One day in Naples port...what to see?
 

We are on a cruise and have approx. 10 hrs. in Naples port. We would like to take the train from Naples (or nearest station) to Pompeii for a few hrs. then on to Sorrento and catch a bus or ferry to Positano for 2-3 hrs. there. We need to be back to the ship at 6pm. Does anyone know train, bus, or Ferry schedules and if we can do all of this in one day? We would rather not back-track but do not know if we can catch the ferry in Sorrento or time schedules. We are 4 adults (early 50's) and can move fairly fast! The other option is Pompeii and Capri. We will be there on Oct.7th so need to make plans quick. I would appreciate any help you can give! Thank you!

P.S. If there is anyone out there on the Celebrity Galaxy Cruise (Oct.6 dep. Civitavecchia) and would like to share some excursions, let me know)!

Jill

no way you can do all of that in one day.
Pick one.

I think the only way you can do all that in one day is if you hire a driver. Waiting around for buses and trains will eat into your time fast.

Have a driver pick you up at Port and take you to Pompeii (30 minute drive) stay in Pompeii for 2 hours. Have your driver then take you to Positano (1 hour) and hang out in Positano and have a late lunch (3-5 hours). Then drive back to Naples (1-1.5 hours).

Check out benvenuto limos. We used them earlier this month and were very pleased.

http://www.benvenutolimos.com

Hi cruznjill,

I agree with Saps recommendation. However, time alloted to Pompeii and Positano will vary given your interests. I would spend 4 hours in Pompeii and just a lunch in Positano.

If you are more into shopping than archeology and history, spend more time in Positano.

Also be sure to get specific time details regarding your "10 hours in port" for Naples. Will it be that the ship is actually docked for 10 hours minus the 1 or 2 hours for them to get you off the ship?? Just so you know what you can realistically do!

Buon viaggio!

We used Giovanni from www.tourofitaly.com for a day along the Amalfi Coast, stopping at Amalfi, Sorrento, Positano and Ravello when we docked in Naples.

We didn't get as much time as we would have liked in each place, and I can't imagine tryiong to fit in Pompei as well.

Italy, and Naples in particular, is not the kind of place where you can count on everything going as planned. Even if you hire a driver, the car can get stuck in horrific traffic.

I would go to Pompeii, come back to Napoli for lunch, and then see go for a walk in Naples that includes a visit to the Capella San Severo or the archeological museum.

If your group is really averse to the urban chaos of Napoli, then I suggest that you get a driver to take to you Ravello, have lunch, see the gardens and then return to ship. If you have a bit of time in Napoli, share a pizza or sfogliatelle.

I agree with the others that it's way too much to be trying to do in such a short time. Add to the other problems the worry about missing your ship at 6 and I think it would make for a very stressful day no matter how you tried to do it.

I think when one does a cruise, it's a travel choice over doing a land trip. You can't expect to do a major land trip and fully explore an area when on a cruise ship putting into a port for a few hours (10 for example). Most people who want to explore all those things you mention do so with a minimum of three or more days. I think if you like what little you see of the area, then plan a land trip when you can come back and make the sightseeing worth your while.

Hi C,

May I suggest staying in Naples?

You can start with the miniguide to Naples under "Destinations".

You might find the Naples part of my trip report helpful:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Ira’s Italy Photos
Naples
http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=11knfe8...&y=-28lwh4

((I))

Thank you everyone for the great advice. We are thinking 3 hrs. max. in Pompeii. We would love to either see Sorrento, Positono or Capri but realize we would not have much time. Sorrento might be best choice as it is closest and we would not be so stressed. We are in Port 7am-7pm and hope to be off ship by 8 and back by 6. alias 10 hrs. to sight-see. I am looking into some of the drivers you recommended!! Can anyone tell me if it would be better to go back to Port from Pompeii then hydrofoil to Capri or to continue on to Sorrento to catch the hydrofoil? Thanks again!! I'm sure whatever we do it will all be fabulous!

I can second the recommendation for Benvenuto Limousines. Several of the family members are fluent English speakers and they can work out a doable schedule with you. They know the roads and can give you the best advice.

http://www.benvenutolimos.com

I would also suggest to stay in Naples. It's a beautiful city and there's plenty to see to fill a day.
Have an espresso or cappucino with a baba al rhum at Gran Caffè Gambrinus and relax!

So are you planning on going to Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri in a 10 hour time period?
I just dont think it can be done. It wouldnt be fun at all. You will spend the entire time on a boat/car/etc rushing from place to place, worried about getting back to Naples in time. I would either pick going to Pompeii for the day (maybe to Sorrento too for a short side trip). Or just go to Capri for a daytrip.

I agree that you need to be less ambitious. If you were determined on Pompeii, then that would be it. alternatively, I like the suggestion of Naples itself - the museum with the pompeii relics is supposed to be very good, and there is lots more to see there.
The third choice of hiring a driver to see the coastal towns would also work, cos if you ran short of time, you could make the decision to cut back to the boat. What I would not do is try to get the Capri - you only need a hold up with the hydrfoil or port to really ruin yor trip.
Good luck!