I am taking my 80 year old mother and my 16 year old daughter to Sorrento then to Rome this month. It is our first trip to Europe. We fly into and out of Naples. How much time should I allow to get to the train after our plane has landed? Also, how much time should I allow once we arrive back at Naples for our departure? Also, are there stairs at all the train stations in Naples, Sorrento & Rome? My mother can only climb a few stairs. Thank you in advance.
Update: Thank you for all your info & ideas! I booked the Trenetalia from Sorrento to Rome. I just need to book the first leg and last leg of the trip to and from Naples. Does anyone recommend a ferry ride from Naples to Sorrento or does that take longer? I am concerned about the drive even with a driver due to the high cliffs I've heard about. Thanks again!
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12705 posts
Also, how much time should I allow once we arrive back at Naples for our departure?
You need to sleep in Naples the night before your flight out.
Is there a customs area when we arrive or just when we leave?
Presumably you mean passport control (Immigration). Depending on where the flights into and out of Naples come from - go to, will dictate where you need to do passport control.
How much time should I allow to get to the train after our plane has landed?
.
If you mean from Naples to Sorrento, its a commuter train. No reservations. Just buy ticket at the station and validate it before getting on the train.
Posted by
Wengen
3269 posts
I you are flying in the Naples I would just take a shuttle from the airport to Sorrento.
https://www.curreriviaggi.it/ is company I found after just two clicks on the Naples Airport website...
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2677 posts
Can your mom get off and on buses easily?? I have read on this site of people using a transfer company from Naples to Sorrento. I think it was about $90.00. Might be a good option. You can search this site and hopefully find the answer. I seem to remember an elevator to go downstairs to the commuter train. I thought there is a ramp in Sorrento. someone who has just been there should be able to help.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
5222 posts
It's a local train that runs from Napoli Centrale to Sorrento that runs roughly every half hour and you don't need to book tickets in advance. The station is about a 20 minute bus ride from the airport. The station does have an escalator to get you to the lower level where the Circumvesuviana train departs, but there are stairs to get to the tracks. I don't recall if there is an elevator. There is a bus that goes from the airport to Sorrento that may be a better idea.
Sorrento has an elevator that takes you out of the station to ground level, however depending on which track you arrive on there are stairs to get to the ramp that takes you underneath the tracks to the station. I think you may be able to find a YouTube video showing it.
My memory on Rome Termini station is fuzzy but i think there are 6 or so steps down to every track from the hallway that runs the length of the track entry area.
Posted by
Pacific Northwest
2814 posts
I’ve used Aldo Limos quite a few times in that area. They’re a great company with excellent customer service. https://www.aldolimos.com/
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8246 posts
Also, how much time should I allow once we arrive back at Naples for
our departure?
As mentioned above- you will need to be IN Naples the night before your departure flight. If you are planning to come by train from Rome to Naples day of flight- that's a risk I would not take.
Can you change your departure flight to Rome?
The bus from NAP to Sorrento is probably your best bet but all buses usually have a few steps.
If your mother can't do any stairs at all- please make sure your hotel has an elevator (some will also have a few stairs to get to that elevator) .
A lot of the bathrooms in cafes, etc in Italy are in the basement which involves going down a very steep narrow staircase.
You might consider private transfers for all of your needs- we have used and been happy with this company:
https://www.topexcursionsorrento.com
Trenitalia does offer assistance for disabled/elderly passengers -you need to arrange in advance
https://www.rfi.it/en/for-persons-with-disability/information-about-the-assistance-of-the-sala-blu-in-one-click.html
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8411 posts
Your question about customs suggests that this might be your first trip to Europe? I ask because this area of Italy is not as well-organized or by-the-book as are other parts of Europe. For example, you need to use the Search box top left to investigate the Circumvesuviana (a commuter rail agency, not part of the main Trenitalia long-distance rail company) train to Sorrento. (It is correct that the two stations in Naples are one on top of the other - but a long level hallway walk to the Circumvesuviana. I THINK there is an escalator down to the platforms from the Circumvesuviana ticket window. (There are reports on this newsboard of Tap and Go hardware being installed, but I wouldn't count on it.)
It is so hot and crowded, worse than NY or Chicago subways, for example, that it may be unsuitable for your mother - especially with luggage in hand. And especially in August, the biggest vacation month in all of Europe. You would take a fixed-fare taxi ride from the airport to the central train station in Naples, not far, despite often bad traffic.
Because we were annoyed to pay 15 Euros for a very short taxi ride to our hotel in Sorrento, you might wish to look at Google Maps to see how far it is to your hotel. I'm saying the taxi makes a (door to door) black-car service from Naples airport look less expensive! I always start with my hotel when seeking a car service - they have a big incentive to satisfy the hotel ...
Sorrento is rather flat, except for the marina/ferry terminal, but it is large. Is your hotel up on the hillside, or right downtown? There is a bus to the marina, and a 2 Euro (?) elevator also.