Naples on your own to Pompeii & Sorrento

[whtdog]

Naples Train Station:

 

I found this on Fodors travel forums ...thought it would be helpful. :)

 

Since the completion of its extensive makeover, changing trains at the main station in Naples - Napoli Centrale - is now simpler than ever; essentially, all you need do is look for signs saying "Circumvesuviana" and follow them!

 

You'll first go down the new main escalator...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/123069561

 

... then along an underground passage...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/128343808

 

... and eventually you'll arrive at the barriers...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/125760466

 

Once there, turn around and you'll see the new ticket office.

Both "Pompei - Scavi" and Sorrento are served by trains that terminate at Sorrento, and the "BIN" column on the display boards indicates the platform (binario) you'll need go down to...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/130148215

 

You'll probably find hordes of people making the same journey, but a route map may help: this one has all of the CV's lines...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/124987094

 

... and this shows just the stops between Naples and Sorrento...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/128288647

[4774Papa]

Whtdog, thanks, how do we get to the train station from where the cruise ship docks at Naples? Taxi?

[rebeccalouiseagain]

You can do both by train. My suggestion personally I wouldn't do both. Pompeii requires IMO at least three hours. It is really interesting and they sell guidebooks there with before and after pictures of the ruins. We loved it. I have also been to Sorrento and the villages built up on the hillside afford dramatic views but I don't think you will have stamina to do both. That's just my opinion. Pompeii requires alot of walking and when it is hot it doubles your exhaustion.

 

If you do Pompeii with a tour- they will spend the first hour in the Cameo store I can guarantee you. This eats up valuable time better spent in the ruins.

 

If you are determined to do both- I'd get a private driver to pick you up at the ship take you to Sorrento and take you to Pompeii. I've done the train and it really is a commuter train and the train station was horrible in Naples- dirty and unfriendly people there.

[cruisemom42]

Whtdog, thanks, how do we get to the train station from where the cruise ship docks at Naples? Taxi?

 

Here is info from my "step by step" directions to Pompeii. Note that these directions take you to the Naples "Porta Nolana" station where the Circumvesuviana train originates, not to the main Naples train station, which is, I think, the one being referenced above.

 

 

 

The name of the port where ships dock in Naples is Mollo Beverello. Get off the ship as early as possible and walk to the Tabachi shop across street from the port entrance. Here you should be able to purchase your Circumvesuviana day-pass train ticket here (3.60 euro when I last checked, may be more now); it will also entitle you to ride the #1 tram (or #152 bus) to the train station. To catch the tram, cross to the middle of the busy street and wait for the tram where you see poles and people on the cement island on the side closer to Molo Beverello (traffic going right with the ocean at your back). When the #1 trolley or #152 bus arrives, stamp your ticket and stay on it until it makes a wide right turn (around 5-7 minutes after you board). You'll need to get off as soon as you see a large concrete modern-looking roof which is the Napoli Porta Nolana Circumvesuviana Station (ask anyone onboard and they'll tell you).

Also, I noticed a few days ago when I was looking at the Circumvesuviana train site, they seem to have redone it and have much more info that is translated in English now, making it easier to navigate. Here is the site:

http://www.vesuviana.it/web/en/homepage

[4774Papa]

Cynthia, thanks again. Originally we were planning to do the NCL Holy Land out of Civi and stay over a week in Rome, with perhaps a day trip to Assisi/Perugia and another to Pompeii. Our cruise was cancelled, so we are going to rebook on the Epic, which stops at Naples, Civi and Livorino. We are still thinking of buying our airline ticket so that we can fly to Rome initially, spend a week, then fly to Barcelona for the cruise, then return to the States.

 

On our stops at Civi and Livorino, we might consider going somewhere other than Rome and Florence, since we are spending a week in Rome and we did Florence last year.

Of course, any day in Italy is a great day.

[Hlitner]

Whtdog, thanks, how do we get to the train station from where the cruise ship docks at Naples? Taxi?

 

You have several options. We love to walk, but it does take about 25 - 30 min and is a about 1 1/4 miles You can also walk out to the main road in front of the port and take the #1 tram which goes to the Central Station. I believe that bus #152 also runs along this route (I would double check this by asking the driver if he goes to the Central Station (stazione". As to taxis, the cabs that come to the port will generally not want to take such a short fare (they want full day hires).

 

Hank