TRIAN TRAVEL TO POSITANO ?
Feb 10th, 2013, 07:47 PM
#21
>>>PalenQ on Feb 10, 13 at 7:52pm
Train from Naples to Sorrento 75 minutes (runs every 30 minutes)>
this is sadly dated info<<<
PalQ - You are totally wrong and the info is current, not dated. You have confused two different towns, Sorrento and Salerno. The train from Naples to Sorrento takes 75 minutes as I stated.
http://www.vesuviana.it/web/en
Additionally, going to Salerno by train will probably not save much time as those trains don't run as often so you have to add in wait time (plus time from the airport to Rome).
>>>Now so far I've figured out that the ride from Rome train to Termini is 1/2 hr<<<
You mean from Fiumicino (the airport is in Fiumicino) to Rome Termini. The train is called the Leonardo Express and is 14€ (validate this ticket before boarding!). Departs every 30 minutes.
Fast train to Naples (70 minutes). This ticket does not have to be validated. It will be checked on board.
>>>Now if I take a car (how do it get car? ) <<<
You do not want to drive in Naples. NYC traffic/driving is tame compared to Naples. If you want a car, pick it up in Sorrento, but first you should check if there is any parking at your hotel (many places in Positano do not have parking and it may be 30-35€ a night to park).
You have several options once you reach Naples.
1.You can take the tram or bus to the ferry port and ferry to Positano. Ferries don't run often that connect with Positano and may not put into Positano if weather is rough. There is more ferry option from Naples to Sorrento.
2.Take the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento (70 minutes), bus to Positano or pick up car in Sorrento(1 hour drive on very curvy roads).
3. Taxi from Naples to Positano. Naples offers a set fee for taxis, but you must request this before getting in the taxi. From Naples to Positano is 120€. Click on the pdf link for the rates. Page 2 is English.
http://www.comune.napoli.it/flex/cm/.../IDPagina/6665
4. While you could also go to Salerno by train from Naples, I'm not sure there is any advantage unless you wanted to pick up a car there. A ferry or bus from Salerno to Positano will take longer. The bus will require changing in Amalfi. the ferry would also stop in Amalfi.
I've done this route (airport to Sorrento) in the last year on arrival. It's very tiring after an overnight flight and I am very familiar with all these trains/stations/towns as I have been all these places multiple times. I think it's more stressful for someone not familiar with everything.
Train from Naples to Sorrento 75 minutes (runs every 30 minutes)>
this is sadly dated info<<<
PalQ - You are totally wrong and the info is current, not dated. You have confused two different towns, Sorrento and Salerno. The train from Naples to Sorrento takes 75 minutes as I stated.
http://www.vesuviana.it/web/en
Additionally, going to Salerno by train will probably not save much time as those trains don't run as often so you have to add in wait time (plus time from the airport to Rome).
>>>Now so far I've figured out that the ride from Rome train to Termini is 1/2 hr<<<
You mean from Fiumicino (the airport is in Fiumicino) to Rome Termini. The train is called the Leonardo Express and is 14€ (validate this ticket before boarding!). Departs every 30 minutes.
Fast train to Naples (70 minutes). This ticket does not have to be validated. It will be checked on board.
>>>Now if I take a car (how do it get car? ) <<<
You do not want to drive in Naples. NYC traffic/driving is tame compared to Naples. If you want a car, pick it up in Sorrento, but first you should check if there is any parking at your hotel (many places in Positano do not have parking and it may be 30-35€ a night to park).
You have several options once you reach Naples.
1.You can take the tram or bus to the ferry port and ferry to Positano. Ferries don't run often that connect with Positano and may not put into Positano if weather is rough. There is more ferry option from Naples to Sorrento.
2.Take the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento (70 minutes), bus to Positano or pick up car in Sorrento(1 hour drive on very curvy roads).
3. Taxi from Naples to Positano. Naples offers a set fee for taxis, but you must request this before getting in the taxi. From Naples to Positano is 120€. Click on the pdf link for the rates. Page 2 is English.
http://www.comune.napoli.it/flex/cm/.../IDPagina/6665
4. While you could also go to Salerno by train from Naples, I'm not sure there is any advantage unless you wanted to pick up a car there. A ferry or bus from Salerno to Positano will take longer. The bus will require changing in Amalfi. the ferry would also stop in Amalfi.
I've done this route (airport to Sorrento) in the last year on arrival. It's very tiring after an overnight flight and I am very familiar with all these trains/stations/towns as I have been all these places multiple times. I think it's more stressful for someone not familiar with everything.
Feb 11th, 2013, 12:56 AM
#23
If you haven't booked your hotel in Positano, then get on it! This is the most popular and scenic of the AC villages and hotels sell out fast.
The bus from Sorrento enters Positano from the main coast road and winds down the hill to the village centre. It stops at various points along the way, so you need to know where your hotel is if you're taking this route.
For those who take the ferry, be aware that you are at the bottom of a cliff with steep narrow walkways up to the village road. There are porters who will take your bags and you on golf type carts up to your hotel, but as a reasonably fit person I would not attempt to carry my bags all the way uphill on my own. The porters are not inexpensive.
The bus from Sorrento enters Positano from the main coast road and winds down the hill to the village centre. It stops at various points along the way, so you need to know where your hotel is if you're taking this route.
For those who take the ferry, be aware that you are at the bottom of a cliff with steep narrow walkways up to the village road. There are porters who will take your bags and you on golf type carts up to your hotel, but as a reasonably fit person I would not attempt to carry my bags all the way uphill on my own. The porters are not inexpensive.
Feb 11th, 2013, 02:16 AM
#24
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We hired a driver to take us to Positano from the Naples train station. Use this company and would highly recommend them: http://www.cuomonet.it/
From memory the drive is about an hour...? You can email the above company and ask...
From memory the drive is about an hour...? You can email the above company and ask...
Feb 11th, 2013, 05:23 AM
#25
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kybourbon - my apologies for my misreading - I should have known you were right - and the train to Sorrento from Naples is a dumpy commuter train - the U S State Department once issued warnings about theft on those trains - that was several years ago and the last time I took it locals were shooting up heroin in the rear of the car.
Not to say it is not safe now but some folks may find this train rather seedy.
Not to say it is not safe now but some folks may find this train rather seedy.
Feb 11th, 2013, 05:28 AM
#26
When we went to take the Circumvesuviana from Naples to Sorrento, we discovered that there are about a half-dozen different Circumvesuviana routes, only one of which ends in Sorrento. Luckily, a fellow passenger told us we were on the wrong Circumvesuviana and instructed us on which station on the route had a change to the right one. The trick is to look for a "Sorrento" sign in the front window of the lead car of the Circumvesuviana in Naples before getting on the train.
Anyone who has traveled on the NYC subway will have no trouble with the Naples train station. I do agree that after a transatlantic overnight flight, the prospect of multiple trains and transfers and more would be daunting. I believe there is a bus from FCO to Sorrento and then an easy change to Positano, but I would check out the schedules and pick up points carefully. And using only one piece of luggage per person would be a must.
Last May my wife and I did Rome and Sorrento, staying first in Rome, taking trains to Sorrento, and flying back via Naples connecting in Rome, just to avoid the multimode difficulties that would occur in an itinerary like yours. Click my screen name if you want to see my trip report.
Anyone who has traveled on the NYC subway will have no trouble with the Naples train station. I do agree that after a transatlantic overnight flight, the prospect of multiple trains and transfers and more would be daunting. I believe there is a bus from FCO to Sorrento and then an easy change to Positano, but I would check out the schedules and pick up points carefully. And using only one piece of luggage per person would be a must.
Last May my wife and I did Rome and Sorrento, staying first in Rome, taking trains to Sorrento, and flying back via Naples connecting in Rome, just to avoid the multimode difficulties that would occur in an itinerary like yours. Click my screen name if you want to see my trip report.
Feb 11th, 2013, 06:40 AM
#27
>>>the train to Sorrento from Naples is a dumpy commuter train<<<
They have some very new trains and have for a couple of years although they haven't replaced all of the old ones yet. I've never seen any problems on this train except for a few people playing music and passing a hat. They usually stay on a stop or two. The train is full of tourists, commuters, kids going to school or sports (soccer teams), etc. Late at night might be a different story.
>>>The bus from Sorrento enters Positano from the main coast road and winds down the hill to the village centre.<<<
The bus doesn't leave the main highway (SS163)that passes through the upper part of Positano. It doesn't go down into Positano, but makes a couple of stops on the highway.
>>>When we went to take the Circumvesuviana from Naples to Sorrento, we discovered that there are about a half-dozen different Circumvesuviana routes<<<
The Circumvesuviana does have a few train lines with one of them Naples/Sorrento. It's easy to tell which one you need as there are electronic signs on the platform. Here's a map of the train lines.
http://www.upsa.org/_downloads/766-I...mvesuviana.jpg
This is a transport map of the peninsula.
http://www.unicocampania.it/files/mappe/costiera.pdf
redtop - If you are planning to visit Pompeii, I would stop in Naples train station and buy the Campania Arte Card Tutta La Regione 3 day (consecutive). It gives you two free entrances (discounts after the free ones) and transport on the coast from Naples to Paestum. The cost is 27€ (Pompeii entrance is 11€). It would cover your Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Sorrento (4€), the bus from Sorrento to Positano (3.60€). It would only be cost effective if you were visiting a site or two and using the buses/trains on 3 consecutive days. If you didn't want to activate it on the way to Positano, you could start using it the last 3 days of your visit and for your return to Naples. Only the 3 day Tutta La Regione has the coastal transport included. Scroll down for the list of sites. Click a site and it will tell you the transport needed (hours, etc).
www.campaniaartecard.it
The Arte Card is in a small store front in a line of stores. You will have to look around for it. They may want only cash (as did Herculaneum last time I was there) or at least that was my experience.
They have some very new trains and have for a couple of years although they haven't replaced all of the old ones yet. I've never seen any problems on this train except for a few people playing music and passing a hat. They usually stay on a stop or two. The train is full of tourists, commuters, kids going to school or sports (soccer teams), etc. Late at night might be a different story.
>>>The bus from Sorrento enters Positano from the main coast road and winds down the hill to the village centre.<<<
The bus doesn't leave the main highway (SS163)that passes through the upper part of Positano. It doesn't go down into Positano, but makes a couple of stops on the highway.
>>>When we went to take the Circumvesuviana from Naples to Sorrento, we discovered that there are about a half-dozen different Circumvesuviana routes<<<
The Circumvesuviana does have a few train lines with one of them Naples/Sorrento. It's easy to tell which one you need as there are electronic signs on the platform. Here's a map of the train lines.
http://www.upsa.org/_downloads/766-I...mvesuviana.jpg
This is a transport map of the peninsula.
http://www.unicocampania.it/files/mappe/costiera.pdf
redtop - If you are planning to visit Pompeii, I would stop in Naples train station and buy the Campania Arte Card Tutta La Regione 3 day (consecutive). It gives you two free entrances (discounts after the free ones) and transport on the coast from Naples to Paestum. The cost is 27€ (Pompeii entrance is 11€). It would cover your Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Sorrento (4€), the bus from Sorrento to Positano (3.60€). It would only be cost effective if you were visiting a site or two and using the buses/trains on 3 consecutive days. If you didn't want to activate it on the way to Positano, you could start using it the last 3 days of your visit and for your return to Naples. Only the 3 day Tutta La Regione has the coastal transport included. Scroll down for the list of sites. Click a site and it will tell you the transport needed (hours, etc).
www.campaniaartecard.it
The Arte Card is in a small store front in a line of stores. You will have to look around for it. They may want only cash (as did Herculaneum last time I was there) or at least that was my experience.
Feb 11th, 2013, 12:34 PM
#29
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Cost of a driver from Naples to Positano is about E110. Two recommendations to make, one from many years of personal experience, the other through a long-time friend.
First one: Tourofitaly.com
Second one: Tiberlimo.com
Either of these companies will pick you up at FCO and drive you to Positano. But as you can guess, it won't be cheap! Last year we paid around E400+ for the trip.
Lastly, yes, if you haven't already booked a hotel in Positano,you should get on it ASAP. Some of the more popular hotels book a year ahead.
If you post your budget, I can make lots of suggestions ( been to Positano 4 times, most recently last summer) and so can other posters here, too.
First one: Tourofitaly.com
Second one: Tiberlimo.com
Either of these companies will pick you up at FCO and drive you to Positano. But as you can guess, it won't be cheap! Last year we paid around E400+ for the trip.
Lastly, yes, if you haven't already booked a hotel in Positano,you should get on it ASAP. Some of the more popular hotels book a year ahead.
If you post your budget, I can make lots of suggestions ( been to Positano 4 times, most recently last summer) and so can other posters here, too.
Feb 11th, 2013, 12:46 PM
#30
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Weadles, I have looked at the Buca di Bacca only because it rates #1 on Tripadvisor. The rate is 260€ per night. I would like to keep it at no higher than that if possible. I will apprecate any suggestions. And I think I will go with a driver from Naples.
Feb 11th, 2013, 03:49 PM
#31
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scatcat,
I'd highly recommend taking the boat from Sorrento to Positano. It's much more pleasant, scenic, and less crowded than the buses in the summer months.
Buca di Bacco is really nice. So is Palazzo Murat, closer to the church in the town center, but only if you can get one of the better rooms on the top floor which has a water view.
If you don't mind stairs/steep road back and forth to town, try Hotel Poseidon. That's where we always stay, and although the rooms in the lesser categories (standard) can be small, the views from the room and restaurant terrace are spectacular. Much better than any of the views from the hotels in town, though you do miss out on easy access to the beach and dock.
I'd highly recommend taking the boat from Sorrento to Positano. It's much more pleasant, scenic, and less crowded than the buses in the summer months.
Buca di Bacco is really nice. So is Palazzo Murat, closer to the church in the town center, but only if you can get one of the better rooms on the top floor which has a water view.
If you don't mind stairs/steep road back and forth to town, try Hotel Poseidon. That's where we always stay, and although the rooms in the lesser categories (standard) can be small, the views from the room and restaurant terrace are spectacular. Much better than any of the views from the hotels in town, though you do miss out on easy access to the beach and dock.
Feb 11th, 2013, 06:54 PM
#32
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Thanks Weadles! I had thought about the ferry from Sorrento to Positano. I will check out the websites of these hotels. I don't mind the stairs. I do need to make up my mind soon. Do you think 4 nights are enough for this area? I would like to visit Pompeii too.
Feb 11th, 2013, 07:25 PM
#33
>>>I'd highly recommend taking the boat from Sorrento to Positano.<<<
If there is a boat running to Positano in May. Even if there is, it might be an earlier in the morning and a late afternoon run. There will be nowhere as often service as the buses. Much of the ferry service to smaller towns such as Positano will not start until mid-June. You can see from both of these links that service is not running.
http://www.metrodelmare.net/
http://www.coopsantandrea.com/en/ser...zi_b.asp?id=20
Metro del Mare had lots of budget cuts the last few years and didn't run as much as in previous years.
If there is a boat running to Positano in May. Even if there is, it might be an earlier in the morning and a late afternoon run. There will be nowhere as often service as the buses. Much of the ferry service to smaller towns such as Positano will not start until mid-June. You can see from both of these links that service is not running.
http://www.metrodelmare.net/
http://www.coopsantandrea.com/en/ser...zi_b.asp?id=20
Metro del Mare had lots of budget cuts the last few years and didn't run as much as in previous years.
Feb 12th, 2013, 10:22 AM
#35
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May is a PERFECT time to visit the Amalfi - weather will be just hunky dory and the obnoxious tourist mobs of summer will have yet to materialize - you will have little trouble finding accommodations of your choice - can't think of a better time for this area, which even though on the sea can get very hot in summer at places like Pompeii.
Feb 12th, 2013, 10:27 AM
#36
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Glad to hear that Pal. I was afraid things might not be open since tourist season is not in full swing. I'm having doubts about a base location. I would like to stay in Positano, but we do want to visit Pompeii and possibly Capri. Not sure how difficult that might be from Positano. Just reading everything I can to help me decide.
Feb 12th, 2013, 04:24 PM
#37
Ferries will be running from Naples, Sorrento and Capri. You can see schedules here:
http://www.capri.net/en/ferry-schedule
FYI - Ferries do not run late. Not much beyond 6 or 7 pm. Make sure you know the last return ferry and it's a good idea to buy r/t ticket.
It's about an hour by bus from Positano to Sorrento. You can catch the train to Pompeii where the bus drops you (about 30 minutes Sorrento/Pompeii). You would have to get from the station in Sorrento down to the port to get a ferry. There are buses or you can walk.
http://www.capri.net/en/ferry-schedule
FYI - Ferries do not run late. Not much beyond 6 or 7 pm. Make sure you know the last return ferry and it's a good idea to buy r/t ticket.
It's about an hour by bus from Positano to Sorrento. You can catch the train to Pompeii where the bus drops you (about 30 minutes Sorrento/Pompeii). You would have to get from the station in Sorrento down to the port to get a ferry. There are buses or you can walk.
Feb 12th, 2013, 10:27 PM
#38
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Details of this year's Alicost service on the Sorrento - Positano - Amalfi route should eventually appear here:
http://www.alicost.it/content/?id=6
Nothing for 2013 there as yet but, just to give you an idea: they ran it for the first full season in 2011 - starting on April 16th - and from the 26th last year.
Both times they had two daily runs in each direction - an earlier one from Sorrento around 10:30, and a second shortly after 3PM.
Coming back, they were leaving Amalfi around 11:30 and again at 4.30PM / 16:30.
Peter
http://www.alicost.it/content/?id=6
Nothing for 2013 there as yet but, just to give you an idea: they ran it for the first full season in 2011 - starting on April 16th - and from the 26th last year.
Both times they had two daily runs in each direction - an earlier one from Sorrento around 10:30, and a second shortly after 3PM.
Coming back, they were leaving Amalfi around 11:30 and again at 4.30PM / 16:30.
Peter
Feb 13th, 2013, 05:01 AM
#39
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scatcat,
It's much easier to get to Pompeii from Sorrento. There's a local train that goes there which takes about 30 minutes.
To get to Pompeii from Positano, you'd have to backtrack to Sorrento and then take the train. Only other option would be hiring a driver for the day, but that's very expensive.
You can visit Capri from either Sorrento or Positano, but should be aware that the boats are more frequently canceled out of Positano, due to rough water conditions. This doesn't seem to happen as much in Sorrento which has a deeper harbor and more boats.
It's much easier to get to Pompeii from Sorrento. There's a local train that goes there which takes about 30 minutes.
To get to Pompeii from Positano, you'd have to backtrack to Sorrento and then take the train. Only other option would be hiring a driver for the day, but that's very expensive.
You can visit Capri from either Sorrento or Positano, but should be aware that the boats are more frequently canceled out of Positano, due to rough water conditions. This doesn't seem to happen as much in Sorrento which has a deeper harbor and more boats.
