Logistics to travel from Rome to Naples/Amalfi/Pompeii and back to Rome

Sounds like you have a good idea. I wouldn't go out of my way to go through Salerno unless there is something there for you. Do Naples and then move on to Sorrento for a quiet home base and easy access to the day trips you want to do. If your budget allows, a car and driver is a great way to see the AC and Pompeii (I did both in a single day). I have never made it to Capri but it is a short ferry from Sorrento and I can't wait to do that in July.

I think it might help to look at a map more than the book description (if that sounds flippant, it’s not, I am being literal and sharing what I do myself). If you were staying in the Amalfi Coast, as opposed to Sorrento, then it would make sense to return from Salerno. You’ve got a good plan, and I see no need to split the stay.

If your trip is in March, I dont think you will be able to take the ferry to Amalfi, since regular schedules dont start til April. You'll have to check for your dates.

That makes sense, you've got a good plan. But I would leave Rome as early as possible, so you have enough time in Naples. Here's a rather detailed TR from our December trip to Pompeii; it was 75% ruins, 25% MANN museum in Naples, without the Amalfi Coast, as I had been to the area a few times. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/great-trip-to-pompeii-naples-over-new-years-december-26-january-2nd-2026

I went to Pompeii many years ago with only a guide book. Personally, I would take a 9:30AM group tour of Pompeii, (we used Askos & our archeologist was amazing). Valadelphia's idea to use a driver to see the AC & Pompeii in a day is also a possibility, if you just wanted to dip your toe in, we did that years ago. If you have the time to watch a documentary, The New Dig on PBS is fascinating and will give you a great overview of the Pompeii ruins. You can actually walk on an overhead walkway over the dig, it's in my TR. Have a great trip!!

If you aren't going to go to Capri, I don't see that Sorrento is all that much more convenient than Salerno. Salerno is quite close to Amalfi, and the mainline trains between Naples and Salerno stop at the town of Pompeii; the trip from Salerno takes 42 minutes, with trains running twice per hour. That is not the train station that's close to the excavations, but there should be taxis available, and possibly buses. Google says it's a 25-minute walk. The Circumvesuviana trip from Sorrento to Pompeii Scavi takes 40 minutes and is also scheduled to operate roughly twice per hour; there is some variation there.

Things might be different in March, but at busier times hotels in Salerno are a lot less expensive than hotels in Sorrento.

@Julie, who did you use for your day trip? There are so many companies, and so many different prices. I have to keep expenses reasonable, but guided tours are so helpful and save time I think.

@ Sandancisco, thanks for the tip about Askos. I hadn't heard of them as a tour provider. I was looking up the ones recommended in the RS book, and the one he likes a lot, Mondo, is way more $$$ than he lists!

Someone else said they used Pompeii as their base instead of Sorrento. I am wondering if that's a good idea. Also, I think I don't really have the time to see Capri as it sounds like the real joy is staying there overnight. Same for Ischia it seems. While I'd love to just see them for a day trip, I'm wondering if the expense and time is worth it when there's so much to see and explore on the AC.

I was looking up the ones recommended in the RS book, and the one he
likes a lot, Mondo, is way more $$$ than he lists!

Hiya blueskies0305 -
Just a caution to be looking at the Mondo SHARED tours versus those for private groups of 2 or more or shore excursions. For instance? Here is a Mondo Tour private driver from/to Sorrento + 2-hour tour: 400.00 € for 4 hours of driver + 130.00€ for the 2-hour tour, for 1-2 people, not including entrance fee (random date). Yep, that's an ouch and I'm darn sure that's not what that Steves guy is referencing in his book.

https://mondoguide.it/city-tours-from-sorrento/pompeii

Here are the Mondo SHARED small-group tours; endorsed by Rick Steves, and what I'm sure he's talking about in the book:
https://www.sharedtours.com
The 2-hour Pompeii tour costs only €20 +€22 Pompeii admission PP. Group size can range from 6-16. You are responsible to get to the meeting place on your own but that shouldn't be difficult at all, and you're also free to stay and explore more of the excavations (they're VAST!) on your own after the tour wraps up. Trains from Sorrento (or Naples or Salerno) to the or nearest stations to the scavi are very inexpensive.

@acraven, do you think I should take a train from Rome to Naples one way, and then from Salerno to Rome the other way? I don't think I have time for Capri (or Ischia) with only 3-4 nights. We would leave Rome on Thurs morning, and have to return to Rome by Mon at noon. Initially, I was planning to return to Rome on Sunday evening, but if one more night in this area would help with planning, then I have that flexibility at this point.

Someone mentioned ferries aren't running in March, but I checked some schedules for various routes down there, and see that ferries are operating. Perhaps not as often as April onward, but they are running.

@Kate, THANK YOU!!! I was definitely not on the right site!! I think I've lost my travel planning IQ after a rough health battle!

and have to return to Rome by Mon at noon. Initially, I was planning
to return to Rome on Sunday evening,

Returning from Salerno only makes sense if you are staying in Salerno or somewhere along the AC.
Are you returning to Rome to catch a flight on Monday? If so I would be there on Sunday night. Too risky to plan travel day of.

@ChristineH, I'm returning to Rome to sightsee for a few days and then travel onward to Florence and CT.

Ok good to know!

I think I understand why Rick suggests Sorrento as the base now. I just hope 2 more people sign up for the Mondo sharedtours.com trips I'm signing up for. Should I still plan to stay one night in Naples so I can enjoy the museum and RS walk-- either the day I arrive from Rome or the day before I return to Rome? Or do that with luggage storage instead?

You're welcome, Blueskies! You weren't on the WRONG site, just the wrong SECTION of it. Had a hunch that was the problem. . :O)
Sure hope you're feeling rosier these days!

@Kate, thank you! I see more of the Mondo tours listed on Tripadvisor, and they appear to actually be "bookable" instead of waiting to see if there are enough people on their sharedtours.com site. I see all the same rave reviews and mentions of Rick Steves. For example, I see a Capri tour leaving from Naples which is cheaper than the tour leaving from Sorrento (and the tour wasn't listed on sharedtours). Perhaps I could stay overnight in Naples or just base ourselves from there the whole time.

I think it would help to think about what kind of environment you want to wake up in and end your day in, consider time of year (weather) too. You have big city (Naples), resort town (Sorrento), small city (Salerno), and tiny village (all of Amalfi Coast). Any would be a fine choice, but all have trade offs. I would not stay in Pompei, because I want either beauty or excitement in a base, and it gave me neither (thought the site of Pompeii is definitely a top ten experience!).

@valadelphia, That helps! I would prefer either a big city or resort town, but probably prefer a big city for the food and liveliness. So that helps narrow down the choices!

We were based in Rome and did a day trip to Pompeii. I booked through Askos Tours which included the train ticket. Taking the train saves about an hour of travel time each way, so I recommend it over doing a tour that includes a bus/van. We got to Naples and met at the hotel directly across from the train station. We first went to Pompeii and then the second place (I'm having a total brain freeze on the name). It was about 2.5 to 3 hours at each site which was plenty to me. We then got dropped off at the train station and took the train back.
For lunch, I was first sort of annoyed that they were dropping us off at a US-type indoor mall, but as it turned out, there were loads of restaurants and shops, so it was fun to check out.
We were so exhausted when we got back to the hotel in Rome. Glad we did it but it was a long day. Naples itself is very gritty, and the tour group members staying there were not thrilled with the city.