2 of us with 2 cases each on wheels. The coach journey coming was terrible and took 2 hours. Also, it will pick us up way too early on the return trip and stop at other hotels. Is it easy to go by train? Is there a station at the airport or would we need a taxi?
You can take the Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento to Napoli, go upstairs to Napoli Centrale, exit the front door to the taxi queue. Airport is about 10 minutes away. No train station at the airport.
There's also a Campania Express train from Sorrento to Naples Centrale. It's faster than the Circumvesuviana, but it only runs a few times a day (just one or twice in the morning) and costs about double. I haven't used it yet, but it's received some good feedback on this forum.
Have you taken the Circumvesuviana? It's a tramline, not a "real" train. You'll want a taxi to the Sorrento station - probably expensive because of the one-way street system. At the station, there is an elevator to the ticket office. Then about half a dozen steps up to the platform. In Naples, there is an escalator from the platform up to the station (sometimes it doesn't work), then elevator/escalator up to street level.
I suggest you go to the station and check it out before making a decision. I believe you can also arrange a private door-to-door transfer from your hotel to the airport. More expensive but a lot more efficient, especially with 4 suitcases.
Was your 'coach journey' this? If not, here's your answer, as long as the bus works into your schedule:
Left Sorrento station at 8:30 AM, arrived Napoli Capodichino airport around 10:00 for a 12:00 flight. Ten Euro, no problem.
Last Sept., we used the train to get to Naples, as Zoe suggested. It worked out fine for us. It is basically a commuter train, so is without amenities.
No one has told you yet that the Circumvesuviana does not go to the airport, it only goes to the main Naples rail station, where you would take a fixed price taxi to the airport. Are you in an AirBnb, so you have no hotel desk to ask for advice? Your OP cries out for hiring a car and driver, since you need two taxis in total.
One of the nicest "splurges" of my most recent trip to Italy was taking a taxi (or private car service) between Sorrento and Naples, about 100 euros from door to door (and I was traveling alone). Saved me so much time and hassle, enabled me to make the trip in comfort and on my own schedule. If the regular bus from Sorrento to Naples Airport does not meet your needs, I would certainly look into a private car. Two wheeled suitcases per person in public transport can require various transfers and lots of hassles at various points.
I totally agree with Larry. Your hotel in Sorrento should be able to help you arrange a driver.
Take the bus from Sorrento train station super easy, 10 Euros each
The very first responder said there is no train station at the airport.
Kim, if you're responding to the post above re: Curreri Viaggi, you pick up the bus at the train station, which is also the bus station. And it drops you off right in front of the Napoli Capodichino airport. We took it in March and it worked great at a cheap price.