TRAVELING FROM ROME TO SORRENTO

I am not sure you can pre-purchase the Rome to Naples train ride since you are american (CC issues). You should have no problem getting that ticket when you are there.

The train from Naples to Sorrento is purchased in Naples. It is a subway like train that is well....interesting to say the least. My fiance and I hated it but some people don't seem to mind it.

It was recommended to me that I look into a bus from Rome to Sorrento but I had already got the train ticket. If I was to do the trip again, I would do the bus.

Thanks for the advice. Dallas, now you got me wondering about the train. Im concerned about the commuter train from Naples to Sorrento. We are going to be there for 2 weeks and will probably have a few pieces of luggage with us. Id rather take something direct. I had no idea there was a direct bus from Rome to Sorrento. Is there a certain company I should look up? Where does this bus leave from???

Thanks again!

Betty, the Circumvesuviana train is a private local train system from Naples to Sorrento. The station is downstairs from the main Naples train station. The fare is about 3.5Euros. You won't find information about this train system on the Trenitalia website.

Question. Can you go online and purchase advance individual one-way tickets for the MTA? Although this is a train, it's much like the MTA. You show up, buy your tickets and get onto a crowded train and try to find a seat. Don't worry a bit. It's just like home.

My husband & I will each have 1 piece of luggage (around 26") and one carry on item. Seeing the train stops once in Naples and having to see if I can get on the commuter rail scares me a bit. These thief stories in Naples are creepy. Id rather get on a bus and not have to worry about taking off my luggage until the end.

Thanks for the link & the advice!

The circumvesuviana is perfectly safe just keep your bags in front of you and don't let anyone carry your bags if someone offers. The most I ever had to deal with was telling a begger no when she asked for change.

The buses are very nice and a good choice. Note, however, that their runs are very few. Some companies make 1 run a day from Naples to Sorrento. Also, the large buses from Naples to Sorrento don't seem to stop at the train station. They stop at either the airport and the nearby port area (molo Beverello). Even Steve's link above shows the bus stopping at the Napoli University. These bus runs may stop at the train station but I can't detect where they stop during their runs on their websites. Be cautious.

If you take the bus on a clear day and sit on the driver's side, you will get a good view of Monte Cassino Abbey. It was entirely rebuilt from the original plans after being destroyed in WWII. Its pretty awesome.

I've taken the train, but don't recall being able to see the Abbey from the train.

We traveled from Rome to Naples to Sorrento a year ago. I had purchased the online rail package off Ricks site. This got us tickets but we still needed to make reservations once we arrived. We have discussed whether we'd do it this way again. No. It is so easy to go up to the counter with a slip of paper on where we wanted to go, the dates, and time, and the agent then didn't have to try understand us. I believe they even got us the Naples to Sorrento ticket. That train is crowded and hot but I felt safe. Just put luggage near you. Bus there had odd hours. When we got to Rome we went back to the train station the next day to make reservations to Naples for three days later, and made all reservations to all points from the Rome station.

The other option is taking the ferry from Naples to Sorrento.

We took the ferry from Sorrento to Naples to avoid the train and it was a nice 30 min trip.

It was only 10 euro each plus a 15 euro cab ride to the train station (although 15 was too much we realized after).

Just buy your tickets as you go along ( I was worried too and once I bought the ticket on the machine I was a pro. HA HA... ). The Circumvesuviana line is like a light rail or commuter train ( more like a Boston metro train ) at the lower end of the of the Naples station. JUST KEEP YOUR EYES ON THAT DEPARTURE BOARD AT THE TERMINI STATION ( they can change at the last minute ) after you buy your ticket and make sure you get on the right train and track. Rick's book had a great sample of what the ticket looks like, study it! Have fun:-)

Thanks All! My husband and I haven't decided as of yet what we will do but your experiences & advice have been extremely helpful & will lead us to the right decision :)

There are two bus companies who travel between Rome and Sorrento ie Curreri and Marozzi. Both go from Tiburtina station in Rome to Sorrento railway station.

http://www.curreriviaggi.it/

http://www.marozzivt.it/web.aspx

Think of the train to Sorrento like an above ground subway. We took train from Rome buying tickets at the station/don't forget to validate the ticket before getting on train or can have a hefty fine/the validation machine is at the beginning of the track/just insert ticket/Naples train station is large but saw plenty of police and only were approached by people trying to sell us something/the train to Sorrento is downstairs/very easy to find/the first time there felt a little nervous because I had read too much and then realized it is no different from any other train station/FYI the bathroom is downstairs and they have an attendant/cost one euro and very clean and safe. travel to Positano get on side of bus opposite from driver for best view

My husband and I traveled overnight from Rome to Sorrento in 2009. While changing trains in Naples, my huband's wallet with all his credit cards, money, license, etc., were stolen. He took it out of secure pouch to pay for train tickets, and we were in such a rush to catch the next train, he forgot to put it back. Didn't notice it until we got to Sorrento. We are going to Italy again next April, and this time we will be taking the bus from Rome to Sorrento. Less hassle changing trains,etc.. Been there, done that, don't want to do it again!

I have enough trouble on Italian trains (regular regionale/eurostar) dragging around one carry-on sized suitcase and a backpack. Can't imagine dragging around a 26" and a carry-on each. That'll be a headache no matter what kind of train and how busy it is because the steps to get up are narrow and steep, as are the aisles. you might consider packing lighter.