Expert: Gabriele Dal Moro - 6/2/2009

Question
QUESTION: Ciao Gabriele,

Greetings from Australia - my girlfriend and I will be in Italy in June and need to get from Naples to Bari on Wednesday the 24th June, for a myair flight that leaves for Athens on the morning of the 25th.

I have done some research and found out that you can take the train from naples to bari via caserta, but my preference if possible would be to take the bus, as it is shorter in length and can be jumped on in Naples.

My question is - Maco Bus operates the Naples - Bari Bus route as identified by many websites but I have had no idea when these depart and what the cost is.

If you could advise me the timetable for the Naples-Bari Bus run and where it departs from I would appreciate it greatly.

Thanks for your assistance.

Also is it advisable to book roma-naples tickets on trenitalia in advance of arriving - I remembered travelling through italy about 10 years ago and the trains were always full.

Many thanks
Steve

Maco
Tel: + 39 080 310 51 85


ANSWER: Hi Steve,

I would first recommend you to get a train instead of the bus.
The resons are 2:
1) It is much safer. Some crimes happened in the bus staions and on the bus
2) It is cleaner
3) Your bus from Naples to Bari can be easily stopped in the traffic for hours
Here are the info of the train:
16:14 NA C.LE   
20:20 BARI C.   
Lenght: 04:06        
Train: 24332 Frecciargento
Change: in Caserta h. 16.52
1st Class: 47,10 €    
2nd Class: 35,70 €

Bus Transfer info:
On this web site you can check all the information regarding the transfer you are looking for:
http://www.marinobus.it/orario_autolinee.asp?partenza=napoli&arrivo=bari

I hope I could help you

Thanks

Gabriele

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Gabriele for your response - I figured that the bus might be difficult in Italy and have heard some horror stories from friends that have decided upon it instead of the train.

With respect to reservations on ES trains (Rome-Naples, Caserta - Bari) how long in advance do these have to be booked.

I am trying to confirm on Trenitalia website and it keeps knocking me back for some reason.

If for instance we were planning on getting ES9601 from Roma Termini to Naples Centrale on Monday 22nd June @ 07:45am, could we reserve a place for this train on the Friday before (19th June) when we arrive in Italy.

Also I wonder whether you know much about MyAir....we are booked with this carrier to fly to Athens from bari and have heard that they're pretty unreliable when it comes to flight updates re changed departure times or destination arrivals. is there a number i can call in italy the day before which might assist me in confirming flight details?

Thanks for your help, you have been great.

Cheers
Steve

Answer
Hi Steve,

You can reserve the train ticket even the same day of departure. No problem if you want to buy it even 1 month in advance.

Concerning Myair I agree with the fact time schedules may change. This is a low cost flight company and they make agreements with other carriers to get more people.
You will receive an email from them if any time will change. Anyway, here is the telephone number (from Italy) to contact the company:
892 444
I hope I answered your question and as always your rating is always welcome :)

Ciao

Gabriele