Best way to get from Cinque Terre to Sorrento

Sheron,

My preference would definitely be travel by train on that route. Travel by air will probably take about the same time, or perhaps longer when all factors are considered. Travel by air will also be more of a "hassle" with check-in, security, waiting and the usual routine, something I try to avoid if possible. Also, Alitalia doesn't have the "best" reputation. Once you reach Naples, you'll still have to get to Napoli Centrale, which will take both time and money.

Using an arbitrary date and La Spezia as the departure point, the Trenitalia website indicates a typical travel time of 6H:04M to Napoli, with one change in Rome. The layover is 1H:10M, so time to grab a quick lunch and lots of time to "schlep" luggage. Second class fare was listed at €89.50.

Happy travels!

I agree with Ken.

Plus what you are not considering is the extra time beyond the flight, and cost. You'll have to get from CT to Genoa, then to the airport. then you'll have to get to the Naples airport, then to town, then to the other train to sorrento. As Ken said, factor in the security and the hassle of dealing with airports and I bet anything it'll take you just as long.

Personally, and maybe it is just me, but I really enjoy going by train in Italy. it's almost just part of the fun on the trip. It's easy, comfortable, relatively stress-free, you get to see the countryside a lot of the time, and you get to interact with locals.

Sheron,

There's really not that many train changes on the route you're taking:

• once in La Spezia

• once at Roma Termini

• once at Napoli Centrale to transfer to the Circumvesuviana

La Spezia would be a better departure point when leaving the C.T., as you're heading south.

I also travel with photographic kit and electronics, so can appreciate your desire to minimize changes, but this should be a fairly easy trip by rail.

I too would suggest the train but if you do decide to fly, there is a transfer bus service from Naples airport to Sorrento.

Thanks for your recommendations. I will take your advice. I was just hoping to avoid all the train changes. We will have to take a train from the CT to either Genoa or La Spezia, change trains there & then a minimum of 1-3 more times before reaching Naples. Then, we will need to change trains again to the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento. Since the cost of the train is somewhere near 98 euros (about $130), I just thought that for $148 flying might be the better choice but I understand where you're all coming from. It really is a hassle to fly these days & with the train, we can enjoy the scenery. Thanks again for your input. In the back of my head, I knew that the train would probably be best but I needed to hear it from you all.

Dear Sheron,

Listen to your inner voice on this point as well--pack lighter and the luggage concerns will be lessened. Have a great trip!

Bob, every time I travel I say that I will pack lighter but unfortunately we travel with a lot of photographic & electronic equipment so we have to pack a lot of chargers, batteries & equipment. It makes it tough to pack lighter...but I promise to try! Thanks for the advice.

Last year we took the train from Manarola to Sorrento.
I also considered flying to Naples, but decided not to.
so we took the earliest train out of Manarola(550am)changed in La Spezia, then changed in Rome, we met a lovely older man and his daughter and talked all the way to Naples. we put our luggage a the luggage deposit, and walk in Naples and ate pizza, then we took the circumvesuviana, we got to Sorrento late afternoon.
take some food, books, and relax and enjoy, is is not that
bad!