Sleep in Sorrento vs Salerno

I think you have to get to Salerno to get to Paestum. There are two train lines, Trenitalia which runs "real" trains from Naples to Sorrento and the local Vesuviana which is more like a tram, few seats, lots of standing room and slow with many stops. Both stop in Pompeii. The Vesuviana stops just a few meters from the sight entrance. The Trenitalia station is about a mile away. The Vesuviana stops in Herculaneum (it's a 10-minute downhill walk from the station to the sight entrance).

It's not easy to plan to see all those sights from one place. It also depends on how long you have, what your priorities are and how long you'll spend at each sight. Some people see enough of Pompeii in 2 hours, others want 6-8 hours. It's big, some of the main streets in the center are very difficult to walk, especially if it's crowded and in July it will be hot, with little shade. Herculaneum is smaller and easier to walk.

If you want to see Paestum, you might consider an overnight and base in Sorrento for the rest of your sights. Paestum also has a nice beach.

Put it another way: When we spent five nights in Sorrento, we eventually abandoned the idea of Paestum. It was just too far and too long by public transportation for a daytrip from Sorrento. Even if you used a car the traffic delays would be prohibitive along the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento.

Note that the main line (i.e. Salerno) train station for Pompeii is a substantial (I haven't done it) walk away from the ancient site. That stop is "modern" Pompeii. The commuter train line from Sorrento stops right across from the Porta Marina entrance to ancient Pompeii. You can explore this issue more with Google Maps.

I also suggest you use the Search box at top center, because both these issues have been discussed here before.

In 2014, I spent 3 nights in Naples, then 4 nights in Sorrento. While staying in Naples, I did an easy day trip by train to Paestum, with a visit to the old part of Salerno on the way. The three Greek temples in Paestum are incredible and very accessible, with an excellent, relatively small museum about the site, right nearby. Check the schedules, I think the museum is closed one day a week, maybe Monday as I remember. The towns of the Amalfi Coast are much more easily visited from Sorrento. The other sites, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Capri, etc. can be easily reached from either Naples or Sorrento.

Tim is right. We took Trenitalia from Salerno to the modern Pompeii station, and to the Porta Nocera entrance of the ruins it was about a 25-30 minute walk--could've been a mile. In March and 60-degree weather, it was quite pleasant. In fact, the town hall has a 9/11 memorial with a couple of beams from the actual Twin Towers.

But in July, I would imagine the walk would be hot and probably quite unpleasant.

If it were me, I would train to Paestum, see Paestum and then train back to Sorrento. You'll arrive late in Sorrento but at least you can then use Sorrento as a base. Sorrento to Paestum and back is a long day driving and even longer by train.

If you are driving, leave early and tour the mozzarella farms near Paestum.

Definitely I would return and stay in Sorrento
Lorieann

Larry is right, the museum is closed on Monday.

Ok, so Sorrento is clearly easier to reach pompeii, but a 1 mile walk would be ok, we are traveling with our two teens. Possibly a taxi from the station to the ruins if the need arises. Salerno is easier to reach Paestum, but to get to Capri it is more difficult. It is an hour to Naples from Salerno just like from Sorrento. Smaller town vs bigger town. Everything seems to be about figuring out what works best, and who has availability left in our price range. Still pondering while looking at places to stay in both cities.

I think coming from Naples that Sorrento is your best base for a few days. Your last night, however, spent in Salerno would make a visit to Paestum easier. Start early from Sorrento, dumping your bags at your Salerno hotel, before heading on to Paestum.

One last FYI on the Paestum museum. if you are going to the museum, the cover on the Tomb of the Diver was on loan in Milan in December. I don't know if has returned yet. They have a life size print in it's place.

Joe