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From Bari to Sorrento

Greetings from Vermont!

I’m looking for your advice. We will be staying in the Puglia region for a full week in April, where we’ll be renting a car from Bari Airport for that period. Afterward, we will travel to Sorrento for another week (and after Sorrento, we’ll fly to Sicily to join the Best of Sicily tour by Rick Steves).

I’m seeking your recommendation on the best transportation method from Bari to Sorrento. I’ve done some research and read various travel blogs—some people prefer the train, while others recommend the direct bus. However, we’d prefer not to take the 7 AM direct train from Bari to Naples because the day before, we’ll be in Monopoli and need to return the rental car to Bari Airport.

We’re still debating what would be the most convenient option:

A direct bus to Naples
Changing trains along the way
Flying to Naples (though this requires a layover in Rome, so it may not be ideal)
Alternatively, should we keep the rental car and return it in Sorrento? We don’t plan to use a car while in Amalfi—just public transportation. My main concern is that driving from Puglia to Sorrento might involve steep and dangerous roads, which my husband isn’t comfortable with.

If we decide on a bus or train, it would obviously be to Naples. What transportation would you recommend from Naples to Sorrento? I’ve read mixed reviews about both the local and faster trains.

Additionally, we’ll be carrying a few sensitive laptops since we’ll be working while in Italy, and we want to avoid any unnecessary hassle. We’ll also have two large suitcases, as we’ll have spent the previous month in Rome.

I’ve even considered a shuttle or private transfer from Naples to Sorrento. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Posted by
5367 posts

I would drive, by far the easiest. See if you can drop the car at Naples airport--will be a minimal fee, if any.
You can verify using the Viamichelin website, but I don't think there would be any stressful roads to contend with.
If Matera is in your plans, you might rework the plan to stop there en route to make the drive even easier.

ETA: I suggest Salerno as a drop-off point also, which would work for heading to the Amalfi Coast (easy transfer to ferry) but I see you are going to Sorrento, so I would recommend NAP airport, then book a transfer from there (or take bus).

I think it's all main roads to Sorrento, but not 100% on that, plus it is probably preferable to do a multi-city drop off at an airport versus at one of the offices in Sorrento (plus hassle of driving in traffic).

Posted by
167 posts

I agree, drive to Sorrento and return the car there if you can, or drop all your luggage at the hotel and return it somewhere between there and Naples Airport (worst case) if there’s no rental office in Sorrento and take a train back to Sorrento.

I’m not sure where in Puglia you’d be leaving from but the Google Maps route from Bari to Sorrento looks pretty good - it takes major roads across Puglia and Campania, cuts down east of Vesuvius through Pompei and then takes the main route around to Sorrento. I doubt it would be different than the other roads you’ll drive around Puglia. We just drove from Pompei to Sorrento last week; there are tunnels under the mountains that make things easier but even the other roads aren’t bad, ie, nowhere near like climbing a pass over the Green Mountains!

Good luck with the trip!

Posted by
20 posts

Thank you for the great tips! Keeping the car probably makes more sense. We will be staying in Monopoli. The only trouble is that our travel day to Sorrento will be on Sunday, and most rental car agencies are closed on Sundays or have limited hours.

Posted by
20 posts

I know this is a different topic, but can I pick your brain about Holy Week? We will be in Sorrento from April 13th to April 20th and are planning to do day trips every day. Do you suggest that we book everything online in advance—like entry tickets to Pompeii, dinner reservations? (April 19th is my birthday, so I’m planning to do something special!) Thank you so much for your input!

Posted by
5367 posts

dinner reservations, yes.
Pompeii--not sure, but if you have a set day you wish to go, no reason to not check the website and plan ahead. We just walked up, but it was May several years back.

Posted by
167 posts

The challenge with buying Pompei tickets in advance is you have to pick a time. You probably can’t get in earlier; I don’t know if you can get in later. Our family is very schedule-averse, and all the times had tickets available the night before, so we just walked up but that was January when everything is empty. If you don’t mind having to be there at a specific time then go ahead and buy the tickets beforehand. Good luck!