MmePerdu

As far as I know there is only one train that goes from the main station in Naples to Sorrento, called the Circumvesuviana. It goes in an arc around the bay stopping several times including Ercolano/Herculaneum & Pompei

https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/n...train-schedule

geetika

Yes, the Circumvesuviana is the Naples- Sorrento train, there’s an Express with fewer stops and the regular commuter one. This is what we took when we went to Pompeii, this stopped every few minutes it seemed to me! And it was packed to the gills, standing room only, though many got off at Herculaneum and the big majority at Pompeii. And this was early May, it’s sure to be even more crowded in August when the OP will be there.

Incidentally, the Sita buses on the Amalfi were equally crowded, some didn’t stop as there wasn’t room and we had to wait for the next one. We waited over an hour for the bus from Amalfi to Ravello, on the return too the first bus was too full, but the next one came soon after.

Jean

In Rome, I rather doubt you'd be using the subway and buses every day for 7 days, but I don't know what your sightseeing plans are. You need to establish your daily schedules and then figure out how buses and the subway would facilitate the schedules. Group things together geographically to avoid criss-crossing the city multiple times. The subway doesn't run very close to many of the most popular sights like Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Trevi... Some bus routes take you close to sights, but you might only take a bus to the farthest place and then work your way back.

MmePerdu

I took this train a number of times while staying in Sorrento & it was my impression that the majority of riders were commuters. So I was able to avoid the crowded times by leaving a bit later in the morning & returning earlier or later in the afternoon/evening. I can also imagine that at peak tourist season, especially this year, it might be harder to avoid but still, I think in non-commuter hours seats would be available.

HaroonMB

From the website given earlier, the campania express (tourist train) runs April to October on same train line as the Circumvesuviana (Vesusvius circular?) with less stops between Sorrento and Naples. Vico Equense to Pompei is about 25mins.

I think i did find it earlier but on an Italian language only website.

HaroonMB

Looks like it might be faster to get around by boat from Sorrento to Amalfi side?

geetika

We took the bus from Amalfi to Positano and the ferry on the way back, both took almost the same time. But the ferry should be faster in peak tourist season when there’s likely to be heavy and slow moving traffic on the road. And unlike the bus you buy tickets for a specific ferry, so you’re sure of getting on the boat. Also, the views from the water are stunning, IMO you need to do at least one ferry ride in the AC.

HaroonMB

I think I have set aside 3 days for wandering around central Rome to see most of the sights relevant to us. I should be able to plan out the days to minimise public transport and it seems most of the major sights are in 3 areas. We might only end up using metro/bus say 10 times, but i might split the 3 days up with a day trip out of Rome. I guess if it only adds say 2-3 minutes to each journey, we could get tickets as needed. Not sure how busy the services will be in August.

Sassafrass

https://www.directferries.com/sorrento_seiano_ferry.htm

There are no stops at your base, Vico Equense, though there is one at a nearby town, Seiano. The ferry then stops in Sorrento before continuing on to Capri or down the AC. You may change ferries in Sorrento, I do not know. The problem is most make only one run a day from Seiano, and some only four times a week. With a lot of research and perfect timing, it could work. Otherwise you have the extra time traveling into Sorrento and getting from the train station to the port, kind of a hassle, especially with kids, IMHO. I also have no idea how you get from your base in Vico Equense to The port of Seiano. You need to have that all figured out. If you can make it work departing in the morning, you could return through Sorrento, stopping for dinner, then by train back to your base.
You really need to research this and get the schedule down pat before starting out!

++++There is a tourist express called the Campania which runs from Naples to Sorrento during Summer through early Fall months, makes three or four stops and takes about 45 minutes. I don’t think it will be of use to you where you are staying. The Circumvesuviana, mentioned by others, is the other line from Naples to Sorrento, takes about 75 minutes. There is another line from Naples to Salerno.

Unless the express stops in Vico Equense, you are stuck with the Circumvesuviana, not really a problem for short trips with no luggage. You might want a taxi/driver from Naples to your hotel.

Do check on how you will get from your lodging to the port and to the train station.

Where you are staying may work OK. I do not know because I have stayed in Naples or Sorrento except for a couple of times in Piano de Sorrento. It was not my choice. It was not really convenient for walking, so we used a taxi.

Obviously, no train between Sorrento and other Coastal towns, so you are stuck with either ferry or bus service from Sorrento.

People may choose the train from Naples to Salerno and ferry or bus back up the AC to a base.
They choose Sorrento as a base because of ferry and bus service to the AC and train service towards Naples.

I might not have chosen your base. However, the views look wonderful and there are many hotels with pools, so if you can make ferry and train schedules work, it could prove to be perfect in Summer.

Sassafrass

What hotel are you staying in? I just read more about Vico Equense. Some of the hotels look wonderful. The views are fantastic and it looks as if transportation is pretty easy. You may have just made a great decision and opened up ideas to some of us who have not been to Vico Equense. I have thought of staying close to Herculaneum, but these hotels are really inviting. Restaurants look good too. The train to Pompeii, Naples and Herculaneum is good. If those ferry stops work, even better! After your trip, please do come back and let us know how it works out. I think it is going to be great!

HaroonMB

Definitely will do!

We are in an Airbnb full house just next to Hotel Aequa. Its 5-6mins walk to the main station (only station?) in Vico Equense, with plenty of great food places right around us. Apart from getting to Amalfi/Positano coast side, I think the rest our travelling/trips in the area are easier from here.

Worst case for seeing that area, we could get a ferry 9-10am and come back late evening by taxi.

If anyone else is looking/needs info: https://www.eavsrl.it/web/#

Thats the transport/train company website (i believe). On the top header menu, the last section is ENG, which has all the train stops/fares (including Campania train) in english. The tourist train seats can be prebooked unlike the normal train service. I'll have to read up more, but it seems the tourist train is hop on/off if you have a return ticket, which might be good for going from Sorrento to Pompei and Naples and then back later on.

On a side note, I have dwindled down accommodation in Rome to 5 places. 3 are on route between Termini station and the Coliseum (Rione Monti?), and the other 2 are in Prati, nearer the Vatican. I am leaning more towards the 3 that will minimise the use of transport and allow us to walk/stroll everywhere. Are there any obvious drawbacks to this area compared to Prati?

Thanks again all!

FTOttawa

I have stayed in both Rione Monti and Prati. Monti is lively, full of good restaurants, and well connected to transit for destinations that are not walkable distance. There’s a climb down to and back up from the Coliseum/Forum area. Prati is convenient to the Vatican, quieter, with restaurants that seemed more oriented to the local trade. I’d stay there again if the Vatican area was my only destination.

Not having stayed in Vico Equense, I can’t guide you on transport options. Here’s hoping that a ferry ride along the Amalfi Coast can work itself into your plans; it’s such a pleasure.

We had a week’s hiking holiday based in Bomerano in a hot July. Hydration is your friend. For Pompeii, parasols and sunscreen are your other friends. Herculaneum definitely offered more shade.

thursdaysd

Herculaneum is easier on the feet and legs, too, lol. Lots more walking at Pompeii. I did Herculaneum (and the Villa Oplontis nearby) first, and found them at least as interesting as Pompeii.

TravellerSal

You will be absolutely fine with that track record! I find that American drivers on the various travel forums are not the best to listen to generally.
I drove the entire region in July. Yes there will be traffic delays but none which were bad enough to remember. The Italians don't tolerate many delays without a very good reason
The driving is just fine. Italian drivers are excellent these days - the speed limits are strict which has changed everything! They are courteous and tolerant generally - especially if you apologise for your mistakes.
Other roads might be less busy but none beats it for the views! I came down the mountain behind Positano and negotiated with 22!!! full size tourist buses on the hairpin bends. Very bad timing. Sometimes there would have been only 6 inches between us but each time, courtesy and patience prevailed.
The road you are referring to is a "proper" two lane road and doesn't require backing up except in some extreme circumstance. I am Australian so I too was driving on the "wrong side."

HaroonMB

As we will be checking out from Rome around 10/11am and we have to wait until 6pm (on 11 Aug) for check in at Vico Equense, I thought it might be a better use of the day to either do some sights seeing in Naples (Castel Ovo and Underground tour) or maybe stop enroute at either Pompei or Herculaneum. Each stop has luggage storage, so hopefully no issues with that.

FTOttawa, I think we will be better served in Monti. Our first choice place however just got booked as i was waiting on some answers from the host

But majority of apartments we have seen are 10-15 away from the Coliseum.

HaroonMB

I have just been looking at the Roma pass (72hrs), its about £45 per adult. If we get tickets for the Coliseum (about £20-25 for full access) and Castel Sant Angelo (about £15) then its not so bad i guess for 3 days use of public transport. ** You still need to book a time slot for the Coliseum for €2 via the official website.

I'm just a bit confused as to what my daughter needs as she is 12 so no free public transport for her, but the attractions are free for under 18s? She would just need to buy public transport tickets? Did i just overthink it and have written out the solution? haha!

For our 7yr old, he gets free access to attractions and also free use of public transport i believe.

gentle

My brother is a rally driver and thought he would drive from Sorrento to Positano, not a good idea he told me he left the car and had a local driver take them back to Sorrento.🌻

dfourh

This just in:

This classic Italian destination just limited tourist access

An alternate numberplate system has been launched, meaning that cars can only access the famous 22-mile stretch between Vietri sul Mare and Positano every other day, during peak hours in peak season. Only vehicles with numberplates ending in an odd number can use the road on odd-numbered dates, while those with plates ending in an even number can drive it on even-numbered dates. These rules apply between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. for the entire month of August, plus weekends from June 15 to September 30. Holy Week around Easter, and the dates from April 24 to May 2, are also included.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/artic...ban/index.html

Jean

Some sort of traffic control on the coast road is long overdue... but I suspect one result will be more traffic on the mountain roads. And will the ferry companies be able to handle the increase in passengers?

FTOttawa

I foresee a surge in car purchases in the area, with residents seeking to own one odd-numbered and one even-numbered plate. Have seen that happen elsewhere.