Italy - Seeking Advice For Train Travel

frostiecuk

I'm heading to Vico Equense for 10 days at the end of July, as a single parent, with my two boys (9 and 10) and I'm looking for a bit of advice when it comes to train travel and how to manage it.

Every day, we'll likely hit the trains one way or another to head to Sorrento, Mt Vesuvio, Herculaneum, Pompei etc and therefore, by far the easiest and cheapest way is "tap and go". The issue is that you can't tap "in" 3 times and tap "out" 3 times using the same card son wondering what options I have.

My boys have their own cards but they're not ideal for travel and Euro conversion, so wondered how others managed to do this, if anyone did?

I am wonderin if its worth getting them each a Travel Money Card from the post office and loading it with money before we go (top up via mobile app, so thats easy enough). Just wondered if anyone had any experience or advice?

https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-money/card

daveyjp

If possible you apply for another Forex free card (credit or debit), put the cards on apple or google pay you then have four ways of paying. They use the physical cards, you use the phone.

Woodstok2000

We bought tickets for our daughter (11) in the station. There were lots of regional differences in requirements, and often promotions for free/discounted child tickets, which aren't available when tapping in/out.

eskbanker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6673620/italy-seeking-advice-for-train-travel

Perhaps worth investigating the Trenitalia Pass, aimed at tourists making multiple trips during a visit, although I'm not sure if it's cost-effective for relatively short distance journeys?

https://www.trenitalia.com/en/offers/trenitalia-pass.html

In particular, "A maximum of 2 children (children aged between 4 and 12 on the date of purchase) can be added to each Adult Trenitalia Pass free of charge".

Edit: unlikely to be applicable, see below…

Grumpelstiltskin

Pompei can be a pain if it is very hot, not a lot of shade, how interested are the boys in Roman archeology?

Herculanium is much better, Sorrento is OK for shops but again how interested would the boys be in walking round tourist shops.

la531983

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82044949#Comment_82044949

Most travel around Naples and that area the OP specified would be using the Circumvesuviana train network which is standalone and NOT on the main Italian train network, so the OP really needs to find out if the above even covers it (I suspect not).

When I used it I had no issue tapping in and out.

martindow

Seat61 has excellent advice for international rail travel. His site is a mine of information.

This is his page specifically for visiting Pompeii. As mentioned above the Circumvesuviana is a privately run railway so Trenitalia passes will not work there. Fares are cheap in any case - you can buy from a ticket office or use a contactless card.

https://www.seat61.com/places-of-interest/day-trip-to-pompeii.htm

frostiecuk

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82044974#Comment_82044974

I loved Herculaneum over Pompei by miles but it all links in to what they learned a few weeks ago, so I'm happy to go with their preferences. Theres a lot to do Sorrento moving away from the shops - if you go off the beaten tracks and know where to look. Worse case, grab your own boat for a day of bobbing and snorkelling I've been lucky enough to live/work in Italy pre kids, and been to Sorrento and surrounding areas a few times, so have a feel for the place, just not kid travel 😂

frostiecuk

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82044993#Comment_82044993

Yes very much focused on Circumvesuviana line hence the conundrum. I think it may just be a case of getting disposable prepaid travel cards.

frostiecuk

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I think the easiest and hassle free is a temporary travel card of sorts. Sure there may be more cost effective ways making use of special discounts etc, but in the July heat, with two little ones, ease wins over savings 🤣

martindow

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82046049#Comment_82046049

I'm not sure you need to go out of your way to get cards. Seat61 says that contactless cards can be used at the barriers, but that you can also buy conventional tickets at station booking offices. Enjoy your trip!