kybourbon

Admission price to Pompeii is normally 11€ or for 20€ you can get a combo ticket that includes Herculaneum. The 3 day Tutta la Regione is a good deal if you plan to use public transport and visit a couple of sites (it includes more than just archeological sites). It also includes the Sita bus along the coast. Click on Tutta la Regione 3 days at the top of the web page and then scroll down for the list of included sites. You can click on each site listed to get hours and transport info (which bus #, train, tram etc.).
http://www.artecard.it/

Viajero2

Since the difference between Pompeii and Pompei have been explained to me throughout the years by both scholars and locals, I think I will stay with that version...

kodi

Kybourbon, thank you so much. I think there is room in my suitcase if you'd like to come along too.

I have so much to decipher and to learn before my visit in Feb.

ggreen

And yes, kodi, the bus does take the same dramatic road as the cars. Sounds like you might have large suitcases (if you're squeezing in Fodorites!) but no worries, the bus is a typical coach style with plenty of room underneath for luggage. ...Joking aside, the only issue might be what to do with that luggage if you get off the bus in one of the coastal towns; if I recall correctly, there might be a checked luggage area at Sorrento but I don't recall seeing one at Amalfi...

We used the Campania Artecard with great success to transit back and forth between Naples and the coast, view Herculaneum and visit the archeological museum.

kodi

ggreen, thank you. We are coming from Rome and are only planning one overnight somewhere . Perhaps Sorrento, or Naples. I've got to figure out which is best.
SO we'll be able to get by with out day packs. ( I know , the Fodorites will be really cramped, but what can I do?)

Our priorities will be Pompeii, and the dramatic coast.
I'm not sure we will have time to see Herculaneum.

ggreen

Ah yes, day packs are much better! (Better renege on those invitations now LOL.)

If you do decide to stay overnight, I would recommend staying in Sorrento. You could follow GAC's recommendations for training from Rome to Pompeii, take the day there, then continue on the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento - just make sure to notify/confirm a hotel with late check-in. Sita buses around the peninsula leave from in front of the Sorrento train station; you'll have a day to enjoy the coast, then follow GAC's instructions to you for Salerno...

When we stayed in Sorrento in April, our hotel was in the city center but not near the train station. Nonetheless, it was only a 15 minute walk through town, and we had a lovely view of the bay.

ggreen

P.S. I meant to say that I recommend staying in Sorrento for logistics more than anything else - it will maximize your time!

A_Brit_In_Ischia

I'd encourage anyone coming down to Campania to download one or two of the useful public transport maps, available here....
http://www.unicocampania.it/index.php?lang=en

This one's particularly handy as it shows the location of all three of the "Pompei" train stations, and where you can catch the buses to Vesuvius...
http://www.unicocampania.it/files/mappe/pompei.pdf

Try the Tourist Information offices, and you may be able to get your hands on the printed versions - they have them in huge pads, as you'll sometimes seen in Rome hotel lobbies!

Peter

A_Brit_In_Ischia

And of Pompei, a note for those who'll be here in the near future - the very popular "Lune di Pompei" scheme has been extended again.

The official site is now taking bookings for Saturday evenings through until 20th November, although there are only a very few places left...
http://www.lelunedipompei.com/

The tourist board however are saying it will eventually continue on until 30th December (but skipping Dec 23rd), so watch out for when the extra sessions become available....
http://www.incampania.com/en/focus.cfm?s=6&Info_ID=1685

Peter

kybourbon

I'm not aware of any luggage storage at Sorrento's station. Pompeii (the site, not the station) does have free luggage storage.

kodi

What valuable information. Thank you all so much.
We are looking forward to our trip so much, and your advice will make our trip run smoothly.
I will print out this thread.

kybourbon

Another option for a long day trip including the coast would be train from Rome to Salerno (there are a couple of early IC and ES trains that take arrive Salerno between (9:15 and 10:15 and are much cheaper than the AV trains). Catch the Sita bus in Salerno to Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento - stopping to visit the one that interests you. From Sorrento, train to Pompeii Scavi and visit the ruins (open until 5 in winter). Train back to Rome via Naples.

kodi

Kybourbon, that sounds great.. I like the idea of going to Salerno first by train, and then working our way back on the SITA bus.
If we decide to split it up into 2 days, would it make the most sense to stay in Sorrento?

kybourbon

I'm not sure I would do the Rome/Salerno route with luggage unless you just have a backpack for the overnight.

Another option, depending on day of week, is the Marozzi bus from Rome to Sorrento. In the winter, they only have an early bus on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It departs Rome Tiburtina station at 7am and arrives Sorrento at 10:45. It also stops in Pompeii (close to the entrance) at 10:00 if you want to visit on your way. Cost is 16.50€ to Pompeii or 17.50€ to Sorrento. The other days of the week there is only an afternoon departure at 3:00.

rolohof_duvall

Good Day Fodorites,

Great info here thanks. Based on all your experiance, would you suggest a "home base" of Naples and "day trips" to Pompeii, Sorrento, Amalfi, Ravello or "home base in Sorrento and day trips to Naples and the other places mentioned above. Which would be the most economic. I am thinking 5 days in the area. Early to mid September 2011. I will use public transportation and could take advantage of the Cumulotillo Pass.

Thanks for the advice.

A_Brit_In_Ischia

When the weather's as nice as it should be at that time of year, staying somewhere on the coast would be my recommendation.

Naples is a fascinating place, and most definitely worth at least one day's visit... if not more .... but being outside of the city would make for more of a vacation feel!

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/tele

And if you're here for the first weekend of the month, try to pop over to Ischia, where we'll be celebrating the festa of our patron saint - San Giovan Giuseppe...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/ischfest

Peter

kybourbon

>>>Cumulotillo Pass.<<<

What is this? I've never heard of it and a Google search turns up nothing.

ggreen

rolohof_duvall, it probably would be good to start a new post requesting this information. This post was about day trips from Rome; a 5 day stay in the area is a different beast entirely IMO.

rolohof_duvall

ggreen, You are right. I thought about that prior to the posting. I didi start a new post.

kybourbon, I made a bad typo. I meant the Campania ArteCard

Peter, Thank you for the links and the festival suggestion. I will give it strong consideration

teacherCanada

kodi - I will be very interested in talking with you upon your return. Our travels in March include a day trip to Pompeii.

tC