Rome to Pompei and Capri?

[Quartetlead]

Will be in Rome for 3 days prior to a cruise. Wondering if a day trip to Pompei, the Amalfi coast and Capri is feasible. We will have rental cars.

 

Bud Laumann

 

Till we sail Rome to Baltimore

[cowboycork]

Sure, but why notjust take the train? Faster and easy. why are you renting a car in Rome???

Not needed and driving and parking will be a real headache.

We took the train from Napoli around to Pompei and then on to Sorrento; then back. --very enjoyable!

However, we were in Rome for 5 days and even that wasn't enough time to see and enjoy everything!

 

[Hlitner]

I guess its feasible, but I do not think its wise! Lets put it in terms of hours. It will take you 2 - 2 1/2 hours to get from Rome down to the Naples area (depends where you are staying in Rome). Lets figure Rome to Pompeii in 3 hours (if you are lucky maybe 2:40). Than you will want at least 2 hours in the ruins although many would say 3 is a good idea. So, assuming you had left Rome very early, you might be through with Pompeii by 11 or 11:30. You will need several hours to drive to Amalfi, and that would be rushing things since you will probably want to stop at Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. Of course you will probably want to eat lunch, and you still will have missed places like Sorrento, Fuore, etc. Now, somehow you also want to get to Capri which is a 40 min hydrofoil ride each way from Naples or about 15 min from Sorrento. You will want at least several hours on Capri, and this would still not be enough time to go to the Blue Grotto, Capri, Anacapri, and the chair lift up to Monte Solaro. If you drop Capri from your plans, it would be possible, but you will have a long drive back to Rome in the evening. If you have your heart set on this excursion (it actually is a great tour) than consider spending one night along the Amalfi Drive (you might have to just eat the cost of your room in Rome if you are obligated to a room). Positano has two great hotels (very expensive) and there are plenty of other choices along the route. With 2 days, you would have time to really enjoy the journey and you can trust that you will still have plenty left for a future trip.

 

Hank