rosewoodcot

Good evening Fodorites... Been a long time since I've communicated on this Forum, but it's been lovely reading old familiar names... My husband and I went to Italia in Oct/Nov 2000 for 4 weeks, and had the most wonderful time... We are now in the process of going back there, but in quite a different way...

We are going to be helping in a Drug Rehab centre in Napoli... My husband has run one for younger dudes in Australia, where we live for 3 years, and we're going to be coming alongside the big guns... We're going to help, support and learn..

I have read everything I can find on Naples, and I'm very aware of the rubbish, the Camorra (mafia), bag snatching, etc... but have also read some incredible things about the people there... which of course, is why we're going in the first place.

My problem is that I have just about 'emailed out' the wonderful people that we're going to come alongside, and I don't want to keep burdening them with questions... I've tried to find info here, but can't quite find all my answers... So, in saying that... I'm not after how crime ridden, garbage filled etc it is... to the ability of my understanding, I do understand that.. I have some very practical questions, if anyone is able to help...

1/ Does anyone know the local bus/train timetable links... I can find a ctpn.linea M45r bus that goes from Naples central to Melito (Via Roma), where the rehab is, but I can't work out if it goes past Piazza Carlo Terzo(Napoli), where I think is the main bus terminal (maybe?)The appartamento we will probably be renting is right near there... A family link, so we can get it for a very cheap price.. I'm after a map that shows the bus route and the timetable... please..

2/ We will need to be able to get out to Varcaturo, and Google Earth shows a train line nearby... but it goes from a fat orange line, to a thin orange line... So not sure if it goes through yet... or if there's one in the vicinity... To get back to Naples central from there, maybe would you go around the coast?

3/ Lucky last for now... If we were to buy a small car, does anyone have an idea of the costs involved? I hear petrol is twice as expensive in Aus ($1.5 p/ltr at mo) and 3rd party insurance is a couple of thousand euro a year... Is this correct?

...Sorry, one more thing... The area around Piazza Carlo Terzo, Via Abitane I think.. near the markets... anyone know this area please...

Anything anyone would like to share on a positive note, I'd love to hear... We arrive early May, and will be there indefinitely... We are choosing to 'See Naples... and LIVE'!!! XXX

caroline_edinburgh

Good for you - as well as hopefully doing some good, I think you will have the experience of a lifetime.

The best person to answer your very specific travel questions is Steve James, who is *the* expert on Italian transport especially in Camapnia. Are you about, Steve ?

All the guidebooks I read before we went advised strongly *against* having a car in Naples and having seen the traffic, I think it would be even more inadvisable than in other big cities. If you do feel you need one, I suggest you get a 'disposable' car

In case it gives you any tips, here's a link to my report of a trip includinga week in Naples - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34830452. We loved it and I am very envious !

Steve_James

Hi Rosewoodcot -

1. You can find all CTPN timetables on:
http://www.ctpn.it/pagina.asp?ID=12

For details on MR45 go to:
http://www.ctpn.it/percorsi2.asp?LINEA=M45R


2. The nearest railway appears to be the Circumflegrea line - but it finishes at Licola, a few km from Varcaturo.

http://orari.sepsa.it/ricerca/index....nea&id=2&dir=0

For CTPN bus options see above.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

NeoPatrick

You say you will be there indefinitely -- does that mean you are anticipating several months or several years? Have you checked doing a car lease instead of purchase? One big advantage if you are from outside the European Union is that you get a great rate (a "tax-free" lease) and all insurance and maintenance is covered.
I don't know of any of these programs centered in Italy, but you can do one through AutoFrance and pick up and return in Italy, or save a fee if you pick up and/or return in France -- including Nice, the closest city.

rosewoodcot

Thank you very much for the replies... Caroline, I loved your report... Great encouragement...

Steve, thanks for the links... I've had to keep referring back to google earth for where the stops are, as i couldn't find a map on the train schedule with areas on.. Does anyone know if Montesanto is like a main 'last stop' in Naples? It doesn't continue on to the train station? Seemed a bit strange that it went from Licola to Montesanto?

We're looking at being there for 12 - 18 months to start, and then see how we go... If it's all good, and we're helping... who knows???

Thanks for your help... Any news about the Piazza Carlo Terzo area, I'd love to hear... Also the Botanical Gardens nearby... Anybody been there...?? Thanks again... XXX

Steve_James

I haven't used that line, but from the map it looks like you can connect at Montesanto to/from the centre (- Piazza Garibaldi/Napoli Centrale).

http://www.metroitaliane.it/NAPOLI/m...li_oggi_v1.gif


Here's an interactive map (- you can centre on Naples, then click and drag to the Varcaturo area:

http://tinyurl.com/2bzcs4

Hope this helps ...

Steve

GeoffHamer

Montesanto is the terminus of that line. It's adjacent to the Metropolitana station which will take you to Piazza Garibaldi (for Napoli Centrale). I've done the connection and it's just of matter of following the signs and most of the other passengers. Tickets are valid for all the railways within zones, so you don't need to buy another ticket when changing between railway lines at Montesanto.
Napoli is built on hills and some Metropolitana stations are very deep underground with long escalators; from memory, this is the case at Montsanto.
The local trains from Piazza Garibaldi continue northwards via Pozzuoli to Villa Literno, with a stop at Giugliano Qualiano, which may be more convenient. Schedules are on www.bahn.de.

caroline_edinburgh

www.bahn.de ???

GeoffHamer

The German Railway's website is much quicker and easier in my experience for looking at railway schedules. It gives schedules without checking for availability, which is what slows down many national rail websites. In this case, we are not interested in getting precise times for a specific date. These are local trains which run at least every hour. Try it if you don't believe me.

rosewoodcot

Thanks so much guys... I really appreciate those links... I've been trailing through maps, timetables etc, for a couple of hours (!!) to sort it in my head, but I'm wondering if anyone would know if there's a bus or a few buses that would head from Piazza Montesanto in Naples, to Piazza Carlo Terzo - (on there way to anywhere!) it's only 3 kms, but we'll be coming home late with a little boy... Thanks again for your help... XXX P.s... Any body been to the market area down Via Sant Antonio Abitano? Just near Piazza Carlo Terzo - a little way from it, but close... near the Botanical Gardens... Thanks... XXX

Steve_James

Rosew - Several ANM services start at Piazza Carlo III.

You can check their routes at:
http://www.anm.it/default.php?ids=38

For CTPN routes see the link I gave you above.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Steve_James

Or this ...

http://www.abcnapoli.com/trasporti/a...apoli_filobus/

Steve

rosewoodcot

Thanks heaps Steve... They were very helpful! X