Getting There

Paestum is well connected by public transportation, with several trains stopping at its two train stations: Capaccio-Roccadaspide and Paestum, only 5 minutes from each other. The former is in the village of Capaccio Scalo from where there a rather irregular bus service to the ruins while the latter lies about 1 km (half a mile) or a 10-minute walk from the archaeological area. It is a 30-minute trip from Salerno and a 90-minute trip from Naples. Contact Trenitalia (tel. 892021 in Italy; www.trenitalia.it) for fares and information.

Paestum is well connected to Salerno by bus, too. CSTP (tel. 089-252228 or 800-016659 toll-free within Italy; www.cstp.it) has regular service to Paestum from Napoli and Salerno (both line 34), with both lines continuing on to Agropoli and Acciaroli, in the Cilento. SITA (tel. 089-405145; www.sitabus.it) makes runs from Salerno to Capaccio Scalo; and Autolinee Giuliano Bus (tel. 0974-836185; www.giulianobus.com) has several lines between Naples, Salerno, and the Cilento, making stops in Paestum and Capaccio Scalo (lines 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10).

By car, take autostrada A3, exit at BATTIPAGLIA onto SS 18, and follow the brown signs for Paestum.

Visitor Information

AACST, Via Magna Grecia 887, 84063 Paestum (tel. 0828-811016; fax 0828-722322; www.infopaestum.it), maintains an information point at Via Magna Grecia 151, by the Archeological Museum, not far from the main entrance to the temples (daily 9am-1pm and 2-4pm).

You'll find a pharmacy on Via Licinella 0828-722653 and several in Capaccio Scalo, including one on Via Magna Grecia 316 (tel. 0828-725382). The closest hospital is in Salerno. For an ambulance, dial tel. 118. Dial tel. 113 or 112 for the police, tel. 115 for the fire department, and tel. 116 for ACI road assistance. The post office (tel. 0828-811029) is on Via Licinella; and there is one in Capaccio Scalo, at Via C. Dalla Chiesa (tel. 0828-725246). A bank (tel. 0828-811141) is at Via Licinella 1.

Special Events

The occasional Paestum Balloon Festival is a great opportunity to take some pictures of the balloons taking off from the Greek temples and soaring into the sky. For those fortunate enough to secure a flight, the view on a clear day stretches from the Appenines to Capri and beyond. The event is usually scheduled in the fall; visit www.mongolfiere.it for information.

Campania Artecard Cilento

Artecard offers great advantages, whether you are planning an extensive visit to the whole region or just one city or area of interest. The Artecard Cilento costs 27€, is valid for 3 days, and grants access to the archaeological area, the National Archeological Museum of Paestum, the Carthusian Monastery of Padula, the Grotte dell'Angelo in Pertosa, and the excavations of Velia. In addition, it allows you to purchase special guided tours in the Cilento National Park with CitySightseeing at discounted rates. Reservations are recommended; call tel. 800-600601 toll-free within Italy, or 06-39967650; or visit the website at www.campaniartecard.it.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.