Rome to Sorrento via Naples Travel Question

I can't answer your question about pizza place opening times, but you'll want the Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Sorrento. I found this website was best when we were there in April.
https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/naples-to-sorrento-train-schedule
The train ride from Rome to Naples is about an hour and 15 minutes, as is the train from Naples to Sorrento. Depending on what time you plan to arrive in Naples will determine how much time you have, but to play it safe, you'll want to be on the 13:38 train that arrives in Sorrento at 14:46.

I'm curious about your itinerary while you are in Sorrento. Do you have any plans to be back in Naples on a daytrip to see the Archaeological Museum? I'd recommend it it as a follow up after a day in Pompeii (assuming that's on your agenda). It may make more sense to do that as part of a day trip.

Check the Italotren and Trenitalia websites to see the schedules and when to depart to arrive by around 11--that's when Pizzeria da Michele opens (I just picked one of the famous ones to check opening times--they may vary. You can find them all on google). Keep in mind there could be a line, but beyond that it should be quick. I don't know about going to more than one--these are not sold by the slice but whole pizzas. I could almost eat more than one, but not if I had a food tour to eat for later that day!
For Naples to Sorrento, see Circumvesuviana schedules.
https://www.seriouseats.com/serious-eats-guide-to-eating-pizza-in-naples-napoli-italy-neapolitan-pizza

I'd assume lunch would start by 11ish.

Take a fast train Rome to Naples- takes a bit over an hour
Then be on the Circumvesuviana by 1-1:30- should get you to Sorrento by 3.

Choose your fast train here:
Trenitalia
https://www.trenitalia.com

Circumvesuviana is downstairs Napoli Centrale- buy your ticket there- trip to Sorrento takes a bit over an hour if no delays- runs about every 30 min.

Keep in mind that Naples and Sorrento are very congested and there is no efficient way to get around. So once you're in Naples, a cab to your pizza place could take quite awhile-( unless you're walking.) Hopefully your food tour is close to the Sorrento train station, as Sorrento is equally congested. It would be best if you had your pizza on your way out of Sorrento, if that's possible. The regional train to Sorrento can run late, and can be SRO and very hot. It's very difficult to get anywhere on time in these areas, that's just reality.
That being said, have a great time and safe travels!

So I wouldn't be able to take Campania Express from Naples to Sorrento b/c they only offer 4 train options a day and the timing of them wouldn't really even allow for a stop in Naples if I need to be in Sorrento by 3.

So I wouldn't be able to take Campania Express from Naples to Sorrento
b/c they only offer 4 train options a day and the timing of them
wouldn't really even allow for a stop in Naples if I need to be in

No, it appears not--https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/campania-express-train-schedule
But there is also the Circumvesuviana, which is much more frequent. Granted, it does not sound super pleasant, but plenty of people use it with no complaints.

I wouldn't be too concerned about using the Campania Express in October. This is strictly my opinion, but in terms of comfort and time saved, the Campania is overrated and the Circumvesuviana underrated. It might be different in the summer months, but we were there in April and didn't understand the fuss.

Since this in October I’d hope the crowds aren’t as bad

Other options are private driver for about 140 euros

Or taxi to ferry port in Naples and ferry to Sorrento
But that is weather dependent and will take more time for sure

Circumvesuviana is your easiest choice

Thank you everyone for your help.

FYI many of the most popular pizzerias will have people queuing outside before opening time. I waited in line at Gino E Toto Sorbillo for 45 minutes and got in right away at opening time. It was the best pizza I've ever had in my life, super worth it.

The Circumvesuviana is fine. It just gets a little crowded.

We were on the Circumvesuviana this past May. It was SRO, very hot, and ran late. We also figured out that's where my husband picked up COVID. ( I masked, he didn't.) Therefore, my opinion of this mode of transportation is not positive! 😉 However, they're aren't many other options, short of a private driver, which for us took two hours from Naples to Sorrento, and was about 100 euros.
Safe travels!

There's luggage storage at the Naples train station. I've used it, it's very good. No need to leave the station for storage. It's called KiBag

It was May, but we waited an hour in the Sorbillo-midtown line.

Neapolitan pizza bakes very fast, but you are applying an American standard of operations and public transit in a place that is a bit, as shorthand, more like the third world. And it's (thank goodness) Slow Food Europe to begin with. As already noted in US terms, "No Slices!" You'll be lucky to get time for one pizza, and you have to allow for getting back to the station and maybe a Circumvesuviana run being ... omitted. You're not in Switzerland anymore, Dorothy!

Be sure to download the Naples flat-rate taxi card, and print it out, to wave around if the driver tries to overcharge you. Where is your hotel in Sorrento? A few are far from downtown..

The Frecciarossa tickets from Rome to Naples are much faster than regular trains, very reliable, and discounted far in advance, like air tickets: No refund, no time change.

We just returned from Italy. We took the train from Naples to Sorrento, but ended up finding out from our hotel the bus is more efficient---and less crowded! We took the Corso Italia bus in the front of the train station ---buy ticket at the little souvenir stand at the front of train station. After doing both, highly recommend the bus and the scenery is a bit better!
Don't know anything about pizza place opening times (I would think those places would be open all day, vice opening at 7:30-8 pm). Didn't care for Naples at all, would never spend any time in it again. Had to stop because daughter was on active duty for 6 months at Naples Naval Support Activity (NSA) (she doesn't like it either!).

We did this using the Campania Express between Napes and Sorrento, but this train was leaving just once ever 4 hours. We stored our luggage and got a cab to D'Michelle. Once there you must get a ticket with a number. There was about 50 people there. The seating is communal tables but once you order the food comes out fast. The was to get in was about 45 min. I suggest you get an early train to Naples, get your luggage sorted then head over by 11:00.

Hi Kristen. Just wanted to share our experience so you can get an idea of timing.

My husband and I had pizza at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michelle (opens at 11:00 AM) this past May. We walked from Napoli Centrale (15-20 minute walk) arriving at 11:30 am. They give out numbers at the entrance for table service. We had number 27 and they were serving number 2 at the time or our arrival. We waited about 45 minutes for a table. Service was fast and we finished eating we were paying our bill 45 minutes later. We took the Circumvesuviana back to Sorrento, which we did twice from Naples, and thought it was fine but we did have delays (5 minutes one time and 20 minutes another time).

I think if you were to attempt to have pizza at this particular place you would have to plan on being there no later than 11:00 AM. There’s a Circumvesuviana train leaving Naples at 1:09 and arriving in Sorrento at 2:22. The next one leaves at 1:28 and arrives at 2:46. Given the possibility of delays I would not take a later train. You can make a Naples pizza stop happen, but timing would be a bit tight.

Wishing you a great trip!

Edited to add: I see Letizia had similar advice! I didn’t notice her post before I added mine.