Can anyone tell me the cost of taking a train from Rome to Naples then on to Sorrento? Also, can one use a credit card to purchase at the self serve kiosks? Is there a safety or other factor that would make it worth the extra money to take first class (travelling with my wife and two daughters)?

Thanks

Cost would be about $25-30 in 2nd class say 40% more in 1st - check www.trenitalia.com for exact prices - these prices i'm remembering from the automatic kiosks i was playing around with in the Rome station - i found them idiot proof (i had no problem using them) and it's all in English - apparently you can use an American credit card, unlike in similar machines in other countries where cards require some chip most of ours, except AMEX i guess, lack.

At Naples follow signs for CircumVesuviana trains to Sorrento, buy ticket at entrance to that train - costs about a whopping 3 euros for the 70 min slow ride to Sorrento.

1st class always has its benefits - more room for legs and luggage but 2nd class on these trains is very good too. Some trains on Rome-Naples are the spanking new EuroStar Italia trains so still should be pristine - Eurostar highspeed trains take 1.5 hours; IC or ICplus trains take about 2 hours and are correspondingly usually a bit cheaper.

Safety would not be a factor in deciding classes.

Check the Trenitalia site for 2 for 1 deals. We just used that promotion for Naples to Rome on the new Eurostar. First class tickets 2 for 43 euros.
Very nice train with ac and food and drinks.

Can you tell me where on Trenitalia site to find the Eurostar deals?

Hi Monica -

http://tinyurl.com/35e66g

http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

Hope this helps ...

Steve