Sorrento to Taormina by train?

We have taken the train on that route, but not in one day. At 9-10 hours, I'm guessing you'd regret it. But there are popular places to break the trip, if you'd have time to do that.

Not taken it, but considered it. It breaks one of my rules of not doing more than 4 hours on a train. From Sorrento, it would take you an hour or two just to get to a train to start to get there, then a long train ride with really little to see, to get there.

To be honest, I would get to the Naples airport and fly to Catania, then train to Taormina.

I'm confused. The only trains going to Sorrento are from Naples, the Circumvesuviano and the Campania Express, if I am not mistaken. So, to go to Sorrento from Taormina would necessitate a stop in Naples. Am I wrong?

We took the train from Rome to Messina, years ago. It was a night train, so 1) Nothing to see at all (except the crossing itself, which was after dawn), and 2) Zero sleep that night (don't get me started on night trains...).

The only thing that was moderately interesting (at least to me) was watching the engineering and execution of uncoupling some train cars, rolling them onto a big ferry, securing them for the short sea crossing, then reversing all that once we had crossed the straits.

I am not aware of any train that you can take "down the west coast of Southern Italy" all the way to the Messina Straights crossing port (Villa San Giovanni Imbarchi, I think). You might be able to patch together a way to get there from Sorrento by train, but I don't think there is any rational, coast-hugging, scenic train route all along the way (would be cool if there was). For that matter, I'm not sure there are good passenger rail options for getting to Taormina, but I suspect that is a minor issue by comparison.

To be honest, I would get to the Naples airport and fly to Catania, then train to Taormina.

Yep, that's what I would do.

webfey1

You are correct.

Am I wrong?

No, but... yes. It's true that all trains departing from Sorrento go north to Naples. On the other hand most trains headed to Sicily call at Salerno after departing from Naples and Salerno is closer to Sorrento and it is in the right direction.

Yep, that's what I would do.

Me too, anyway There are also ferries between Campania and Sicily.

I agree that flying to Catania would be easier.

I took a car service from Catania Airport direct to my hotel in Taormina. Much easier than the train.

In 2005 I took an overnight train from Rome to Taormina. It was not a smooth ride until we crossed the strait that lasted about 15-minutes. I was with my sister and we both slept off and on in a private sleeping car but the lack of sleep did not bother us after we showered.

I would take a short flight from Naples to Catania instead. Once at the Catania Airport, there are excellent and cheap bus connections throughout Sicily. The bus stows your luggage and you can get right to one of the main town gates of Taormina via the bus.

I've taken a few train trips in Southern Italy on the regional trains and it was like going back in time, and not in a good way. The trains are old and go way too slow. On the other hand, I found the buses to be quite nice and modern and just as inexpensive (but with nicer scenery). The one good thing I can say about the train is you are likely to meet locals on them, so it's a good way to practice your Italian.

Agnes, as it should be obvious, the train from Naples to Sicily is not a Regional. It's an Intercity.

The Trenitalia website (from Napoli Centrale station to Taormina-Giardini station) shows them as Regionale trains with 4 changes, unless I missed something. Yeah, no way would I do that.

I am another traveler who has taken the night train from Rome to Catania. Don't do that.

It is not listed in any of the RS guide books that we can find. A bad omen?

One of Rick's primary goals is to 'travel smart'; if you like trains and have the time you can take the train. I suspect most would opt for flying, as Agnes outlined.

I am a total transit nerd and absolutely loved this train ride. It's completely ridiculous and that's what made it awesome. Rolling the train on the ferry takes quite a while but then you can get out and go up top to watch to crossing. We went from Catania to Salerno. We packed a picnic and were traveling with friends. It's not a fancy train but it's a very unique experience.

Thanks to all who offered an opinion. We took your advice and booked a flight from Naples to Catania. Helen