Would like to possibly visit Paestum in late November. We will be staying in Sorrento and I wondered how long of a trip it was to Paestum and how long I should plan to see the monuments?<BR><BR>Is there a direct bus or do I need to change busses somewhere? Also would it be possible if we left pretty early to see a town along the Amalfi coast and then continue to Paestum, tour there and then return to Sorrento?<BR><BR>Thanks so much for any and all info.<BR><BR>April

There is no direct public transportation from Sorrento to Paestum. The fastest option, I believe, is to take the frequent (every 30 mins.) Circumvesuviana commuter train to Torre Annunziata, and transfer there to a regular train (Ferrovie dello Stato, originating in Napoli Centrale) to Paestum. There are morning trains leaving Torre Annunziata at 8:14, 9:14 and 11:14, arriving in Paestum 60 minutes later. Returning from Paestum to Torre Annunziata, there are trains at 13:44, 14:41 and 15:46, arriving 60 minutes later. Schedules change on Sundays.<BR><BR>www.vesuviana.it (Circumvesuviana)<BR>www.trenitalia.com (Regular trains)<BR><BR>Stopping along the Amalfi Coast will make the trip to Paestum much longer. SITA buses from Sorrento take 45 minutes to reach Positano and 90 minutes to reach Amalfi. From Amalfi, its another 70 minutes to Salerno (connecting SITA bus), where you can take a regular train to Paestum (the same one coming from Torre Annunziata and originating at Napoli Centrale). I don't think that there are boat services from Positano to Salerno in late November, so you are limited to the SITA bus.<BR><BR>I would allow two/three full hours in Paestum to see the temples and the archeological museum. From Paestum's train station to the temples is 15 minutes on foot.

If the boats are running, there is a very elegant way of combining Amalfi/Paestum sightseeing which I posted here recently. Otherwise you still MUST see that coast sometime, so might as well use the bus at least one way. Considerations:<BR><BR>Bussing outbound, you can leave earlier on a weekday (in season around 6:30 vs 7:30?) and should stop for snacks and walks at Positano, Amalfi. Salerno not worth a pause, but perhaps best to take the more frequent bus to Paestum which arrives much closer than the gate than the train. They leave from in front of Salerno Harbor (near train) and have a Paestum sign. If training back, I wouldn't know where to find the station; do you walk straight out the gate or take the road to the right? But you can always bus back as far as Salerno.<BR><BR>If bussing back inbound: The bus stop is not far outside the gate and maybe half hourly intervals. Not sure where to get off to catch Sita bus - maybe Salerno train station? My guidebook showed an incorrect location for that Sita station, so I always took (and preferred) the boat. Memorize the last runs schedule for Amalfi and Positano departures, and try not to depend on the very last one back to Sorrento.<BR><BR>I combined Paestum with the Amalfi bus run both ways from Sorrento, but did sweat a bit and benefited from a longer daylight season. Next time may use Naples as a more convenient launching point with only a simple no-change train.<BR><BR>

April: Did this exact trip by ferry from Sorrento to Amalfi, bus from Amalfi to Solerno, bus from Solerno to Paestum; then, bus to Naples from Paestum and circumvesuviana (train) from Naples to Sorrento. Long day with about two hours down (maybe a little more), the required three hours at Paestum (the ruins are glorius) and about two hours back. The travel was great, ferry trip, Amalfi Coast, trip down to Paestum through farm country and we even wandered Solerno a little. Got back to Sorrento about 7:30, but we thought it was a thoroughly enjoyable day. The time on the bus from Solerno to Paestum and from Paestum to Naples was all with locals. We got to know our "travel companions" very well and of course we were "the Americans". I know a little Italian and they became our protectors advising us on every thing from what to see, what to do, how long to stay, how to manage Naples (they were very concerned about our transfer in Naples). It was like a family with very serious consideration by the group (I could understand enough of the conversation to realize what they were considering) and then one of them would tell us the consensus of the group. Someday, I will tell the whole story on this board. It was hilarious, fun, touching and a great adventure among these very kind Italians. Based on my memories, I would say do it and I wish I were going with you. Have a great trip.

Although the train numbers and times might have changed, www.twenj.net (click-on Rome & Excursions) for train directions. But you would catch the train where GAC said rather than Naples.<BR> I was very impressed with the way the museum was laid-out. Very modern, open, bright etc and not at all stuffy. Regards, Walter

Thank you all so much for your great info. I have found out the ferries will not be running in November so that bit is out but I do want to see Paestum and at least one of the Amalfi towns, either Amalfi or Positano.<BR><BR>Thanks again for all your wonderful detailed info!!<BR><BR>April

Did the trip Praiano-Paestum a couple of years ago by bus. No problem. You have to change busses in Salerno. The trip, as I recall, took under two hours in each direction. Paestum is terrific. You can stop off anywhere along the coast road.

Here is a hypothetical itinerary:<BR><BR>Sorrento lv. 8:25 SITA bus<BR>Amalfi ar. 9:50<BR><BR>Note: One hour is sufficient to see Amalfi's Cathedral and stroll by the shops nearby. I would choose Amalfi over Positano for the stopover.<BR><BR>Amalfi lv. 11:00 SITA bus<BR>Sorrento ar. 12:10<BR><BR>Sorrento lv. 12:42 F.S. Train<BR>Paestum ar. 13:14<BR><BR>(There are also hourly buses from Salerno to Paestum (Monday thru Saturday), but these take one hour; you catch them in Piazza della Concordia where you get off the bus coming from Amalfi. The bus goes direct to the temples, whereas the train stops 800 yards away)<BR><BR>On the return:<BR><BR>Paestum lv. 16:45 F.S. Train<BR>Torre del Greco ar. 17:53<BR><BR>Torre del Greco lv. 18:31 Circumves. Tr.<BR>Sorrento ar. 19:17<BR><BR>You may notice that I've suggested a connection in Torre del Greco rather than Torre Annunziata (see my previous posting). This is because there is more than one train station in Torre Annunziata, and I'm not sure whether the connection is at the same station.<BR>All schedules should re verified prior to departure and again locally.

Thanks again for even more great info<BR><BR>April

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GAC, have you been to Paestum train station? When I leave the museum area, I see mostly vacant land; which way to go? Not many speak english there. Steves guide discourages taking the train, and notes there are several private bus lines giving frequent service to Salerno.<BR><BR>Another concern is using these minor train stations. I seem to recall some smaller circum. ones unmanned, assuming you have tickets already (or with a broken tkt machine). I would hope the Paestum train line has better service, but the Paestum museum stop isn't the one serving Paestum itself but supposedly a minor one rarely used.<BR><BR>I was thinking of not revisiting Paestum on my coming visit due to logistics, but maybe...

April,<BR><BR>We made a similar trip from Sorrento last September, however, we hired a driver so that we could see the Amalfi Coast, stop when & where we wanted and go onto Paestum. This was an extremely long day and we had the comfort of a personal car. If I were to do this again, I would split the two activities, one just visiting Paestum and the other just the coast.<BR><BR>I personally wouldn't take the public transportation route. It is worth the extra money for the driver.

Yes, I have indeed been to the Paestum train station (July 1999). It was (is??) unmanned and is located in the countryside about 800 yards from the Temples. It's a ten minute walk, as I recall. The bus to Paestum from Salerno is a better option insofar as it takes you direct to the Temples, but it also takes twice as long (60 mins. v. 30 mins. on the train). If coming from or going to Naples, the train is much faster.

April: Just for the record, I fully agree with DJ that combining the Amalfi Coast with Paestum as a day trip from Sorrento is extremely tiring, particularly if relying entirely on public transportation. It's doable, but not recommended.

April: "extremely tiring"? Only if you are infirm. We are pretty fit, but we are "up there" in age and had no difficulty with the trip you are proposing and found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable day. I would opt for the buses (too bad the ferry isn't running) and you can get off and on wherever you choose. The views from the very windowed, high seats on the bus were spectacular and we did make several stops. If you happen to be riding with a bunch of locals instead of tourists as we did (a good chance in November) and they are as friendly as those we encountered, you will only add to the fun. April, we can afford to travel anyway we choose, but we always try to get as close to the people of the Country we are visiting as we can. Just makes for more fun experiences. Realize that everyone has his/her own priorities, but the buses were great. I do recall that the drivers on the Amalfi Coast drive were pretty curt, but the drivers and conductors (you get both) on the Paestum (from Solerno) and Naples routes were great. Again, have a great trip.

Thanks again so much for all the info.<BR><BR>A little extra info, I am 41 and used to walking an going alot. I will be traveling with my 10 year old daughter who never (and I mean never stops)!<BR><BR>I want this trip to be as close to life as locals live it as possible. It is a vacation but also her first trip outside of the US except for various Caribbean islands. I want her to experience the culture. I would be curious as to the cost of a private driver but I seriously doubt I would go that route.<BR><BR>Thanks you again for all your info. I hope we get to do both an Amalfi town and Paestum.<BR><BR>I have come to the conclusion if I spent 2 years in Italy I might (and only might) get to see all the things I want to see!!!

I am also looking for information regarding Paestum. We will be staying in Sorrento but then will be heading south to Calabria (via train) and I would like to stop in Paestum on the way down. Does anyone know if there are places near Paestum to store luggage (train station lockers or the museum?) thanks for any help!

If you read all the previous posts you will probably get the info you need.<BR><BR>I believe you take the train to Naples and then can get a direct train or bus to Salerno and then train or another bus to Paestum.