Herculaneum via Naples and Rome. How difficult/easy would it be for a solo traveller!

[hastalava]

Hi, I have always wanted to do this trip but no one I know is remotely interested. So I am hoping/thinking of doing it myself in October when hopefully it will be a bit quieter.

My half baked plan is to fly to Naples and see the archaeological museum, which has a lot of the Pompeii stuff. I am not hugely interested in seeing Pompeii itself (If I have time I will) but I do want to see Herculaneum. A couple of nights in Naples and take the train to the sites via the Circumvesuviana train. Well that's the plan! I've heard that Naples can be very "edgy", but I'm hoping if I stay in a good hotel in a "naice" area that I'll be alright!

Then take the train from Naples to Rome and spend a few days there. I think that's the easy bit, although you never know, do you? Fly back from Rome. Will take in Ostia Antica while there too.

I've done a few solo trips but mostly in France and Spain and while often confused and hot and bothered, I did it! So if anyone has done a similar trip (without car) I'd love to hear your story. Thanks.

we did similar without a car 20 years ago. Was absolutely fine and very lovely.

We did very similar in 2022. We started in Naples, did Pompeii via train and then got the train to Rome. We then went on to Lake Como and from there to Venice. October sounds a good time of year as it will be a bit cooler too.

Go for it!

I would stay in Sorrento rather than Naples. You can get the train to Herculaneum and Naples from Sorrento.

Sounds reassuring so far! I'm obviously a bit nervous travelling alone, but I've set myself the challenge and hope I get there and back in one piece!

Did any of you stay in Naples itself, or would you think a town nearer the sites would be better, and then trek into Naples to see the museum? I know I sound a bit all over the place, but I am excited but want to be safe. I'm no spring chicken either, but very mobile and can walk long distances no bother.

I echo this. Simple to get to Herculaneum / Pompeii / Naples on the train, but a much safer and pleasanter place to stay

@Allthegoodnamesarechosen Hmmm, you've given an answer to my recent post. I don't mean to dismiss what you say, but Sorrento doesn't appeal to me really, I see it as a romantic spot for couples and I'll be on my own! It's also very hilly I think, and I can't do hills without an oxygen mask (joke!). But thanks so much for taking the time to suggest it.

I might have a look at the area around Pompeii itself it seems to have tons of hotels (no surprises there!).

We stayed in Naples last year and the only thing i found scary was the traffic. It is indeed a very vibrant city. Dd (20) has just returned from a whistle top Italian train tour and did 2 nights in Naples and 2 in Rome. She really enjoyed Herculaneum and wandering round the Spanish Quarter. They stayed in Youth Hostels. In both places obviously you need keep a close eye on your belongings.

We stayed in Naples and liked it a lot. It depends what you want, obviously, but it's in interesting city. We just wore money belts hidden away and didn't go out very late into the night.

Here
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/holidays/4984049-pompeii-how-long-to-allow?reply=132200201
is a recent MN thread about going to Naples, Pompei and Herculaneum. Taking the train from Naples is very easy and a beautiful stretch of line.
I’ve been to Sorrento and, although the Amalfi coast is stunning, Sorrento town is a bit TOO English with big screen football matches and “pizza and a Coke €5!”.
As a single lady traveller I’d say keep your wits about you, don’t go down dark alleys, wear a hidden body belt for cash and don’t wear expensive jewellery. Avoid “helpful” taxi drivers and people offering fake tickets to museums etc.

We went in November and I would choose hotel in Naples carefully. Nowhere near train station, but near central Cathedral/shopping areas is ok

It was a bit of a shithole in places, which made me a bit sad - poorly looked after buildings and rubbish piled everywhere (not helped by refuse collection strike last year!)

The churches were stunning though - nothing from the outside, but wow on the inside!
Lots of great food too

If you don't want to do train to Herculaneum there are mini-bus tours you can just book a place on - with or without Pompei or Vesuvius. Check GetYourGuide for options

Train Naples to Rome very easy. Can buy tickets in the station or download the Trenitalia app

Wow! thanks for all your advice and encouragement. I'll have a read of the linked thread in a bit.

I'd say Sorrento isn't at all a romantic town really - I've been there lots, & it's very touristy but that makes it a bit safer & easier to navigate. It's very simple to get the train to Naples / Pompeii / Herculaneum from Sorrento & then buses or ferry down the Amalfi coast too.
I'm surprised you don't want to see Pompeii? Herculaneum is lovely, but much smaller. Pompeii is vast, & I loved walking round the quieter areas away from the tourists spots. If you haven't already, watch the recent BBC Pompeii series Pompeii: The New Dig - very interesting!
I've visited Naples but not stayed - it was very busy & noisy but I didn't feel too unsafe (I was with my mum). But then we went from the train station to the museum & back.

We stayed in an Airbnb near the ruins in Pompei when we did Pompei, Herculaneum, Vesuvius then Rome. It worked well.

Despite being proposed to in Sorrento, I don't really like it. Naples is much more interesting. I have been on my own and with family and I agree about staying in the centre. I never had any problems in Naples and the taxis work far better than in Rome where a lot of them are dodgy ime! I recommend having a guided tour in the archaeological museum. I would go to Pompeii too though as it is amazing (the train does tend to attract pickpockets though so be careful!) Ostia Antica is amazing too and easy to get to by train.

I like Naples, but edgy is probably the right word for it. It's easy to get the train to Herculaneum, Vesuvius and Pompeii and onwards to Rome. Queues for tickets for the local trains can be long, allow plenty of time. My husband had his wallet taken on the metro, we had our big suitcase, having just arrived from Amalfi, and 2 kids and it was busy on the metro, just too much for us to keep an eye on. So I probably wouldn't recommend travel on the metro with a suitcase, but no issues when catching it when all your hands are free!

Thanks again everyone. Mumsnet at its best. I hear your points about going to Pompeii and if you're wondering why I'm lukewarm about it, it's the sheer size of it and from what I read there is little opportunity to sit down anywhere, but maybe those of you who have already been know more about that. I have cardiac arrythmia and if I overdo it and can't rest now and then I'm goosed!

I am reading and taking in what you are saying, and maybe since I will be in the area, I should go anyway and just wander at my own pace and if it gets too much, bail out! I understand that Herculaneum and Ostia Antica are more "doable" but not having been I hope so! Yes I think I will get a guided tour of the archaeology museum in Naples. I'm not sure about staying in the city now, it might be too busy and confusing for me. I'm no lightweight when it comes to travelling, but I'll be alone and I want to make sure I see all I want to see with the least hassle possible.

However I'm not giving up on staying in Naples around the Spanish Quarter which looks interesting and is not too far from the museum. That's really all I want to see and do there (and visit a few churches and eat pizza too!). So thanks again, and I welcome anything further anyone has to add.

I've done this trip with my mum, was very easy. Was staying in Sorrento though as a base.

I did this very trip last year as a solo traveller but in the summer as that's the only my time my local airport flies to Naples. It was fine. No issues at all other than it being hotter than the sun.

I've just done it and Pompeii is the absolute must see of the region imo. The museum is quite good but it's really pottery, mosaics and some frescos and besides a modern scale model doesn't give you an idea of the town.

There are a few cafes, areas with benches and plenty of stone walls you can sit on at pompei. Herculeum wasn't really worth it imo.

I did a bit of the coast, didn't like Sorrento but saint'agnello (sp) was ok. In Naples I highly recommend the Tric Trac hostel. Definitely download the trenitalia app.

Went to Naples recently with DH and DDs. Had read all the stuff about it being edgy /unsafe but honestly felt fine all the time there, including in the evening. I'm in London several times a week and I'm always careful with bags/purse etc there, we just did the same. Personally I think I would have been totally fine alone there, taking normal precautions - it's a modern European city, not a war zone!

We didn't have a car and took the train to Pompeii and Herculaneum - I'm really pleased we did both (but then I'm a massive history geek). We just sat on the floor/on a log etc when we needed a sit down. Yes, there aren't exactly loads of modern benches and picnic tables, but you can take a rest.

Also been to Ostia antica on a separate trip, which was astounding. And a million percent less busy than the other two.

Right then, I'll give serious thought to staying in Naples itself. I really like the idea of it, and am a veteran of places like Paris Barcelona etc. so I kind of know the safety/pickpocket drill. And I think you've all convinced me to go to Pompeii now. Am relieved to hear I could sit down SOMEWHERE, it doesn't have to be a cafe or fancy seating, a big old stone would do!

I intend to only bring the Easy jet or Ryanair underseat backpack, I have both sizes but have never had to use them as the sole piece of luggage yet! I think with just the backpack it might be a lot easier getting on and off trains and moving from the airport to the hotel and so on. We don't need much really, well I'll soon find out! I can always buy a priority seat (Ryanair) for the return with overhead luggage if I do buy up the whole of Rome lol.

I presume (rightly or wrongly) that cards are accepted everywhere now, maybe with the exception of street traders and the like?

The next challenge is to figure out how to use the bus/metro/train in Rome! Yikes and gulp.

I went to both herculaneum and pompeii. Pompeii is miles better. I think you would miss out not visiting it.

I love Naples. I’ve been loads and it’s a great city. Yes, some bits are awful like the bus station (but it’s like someone staying in back end of Waterloo station and thinking that’s the whole of London). The views are spectacular (take the funicular), the marina is lovely for a wander and a meal, the cobbled streets are vibrant. I don’t know why people hate it so much, they must just not like a wander!

Oh and the Rome transport system is a doddle!!

I've stayed in Naples and Sorrento. I think Naples is fine if you pick a nice area, we actually liked it and wished we'd stayed longer. Sorrento is nice, despite being touristy, but if you're not going to be in the area for that long, you might be better saving time and avoiding the extra travel time to Sorrento. We used the local trains and they were fine, Herculaneum was amazing. The archaeological museum in Naples was good too. I'd find a hotel near an airport bus stop.