Days in Rome vs. Amalfi Coast Area

Welcome to the forum!

Since it takes a good half day to get to Sorrento if you only stay 2 nights that is really only 1.5 days- not really worth the travel time IMO.
Can you head to Sorrento on arrival then put all Rome nights at end so you avoid a split stay/wasted night?

I would consider 4 nights in Rome the bare minimum. That is 3.5 days.

Sorrento should have 3 night minimum- which gives you 2.5 days- 1 could be a visit to Pompeii. 1 could be Capri OR Positano (which I would skip and just enjoy a ferry ride or driver along the coast)

Sorrento 3- better place to get over jet lag
Rome 4- you could see Pompeii on your way from Sorrento to Rome which frees up a Sorrento day- arriving in Rome early evening

Depart in AM from Rome- probably not really necessary to stay at an airport hotel. What time is your departure?

Since you arrive in Rome early in the day, I would go directly to Sorrento and then finish in Rome to simplify your departure and save a hotel change.

Thank you for the suggestions. I hadn't thought much about reversing the trip which is a good idea. Not sure if it would exhaust my crew by adding even more travel to get down to Sorrento after an 8 hour overnight flight and slogging through customs but definitely worth considering!

Our last 2 arrivals in Rome were amazingly quick and both were during COVID with extra requirements
I would not let that deter me. YMMV

Not sure if it would exhaust my crew by adding even more travel to get down to Sorrento after an 8 hour overnight flight and slogging through customs...

Since your flight gets into Rome in the early morning, I would definitely consider hiring a car service or shuttle to take you directly to Sorrento. You'll be half dead anyway, and your group can doze in the car for 3.5 hours as opposed to killing time with your luggage in Rome before you can get into your AirBnB.

You may have some time to kill in Sorrento, but you will be in a smaller, less chaotic place.

Very good point by Estimated Prophet

Most Airbnb/apts do not allow check in til later in the day and will not hold you luggage whereas almost all hotels will hold your luggage before check in time

Strongly suggest getting that clarified with your host and working out a solution

hey hey michael
i agree with a few people here. head straight to sorrento from rome, spend last days in rome before flight home. so many people that arrive early morning need to be aware of checkin time to hotels/airbnb/condo/apts is 3-4pm unless you get approval from host/hostess or rent an extra night before or after if late night departure. ask for luggage hold or you will be lugging/pulling luggage over cobblestones/uneven pavement. your first day is later checkin, jet lag(it's real) dinner. last day is check out 10-11am, shower, pack, breakfast and ride to airport which leaves you with 5 nights.
same thing with airbnb/apts, if there is someone there before you, they need to check out and place needs cleaning and no luggage hold. been there done that and it is not fun just sitting around waiting
your trip is so short i would hold back on sorrento for another time. train there about 3 hours+, check in after 3-4pm, next day an adventure to see what can in short time, can't see capri, positano and pompeii all in same day. you are cramming too much in your short time, which amounts to some grumpy and upset people
next morning all 6 getting ready packing, breakfast, shower and out by 10-11am
spend your time in rome, do a day trip or two nearby city. you are traveling during busy time of easter, spring break, it will be very busy and crowded. have a sit down and talk to "jesus" meeting about what really can be done. good luck
aloha

Thanks everyone for ideas and suggestions. Need to check with my crew to see if going straight to Sorrento is going to be an option for everyone's energy level. Other option is doing 3 nights in Rome on the front end (we have an early check in at an AirBnB and add an extra day, 3 nights in Sorrento. We really want to see Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast so I think we can make it all work.

Michael, if putting Sorrento on the back end and flying home from Fiumicino, just make sure you're back in Rome the night before. Sorrento is a little too far away from the airport on the day of an international flight, or would be for me, anyway.

Hi Michael. (FYI April 7th - April 9th is Easter weekend & the following week will be busy everywhere. April 25th is Liberation Day, Tuesday, so likely a long weekend for many.)

• The answer about Rome is stay as long as you can! Lots to see & do, but also leave some time for a 'passeigatta', or leisurely stroll. A night tour in the historic center, a food tour on the first day & to get some ideas about where to eat later, a REST day in middle of your trip.
• How to get around the Amalfi coast? Sorrento is a cute little town, though not the Amalfi Coast. Driving to Positano & the town of Amalfi is along a very windy road. (think Big Sur CA), ferries are not yet running down the coast. One of the prettiest towns is Ravello, especially Villa Cimbrone has amazing views out over the coast. https://www.ravello.com/attractions/villa-cimbrone/
• Not recommending to add Capri.
• Getting to Pompeii, it requires lots of walking, consider hiring a private guide. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/day-tours/guided-day-trips-from-sorrento.
• You can do a search on main forum page for ideas on the ruins, guides, & transport. Good luck!

Both places are great, but Rome deserves more than 4 nights. My preference would be Rome, my favorite city outside the USA.

Also, Sorrento, Capri, the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii deserve more than 2 nights. I suggest picking one place, of course if you pick Sorrento, you will likely have to fly into Rome.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the ideas and suggestions. Very helpful. We have settled on 4 days/3nights in Rome and 3 days and 3 nights in Sorrento/Amalfi Coast area. Heading back to FCO and staying on the airport the night before our plan leaves. We arrive 1 week after Easter so hoping not too crowded and some warm spring weather. Looking forward to it!

What time is your flight home? If it’s not early morning, you may want to spend your last night in Rome. Much more fun and many more hotel and dining options.

You can take a fast train to Naples and then you can get a private car to take you to Sorento
That is what we did a few years ago.