From sorrento to matera

What about it seems difficult?

From Naples is easier
Fast train to Salerno then bus to Matera
Only that 1 change

Are you searching on official Trenitalia site?
https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html

Daytrip.com quotes $649 for the drive-about 3 hours for up to 3 passengers

It seem strange to go from Sorrento to Naples and from Naples to Salerno? Salerno is closer to Sorrento than Naples and Naples it’s in the opposite direction. Can you help me understand?

There is no direct train from Sorrento to Salerno
There is only the local Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento to Naples where you would change to fast or regional to Salerno

Transportation in that area is just limited and chaotic

I suppose you could take a SITA bus from Sorrento to Salerno but that would probably take longer than train to Naples

Or get a driver just from Sorrento to Salerno for a couple hundred euro

Or you could take a ferry from Sorrento all the way around to Salerno then catch the bus-it might take longer but probably the easist and most pleasant
However ferries can be cancelled so there is always a risk

I think another option would be Circumvesuviana from Sorrento to Pompei TOWN then change to Trenitalia line to Salerno
Not sure how close those stations are or if that is a better option—probably not

Oh I thought there was a direct train from Sorrento to Salerno. Good to know there actually isn’t one! And I would like to clarify, I am not looking for a day trip to matera. I’m stayin in matera for a couple days. I can get a mini van private transfer from Sorrento to Matera for around $600 so if there happen to be 2 or 3 other couples going from Sorrento to Matera on that day we could split the cost! I realize it’s definitely a small possibility.

Daytrip.com is not just “day trips”
They can get you there or anywhere
They do offer vans, etc but their rates look to be higher than the quote you gave

Good luck and it is smart to have all your transportation in the area sorted out ahead of time

The journey from Sorrento to Matera takes 4-5 hours atleast. The least expensive option is the Circumvesuviana train to Naples and then a bus (around €20-30). Both are located at or near the Naples Centrale station.

A private driver from Sorrento to Matera cost 480 euro last month.

easiest is probably to combine a transfer with a bus.

Itabus has a bus form Salerno to Matera. Have your hotel in Sorrento organise a transfer to Salerno.

Last October, we took Flixbus from Sorrento to Bari with a transfer in Naples, and then the bus to Bari. I hope you are planning to spend at least on night in Matera as its beautiful at night.