We are planning a trip to Italy in June of next year with stops in Rome, Positano and Tuscany.
I was planning on leaving Rome (early Monday morning) and travelling by train to Pompeii - touring Pompeii and then having a driver pick us up there to continue to our hotel in Positano. We are planning on having 2 small wheeled carry-ons and 1 large wheeled suitcase. My major concern is travelling on trains with luggage and storage at Pompeii. Is this plausible? Is luggage storage safe? Better ideas?

It is possible. There is luggage storage at Pompeii. We have never had problems with luggage storage anywhere. Nobody is really interest in stealing clothes - little monetary value. From Pompeii you might consider continuing on to Sorrento and having your car pick you up there. A better connecting point than Pompeii. Also from Sorrento you might consider taking the ferry since there is no better way to approach Positano than via the sea.

Second thought - Do you really need that much luggage? Could you get down to three carry on? The large bag and especially the weight can be real problem when using public transit.

You will have trouble navigating the Napoli Centrale station. You will have to switch levels (the station complex is multi-tiered) and the Circumvesuviana commuter train that takes you to Pompeii and Sorrento is a level below Centrale. Once at the correct level you will then need to negotiate a long staircase to the Circumvesuviana platform. With the amount of luggage you have you will need to make two trips which raises security issues for your luggage. If you manage all of that you will then be on a commuter train which is not designed for luggage. One of you will have to remain with the luggage in the central section of the car where people enter and exit the train. This is not a problem, I have done it multiple times, but it is uncomfortable.

My recommendation is to either downsize to two carry on bags or arrange for a driver to take you to Pompeii which is pricy.

Good points. I will definitely work on packing lighter. I am travelling with my hubby though (so he could do most of the heavy lifting)

Any chance of getting to two wheeled carry-on bags with perhaps a shoulder bag - each? With three wheeled bags someone has to push one and pull another or try to drag the two small bags behind. It is just awkward to have that much luggage. It isn't the heaving lifting as much as just moving through crowded areas and getting on and off trains. There is always a rush to get off and on and you tended to get distracted with a lot of luggage. You really need to get down to two wheeled bags - maybe one large and one small.

For cheap rail fares Rome to Naples check www.trenitalia.com up to 3 months or more early to nab the limited in number discounted ducats-much cheaper than just showing up. first class is also discounted and may not be that much more than 2nd class at times - easier there IME to stow luggage - fewer people traveling in same size train car.

For lots on Italian trains check www.seat61.com- good advice on discounted tickets; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. The CircumVesuviana train ticket has to be bought at the separate station connected by those passageways jim21 talks about - trenitalia.com I think only sells tickets to Naples. The commuter train to Pompeii (Scavi station - at the entrance to the ruins) costs just a few euros.)

Your luggage will be fine. If you're there between May and October you could use the Campania Express which is a tourist train that has just three stops (Herculaneum, Pompeii and Sorrento) and plenty of room for luggage. There are just three services per day so time your trip for one of them.

http://www.eavsrl.it/web/sites/defau...ESS%202016.pdf

There is luggage storage at the Pompeii train station. Arrange for your driver to pick you up at the station.

Thanks for all the great tips!

There is luggage storage at the Pompeii train station. Arrange for your driver to pick you up at the station.>

Make it clear to the driver Pompeii Scavi train station not Pompeii the town a few kms away's train station.