tickets to fly from rome to naples was 350/ticket/flight. I know that the rail is an option, but is it easy to navigate from the airport? how long will it take us to get to the station? going to be there this august, so didnt really want to drive as we were quoted 450E!!
lesson learned at fourty- shouldn't wait until last minute!!!

http://www.ferroviedellostato.it/homepage_en.html

You can train from the airport to Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale in 2-3 hours, depending on the trains.

Or you can train from the airport to Roma Termini to Salerno in 3.5 to 4.5 hours, depending on the trains.

Positano is closer to Salerno than Naples.

I agre with Jean, but I would add a caution to be very careful in teh Roma Termini and in Naples, if you stop there at all. The pickpockets and bag snatchers prey on tourists who are groggy from the flight from the US. And, believe me, you will be easy to pick out.

The train from Da Vinci (FCO) to Roma Termini takes 40 to 45 minutes and, surprisingly for Italy, usually on time. Buy tickets before you get on the train or you will pay a premium to the conductor.

does the accelerated train stop in salerno? can i pick up the accelerated train from rome airport or do i need to transfer?
thank you so much for your responses

Hi Fourty - The high-speed trains (AV or ES) leave from Roma Termini (- Roma Termini is 35 mins by train from FCO).

If you are in a hurry to get to Positano, your best plan is to take the train to Naples (- Napoli Centrale) - and arrange a limo transfer direct to your Positano hotel from there. The going rate for a limo transfer is approx € 100-120

You can find train timetables FCO-Naples (- via Roma Termini) at
http://trenitalia.com/homepage_en.html

Hope this helps ...

Steve

P.S. The Salerno route is good only if you plan to travel to Positano by ferry.
This is cheaper - but more time-consuming - than the limo option from Naples.

We were there last June and had organised a taxi beforehand to collect us from Naples airport. I wouldn't want to drive there, you need quick reflexes and nerves of steel. We found Positano Taxi/limo on the internet and thought it the best decision we made, mind you being June it only took one and half to two hours, it takes much longer when the locals are on holiday too. If you can get to Sorrento you can get the rest of the way by Ferry easily and the scenery is beautiful. It's an adventure getting there by narrow winding roads. Hope your fit for all the steps?? I can recommend jumping on the small boat at the jetty in Positano with the sign " da adolpho" it will take you to a small cove where you can swim and eat at their restaurant, the food was delicious.

Hi four

A: You have to take the Leonardo da Vinci express shuttle from FCO to Rome TE.
You can purchase all of your train tickets at the FCO train station, if the agent is in a good mood. Otherwise buy your tickets to the AC at Rome TE.

B. Rome --> Naples --> Sorrento by train. Sorrento --> Positano by SITA bus.
B1. Rome --> Naples by train. Naples to Positano by private limo (about 110E)
B2 Same as B1, but take Tram #1 to the docks and the ferry to Positano.

C. Rome --> Salerno by train. Salerno to Positano via Amalfi by SITA bus
C1. Same as C, but take the ferry (3 blks from train station) to Positano.

Trains at www.trenitalia.com
For Ferry schedules Positano – Amalfi - Salerno (P.zza della Concordia):
See http://tinyurl.com/3cbhkb
SITA bus schedules are at http://tinyurl.com/ybe6xk
Private Limos

We were pleased with Limousine Service Sorrento (Renato Cuomo)
www.cuomonet.it Also consider Francesco. http://www.francescomarrapese.com/

does anyone want tosuggest hotels in positano? we will use this as home base- is that the best idea? want to go capri, sorrento,

Hi:

Roma Termini to Naples: 1 hr. 20 minutes on the new Frecciarossa high speed (€46.pp)

Roma Termini to Naples on the Eurostar 1hr. 40 min. (€36.pp).

Naples train Station by cab to Beverello Port (€12.)

Beverello Port to Positano (€15.pp) Great boat trip and very relaxing. No cab drivers trying to line you up for the weeks activities. No traffic.


Hotels in Positano ? Poseidon, Marincanto, Albergo California. Every price range.
We used www.walkingwith the gods.com for a total itinerary.

thank you hamptons-(just got back from saggaponack!)
where is Beverello Port? do we have to schedule these transfers before hand? when we get to positano-there will be people there with cabs to take us to destination?
Do you think that we should use positano as home base? husband only with me for half the trip

Hi - The Naples-Positano hydrofoil service (- dep. Napoli Beverello) only operates in high season.
For timetables see:
http://www.metrodelmare.com/search-timetables

There are no taxis at Positano dock (- no road access). Instead there is a porter service to your hotel.

As I mentioned above, if cost is not an issue it will normally be more convenient to arrange a limo transfer from Naples station direct to your Positano hotel.

Steve

You can also take a bus from Rome Tiburtina station to Sorrento and then a SITA bus from Sorrento to Positano on Curreri Viaggi bus line:

http://www.curreriviaggi.it/

Or, on Marozzi bus line, it looks like you can go from Rome to Amalfi (with a stop but not a bus change in Sorrento):

http://www.marozzivt.it/biglietteria...pobigl=marozzi

Bus travel advantages, as I see it (others won't agree with me):
Less expensive
No going up/down stairs in Naples train station with luggage
Avoiding pickpockets and thieves in Naples train station
Just as fast, if not faster, than the trains
Less connections than the train/bus combinations

Disadvantage is that the bus timetable may not work for you when departing Rome.

can i get from naples terminal to capri by boat?

Yes

Truthfully, we absolutely did not plan on using drivers for our transfers. But,contemplating all the logistics and worrying about becoming victims was sucking some of the joy of the trip out for us. We had too much luggage which is crippling when moving from location to location. Pack light! I made the executive decision to arrange for drivers from Naples airport to Positano and again after our three day stay in Positano on to Rome. It was worth every penny. We had wonderful drivers who educated us on the history, culture, politics, food and wine of Italy. I felt safe and you can't put a price on that. I used Benevenuto, (Giovanni Benevenuto,owner) and Sorrento Limo,(Renato Cuomo,owner). Whatever you decide to do, have a wonderful time!

One of the best decision we ever made when travelling to europe is having a driver pick us up at the airport. You are hot and tired. When you calculate the cost compared to the other options, Its not that much more when you calculate the cost of the whole trip. In your case however its probably better to take the train into termini and the connect to the train to naples. From there many options as listed above. If cost is not an issue, get the driver from there.

We will be staying in Praiano(just down the road from Positano) in the fall. we are staying at Villa frantoio(www. frantoiopraiano.it). Check it out. Probably a very different experience than Positano.