golferman

Will be traveling from Lake Como to Sorrento and are considering taking a night train instead of driving. (Train would leave from Milan and arrive in Naples.)Have never traveled on Italy trains before. Any comments, tips, or suggestions, please?

rex

There are a lot of questions like this about train vs driving (and occasionally vs flying) in Italy, and many times, there is a clearcut advantage to one over the other.

In my mind, this falls squarely on the fence, that all three have their merits. I think it's a question of personal preference over any specific right answer.

Best wishes,

Rex

LJ

Rex is spot on with his response about individual preference. But there are two consistent thought patterns that seem to run through the specific discussions on car versus trainon this forum.

If you have a lot of luggage( and my defintion of "lots" would be more than one easy handling bag, backpack or rolling, per person, plus one over-the-shoulder "carry-on&quot then you won't like Italian train travel.

If you are a nervous driver (and my definition would be unhappy/tense driving distances at fast speeds) then you won't like Italian car travel.

I have only provided my defintions so that you can set your own criteria for decision making.

We lived in Italy for some time and travelled all over by train. We owned a car ( an ancient Fiat, not nearly the engine power of most rentals).

My husband liked car travel-he likes to drive fast, is calm and expert on European roads.

I preferred train travel: I travel very light and like to look out the windows and dream.

You get to choose...have fun whatever you decide.

ira

Hi G,

www.trenitalia.com is offering 15E tickets on the 22:10 from Milan - Arr Napoli at 08:10 - no sleepers though.

The 23:20 has 45E in a T4 sleeper. Same price in a T3 or T2.

At those rates, I would take the train. Much bettter than driving for over 8 hr, not to mention the cost of the car and the fuel.

Neopolitan

I would have a harder time deciding if you were talking about day trips. But any night trip Milan to Naples involves a change of train during the night (except the express train that only has second class sitting in seats). Not a pleasant way to try to pass a night in my opinion, but then I really hate trying to travel by train at night when I can't sleep and arrive grumpy from no shower and no place to go right away.

sanschag

Just to clarify, the EX night train has 4-person and 6-person couchettes in addition to seating. (At least according to bahn.de and TrenItalia.) The 'second class-only seating' really means that there are no first-class seats. Now, 10 hours in a couchette may not be fun either.

Paul

Neopolitan

Paul, thanks for explaining that. I took "second class only seats" to mean just that. I thought that was strange.

ira

>any night trip Milan to Naples involves a change of train during the night (except the express train that only has second class sitting in seats).<

I rechecked:

Both the 22:00 and the 23:20 are direct trains.

The 22:00 has seating only for 2 cl. C4 and C6 couchettes in 1 cl.

The 23:20 has T2, T3, T4 sleepers.

rex

Thanks for the kind words, LJ - - and the further elaboration seems helpful...

...buy you didn't speak to the pros and cons of flying, which really ought to be considered - - again... depending on personal preference.

With five different low-cost carriers competing in this market (counting LIN, MXP _and_ BGHY), there ought to be some bargains. Volareweb.com loos attractive at only 39.99 (euro) - - and it's an 80-minute flight (LIN-NAP).

Getting to Linate from Lake Como is no more inconvenient than geting to Milano Centrale.

LJ

Yep, flying can beat all...and at those prices, comparable with Italy's gas for that trip, especially when you add in the Autogrill meals and all the grocery-gift-candy one inevitably ends up purchasing at those places! (But the views out the windows aren't nearly so good...sigh)

suze

Again I think it's just what you do or don't like to do. I would never rent a car in Europe. I don't like to drive and also travel solo often. If someone I was traveling with wanted to, I'd willingly be a passenger.

The flip side is I really do enjoy train travel. Hectic maybe to get started but then relaxing once you are on a train. I like both day or overnight trains (only if you can book a private 2-person cabin and it's a direct train). Buy some food and wine, bring a book and comfortable clothes, sit back and enjoy the ride.

LoveItaly

Hi golferman, if you are thinking of taking the night train you really won't have a view to look at.

I agree with all the comments regarding trains versus renting a car. Pros and cons for each.

But since a night train would not give you any view of the countryside I would fly from Milan (no doubt Linate airport) to Naples.

Have a beautiful time in lovely Italy!