We'll be arriving in Rome at 8 am on a Friday and plan to head straight for Positano. Plan to take the fast train down. Considering several options.
Do we go:
1. Rome to Naples via train, - then what?
2. Rome to Salerno - then what?!
Since we'll be somewhat Jetlagged, we'd consider hiring a driver to take us to Positano. Thoughts??

And on the return from Positano, we're headed up to Tuscany (town still TBD...either Pienza, Montalcino, or Cortona.).
We would take a train up - and then make arrangements to rent a car.
3. What is the best Southern city (Naples, Salerno) to take the fast train from?
4. Where do we arrive - and rent the car?? Would Orvietto be an appropriate city?
5. Is there a site that actually shows the train "stops" or lines? I couldn't find it on Trenitalia.com

Thanks!

Hi Pt,

I would take the train from FCO to Rome TE to Slaerno and the ferry to the docks at Positano. Your hotel can arrange for a porter.

If you take the SITA bus from either Sorrento or Salerno you want the second Positano stop.

For Ferry schedules Positano – Amalfi - Salerno (P.zza della Concordia):
See http://tinyurl.com/3cbhkb

Enjoy your visit.

If your budget allows you to contemplate a driver from the Rome airport to Positano, you have a travel budget I can only imagine. I'm way too cheap. The most I might pop for is a driver from the Naples train station to the Positano hotel. If you think you'll be seriously jetlagged, this eliminates the most challenging part of reaching Positano (one more train, then a bus or ferry, and finally a taxi).

You can catch a fast train from either Naples or Salerno. Orvieto is a good location to pick up a rental car for a destination in Tuscany.

To find the train stops: Plug in your starting and ending points, and on the results page click on "select" (far right bubble) for a train or combo of trains. Then scroll down to the red "Details by selection" box and click on that. When that result appears, click on "info" (far right bubble) and scroll down to see the intermediate stops.

http://www.ferroviedellostato.it/homepage_en.html

I misspoke re getting to Salerno. There are direct trains from Roma Termini to Salerno, so you don't necessarily face "one more train." I think they all stop at Napoli Centrale, and then it's another 45-60 minutes to Salerno.

At this link you will see a map that shows the major national train routes:

http://www.viaggiatreno.it/viaggiatreno/vt.html

Click on the British flag for the English version.

At the far right you can click on the "Regional Traffic" tab and get a map by region that will show all the smaller stations.

Indeed the Rome to Salerno train involves one less change of conveyances than via Naples

From Salerno you have the famous Amalfi Coast buses along the coast - one change - or by boat

From Naples you must transfer either to the CircumVesuviana train line to Sorrento (or go to Naples' ports for a boat connection) then either take another boat or bus to Positano.

Salerno route is less hassles IMO

We stayed in Positano and Ravello and then took the train from Salerno to Orvieto. We spent the night in Orvieto, picked up the rental there the next day, and drove to Pienza, using it as a base to explore Southern Tuscany for the next couple of days.

Agree that Orvieto is a good place to pick up a car for Southern Tuscany, and also a lovely destination in itself.

This was recently addressed here in Fodorville:
http://tinyurl.com/krxay7

I see no reason not to get the car in Sorrento or Salerno and drive to Tuscany--have lunch in Orvieto.

Oh really Bob, you would suggest picking up the car in Sorrento or Salerno??? How long would the drive be?
Also, where do I pick up highway maps? I understand Michelin has a good one??

Note to Jean: Yes, we are on a budget!! I meant to hire a driver from either Salerno or Naples to get us to the hotel. I understand that the Circumvesuviana is not the most enjoyable of rides!!

So would it be cheaper to hire a driver from Salerno or from Naples? Bob, Ira, Ellen? Jean? anyone?!!Thanks All!!

I suspect Naples which is why I gave you the link to the earlier thread where I listed the driver we recently used and his rates. But you will probably want to send emails to a couple of drivers asking their rates from each location to get the best comparison and the right answer.

thanks dcd! I missed that!

Depends where you stay, but likely Sorrento.

Hi PT,

Naples train station is about 110E for the car. I think that the price is the same from Salerno.

You can search for the thread on Italian drivers and guides for a list.

Hi:

Fast train from Rome to Naples (1hr.20 min. called Frecciarossa €46.pp.) or (Eurostar 1hr.40 min. €36.pp.)

Cab to Beverello Port €10. Metro-del-mare Ferry to Positano Port €15.pp. www.metrodelmare.com.

Stay in Positano. Sorrento is a little big city. Suggestion Savoia Hotel, Bougainville, Marincanto, Poseidon.

Sorrento for a car pick-up is ideal rather than Tuscany.

Alternative. Napoli Train station to Positano by taxi is about €110.

We haven't heard from the OP as to when she/they are traveling. You can't count on the ferries off season. They don't run so often and may not run at all if the sea is rough.

If you're on a budget, I don't think the Circumvesuviana is so bad. But from Sorrento you'd have to take a bus to Positano.

And, for the budget-challenged, a train trip to Tuscany is probably cheaper than car rental for another day.

I kinda like the idea of train to Orvieto, a night there, then pick up the rental car.

Look at the sites www.viamichelin.com or www.mappy.com. Use them to map out your driving trips and time. That's how I plan a driving trip, figuring out how long it takes to get from one place to another. And I always print out and bring along the maps with detailed instructions on how to get to our hotel.

patty,

I wouldn't be overly concerned about riding the Circumvesuiana. I've done several trips back and forth and never had a problem. Not creepy or anything else.