Is it doable to take the scenic Amafi bus tour then back to Rome . ..

NO !

My plan was to leave Rome early in the morning after the RS tour on the high speed train from the Termini Station, then head to Naples to catch the Circumvesuviana to Pompeii. Then, after touring Pompeii, I was thinking to take the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento, tour Sorento a bit, spend the night in Sorrento, get up early to take the Amafi coast tour, then later take the train back to Rome. If this does not work can you suggest an itinerary that can work? After the RS tour, I only want to spend up to two extra days in Italy (due to needing to budget) before going to the airport to head for home in the U.S. (I think FCO -- haven't purchased my tickets as yet, so I do not know the flight schedule). Also: How long is the Amafi Coast tour? How much time should I alot to tour Pompeii Scavi? I do not want my son's and my trip to be stressful, just memorable. Any suggestions will be much appreciated. Thanks, Ruth

That is a different schedule than you proposed in your original question. That is doable. In fact, there is limited bus service between Sorrento and Rome that might work better. However, unless you had a late departure from Rome you cannot stay in Sorrento and make it to the airport the next day for a midday departure.

Ruth,
If you haven't get your ticket, consider fly back to US from Naples (NAP) that might save you some time.

Frank, thank you for your wonderful comments and insights.
Ruth

Rick, Thanks very much. Do you know if I can catch an international flight from Naples? If not, is there a "large" plane that I can take from Naples to say, Franfurt. I do not want to fly in a smaller plane, as the idea terrifies me.
Ruth

Ruth, From Naples to Seattle, you have to change airplane somewhere in Europe. Frankfort or Paris, it will be a 737 or plane of that size. Go to Kayak.com and check it out (NAP) I do not recall any big Amalfi Coast Bus Tours last year when I was in Sorrento. Do you mean public bus run between Sorrento and Amalfi?
For the Pompeii Scavi, I think three to four hours will be enough.

Hi Rick -- I guess the regular bus between Sorrento and Amafi, if it's the one that is beautiful with the awesome winding road that Rick Steves talks about. Do you know how long it takes round trip? Ruth

Ruth, There are two bus companies run bus from Sorrento To Rome. The first one is Curreri WWW,curreriviaggi.it. They have only one bus to Rome per day, It is 6:30 in the morning. The other one I can't recall the name of the company. I hope some one will give you the name. I will try to find out. It will take 3:30 to Rome. It is good because you do not have to change train that many time.
As for Il Nido Hotel. It is a nice hotel with great view and cooking class. It is up the hill outside the town center of Sorrento. It will take 20 minutes or so taxi to get there. I suggest you stay close to the city after a long day.

Ruth,
I find the second bus co. It is Marozzi bus co. There site is www.marozzivt.it. Look like a big co but they do not have English version in their site.

Hi Rick, Again, thanks very much. You are very nice to give me so much information. Do you mean the Marcozzi bus line leaves Sorrento for Rome at 3:30 in the afternoon? That sounds like a great deal. What I like about Il Nido is that there is a free shuttle and the SITA bus stops there so we can take a tour around the Amalfi Coast. At this point I am thinking to spend one day traveling by high speed train (Eurostar) to Pompeii and take a tour for a few hours. Then, take the train to Sorrento, check it a bit and spend the night (or, wait until morning to check it). Then, take the SITA bus tour to the Amalfi Coast. I was thinking one more night (2nd night) in Sorrento at Il Nido, then taking the bus to Rome to spend yet one last night, taking a taxi to the airport. I just wish I could eliminate one night's stay somehow or maybe eliminate maybe the Amalfi Coast tour. Is it a MUST see? Already I am spending one extra day in Venice so. . . it will total 4 extra days . . . hmmmmm not in my budget, actually.
Ruth

Ruth - The SITA bus that runs from Sorrento to Amalfi is indeed very scenic. It makes local stops along the way - locals use it to commute - and the total trip would be about 2 hours. I did this a few weeks ago and Sorrento to Positano was about 45 mins., and Positano to Amalfi was about 1 hour. These are off-season times. Maybe it's already been said, but 90% of your questions are covered in detail in RS Italy Guidebook.

You are falling into the first time tourist trap. Too much to see, too little time. You want - "I do not want my son's and my trip to be stressful, just memorable." In all of our trips, the most stressful parts are generally related to transportation and orientation to new areas. To make it memorable for us, it generally means going slow and slower. If you want the Amafi coast/Sorrento portion memorable, add another day. You can see Pompeii in two hours just like you can see a cathedral in 15 minutes or 3 hours. To make Pompeii memorable we hired a personal guide for a couple of hours, then followed the RS walking guide for the areas that the guide didn't cover and finally a little exploring on our own and we had spent about five hours. Throw in a bathroom stops, a snack and we spent most of the day there. Sure, you can do it quicker - after the personal guide and the highlights, we could have left. That is the same for just about everything you can see or do. You make trade-offs. You could spent you overnight and most of two days in Sorrento returning to Rome late PM/early evening. Stay in a hotel near Termini. Have a relaxing last night in Rome with dinner and a stroll. Next morning catch the train or a shared shuttle to the airport for a leisurely departure the next day. You have to be realistic about what you can do in a day. When on an organized tour, the most stressful parts - transportation and checking in and out of hotels - is handled for you Departing from Naples (open jaws) is another option but mostly likely will be an early departure to connect to another European airport for your return home. It will be a small to medium size jet.

Ruth, If you are going to RS tour, they will send you the Italy Guidebook free. To help you plan for the your Pompeii and Amalfi Coast trip. Here is some of the info I think you will need. From Rome Termini Train Station, you will take the train to Naples Centrale Train Station. The ES train will take about 1 hour and twenty minute. The Intercity train will take about 1 hour fifty minutes and the Reginale R train will take 3 hours. From Naples Train Station, you go down stair to take the Circumvesuviana train (local commuter) to Pompeii Scavi, about 30 munites. The Circum train have three lines, you should take the one going to Sorrento. From Pompeii Scavi, to Sorrento will take about 30 minutes. For the SITA bus. Buy the ticket form the general store inside the train station in Sorrento. The bus stop is outside the train station. From Sorrento to Positano is about 50 minutes. From Positano to Amalfi is about one hour. From Amalfi to Ravello is about 20 minutes. ( It is beautiful up there, I miss it last year) Also, from Sorrento train station to Naples airport will take 1 hour and 15 minutes by bus. ( 10E ) If you flight is early in the morning. You have to take a taxi, that will cost you aroun 125E or more. There are some private persons you can arrange to pick you up and will cost around 80E. Keep in mind that it will cost you over 100E for two to take the train back to Rome and also from Rome train station to airport.
Capri Island, fifty minutes ferry from Sorrento is another beautiful place you should go. I suggest you to stay one more night for it. I took a RS tour a few year ago. It was the best!

Hi Rick, Thanks for your wonderful reply. Do you know if I can catch a bus from Sorrento to Rome? I was thinking to spend on night in Sorrento and then my final night in Rome. Someone recommended that I stay at Il Nido Hotel. Are you familiar with it? Thanks a bunch,
Ruth

Thank you so very much, Frank! You are always so helpful. I appreciate all the info!
Ruth

Thank you very much, Dale!
Ruth

Ruth, The name of the bus line is kind of confusing. It is Marozzi bus line. As I recall. They have a bus form Sorrento to Rome Tiburtina Station around 3 or 3:30 in the afternoon. The Tiburtina Station is located three to four subway stops north of Rome Termini train station.
Amalfi Coast and CT are the most beautiful places of Italy. It was the highlight of my trip last year. You should not miss.

Hi Rick, What is CT? Also, do you know how long the bus ride from Sorento to Rome is? As always, thanks for everything :)
Ruth

Ruth, personally I think Pompeii is more of a half-day than two hours, but it depends on how quickly you move through it, and how much you want to see. CT is the abbreviation used on this board for Cinque Terre, an area of five villages on the western coast of Italy. Closest large town is La Spezia.

Ruth Rick has provided great answers to your questions. The bus trip from Sorrento near the train station only costs 17 euro pp and takes 3.5 to 4 hours. As Rick says, the fast train to Rome from Naples with airport connection costs at least 100 euro. And that is buying the cheap tickets 60 (or is it 90?) days in advance. I would still check departure from Naples Airport. Price is usually about the same as Rome. You can call the airlines or do some research to find out the size of the planes. Saves you a 6 hours or more of travel, requires no backtracking, and more time sightseeing! Buon Viaggio! Bobbie