My husband and I will be traveling to Italy in May. We arrive in Rome about
8:00 a.m. on a Friday and want to go directly to Sorrento. I have read
several posts on this topic but still have some questions.



Since we want to go directly from Rome to Sorrento, do we need to make
reservations in advance before we leave home. Or, will we be able to do
that once we are in Rome. I checked the Trenitalia page and can't find out
how much the cost of the train from Rome to Naples is. Does anyone know.
Once in Naples, is the train to Sorrento a good idea, or should we opt for a
car serive.



One more question. We're staying in Positano a few days after Sorrento and
then plan on going to Taormina. Is it easier to take the train from Salerno
or Naples? And, does it go directly to Taormina or do we have to switch
trains.



Thanks in advance for your help.

I can help you with part of your questions.

The train from Rome to Naples is a Eurostar. 2nd class is fine.

I don't remember the price but I think it's about 20-25Euros.

We didn't book from the US but we did buy our tickets a couple of days in advance right next to the Spanish Steps. It was the same time of year. Someone will have to help with that.

The commuter train from Naples to Sorrento is very convenient. You go down into the basement, read the sign for which track and then be careful that you get on the correct train (read the flashing sign over the platform) as several share the same track.

It's definitely not a class way to travel. Not air conditioned (not necessary), not luxury seats, etc. But inexpensive and convenient. I think it's 2-3 Euros.

The important thing is to be careful and get on the correct train. I've seen much confusion there and people getting on the wrong one.

1. You don't need to reserve ahead. Buy the train ticket to Naples at the Rome airport train station. You'll get two tickets: one to Termini Station in central Rome, a second to Naples Central Station. Take either the Eurostar (ES) or the Intercity (IC) train between Rome and Naples. Schedules and fares at www.trenitalia.com
The airport train to Termini costs 9.50 Euros. The onward train to Naples costs between 20 and 25 Euros, in second class.

2. Take the Circumvesuviana commuter rail from Naples Central Station direct to Sorrento in 70 minutes. Fare is 3.10 Euros one way, and service is every 30 minutes. www.vesuviana.it

3. From Sorrento to Positano there are hourly SITA buses which take 45 mins. Schedules at www.sita-on-line.it

4. From Positano, take the ferry to Salerno (1 hr. ride), then a train to Taormina. If the ferry schedule is inconvenient, there is the hourly SITA bus, but you must connect in Amalfi, and the travel time is TWO hours (excluding connection time)

5. From Salerno, take either the Peloritano or the Archimede Intercity (IC) train direct to Taormina. Reserve a seat and make sure you're on a rail car destined for Siracusa and not for Palermo, since the train DIVIDES IN TWO at Messina; half goes west to Palermo, the other half goes south to Taormina/Catania/Siracusa.

6. From the Taormina train station, there are buses up the hill to Taormina proper, or you can take the taxi for about 12 Euros.

Rome Termini to Naples Centrale by Eurostar reserved second class is 22.21 Euros, (or 19.53 Euros by Intercity reserved second class).

Salerno to Taormina by Intercity reserved first class is 45.56 Euros (or 33.73 Euros in reserved second class).

The Peloritano Intercity leaves Salerno 10:12, arrives Taormina 16:02

The Archimede Intercity leaves Salerno 14:19, arrives Taormina 20:05

(Reservation fee on Intercity trains is 3.00 Euros per seat, per train. The fare for Eurostar trains is inclusive of the seat reservation).

Don't worry about booking the train from Rome to Naples in advance. I was there mid June and purchased Eurostar 10 minutes before departure for six people. There are lots of trains so it's really not a problem.

Just a thought, but you can fly from Naples to Catania and then take an express bus to Taormina for not a whole lot more than the train fare. The flight is about 45 minutes and the bus ride is about 30 minutes, compared to an eight-hour train ride.

topping for rb

The bus ride from the Catania Airport to Taormina takes 75 minutes, but is a very cheap 3.90 Euros one way. It's a great way to go. Schedules vary upon season (there are many more runs during the summer), but can be checked at www.interbus.it
"Partenza": "Aeroporto Catania"
"Arrivo": "Taormina"

Thanks for all the info.

Can you suggest an airline to fly from Naples to Catania?

Alpi Eagles is the only carrier, I believe. There is an 8:55 a.m. flight to Catania which takes one hour. Fokker 100 jet aircraft.

www.alpieagles.com

You can go directly from Sorrento to the Naples Airport on the 6:45 a.m. Curreri Airporter Bus from Piazza Tasso. It takes 1 hr. and costs 6 Euros.

On arrival at the Catania Airport, there is a direct bus to Taormina (which stops briefly in downtown Catania to pick up passengers). These buses run hourly during the summer, less frequently in winter. There should be a bus leaving the airport at 10:45 a.m. arriving in Taormina at 12:10.

Thanks GAC...you've been so helpful.
Hope you don't mind a few more questions.

How far in advance should I book a flight on ALPI Eagles airline and could I do that online.

Also, we have a room on hold in Taromina for Villa Schuler and Villa
Bellvedere. VS is offering a Jr. Suite, top floor with seaview and terrace
with sitting area; VB is offering double room with seaview but only a French
Balcony; both are about the same cost. Which do you think would be a better
choice.

Also, when using a car service do you know what the proper tip would be.

Thanks.

Hi diana,

>when using a car service do you know what the proper tip would be..<

A tip is neither expected nor necessary unless the driver does something above and beyond the call of duty.

On our last trip to Italy, I actually had one taxi driver refuse a tip.

1. I would try to get the lowest possible rate with Alpi Eagles. This does not necessarily mean reserving immediately. I'd wait a few weeks longer. The published rate of 79 Euros is not bad, considering there is no competition on this route. I believe that you can buy the ticket online, although I've not tried myself.

2. Villa Schuler and Villa Belvedere are both excellent choices. I would choose the room with the better view. I believe that VS's junior suites are on the top floor, so the view would probably be very good. VB is a better property overall, and some of the top floor rooms might exceed those of VS, so it depends on the location of the room. VB also has a swimming pool, if this is important to you. Maybe the reviews of these properties on this website could give you some guidance. Have you asked Signor Pecaut (VB's owner) about the location of your reserved room? He is extremely cordial and will answer e-mail promptly.

GAC,

My confirmed reservation for the VB says that we have a "seaview" with French Balcony. I believe a french balcony is one that you can just look out from...not sit. I've checked other posts and a few people mentioned that the staff at VS were not friendly but the rooms very nice.