Need help planning 3-nite coastal excursion: Rome-Amalfi-Rome
 

Does spending Oct 1-15 in Rome - and taking a 3-day excursion in the middle of it to Amalfi Coast make sense?

Looks like it's only 2-hours to Sorrento w speed train - and that way I can get a direct flight from Rome to NY on 15th. If I put Amalfi at the tail end of my trip i'd have to drag all my luggage there, then get back to Naples where there are no non-stop flights back to NYC.

B+B in Rome would probable be thrilled to have a 12 night booking and store my suitcase - so I can travel light with an overnight bag.

Problem is, I really can't figure out a itinerary... Rome-Coast-Rome....-for 3-nights on coast - Best way to travel, where to stay as home base - and what to try and see without make it a marathon.

- Read that the view from coastal bus ride from Sorrento to Salerno is a must, but can't find schedule for bus with specifics
- Salerno has a direct train back to Rome with no change in Naples - But then read Sorento is not worth going that far up the coast
- Do I spend a few hours in Sorrento and then take bus on to Amalfi or Postino to use as home base?

- I thought it might be a refreshing change to admit I'm a tourist + take a proper tour out of Rome that provides, transportation, accomodations and gets me back to Rome - but I think that the fact that I'm traveling alone, and they are based on doubled occupancy is going to make it too expensive.

So can anyone suggest a plan for a 3 night excursion from Rome to Amalfi? Best way to get there and back, home--base, and what places to see.

I looks do-able and less exhausting, but I'm clueless when it comes to the best way to plan it.

Thanks all!

It depends on what you want to do and see. For me the two major sights in the area are the ruins of Pompeii and the Isle of Capri. these are most easily seen from Sorrento - the former by local train and the latter by ferry. You might see Pompeii on the way to Sorrento, take the ferry to Capri the second day and the third day take the SITA bus down the coast to see the smaller towns of Amalfi and Positano. Just be aware that it's extremely unlikely to be beach weather - and the best views OF the coast are from the sea - but I don;t know what the ferry schedule is that time of year.

I would NOT try to travel from Sorrento to Roma Fiumicino Airport on the day of my return flight. Too many connections with too many opportunities for something to go wrong.

>>>Looks like it's only 2-hours to Sorrento w speed train<<<

It will take a bit longer than that. The fast trains from Rome to Naples takes 1:10. At Naples, you have to get the slow commuter train to Sorrento (another 1:10). You also have to allow transfer time in Naples as your arrival train is upstairs and your departure train is downstairs and you need to buy tickets. You may have to wait up to 30 minutes for the next departing train.

The Marozzi bus departs from Rome Tiburtina train/bus/metro station and doesn't go to Naples. The bus only makes a couple of stops (Pompeii is one) on the way to Sorrento. Travel time on the bus is 4 hours (trains with changes will take about 3 hours), but they take a short break on the autostrada at Autogrill. You can check schedules for Oct. on their website. There may be only one departure daily or on Fri/Sat/Sun an extra departure. Cost is about 20€ and your luggage is store underneath the bus.
http://www.marozzivt.it/script/bigli...pobigl=marozzi

>>>B+B in Rome would probable be thrilled to have a 12 night booking and store my suitcase - so I can travel light with an overnight bag<<<

When I've done this at a hotel in Rome, I've booked only the days I planned to stay at the hotel. They were willing to store my luggage while I was gone since I was staying with them twice. They had a locked luggage room. I'm not sure a B&B would, but you can always store your luggage at the main train station in Rome.

We have stayed in Sorrento, and found it to be very central for the ferry to Capri, train to Pompeii, and the bus down the coast to see Positano and Amalfi.

That could be 3 days worth (that's 4 nights) of not-too-rushed sightseeing. Is there a reason you are limiting yourself to 3 nights? If so, you can see Pompeii by getting off the train, and storing your luggage while you spend a few hours roaming about, as NYTraveler suggested.
Otherwise you might consider 4 nights. And as Ellenem says, give yourself at least overnight in Rome before you catch your return flight. All those variables of trains, busses and taxis could be very stressful if you're trying to make a flight time.

We have taken the train from Rome to Sorrento, but admittedly, it is a slight bit of a hassle to change trains at Naples and wrestle with your luggage. Haven't tried the bus option, but it sounds promising.