I will be taking the train down from Rome to Naples, then transferring on the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento, then taking the bus to Positano, alone, whew!

Even though I have taken Circumv. before I wasn't really paying attention and just following my friend who knew where he was going.

From what I have gleaned, I go downstairs to the tracks of Circum. (which I remember doing) but which track goes all the way to Sorrento. I thought I read here one time that a person got on the wrong train which didn't go all the way.

Does the right track or train actually say Sorrento on it? Then I exit the station and go up to any SITA bus that says any city beyond Positano, right? Then just hop off in Positano!

Thanks. (I downloaded the schedules already from the web).

In 3 Naples visits (98, 99, 02) it has always left from Track 3. There is a Departure Board halfway down the platform that lists the next arriving train also.
  And I *believe* the 1st operator/driver's railcar also lists the destination.
  Anyway it will be the one all the tourists are boarding . Regards, Walter

Thanks Walter. Is it an electric board or one of the printed ones?

It just goes to show a person should always be paying attention!

It was the old style where the destinations and arrival times are on preprinted boards and are flipped-over mechanically.
There was also an electronic board over the ticket turnstiles that would show the next 2 arriving trains. But I believe that was more to show the regular commuters how much time they had to catch their train (Run or Walk ).
Regards, Walter

chardonnay: A poster on rec.travel.europe who commutes on the
Circumvesuviana everyday said that they now have new departure boards. The electronic board at the ticket turnstiles lists the next 8 arriving
trains.
  And the departure boards on the platforms are now also electronic. Although he said they have computer glitches often on the platform boards.
  As you enter the station on a elevated catwalk, Platform 1 is along the left wall and Platform 4 is along the right wall. In the center is an island platform which is Platform 2 & 3, with 2 on the left and 3 on the right.
Regards, Walter

Chardonnay, you are worrying too much. At Naples Centrale station, just walk away from the platform, down the steps, turn left, buy a ticket at the ticket window, continue in the same direction and look on the arrival/departure board to see what track the Sorrento train departs from. The important thing about this trip is this: when you arrive at Positano there will be two bus stops for Positano. Get off at the second stop(Sponda). If you get off at the first stop (Chiesa) you will have a very, very long walk down to the village.

Have a great trip. The Amalfi Coast is great.

Larry J

Thanks everyone this really helps alot.
I only started worrying when I read someone's report here about getting on
the wrong train to Sorrento and I had thought they all went to Sorrento.

I still don't understand why some of the trains only go part way? I thought it is just the one set of tracks going to Sorrento, where do the others go?.

Chardonnay,

Sorrento is south of Naples. Some trains run north of Naples Centrale station to other suburban areas on the Cir. railroad. I go to Sorrento often and don't recall any southbound trains not going all the way to the end of the line at Sorrento. Naples to Sorrento will take you 70 minutes.


Larry J

Hi Larry and Chardonnay, I remember a post here about someone who got on the wrong circumvesuviana train going towards Sorrento and it didn't go all the way to the end of the line.
I don't know the storyline but I do remember that because I made a mental note.

If she sees any train heading south they all should end up in Sorrento, right Larry J.?