We are trying to decide whether to take the train from Messina to Naples or fly from Catania to Naples.....does anyone have any recommendations. Would the train ride be scenic or uneventful?? Thank you for your replies.

The Thomas Cook rail map of Europe shows the line from Villa San Giovanni to Rosarno as scenic: that is a ninety minute run. Their Europesn timetasble shows that two through trains a day from Catania with restaurant cars from Messina travel from Messina in the depths of a boat, and you can take the stairs up to the deck for a view of the straits. They run thus
Catania 0910, Messina 1030 to 1045, boat, Villa san Giovanni 1155 to 1210, views, good time for lunch in the restaurant car, Rosarno end of specially good views 1340, uneventful, Naples 1618
Catania 1208, no catering, Messina 1335 to 1350, boat, Villa san Giovanni 1500 to 1515, views, Rosarno end of specially good views 1645, uneventful, Naples 1924.

[email protected]

Personally, I would take the train for this relatively short journey. If you want to save time, take a hydrofoil across the straits and board the train in Villa San Giovanni or at Reggio Calabria Marittima. This way, you can travel on the faster Eurostar Italia trains instead of the older Intercity trains from Messina proper. Look up schedules and fares at www.trenitalia.com

You must reserve seats on the Eurostar a few days in advance. Reserving seats on the Intercity trains is also a very good idea.

The Eurostar restaurant car trains leave Reggio de Cakbria at 0957, 1357, and 1642 or 1655, and regghio dr Calabria 15 minutes later. They reach Rosarno in 40 minutes, so the scenery tends to flash by. But certainly they are useful if you are short of time.

[email protected]

Further to my previous message, if you choose to board the train in Messina Centrale Station, you have essentially two good day options (I assume you don't wish to travel at night):

Messina Centrale lv. 10:45
Naples ar. 16:18 OR

Messina Centrale lv. 13:50
Naples ar. 19:24

Second class fare for these Intercity trains is Euro 31.35, plus Euro 3 for a highly recommended seat reservation.

If you prefer to travel by Eurostar Italia train, you again have two good options:

Reggio Calabria LIDO station lv. 8:01
Naples ar. 12:18 OR

Reggio Calabria CENTERALE station lv. 9:52
Naples ar. 14:18

From the hydrofoil dock at Reggio Calabria, you can walk to the LIDO station (500 metres), but you need a taxi to reach CENTRALE, which is 2 kilometers away.

The two Eurostars stop in Villa San Giovanni to the north (in case you cross over to there from Messina)

Second class fare for the Eurostars is Euro 36.36, which includes the mandatory seat reservation.

The Eurostar option will cost slightly more, as you will need to purchase a hydrofoil ticket across the Straits. However, travel on the Eurostar is considered by most to be better than travel on the Intercity trains.

I'll go out on a limb here and assume that you'll be staying in Taormina.

If so, you're probably best off taking the train right from Taormina/Giardini station straight to Naples. There are 2 direct intercity (IC) trains a day which take about 6.5 hours. The Taormina station is on the coast about a 15 min. cab ride down from the center of town.

I would definitely book reserved seats and travel in 1st class for such a long journey on an IC train. The full fare in 1st is EUR 46,20.

Schedule & fare info at:
www.trenitalia.com

Hope this helps,
Andre

fyi, the two intercity trains mentioned by Andre are the same two trains which depart from Messina Centrale and cross over to Villa San Giovanni. They leave from Taormina approx. 40 minutes before thay reach Messina. Whether traveling in first or second class, seat reservations are highly recommended, particularly during the summer months and on weekends.

Thank you all for your advise........it has been extremely helpful.