We are leaving next week for a 3-week vacation in Italy, planning all the intra-Italy travel ourselves. We plan to be travelling by train from Rome to Sorrento, from Sorrento to Orvieto, and from Volterra to Lake Como. I'm having difficulty finding the schedule for the first of these (Rome to Sorrento), in spite of having consulted both the Trenitalia website and the DB Bahn website. I realize we will have to change trains in Naples, and I have read what Ron in Rome has to say about the various classes of Italian trains. It is easy enough, on Trenitalia, to find the schedules from Rome to Naples. Trenitalia seems to know about Sorrento (Sorrento Porto), but can't find a schedule between either Roma and Sorrento Porto or Napoli and Sorrento Porto. Whereas DB Bahn can find no Sorrento at all. I know Sorrento exists and I am pretty sure there is a rail line running from Naples around the bay to Sorrento, but I haven't been able to figure out how to find a schedule for such a line. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32819 posts
The train from Napoli to Sorrento is a private one called Circumvesuviana. It takes about an hour, on a good day. Put that name into the search box here for lots and lots of info. That's why it doesn't show up. Recent reports on here that Circumvesuviana is missing some of their departures. Have a read.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32213 posts
Bruce, All of your rail trips are relatively easy. To begin with, you'll be travelling from Napoli Centrale to Sorrento via the Circumvesuviana, which is a separate line from Trenitalia. You'll first need to travel from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale (1H:10M, reservations compulsory). That's a very pleasant ride! When you arrive in Naples, you'll go downstairs to the Circumvesuviana station. Note that they have several lines, so be sure to board the correct train to Sorrento (it's the "end of the line" on that route). AFAIK, you won't be going to Sorrento Porto. That's also the train for getting from Sorrento to Pompeii. Don't be too concerned about the appearance of the trains. They often look like graffiti-laden "clunkers", but they will get you to Sorrento. Be sure to watch your valuables when you're on the train, and wear a Money Belt! WHICH TOWN are you going to on Lake Como? That will have a bearing on train routes. The usual favourite here is Varenna, with Bellagio being a close "second". Buon Viaggio!
Posted by
OP
Corrales, NM, United States
8 posts
Thanks for the replies about Circumvesuviana -- very useful. After posting my question, I did a bit more searching and found it myself by: 1. bringing up Google Maps for Sorrento and selecting the Transit overlay, to show train routes and stations.
2. Googling for the name of the station in Sorrento, "Circumvesuviana Sorrento". I didn't know then that Circumvesuviana was actually the train line, but following the search links led me to the Circumvesuviana web site. We will be staying in Bellagio on Lake Como.