We will be spending time in Sorrento this summer and I would like to go to Matera. I'm having trouble finding a tour. Can anyone suggest as to how I would get there on my own by train or bus? Thank you
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Really not a day trip option.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Trenitalia trains depart from Naples or Salerno and require at least one connection to reach Bari. Then there's a local Bari-Matera train that won't be reflected everywhere. But you have the relevant railway links in replies to your earlier message.
Posted by
Bendigo, Australia
1297 posts
That would be a pretty long haul as a day trip, I think not possible. By train:
Train Sorrento to Napoli
Train Napoli to Casserta ( something like 20 minutes)
Train Casserta to Bari
Train Bari to Matera
The Bari / Matera train is run by a small rail operator, not Trenitalia. The station is right beside the main Bari station.
http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/basilicata/matera.html
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12044 posts
It is a very long day trip, short of having private air transport.
This may be a case where a rental car may be the best solution, or stay over at least one night.
Posted by
AB, Canada
55 posts
Check Miccolis bus from Salerno. That is the easiest one i found in my research unless you want to go to Naples and go. I am going from Salerno to Matera in May
Posted by
Milwaukie, Oregon, USA
102 posts
We took the Miccolis bus 2 years ago. At some point before Matera, we changed to a van for the last few miles. At that time, there was also a TrenItalia bus. We went from Salerno but the bus originated in Napoli.
Posted by
OP
47 posts
Thank you all for the great feedback. Sadly, it looks like I will need to plan a trip to Matera when I have more time.
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1005 posts
That would be a long haul from Sorrento esp if you are doing a daytrip so not recommended. We visited Puglia last Oct. and included 2 nights in Matera before heading to Paestum for 1 night enroute to Sorrento. Can't remember for sure, but it probably took us at least 3 hrs hours to drive from Matera to Paestum. Loved Matera! It is beautiful in the evening when the sassi are all lit up and there is a great evening passeggiata. A sad history but so vibrant now--Matera is the European Capital of Culture for 2019 and lots and lots of cranes dotting the landscape.