Itinerary assistance Naples, Amalfi coast

The only thought i had was that there is luggage storage at the Pompeii Scavi train station. So you could spend that night in Naples instead of going back to Sorrento.

I would stay in Salerno rather than Paestum- and I'd stay 2 nights then move along the AC around to Sorrrento via ferry.
Skip the Blue Grotto- major time suck and tourist trap.

The ruins at Paestum are a considerable distance from the town. Google tells me the Pam supermarket is a 31-minute walk from the archeological park. It felt longer last week, and I wasn't dealing with summer heat. Check the location of any Paestum lodgings very, very carefully with respect to the train station and the ruins. Also verify existence of convenient food sources. Several of the local restaurants were closed on the day of my visit. I couldn't tell whether those were off-season closures or permanent closures.

Note that at least in early March, the museum at Paestum closes at 4 PM. If I'd realized that, I'd have planned to see it first (though it's outside the perimeter of fhe archeological park, which could have been a challenge).

I am doubtful about getting to both the archaeological museum (which is quite large) and Caserta (which I think is monstrous) in a single day when you're starting from outside Naples. However, you should do the math on the Campania Arte Card, which I think will save you a good bit of money even if you don't make it to Caserta. The 7-day pass costs 34 euros and covers admission to your choice of five sights from the list of participants (which includes Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum, Oplontis, Stabiae, the Archaeological Museum in Naples, Caserta and quite a few other options). There's also a 365-day pass for just 43 euros. On the 365-day pass you're allowed two visits to Pomperii, Herculaneum and the Archaeological Museum.

Trying to buy the pass in person is not a good idea. No one seems to sell it. Download the app and buy the pass there. Record the "Serial Code" in a safe place as soon as you see it. The app usually worked for me, displaying my smart code on demand, except for several hours one day when it refused to do so, despite my restarting the phone. Since I had written down my code (a 9-digit number), I had no trouble getting entry to places I wanted to visit. The app refused to allow a screen capture of the smart code, so having that number written down was very important.

Several years ago I visited Paestum and stayed at a local hotel. It was not far from the Park and the museum was just outside the Park. I had dinner at the hotel so I can not comment on restaurants.

I would not do Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day. Choose one or the other. The Campania Express only runs four times a day, so plan your travel carefully if you plan on taking it. It's much better than the sketchy Circumvesuviana, but its schedule might not fit you travel plans. Rather than going back and forth between Pompeii and Sorrento on that day, you might consider spending the night at a hotel in Pompeii, then on to Naples in the morning.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to provide thoughtful ideas on my trip. This has been very helpful!

It seems you have your heart set on Paestum, but I can’t help thinking this itinerary gets a lot simpler and more comfortable if you were to cut it out and just base in Sorrento for the first four nights. You’re really going out of your way for a site where you’ll spend an hour or so at most.

I feel like Salerno is a more appealing alternative to staying in Paestum. 1-2 nights there would be good, your “explore Amalfi Coast” day can kick off from there just as easily as Sorrento. Splitting you nights equally between Salerno and Naples is also a viable strategy. Basically everything in your itinerary is a day trip from somewhere, and while it can be a little easier from one starting point or another, it’s not prohibitive.

Also, I’m sure you’re aware but accommodations in high season are going to be at a premium. You’re going to want to sort it out as soon as possible. Accommodation availability might shape some of your itinerary planning.

Keep in mind that Pompeii is right at the Circumvesuviana stop (and has luggage storage), but Herculaneum is a 15 minute downhill walk from the Circumvesuviana. Only Pompeii has food inside the site. Heat and sun are BIG issues for this day.

Casserta is not a part of Naples. Regular train ride.