I am going to Naples in July and like the title says, I'll be there for two nights. I plan on going to Capri for the day and spend half of another day at Mount Vesuvius/Pompeii. I will be flying into Capodichino (NAP) and not renting a car. So, now that I covered the basics, here are my questions:

1- How much should I expect to pay a cabbie from NAP to downtown Naples?

2- What ferry should I take to Capri and once I get there what should I do and how should I get around?

3- Naples to Pompeii; how do I accomplish this without being on a tour and without renting a car?

4- Where can I get some good eats? (Alton Brown, don't sue me)

Thanks to anyone who responses and for those who do, thank you so very much.

-Eric

Well, I've never been to the area so I cannot give you any first-hand advice, but I am planning on a trip there this Fall and so I have done a bit of research -- primarily in Rick Steves' "Italy 2005" travel guide. BTW, I suggest you get a copy of this book or another good travel guide. They will give you lots of details.

Quick answers to most of your questions:

- Steves recommends that you NOT stay in Naples (although if you really want to, he makes a couple or recommendations). Rather, he suggests that you stay in Sorrento, which is only about an hour away by train and less time by ferry (and apparently is much more pleasant). It sounds as though you are actually spending most of your time away from Naples anyway, so this would make good sense.

- The Steves book has info re the ferries from Naples to Sorrento and to Capri, how to get to them, etc. (I'm not plugging the Steves book, I just don't have time at the moment to look everything up and repeat it here ). You can also get to Capri via ferry from Sorrento, if you decide to stay there. (As an aside, I have read elsewhere that it is a nice idea to spend the night on Capri; it is a much more pleasant experience in the evenings and early mornings after the day-tourists have left town.)

- There is a local train from Naples to Sorrento, with stops at Pompeii and at Herculaneum. It is inexpensive and runs several times a day. Each of the archeological sites is an easy walk from the train station. It is apparently important to make sure you get the local train, and also that you get off at the correct Pompeii or Herculaneum station (there are more than one).

Finally, Naples is a rough and tumble city, so always be aware of your surroundings and keep tight hold of your money belt/wallet/etc.

Have a great time on your journey!

Edited to add: I just ran across some notes, and the name of the local train that stops at Pompeii, etc., is the Circumvisuviana.

You might consider doing the following, if you aren't set on spending a lot of time in Naples: on day 1, take the train from Naples to Sorrento, stopping en route to visit Pompeii (apparently, there are facilities at the archeological site for storing your luggage). Spend night 1 in Sorrento. Day 2, take the ferry from Sorrento to Capri and either spend the night or, at the end of the day, take the ferry to Naples (thus avoiding backtracking through Sorrento). Or, ferry back from Capri to Sorrento and spend night 2 there, then take the ferry from Sorrento back to Naples on day 3. If staying in Capri on night 2, take the ferry from Capri to Naples on day 3. Just my 2 cents worth.