Rome to Pompeii...need help

[cindy21494]

Ok, we decide to try and get to Pompeii on our own (had a tour booked, but didn't want to spend all our time in a car). Anyone have directions and/or advice on how to do this? Which trains do we take? How long does it take by train?

We would love to spend some time in either Sorrento or Naples. Is this possible without a car? Any sights we should see while we are there?

I doubt we will get back to Italy any time soon, so we are trying to fit in everything we are interested in. We have almost 3 full days before our tour starts with Disney.

I hope there are a few people out there that have done this and can help us out. haha

Thank you!

 

[mapsd]

Are you planning to stay in Rome & do it as a day trip?
We found lodging to be much cheaper in Sorrento.

I can give you step by step instructions for the train.

 

[cindy21494]

Yes, we are only doing a day trip. We had thought about staying in Naples or Sorrento, but we wanted to book the extra hotel days with Disney.

We read that there is a museum in Naples with artifacts from Pompeii that is also a must see. Do you know anything about that?

I would love to hear the step by step instructions for the trains.

 

[mapsd]

I'd still consider having ABD book you @ the hotel they use in Sorrento for the ABD Central Italy tour.

The museum in Naples has most of the "good stuff" excavated from Pompeii. If you made a real big day of it, you might be able to catch it & Pompeii in one day.

I'd strongly suggest getting there as early as possible. It is scorching hot in Pompeii & very little shade. A cool museum might feel pretty good after all the sun. Dress cool & an umbrella for shade.

 

[cindy21494]

At this point, we can only do it the one day. We have tours booked for the day before and the day after. Staying overnight isn't an option.

I read it takes 2 and a half hours by train to Naples and then 20 minutes to Pompeii. We plan to leave Rome around 8am (I think that is one of the first times for the trains). If all goes well, we should be in Pompeii by 11:00am. We hope to spend about 3 hours there and then go to Naples or Sorrento for a few hours. Does this sound do able? Our children are older (12 and 19) and the youngest has dreamed of seeing Pompeii for years. We are ok with spending the whole day in that area. We would like to be back in Rome by 10pm.

My biggest worry is wasting time trying to figure out trains. I like to go with a game plan. lol

 

[mapsd]

If you're staying @ the Bernini Bristol, just take the stairs out front to the Metro, buy a ticket from the machine, & it's just 1 stop to Termini Station.
If you're not near a Metro station, I'd take a cab to Termini Station.

• Here's instructions for buying a ticket from the machine: http://www.roninrome.com/ transportation/buying-train-tickets-updated
• The catch is that even if you select your seats, its only a "request" & you may be spread out all over the car (we were). I'd endure the wait & buy them from the ticket counter to ensure you sit together.
• If you qualify, the Family ticket is a great savings. There's minimal difference between 1st & 2nd class.
• NON-STOP to Naples Centrale on the bullet train. FAST! & a very fun ride.
• Naples Centrale Station: Down the stairs/escalators & follow signs to the Circumvesuviana
• You'll walk through a mall area & ticket counter is right before the turnstiles.
• Here's a link to a photo step by step: http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/123069561
• Buy ticket for slow train to Sorrento & get off at Pompeii Scavi station (not Pompeii!). No AC on this train (more like an old subway car). Expect gypsy entertainers to hit you up for a coin.
• Station is right at the entrance to Pompeii ruins. Food/drink available before entrance & there's a cafeteria inside.
• No need for advance train tickets & then you don't have to worry about missing it.

Naples station was a little creepy (as is Naples).
We downloaded the Rick Steves guide onto our iPhones, but you can hire a private guide/join a group. Be sure to pick up your own site map at the entrance. Pompeii is HUGE!

We hired a private car for our Amalfi Coast tour (Sorrento First Choice) & I think they do private trips to Pompeii from Rome. They were excellent!

 

[cindy21494]

Thank you so much! That helps a lot. We are staying at the Bernini Bristol.

Is it possible to get our tickets the day before so we don't have to wait in line the next morning? That just might save us some time. Also, I prefer we all sit together, so we would not use the ticket machine but use the counter instead.

 

[mapsd]

I read it takes 2 and a half hours by train to Naples and then 20 minutes to Pompeii. We plan to leave Rome around 8am (I think that is one of the first times for the trains). If all goes well, we should be in Pompeii by 11:00am. We hope to spend about 3 hours there and then go to Naples or Sorrento for a few hours. Does this sound do able? Our children are older (12 and 19) and the youngest has dreamed of seeing Pompeii for years. We are ok with spending the whole day in that area. We would like to be back in Rome by 10pm.
My biggest worry is wasting time trying to figure out trains. I like to go with a game plan. lol

My girls loved Pompeii.
Trains were on time & simple to ride. Be alert in the station & on the slow train.
I'd lean towards stopping in Naples. It's on the way back (Sorrento is another 1/2 hour down the line), & Sorrento had a cool night life, but not a lot to see during the day.

 

[mapsd]

Thank you so much! That helps a lot. We are staying at the Bernini Bristol.

Is it possible to get our tickets the day before so we don't have to wait in line the next morning? That just might save us some time. Also, I prefer we all sit together, so we would not use the ticket machine but use the counter instead.

I bet the concierge could help you do this. (Or send dad to get them while the girls shop).

 

[cindy21494]

Thanks again for all your help. Sounds like it should be pretty easy taking the trains. I'll check with concierge first and see if they can help too. I don't know if DH would go for that. haha It's worth a shot though.

I wish we had a few more extra days to spend in the Naples area. I get the feeling this is our only trip to Italy, so we really want to make the most of our time there.