I wanted to thank everyone that responded to my post. We just returned from 2 amazing weeks in Italy. We ended up taking the Circumvesuviana rather than a private car - both ways. First, there is the obvious cost factor, €180 euros roundtrip - while we could have justified it, in the end we thought the money could be better spent on other stuff. Additionally, once you get to Sorrento you will still need to get from your hotel to the station, so we decided that's where we would take a taxi.
Here's what our other considerations were.
- we traveled light. we each had one small carry on type suitcase on wheels.
- we arrived in Naples mid day - and returned same time.
- it's easy to get to the Circumvesuviana from the Naples train station (rather than from the airport)
- we were traveling in May, so the weather was still cool
- we took the more express train, saving about 20 minutes to and from Sorrento
- on the way from Naples to Sorrento, we lucked out and got a "newer" train that actually had working airconditioning.
We gave ourselves some extra time on the way back from Sorrento to Naples and also got a newer train.
- We had the luxury of time going from Naples to Sorrento, and return. So we weren't rushing to catch a train or flight.
7 We managed to get seats, so it made the journey easier. We would have waited for the next train if we had to. Standing in the aisles with the rush of people getting on or off would have make it more difficult.
Just some other random tips:
Signage is not the best, but we did some research and new we had to walk till we saw the down escalator for the Circumvesuviana.
We also knew what the symbol looked like.
Go with purpose. We had people coming up to us, asking "wanting to help". Ignore them.
Make sure you ask what track the train is leaving from.
On the way down to the tracks, the escalator might not be working. You might have to carry or maneuver with your bags down the steps.