I will be spending 4 nights in sorrento and I'm wondering what is the best way to tour pompeii from there with a guide? I also want to see capri and wonder if it is easy to do on my own or should I hire a tour. Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15863 posts
Hi -
Capri is very easy to do on one's own: the island is small so there's only so many places to go. There are little buses which run from the marina to Capri town, and Capri town to Anacapri but otherwise you really have to walk everywhere. The hike up to the ruins of Villa Jovis is a bit of a puff but well worth the effort. Do some reading on things to do and see before you go.
We did Pompeii on our own as well (very easy by train from Sorrento). Audioguides are available at the site, or you may hire a guide recommended by RS folks who've used them: "Walks of Italy" always comes highly recommended. The "Best of Pompeii" tour starts at the scavi itself.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Pompeii is just a half hour train ride from Sorrento. I would simply take the train to the site and if you want a guide, hire one there. There will be dozens milling about looking for customers. Be sure to talk to them because they all have different personalities. I wouldn't hire anyone from Sorrento to take you there or a private company either, as it would be a waste of money, in my opinion, as the guides on site are all very good. The train is simply too easy to do on your own.
donna
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15863 posts
O yes. To Donna's excellent point, train tickets from Sorrento are really cheap (don't forget to validate them before boarding!!!!) so no, I wouldn't hire any sort of tour from Sorrento. As she said, tourists who want a tour have done just fine handpicking from the guides at the scavi so save the euros.
Get off at Pompei Villa dei Misteri station: it's right across from the entrance. Here's the schedule for the Circumvesuviana train you need to take:
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
Rather than relying on "pot luck" by choosing from those at the gate, I have found it to be so much better to schedule w a qualified guide. I had a great experience w Context Travel, but they are pricey. If they are too expensive, you'll find a number of companies on TripAdvisor w many, very positive reviews.