Before travelling down to the Amalfi Coast I spent quite a bit of time researching how to get there from Naples using public transport. I've had a few people ask me since then so I thought I'd do a blog post about. It was actually really easy! A lot easier than I thought! We also stopped at Pompeii on the way.
Naples to Pompeii
The first part is really easy. You need to get the Circumvesuviana train to that is going to Sorrento - it stops at Pompeii. If you don't want to go to Pompeii you still get the same train, just stay on until Sorrento.
I have a good tip for you here - get on at Porto Nolana station rather than Garibaldi - the main station. The Circumvesuviana trains starts its journey at Porto Nolana, which means you'll get a seat on the train. Its only a 5 minute walk from the Central Station.
It was not busy at all when we got there and the lady at the ticket desk was really helpful. (There seemed to be only one ticket desk).We just asked for two tickets to Pompeii and I think they cost something like €3.20 each. The trains go every half an hour or so - here's the schedule. It was a bit tricky figuring which platform was the right one, but we followed all the locals when they ran to a train that was pulling in. It will say Sorrento on it. Also, the Italian word for platform is 'binari' if that helps... so if your ticket says 'bi 2' that means platform 2.
Jump on the train, and after 35 minutes you'll pull into Pompeii Scavi Villa Misteri. There is where you get off.
I have a good tip for you here - get on at Porto Nolana station rather than Garibaldi - the main station. The Circumvesuviana trains starts its journey at Porto Nolana, which means you'll get a seat on the train. Its only a 5 minute walk from the Central Station.
It was not busy at all when we got there and the lady at the ticket desk was really helpful. (There seemed to be only one ticket desk).We just asked for two tickets to Pompeii and I think they cost something like €3.20 each. The trains go every half an hour or so - here's the schedule. It was a bit tricky figuring which platform was the right one, but we followed all the locals when they ran to a train that was pulling in. It will say Sorrento on it. Also, the Italian word for platform is 'binari' if that helps... so if your ticket says 'bi 2' that means platform 2.
Jump on the train, and after 35 minutes you'll pull into Pompeii Scavi Villa Misteri. There is where you get off.
Pompeii
From the train station, it's a 5 minute walk past some restaurants to the main Pompeii entrance. The train basically stops at the Pompeii entrance so it's perfect. We took the 9.39 train from Naples, and got there about 10.15...by which time the line was really long. I had tried to buy tickets online and really wish I had tried harder because there was no line at that window!! I think now I've found the site where you can buy them online. It's €13. Biglietti means ticket by the way, that's a word worth knowing.
When you get to the main entrance, on the left before you go in you'll see a brand new luggage storage area. This is free! There are loads of lockers to choose from, big or small sizes. You use a machine to get the ticket out and then keep hold of the ticket as it has the password on it that you use to get your luggage back. There is no time limit so it was perfect for us. We dropped our bags and headed out exploring.
Pompeii is very cool by the way. So big though...I would never go in the height of summer as there is barely any shade...it will be stinking hot. It involves loads of walking so don't wear heels....
Sorry, I just have to share some Pompeii photos before we continue.
When you get to the main entrance, on the left before you go in you'll see a brand new luggage storage area. This is free! There are loads of lockers to choose from, big or small sizes. You use a machine to get the ticket out and then keep hold of the ticket as it has the password on it that you use to get your luggage back. There is no time limit so it was perfect for us. We dropped our bags and headed out exploring.
Pompeii is very cool by the way. So big though...I would never go in the height of summer as there is barely any shade...it will be stinking hot. It involves loads of walking so don't wear heels....
Sorry, I just have to share some Pompeii photos before we continue.
Pompeii to Positano
tOk, now you pick up your luggage and head back to the same station you go off at earlier. You can buy your ticket from the one ticket window. Maybe pick this up when you get off the train so you don't have to stress if there is a line there later on. Don't forget to validate your ticket on the yellow machine to the right of the door as you go out! I assume we were meant to do this on the way down too...but we didn't.
Keep an eye out for the Sorrento train (treni) and jump on. It will come every half an hour. I always just use google maps... it will tell you when the next train is. Or refer to the schedule above!
Keep an eye out for the Sorrento train (treni) and jump on. It will come every half an hour. I always just use google maps... it will tell you when the next train is. Or refer to the schedule above!
Sorrento to Positano
Once again - this was easy. Get off the train at Sorrento, and as you exit to the outside you'll see a little shop (tabacchi). Pop in here and ask the man for two sita bus tickets to Positano. If you just say 'sita' and 'positano' he'll probably understand you. It was €2.20 each.
The bus station is literally right where you walk out of the train station. The buses will say 'Amalfi' or 'Praiano' - get on one of those. Just ask the driver if you're unsure. They're extremely used to tourists and know where you're heading.
They leave hourly I think, maybe more often during peak times. I'd time it right so you don't get on the bus last! You want to get seats on the right hand side of the bus so you can see the stunning views on the drive. We ran on to a bus at last minute so poor Chris had to stand the whole way. The ride is about an hour.
We got off in Positano where most of the bus exited. We could have stayed on and pushed the button to get off closer to where we were staying...but thought a walk would be a good idea after all that transport!
All in all, a pretty cheap and fast way to travel down to the beautiful Amalfi coast.
The bus station is literally right where you walk out of the train station. The buses will say 'Amalfi' or 'Praiano' - get on one of those. Just ask the driver if you're unsure. They're extremely used to tourists and know where you're heading.
They leave hourly I think, maybe more often during peak times. I'd time it right so you don't get on the bus last! You want to get seats on the right hand side of the bus so you can see the stunning views on the drive. We ran on to a bus at last minute so poor Chris had to stand the whole way. The ride is about an hour.
We got off in Positano where most of the bus exited. We could have stayed on and pushed the button to get off closer to where we were staying...but thought a walk would be a good idea after all that transport!
All in all, a pretty cheap and fast way to travel down to the beautiful Amalfi coast.
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