hi - flying into rome on a saturday around noon and need to get to sorrento. from what i've heard i should take train? from rome (fco) to rome central station. get on an es line train from rome to naples. then i can either take the circumvensia (sp?) train from naples to sorrento or should i take the hydrofoil from naples to sorrento. single gal traveling alone on this part of the trip - is all of this safe?

also, i was told i should buy a bicycle lock for my luggage while on the train since they will be too big to be right next to me - is this true?

thank you for any advice, brenda

ttt for blkpa

We took the train from Rome to Naples, which was not a big problem. Although the train was packed and we had a stand for a part of the ride till the ticket inspector came and asked two of the passengers to get up and give us our seats. Once you get to naples, you have to come out of the train station, at the entrance to the train station, there is a flight of stairs going down. You should take the stair to the circumvensia ticket counter. There is short walk from the ticket counter to the next flight of stair going down to the platform. No escalators, no elevators. So be prepared. The train ride from naples to Sorrento was fine. The train station in sorrento is very small and close to the center of the city. You have to take a taxi from the train station to take the hydrofil. I think it is a perfectly safe trip as long as you get to naples during the day. I would not want to travel on the local train from naples to sorrento at night.

deborah ann - what does "ttt" mean?

thanks to celeste for your response - very helpful.

any other suggestions anyone?

The local line from Napoli to Sorrento is the Circumvesuviana - so called because it has branches which go round Vesuvius. Trains to Sorrento are normally twice every hour and fares are very cheap. More details are on www.vesuviana.it.

Our plan was to take the train from Rome to Sorrento but unfortunately their was a train strike. Our plan was to go to Naples, seen the archeological museum and head to Sorrento. Instead, we had to take a bus (4 hrs) to Sorrento. I didn't mind the bus but my friend did (we went back to Naples later for the museum). You never know when they will strike!

Anyhow, make your train reservations in advance and book a seat. It is a real pain not to have a reserved seat. You wind up sitting on a flip-down seat in the aisle (if there's even one available) and having to place your luggage between cars unless you have really small pieces. The other aggravation is having to keep an eye on your luggage (very difficult).

The ES train from Rome to Sorrento will include your seat reservation. You can purchase your tickets online 60 days in advance at www.trenitalia.com or at the airport when you arrive. Allow enough time to catch the Leonardo Express airport train to Rome Termini and change trains as it is a long walk from the Leonardo platform stop to the ES platform. The Circumvesuviana is a commuter train and you can't reserve seats.

I would not take a bicycle lock as they are too heavy. If you feel you really need a lock, bring one for a laptop computer. They weigh less. I'm not sure you will really use this lock as you won't have much notice for stops. You would have to be really fast at unlocking and getting your luggage on and off the trains. Pack light!

Hi bl,

An alternative route, that is much mre scenic is to train to Salerno.

The ferry dock is about 3 blks SE of the exit from the train station.

It is easier to handle your luggage on the ferry, there is much more room than on the Circumvesuviana and the scnery is spectacular.

Ferry schedules
Positano – Amalfi - Salerno (P.zza della Concordia):
See http://www.salernocity.com/comune/tr...i/costiera.asp

>..buy a bicycle lock for my luggage while on the train..?

Not really necessary. You put your luggage in the racks at the end of the car. The only time there is any denager is when the train stops at a station.

You need only to get up and keep an eye on your luggage untl after the train is on its way.

Even this is being overly cautious.

Hi Ira - Blkpa is going to Sorrento, not Positano ...

Steve

blkpa, ttt means "to the top", which brings your question up to be viewed again You posted your question at a time that might not see alot of activity and I wanted to make sure you had some helpful answers. I am traveling Rome to Sorrento in early November so of course your answers will help me Deborah

There are also hourly stopping trains from Roma to Napoli. They're still scheduled to do the journey in under three hours. They are cheap and have lots of seats, none of which can be reserved. There is no point hanging around waiting for a faster train if you can sit on a slow train which will probably get you there at the same time.
As for a bicycle lock, I've been all over Europe by train and cannot remember ever seeing anyone chaining down their luggage.

Hi Steve,

Yes, I know.

It will take longer, but for "single gal traveling alone on this part of the trip" it might be more convenient.

thanks to everyone for your replies - you've been so helpful! ciao

blkpa
A word of caution.
Watch out for pickpockets on the circumvensia. I took the train at noon when it was jammed with people and a thief was able to steal my wallet from my buttoned shirt pocket under a jacket with out my becoming aware.
There are numerous warning signs about in the station alerting passengers to pickpockets.
For this particular train you may want to lock your luggage enroute as a thief could grab it and step out the door at one of the stops. I would keep my hand on your luggage at all times. I would purchase the light weight retractable cable version instead of a heavy bike lock. They cost about $8.
Enjoy but be alert.