Lourdi76

This is our family's 1st trip to Italy (Europe for that matter!) We will be in Naples for the last week in November and wanted to take a day trip to the Almafi Coast. What is the most economical way for a family of 2 adults & 2 kids (11 & 15) to get there?

I was looking into the Sita website but I'm not understanding it too well. I don't see a bus leaving Naples that goes straight into Amalfi, it seems we'll need to change buses, is that right???

Also, any recommendations on sights to see/places to eat/ etc...?

Any help will be GREATLY appreciated!!!

nytraveler

Well, November is off season so many places are closed and transport is on a much reduced schedule. (You can look for ferries but I believe they have stopped for the year.)

I'm not sure there is ever a bus into Naples. You can take the local train to Sorrento and there pick up a bus to head down the coast - but I would be sure you have a schedule for the day you will be there so you can get back to Naples in time for dinner.

Lourdi76

nytraveler- Thanks, for your input. I did check the ferries & those are closed from Oct-May. I guess I'll check out the trains & busses as you suggest. Thanks again!

downtownbrown

Not sure I understand. Do you want to go to "the Amalfi coast" or to the town of Amalfi? Why not just take the train to Sorrento and spend the day there?

Lourdi76

Sorry for the confusion. We'd like to go into Amalfi. Would it be better to just stay in Sorrento?

Again all suggestions are appreciated!

Lourdi76

Sorry for the confusion. We'd like to go into Almafi. Would it be better to just stay in Sorrento?

All suggestions are appreciated!
Thanx

pctraveler

You might consider hiring a driver; they can work at your schedule and they can provide a vehicle large enough for your family. Last fall we hired a car to take us to Amalfi from Naples; now we stayed there (Amalfi) for four nights and then hired another driver to return us to Naples (stopping in Pompeii for a couple of hours.)

From there, we went to Rome and continued on to Florence and Milan, using the train system. There are many posts on Fodors about Trinitalia, the Italian rail system.

bobthenavigator

Train as far as Sorrento and take the SITA bus from there---or hire a private driver. Things slow down that time of year.

kybourbon

If you are in Naples, I would take the train (Trenitalia) to Salerno (about 50 minutes) and catch the Sita bus to Amalfi there. Spend a few hours in Amalfi, then catch the Sita bus to Sorrento (stop in Positano on the way if you think you have time) and the Circumvesuviana train back to Naples.

You can buy a day transport pass for 7.20€, but you have to make sure which trains it covers between Naples/Salerno as it doesn't cover the fast trains (AV, ES, and maybe IC). I think it will only be good for the R trains. It covers the buses and the Circumvesuviana train.

If you are going to be in Naples several days and plan to visit a few museums, instead of the one day transport pass look at getting the 3 day Artecard Tutta La Regione (27€). That pass gives you all the transport for three days (all the way to Paestum including metro, etc. in Naples) and free admission to two sites (Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum, etc.). The 7 day pass does not include transport, nor do many of the others.
http://www.campaniartecard.it/

A_Brit_In_Ischia

Here's the timetable for the direct buses...

http://www.sitasudtrasporti.it/publi...pania/5020.pdf

Few of them, but as in summer! And they don't run on Sundays!

The Varco Immacolatella, from where they start, is down by the harbour...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/128061635

Note that for travel on the AC (rather than getting to and from it) you'll need the UnicoCostiera ticket:

http://www.unicocampania.it/index.ph...anner=costiera

Or the 3 day Artecard!

Sorrento is likely to be rather quiet at the end of November - a lull before Christmas?

Peter

Lourdi76

Thanks everybody for your help, all the info/links are great! I think I'm gonna look into the 3 day card as suggested.

p.s. sorry about the double post, dumb "smart" phone said there was an error posting...

Lourdes

betharwein

this is for pctraveler. Can you recommend a guide for the AC. We will be taking a train next June from Florence to Naples and would like to hire a guide for a few days. Thank you. Bety

downtownbrown

I'm not necessarily recommending a stay in Sorrento. It's just that it's easier and quicker to get to. That, and the fact that I didn't understand where you wanted to go.

As others have suggested, you might look into hiring a driver, but that may not be your cheapest option. We hired EuroLimo to take 6 of us from Naples to Positano. They charged 120 euros total. Very prompt, courteous and helpful driver, highly recommended. The price probably would be slightly less to Sorrento and slightly more to Amalfi.

Re the train/bus option: Do you really want to schlepp your bags from the train to the bus to the hotel? If so, pack light.

kybourbon

>>>We will be taking a train next June from Florence to Naples and would like to hire a guide for a few days<<<

Do you want a guide or a driver? Guides have to be licensed to take you in sites and aren't typically drivers also.

>>>We hired EuroLimo to take 6 of us from Naples to Positano. They charged 120 euros total. Very prompt, courteous and helpful driver, highly recommended.<<<

Since Naples has a set fee for taxis (around town and to the coast), limos usually are a similar price.

>>>Do you really want to schlepp your bags from the train to the bus to the hotel? If so, pack light.<<<

The OP was asking about a day trip from Naples so would not be schlepping luggage (not that it's that difficult anyway). The reason I suggested taking the train to Salerno to start as it's easy (and fast) to get to, the bus to Amalfi is right in front of the Salerno station, busing from Amalfi to Sorrento allows views of the rest of the coast.

downtownbrown

Sorry, missed the part about the day trip. Given that, I'd hire a driver instead of wasting time with trains, buses, etc.