Transport from Naples to Sorrento Also Pompeii & Vesuvius info.

We took a hydrofoil from Sorrento to Naples and it was great. Very scenic and relaxing. I’d heard that the train connection was prone to pickpockets and knew that with our luggage, we’d be fairly easy targets. I was also tempted into the boat option for the experience and views it provided. RS has good descriptions and directions in his Italy book.

Going up Vesuvius invokes a bus most of the way up. The bus leaves from in front of the Pompeii Scavi station. It is definitely worth the trip. But, as a day trip it is easier from Naples or Pompeii itself than from Sorrento. Because the main entrance to Pompeii is at the Pompeii Scavi station RS recommends the Vesuviana train from Naples (which is great place for pickpockets with crowds and no luggage space like any commuter train) rather than the main line train that stops in the town of Pompeii itself --- On the other hand, the main station is pretty close to the east entrance to the Archeological Site so one can work through it backwards if you want and end up at the main entrance.

Herculaneum is in the town of Ercolano (Ecolano Scavi station) and can be reached easily from either Naples or Pompeii since is is halfway between.

It sounds like you want to do P plus V or H as a day trip. You can do the Pompeii town tour and Vesuvius or Herculaneum in one long day.

Or, you could break the Naples to Sorrento trip with a stop in Pompeii for two nights and select two of the three options for your day in between and do the third on the second day before leaving for Sorrento.

Have a great trip.

Either that or the boat sounds good. How long did it take? How do you get to where the boats/hydrofoils are? If you remember. Sorry for all the questions but I heard about pickpockets too. What montb did you go?
Thanks so much. This will help lot.

The boat takes about 40 min. You’d likely want to take a taxi to/from the dock in each place. RS mentions that taxis are really expensive in Sorrento but depending on where you’re staying, you might need one from either the marina or the train station. I’d recommend putting your hotel into Google maps and comparing travel times from the train station and the marina to your hotel. The train is more centrally located in Sorrento (the marina is a trek down but there’s an elevator). But, again, your hotel location and luggage will make an impact as to which is more convenient for you.

Check out Alilauro.it website for schedules when you’re there for the hydrofoil.

Pompeii is a very easy day trip from Sorrento. We took the train, no problem.

I've done all three but not in one day. Of them all climbing Vesuvius was the least enjoyable, it's not really a climb, a bus takes you most of the way and then it's an easy walk up a narrow trail with hundreds of other tourists. The crater is not what you'd imagine (or certainly not what I imagined when I visited pre-internet days).

Took the train, no problems with pick pockets (neither has anyone else I've know who've taken it).

Pompeii is spectacular, huge and very crowded. Herculaneum is much smaller, much quieter and actually allows you to take in more than Pompeii does so in that respect I prefer Herculaneum. The site is a short downhill walk from Ercolano Scavi railway station.

If you only have one day then I would see Herculaneum first then visit Pompeii and stay as long as time permits. Skip climbing Mt. Vesuvius. It can be see from all around the area and it doesn't need to be climbed to appreciate its presence. Of course, if time allows all three to be done then by all means fit in Vesuvius if it's something you want to do.

We stayed in Naples and took the train to Pompeii. Didn't have any issues with pickpockets, did encounter a strike which forced us to change our plans by a day but it worked out. The train was incredibly crowded even in early March - it's also a commuter train for locals, not just for tourists. I found it fine-ish but if you don't love public transit you may not enjoy.

I had hoped to do both the ruins but we didn't have time, and I'm glad we did Pompeii given that it was "less crowded" on a drizzly day in March, although you still were rarely alone. It is a huge site.

We opted out of Vesuvius on the advice of friends who'd recently done it. Said the scramble up the last part wasn't the easiest (and they're in good shape) and it had been quite hot when they went. I just didn't really care - I'm from the Western US, I've seen volcano craters before.

Rick Steves Italy guidebook is so very helpful. It answers all your questions and more. It’s money well spent for all the invaluable info he gives you. I love Italy, and used Rick’s guide for our many great trips there.