train from naples to sorrento

No, it's a local train with unreserved seats (and standing room only when it's very crowded), so no need to do anything in advance.

No, it is more like an suburban railway. No reservations. If no seats available, strap-hang until one opens up.

No it is a private line and doesn't show up on trenitalia. Just buy a ticket and get on. It is not quite as bad as everyone tries to make sound. About like the L in Chicago or the some subways in New York.

The Circumvesuviana ticket booth is on the main floor at Napoli Centrale, then go through the turnstile and downstairs to the tracks. Make sure you are at the track for Sorrento.

If you have a little extra time, you might consider taking a ferry from Naples to Sorrento. The views from the boat are fantastic and the trip isn't too long.

As others indicated no. But be alert when in the Naples Station...there are sedy characters looking for vulverable tourist to pick pocket.
Lorieann

Check into the Campagnia Express -- we saw signs for it in Sorrento last week. Evidently four trips a day, only four stops (Napoli, Ercolana, Pompeii Scavi and Sorrento) with reserved seats and newer equipment -- but at a higher (but manageable) fare than regular cattle-car Circumvesuviana. Reduction of €4 if you have Campagna Arte card. Might be a good deal for travel with bags!

I vote for the ferry! Depending on your schedule it is actually a much shorter trip (you just got to match your schedule to the ferry's schedule). Summer on the Circumvesuviana? More like being in Vesuvius itself when erupting! Hot, crowded, pickpockets (and boy are they good even if your wallet is in an usual place!!!), and slow. For me it's the boat every time.

Thanks to everyone. I like the idea of taking the Campania Express train, but their website is only in Italian. Does anyone know how to find information in English on buying tickets in advance?

We used this private car transfer service Autolinee Curreri http://www.curreriviaggi.it/eng/index.php to get from the Naples train station to Sorrento in May 2016 and it was very nice and reliable. I would recommend it over the train if you can afford $80, especially since it might be a long walk from the station to your hotel.

I agree with the previous poster to hire a private driver or taxi if you can afford it. During peak season, you will find it very challenging to get onto the Circumvesuviana train especially with luggage. We tried unsuccessfully 3 times (in early September) and gave up after the third try. You wait on the platform with lots of other people and when the train arrives, everyone pushes and shoves their way onto the train and you will be left on the platform! Even if you successfully push your way onto the train, it will likely be standing room only and no A/C and it's an hour ride to Sorrento. My husband did not enjoy the idea of standing on the train packed in like a sardine in the heat for an hour so he convinced me to abandon ship and we went upstairs and hired a taxi to drive us to Sorrento. It was much more enjoyable and he delivered us straight to the door of our hotel. On our way back to Naples, we didn't even attempt the Circumvesuviana and instead we hired a private driver (who we had also used for a wonderful day trip along the Amalfi Coast). While it was definitely more expensive than the train, it was significantly less hassle and made for a more enjoyable trip!

Re Campania Express. Try putting the below address into Google "Translate". The English is a bit mangled but should do. Scroll down to the bottom of the page.

http://www.eavsrl.it/web/content/campania-express-2016-1