We'd like to spend the three days after Christmas in the Naples area so we can visit Pompeii and see the area. THought we'd use Sorrento as a home base, feeling it would be prettier than Naples and relaxing after been in Rome the week before, I have a car reserved but we really want an automatic, so it's quite expensive. I'm wondering if we'd do just as well taking a train to Naples and on to Sorrento? Any thoughts?

The train is very convenient, when it works !

Also, quite a few b&b operators in the Naples area offer a shuttle service and picks up guests at the airport or train station, for a very reasonable fee. That was what my Mergelina b&b owner did for me last week (25 euro from and to the train station, plus dropping us off one morning at the Circumvesuviana station). Maybe you can inquire about such a service with your Sorrento hotel or b&b owner. If such a service is available, then you really don't need to drive down there from Rome. I love Naples. It is fascinating as it is exhausting. Driving is, well, different down there. It seems anarchic at first, but then I notice that every driver, in his haywire way, is keenly aware of others. Go figure.

On our first trip, we took the train from Rome to Naples and then on to Sorrento. In 2005 we drove to Naples (actually stayed in Pozzuoli and took the Metro into Naple) I actually did drive into the center of Naples but the traffic was bad and the parking situation was worse so I gave up on driving into Naples.

I, as the driver, find the train much easier on me. Having said that though, we have used cars on more of our trips than not. Sorrento is walkable and Naples has the Metro.

We took the bus to Amalfi from Sorrento.

Bill

Thanks for both perspectives. We actually have to fly out of Rome at 10am Tuesday morning so I thought we'd return Monday evening and stay near the airport. Does the train from Naples take us to the airport? How would I figure that out?

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Does the train from Naples take us to the airport? How would I figure that out?

Not that I know of, but everyone else on this forum is encyclopaedic about Italy - which is not my case - and can advise you much better.
If I were you I would still stay in central Rome - otherwise it is a waste of Rome - and leave earlier Tuesday morning.

The train from Naples does not take you to the airport; you take the airport express train from Termini, where the train from Naples stops.

I would advise spending your last night in Rome, rather than at the airport, and having a car pick up at your hotel in Rome and take you out to the airport. We have done it both ways, and would opt for having a last night (and dinner) in Rome than spending a night near the airport.

the train to naples from Rome is quick and very efficient. It only takes 2.5 hours and from there getting to Sorrento is just as easy. Going back to the airport isn't as direct but there a regular train from termini to either international airport.

On our trip we did:

Rome to Naples via train (EuroStar), Naples to Sorrento via car service.

Sorrento to Naples via Circumvesuviana (sp?) train, Naples to Rome via train (EuroStar).

So having done both to some degree, I'd say it depends. The Naples to Sorrento leg of the train ride is not a train like you are used to if you travel via the EuroStar. This is a commuter train with bench seats that are not all that comfortable and with little room for luggage. If you are traveling during rush hour, you will be sharing it with many Italians commuting to and from work. It did not make us uneasy, but it might stress out others out there.

I'd do a little research on this leg of the journey. If you have no problems with what you learn I'd do the train. It is less expensive and you can use that money for another bottle of lemoncello.

I just remembered something. When we arrived in Stazione Centrale in Naples from Sorrento (again, took the Circumv. train) we found no escalator from the platform up to the terminal. We were two of the few tourists on the train so we had to step aside and let all of the Italians get through, then lug our suitcases up some fairly long steps, then run like crazy to catch our train to Rome.

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Originally posted by Pat Kauf:
We'd like to spend the three days after Christmas in the Naples area so we can visit Pompeii and see the area. THought we'd use Sorrento as a home base, feeling it would be prettier than Naples and relaxing after been in Rome the week before, I have a car reserved but we really want an automatic, so it's quite expensive. I'm wondering if we'd do just as well taking a train to Naples and on to Sorrento? Any thoughts?

Train is much more convenient.

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When we arrived in Stazione Centrale in Naples from Sorrento (again, took the Circumv. train) we found no escalator from the platform up to the terminal.

We have taken escalators at the stazione Centrale. Bummer you didn't find them.

Firstly, I should add that we always drive (now that I have a family and our house is not near a good train line!)...but I would take the train for SURE. There is no reason to bother with a car to get to Sorrento from Rome (or you could take the direct bus if you are worried abuot stairs and changing trains, etc. - sceduale is more limited though) and to get to the tourist sites you mentioned. I think a car only makes sense if you are travelling inland Campania (or maybe down to Basilicata or even parts of Puglia)where train service is limited and just won't get you places!

I stayed in Sorrento for 11 days in feb 2007. We took public transport everywhere (buses , trains and hydrofoils).

The Naples airport is not ringed with hotels like American ones. It is in a bad neighborhood and you would have to take a taxi early in the morning from central Naples or the Alibus from Piazzsa Municipio or Garabaldi to the airport.

I second the suggestion to stay in Rome near Termini the night before and fly in and out of Rome; that is what we did. You hotel in Rome can arrange an early shuttle for 45-48 euros.

Yes you have to lug your luggage up the stairs at the Naples central train station from the Circumvesuviana station in the basement. The escalators were not working in 2006 or 2007; they had dust an 1/2 inch thick because they hadn't been working for so long. We never even saw anyone working on them in 2006 because we were there more than twice that year. maybe they could fix by taking out a loan (common lament is that there is no money for this kind of thing) and charging tourists to use then to recoup theirt investment. 0r have they been fixed in 2008?

Trains between Naples and Rome leave nearly hourly. I buy my ticket on the next train leaving for Rome when I get to the top of the stairs from the self-serve kiosk. I am a 55 year old woman who is not an all that good shape and i can get my one rollie up the stairs as long as time is not a factor.

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Originally posted by Americana in Parigi:

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When we arrived in Stazione Centrale in Naples from Sorrento (again, took the Circumv. train) we found no escalator from the platform up to the terminal.

We have taken escalators at the stazione Centrale. Bummer you didn't find them.

Found them, but they were out of commission and looked like they had been for years based on the debris and dirt that was accumulated on them. It wasn't a surprise...over on Fodors forums there are many folks who had cautioned us of this in advance.

Hi Pat,

We just returned yesterday from a 16 day trip to Italy... and part of this trip included a transport from Rome to Sorrento... and 4 days visiting the Amalfi Coast.

Based on our experience, I would recommend the following:

1. DO NOT RENT A CAR for the Amalfi Coast... driving and parking are awful and public transportation is GREAT!

2. Sorrento is a perfect "base" for the Amalfi Coast... it was very easy to use public transport from Sorrento to Pompei, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Capri etc.

3. Take the Eurostar from Rome to Naples(2nd class tickets will be fine)...and then also take the Eurostar back to Rome from Naples at the end of your stay.

4. If you have packed light (we each had one small carry-on sized luggage and a backpack) ...you can easily take the Circumvesuviana (local train)from Naples to Sorrento... it is clearly marked, and all you have to do is go down one level to get the Circumvesuviana train. We debated about this... but decided to take the local train and had absolutely no problems. IF you have a lot of luggage, I would recommend hiring a driver to take you to your hotel. If you need the name and email address for drivers, let me know... a driver should cost somewhere between 80 euro and 100 euro.

5. Even though the Circumvesuviana is very easy to use... and we did use it to arrive in Sorrento... we did hire a driver to take us to the airport upon departure. We did this because we were flying home from the Naples airport and wanted to insure a easy and stress free departure. You could hire a driver or take the Circumvesuviana back to Naples (then on to Rome via Eurostar) at the end of your stay. There are hydrafoils (fast boats) from Sorrento to Naples... but at Christmas, I doubt they would be running.

6. As for transport between Sorrento and Pompei... use the Circumvesuviana... only about 1/2 hour ride and very cheap and easy.

7. As for transport between Sorrento and the various Amalfi towns (Capri, Amalfi, Ravello, Positano, etc) ...use boat where possible and bus when boat is not available... and of course, you could hire a driver for a day. Again, if you want the name of a good driver...let me know and I will send you that info.

8. Know that taxi's are VERY EXPENSIVE on the Amalfi Coast ... much more expensive than Rome and Tuscany ... so when you can, use public bus and boat transport.

If you have any questions... please feel free to contact me....

Karen

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There are hydrafoils (fast boats) from Sorrento to Naples... but at Christmas, I doubt they would be running.

I am not sure about Christmas, but in Feb there are still hydrofoils that run between Sorrento and Naples. We took one to get from Sorrento to Ischia. We caught a ferry at Naples beverello for Ischia.

The boats to the Amalfi coast cities do not run in the winter (Nov 1-April 30). There are buses that run from outside the Circumvesuviana stop tot he Amalfi coast cities; I looked into one for Positano.