bon_voyage

If you are committed to visiting Naples and Pompeii from Rome, I would definitely stay on the Amalfi Coast rather than in Sorrento.

Judy_Rosa

I think staying in Positano is the answer.

Blueeyedcod

http://tinyurl.com/jyulclt

Just correcting earlier information in case someone reads this old thread re Salerno content. There are beaches in Salerno. There is also a tiny beach at Marina Piccola in Sorrento.

Judy I hope you resolve your dilemma soon

Judy_Rosa

I like the idea of taking a train to Salerno and then either a bus or ferry to Positano. Need to check schedules, timing and cost.

Judy_Rosa

I can't find a ferry schedule online - the latest updated schedule is from October 2015 and the ferry schedule states that there are only 3 ferries per day from Salerno to Positano and the cost/timelines posted are only valid until November 2015.

This is the link I looked at: http://www.positano.com/en/ferry-schedule

Does anyone know of another website I can check for updated ferry schedules between these two points?

I can't find the bus schedule website for Salerno>Positano either. I'd be OK taking a bus v. ferry.

Seems like the train to Salerno is the obvious easy route, but maybe not if the ferry/bus to Positano is inconvenient.

Blueeyedcod

http://www.coopsantandrea.com/it/ser...rrivo=Positano

Hi Judy
Here's your link for ferries. The services for 2016 haven't been uploaded yet. The season starts in late April. If you are travelling in March (as I recall you said, instead of October) you won't be able to use the ferries unfortunately. You will need a car service from Salerno or the local bus - which won't be that bad in March as the bulk of the tourists arrive when the weather warms up from May onwards.

http://www.sitabus.it/wp-content/upl..._dal011115.pdf

This is the current bus schedule. In order to get to Positano you need to change at Amalfi.

Judy_Rosa

So I'll need to take two buses? Sigh....

This might be more of a drag than I thought since the ferries aren't running. I might need to rethink just taking the train to Naples and a private car from there. Will need to price it all out again.

We arrive April 2, and head back to Rome on April 5.

Thanks again for your feedback, you are truly a wealth of information and I so appreciate your assistance!

Judy_Rosa

FYI: the ferry service from Salerno to Positano starting April 1 runs at the following times:

8.40 - 9.40 - 10.40 - 11.40 - 14.10 - 15.30

The rate is Euro 12,00 per person + Euro 1,50 for each piece of luggage.

Of course, in bad weather, the ferry does not stop in Positano.

I got this information from a very friendly employee at Tra.Vel.Mar S.r.l.

Helsie

We caught a train from Rome to Salerno then the ferry to Positano two years ago (in April). Easy to do, quite cheap and a nice approach to Positano. Stayed a week in Positano and loved it. Buses to Amalfi, Ravello, Pompeii were easy and cheap and Isle of Capri is easy from there too. Hired a driver to take us back to Salerno at the end of the holiday for around $100 AU. Would go back to Positano in a flash. Delightful !

Judy_Rosa

I'm still on the fence regarding how to get to Positano. While the train/ferry option is more cost effective, I worry about physically reaching the hotel in Positano once we disembark from the ferry.

The train to Naples and then private car will take us directly to the front door of our hotel.

We're in pretty good shape but the thought of climbing dozens of steps with luggage in tow does not appeal to me.

Was your hotel difficult to reach from the ferry? Did you have issues uphill with luggage?

Are there porters or some form of transit that will get us from the ferry to our hotel and assist with luggage?

bon_voyage

If there's anyplace to channel your inner Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and spring for that private car, the Amalfi Coast is it.

TDudette

This is based upon 1 bus trip in March several years ago: DH and I wanted to take the city bus from Sorrento to Vietri. We could only get to the town of Amalfi and it took a long time. We were told we'd have to change busses there. The traffic was heavy and, if 2 busses met, one had to give way on the narrow road. Positano was the first stop and it didn't take long.

It would be worse in the summer. Sorrento is where you'd easily catch Circumvesuiana train for Pompeii.

ekc

It depends on where your hotel is located. About 75% of Positano is pedestrian-only, so you cannot catch a taxi to take you from the ferry dock to your hotel. But you can hire a porter to take your luggage from the dock to your hotel.

Frankly, with the time of year you are traveling, I would opt for the private driver from Naples. You can then take a ferry ride one of the days you are there, weather permitting.

Judy_Rosa

The consensus seems to be that I should splurge on the private car.

Aldo Limos quoted me 110 EUR each way if I book the round trip.

We are planning on taking a ride over to Capri on one of the two days we'll be on the AC....so we will still be able to see the vista of the AC from sea. Hopefully early April weather will accommodate this wish.

That is the only thing we have planned for our short time in the AC....after the whirlwind through Venice and Rome, we're looking to just relax the last few days we're in Italy.

Thanks everyone!

ekc

That is a fair price. The driver I always use charges 100 euro.

Yes, if you only have 2 days on the AC and you are going to Capri one of the days, I would simply spend the other day relaxing and enjoying Positano. I would plan on going to Capri your first full day, so that if the ferries are canceled due to sea conditions, you may still have the option of going on your second day.

Blueeyedcod

Judy - I thought you were travelling in March? There won't be any ferries from Positano to Capri at that time of year.

You will need to go to Sorrento to take a ferry to Capri.

budgettravelwithkids

How about Pompei? We stayed in Pompei. Lodging was inexpensive (50eu/night) with kitchen, 10 mins from Pompeii excavations. We got the 5 site ticket at Pompeii, and visited oplontis ( one or two circumvesuviana stops away) and Herculaneum ( 4 stops away, I believe). We visited Mt Vesuvius from Herculaneum, spent 1/2 day each. We spent a day in Sorrento (you're right, no nice beach) and a day hiking the Footpath of Gods trail starting from Bomerano. 4 miles downhill towards Positano with amazing coastal scenery and walks beside hillside vineyards. Spent 1/2 day at rocky beach, though warm water, then took ferry back to Salerno from Positano(12eu/adult), We walked to train station to catch train back to pompei. Let me know if you'd like any more info. Budgettravelwithkids.

Judy_Rosa

No ferries from Positano to Capri in April?

Blueeyedcod

Oh - I thought your trip was in March ? It must cross over into April hence my confusion - yes you will be okay. They are supposed to start running on April 1st. This is the operator - keep an eye on this link as schedules will be posted soon. It costs 17 euro one way so not a cheap day out but lovely nonetheless. They also charge you a small landing fee for Capri of about 2 euro each.

http://www.lucibello.it/web/en/posit...line-to-capri/

Helsie

Certainly the steps in Positano are a BIG problem with luggage. Hire a porter ( we didn't, thought we would die ! ). Driver would be great if you can afford it. Positano is a wonderful place to relax, take in the amazing view and sip s coffee or wine at any time of the day.....and don't miss Ravello, it's incredible.