We'll be going from Rome to Positano in April. any posters mentioned train from Rome to Naples then Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento (2 train connections) then we plan to take taxi to Positano. But few people suggested Rome direct train to Salerno (so only 1 train ride) then taxi from Salerno to Positano. Will the Salerno way be easier? Or am I missing some big drawbacks here? <BR><BR>Thanks for your input.

Hi Daphne,<BR> Have you checked with your hotel about cost of taxi from Sorrento? It might be very high. I'm told that the SITA bus has luggage storage ala Greyhound buses.<BR><BR> From Salerno you save a train ride and can take the ferry direct to Positano, as well as bus or taxi.

A taxi from Sorrento to Positano is expensive. A taxi from Salerno to Positano is prohibitively expensive. I would take the train to SALERNO, then a ferry on to Positano (1 hr). If the ferry schedule is inconvenient, there is hourly bus service to Amalfi (70 mins.), and (on a second bus) onwards to Positano (45 mins.). The SITA bus departs from directly outside the Salerno Train Station. The ferry dock is about 600 yards away.

Salerno to Positano is twice as far as it is from Sorrento. about 25 miles vs 10+ from Sorrento. Taxi fare would be much higher from Salerno. Bus trip just longer.<BR>You might consider using one route coming in and another going back using Buses.

Thanks for the helpful input so far.<BR><BR>Any idea on the differences between the Rome–Naples train and the Rome–Salerno train in terms of quality, distance/time, costs, etc? I understand there are diff. kinds of trains e.g., the Naples–Sorrento train is a local one. Just wondering if I take the Rome–Salerno route I'm not in for a much poorer/longer/more expensive train ride.<BR><BR>Also, if taking the Salerno–Positano ferry (1 hr accrodong to GAC), how convenient or troublesome will it be in terms of space for luggage, crowd, amount of stops,etc.?<BR><BR>Thanks!

From Rome to Salerno, you would take a thru train, which stops briefly in Naples, and arrives in Salerno 35-45 minutes later. It is the same train as for Naples, as long as you travel on an Intercity ()IC or Eurostar (ES) train. You would not have to change trains, as long as you select a thru train (look up schedules and fares on www.trenitalia.com). Fare is not much greater than for Naples. <BR><BR>You can take luggage on the ferry from Salerno to Positano, and you will likely need porterage once you arrive in Positano to reach your hotel. The ferry makes a very brief stop in Amalfi. Ferry schedules in April are reduced, so you should plan carefully. Walking from the Salerno train station to the ferry dock off of Piazza della Concordia takes about 6 minutes (all flat, no steps).<BR><BR>If you were to travel via Sorrento, you would need to change trains in Naples, take the 70 minutes ride on the Circumvesuviana commuter train (often very crowded) to Sorrento, then transfer to the hourly SITA bus to Positano (45 minutes). There is a much greater pickpocket risk on the Circumvesuviana train.<BR><BR>All considered, travel on public transportation via Salerno is better (unless you are willing to pay for a taxi from Sorrento to Positano).

We took the train from Rome to Salerno and then took a taxi from Salerno to Positano. <BR>Honestly that was one of the stupidest things we have ever done.<BR>The train did a 45 minute stopover in Rome which we did not know about in advance (most likely our fault). Then is traveled so slowly towards Salerno, I think it took another 1.5 hours. Then we got to Salerno and it was another 45 minute (and very expensive cab ride) to Positano. <BR>Next time we will take the train to Naples, get off the train and grab a taxi to Positano and get there in 45 minutes.

Edited to correct myself<BR>We had a stopover in Naples not Rome. Sorry about that

Taking the train from Rome to Salerno requires careful planning. You really must consult the timetables. www.trenitalia.com<BR><BR>Some schedules require a change in Naples, which wastes time, and should really be avoided. The Naples central station is rather dreary. However, other (thru) trains stop only briefly in Naples and reach Salerno as soon as 35 minutes later. These are IC and ES trains (although not ALL IC and ES trains continue on to Salerno, hence the necessity of consulting the timetables!!!).

To go from Rome to Positano I would do this: take the train from Rome Termini station to Naples at a cost of about 23 euros. Then as you leave the train at Naples walk from the platform straight into the station and down the stairs, turn left and buy a ticket on the Circumvesuviana Railway to Sorrento for about 3.00 euros. Trip takes 70 minutes. You can then take a SITA bus to Positano for about 2.50 euros. But I would never stay in Positano. I would make my base Sorrento. Positano is situated on the side of a mountain and you are constantly climbing very very steep grades to go anywhere. There is really not that much to do in Positano. I have been to the Amalfi Coast area twice and spent a total of six weeks there. Positano makes a nice day trip from Sorrento and not much else. It is very expensive. Sorrento has much more to do. There are hundreds of shops, hotels and restaurants of all price ranges, the setting is beautiful and you can take the SITA bus to Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, and all the Amalfi Coast towns for very cheap prices. You can take the train to Pompeii (30 minutes), you can take the ferry to Capri etc. If you go to Positano by bus from Sorrento be sure to get off at the second bus stop in Positano as it is a long long walk down to the village from the first stop.<BR><BR>Have fun.<BR>Larry J

The tips have been incredibly helpful. I now changed my mind about the Salerno route which sounds more troublesome than I originally thought. Thanks to all who replied. Daphne