a bus, however. The train ride is uncomfortable unless you happen to be on a newer train with padded seat. For safety, sit in the car close to the driver. The driver's compartment stays open throughout the trip because someone comes out of the driver's compartment at every stop to check passengers getting on the train. The head of the train is at the further end of the platform coming down the stairs. The Garibaldi station is underground, but it is open to the air to the Sorrento direction. Walk all the way to the op.en side of the station where it is less crowded and will be at the head of the train.

Taxi all the way: It is expensive and you can get scammed unless you know the price range and negotiate a fixed price before starting a trip. Always use the official taxi stand. If the driver is evasive in giving you a price, skip that stand or the driver even if it appears to be the official stand. Taxi drivers I had good experience with and charged the expected prices never hesitated to give me accurate estimates or the price before the trips.

Limo: Least troublesome, but requires a prior arrangement. The price can be high or no more than a taxi depending who you are going with.

We don't normally take limos in Europe. Since we were a family of four, this made the most sense. Giovanni met us at the Naples train station.

I assume these men still drive.
They are also recommended by fellow fodorites.

Giovanni (dad) and Giancarlo Gargiulo can be reached at tourofitaly.com

Steve and kybourbon - thanks for the help. Steve, I believe you since you always give great advice, but where did you find that timetable? I can't get it to come up. Those times you are quoting are for the hydrofoil, correct? Is the metrodelmare a hydrofoil or a regular ferry?

My situation is different from the person who started this thread. We will be based in Sorrento for 8 days and plan on a day trip to Naples and I thought taking the ferry back would be fun. We won't be in any hurry. And I'll want to take pictures so figure slow ferry would be better than hydrofoil.

I would take the train from Naples to Salerno and then the ferry from Salerno to Positano.

Very scenic and more comfortable than the Circumvesuviana.

If the weather is not good, you can take the SITA bus from the Salerno train station to Positano via Amalfi.

For Ferry schedules Positano – Amalfi - Salerno (P.zza della Concordia):
See http://tinyurl.com/3cbhkb

Enjoy your visit(s)

isabel - The Metro del Mare is a seasonal service only with their summer schedule (orari estate) usually June 1 - mid-Sept. and the fall schedule (orari autunno) is mid-Sept until the end of Sept.

There are hydrofoils that operate in other months besides summer between Naples, Sorrento, Capri. Steve listed Alilauro.
http://www.alilauro.it/index.php?lingua=english

None of the services run late (6-8 pm will be the latest)so if you are planning to return by ferry/hydrofoil make sure you check the times. Metro del Mare did offer a late night service last year(may have been weekends only), but I think catered to the party crowd and I'm not sure you would want to be on a ferry with them at 2:30 am.

Hi Isabel - Kybourbon has beaten me to answer your questions, I think

If you prefer ferry to hydrofoil, Carremar is the main ferry operator on the Naples-Sorrento route.

They currently list 4 services daily - but there will be more in July.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

P.S. I always use 'Per chi parte' - Il Mattino (- Naples newspaper) as my source - they list timetables daily for the Bay of Naples area.

Thanks for the info. I think we can just wait till we get there and check local listings for times of ferries. If we want to stay later than the ferry runs we can always just take the Circumvesuviana back to Sorrento. But it sounds like in July there may be one that works for us.


And Ira, we do plan to take boats from Positano and Amalfi at least a few times.