train travel vs car rental from Rome airport to Sorrento

You have to get from airport to the main train station by metro. Then can take fast train to Naples (hour and half for about 44 euro each) or slow train ( two hours for 22 euros each) then in Naples local train to Sorrento downstairs from main floor for hour on local train. A lot depends on how many of you are traveling, how agile is the 85 year old to make several changes. If you do take train, be sure to validate ticket before getting on train to Naples or will pay hefty, hefty fine.

We did this with a car last year. Trying to find our hotel in Sorrento was probably the worst part of the whole trip. Our GPS took us off the autostrada several towns prior to Sorrento causing us to drive down some tiny, crowded streets unnecessarily; then we drove around Sorrento for what seemed like forever trying to find our hotel. I'd say the car was very convenient, but plan your route well and ask your hotel for detailed directions.

It took us about two hours going from Rome to Sorrento (in begining of Sept) and had no probs but then leaving we had the same scenario. GPS took us through small towns to get to the autostrada. Be aware that parking is expensive in Sorrento. Cheapest we found was 20 euro a day. You may get lucky with your hotel having cheaper parking (we didn't).

Patricia, Using a "rental Van" will likely be on the "expensive side", especially given the cost of fuel in Europe. Also, driving from Rome to Sorrento after an international flight and in a jet-lagged state is not something I'd want to do! Another important point to note is that for driving in Italy, each driver must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which in some cases are provided by the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Have a look at This Website for more detailed information. You may also want to search other Posts here regarding the Zona Traffico Limitato areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many towns in Italy. EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket! A GPS along with a good Map would also be a good idea. Be sure to also give some thought to the question of CDW. If you accept the CDW offered by the rental firm, it will be expensive but will provide "peace of mind". Some "premium" credit cards provide rental vehicle insurance, however I've found this to be somewhat complicated so I just accept that offered by the rental firm. Check the Car Rental section in Europe Through The Back Door for further information. The trains are the least expensive option, and the method I'd probably use. However that might be more tiring for the oldest member of your group? I've never used this service, but you might have a look at This Website to see if this might work for you. Happy travels!

The best alternative for you would be to take the Curreri bus directly from FCO to Sorrento. See more information in the more recent post titled "Rome FCO to Sorrento."

OOPS! The title of the post is "Rome to Sorrento by Bus." The responder mentions the Curreri bus from FCO, but on checking the Curreri website, I find only service between Naples Airport and Sorrento. You might try an e-mail request for a quote for atrip directly from FCO to your hotel. Give them your details. info@curreriviaggi.it

OOPS! The title of the post is "Rome to Sorrento by Bus." The responder mentions the Curreri bus from FCO, but on checking the Curreri website, I find only service between Naples Airport and Sorrento. You might try an e-mail request for a quote for atrip directly from FCO to your hotel. Give them your details. info@curreriviaggi.it

Train. Definitely train. But, basically what Gail and the others said... They run very often; plug in your date into the website below: http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ad1ce14114bc9110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD (NOTE this is only b/n Rome Termini train station and Naples; you'll have to add the front- and back-end trains to this. They don't vary in price or length of ride, though. And they run often, too. See: http://www.roninrome.com/%20transportation/how-do-i-get-to-fco I suggest starting that page about halfway down at the picture of the train and reading from there on - then follow his link to the Leonardo Express site for the schedule and more info (prices, etc.). Depending on the number of travellers you may want to take a taxi...the good thing about the train, though, is that they don't have bad traffic jams... The Circumvesuviana train b/n Naples (Napoli) and Sorrento departs often - every 10-30 minutes, depending on the day and time of year...Read this for another traveler's opinion of the train (and keep your feet off the seats LOL): http://www.practicalhacks.com/2010/07/13/the-naples-sorrento-local-train-a-circumvesuviana-review/ (cont.)

(cont.) I don't know how your 85-year old will do with changing trains twice, BUT the good thing is you don't have to be in a hurry with this trip; once you get from FCO to Termini stn, buy tickets for the next train to Naples; when you get to Naples but tkts for the next train to Sorrento...(this is the slow way of doing it). WARNING: it's a LONG walk from the Leonardo Express train platform to the rest of the platforms; some estimates say to give yourselves 10 mins, although my experience was that it's less than that - YMMV. *once you see those roads, you'll be VERY glad you didn't try to drive a van...esp. fresh off the airplane! You can also take boats and buses, but since (last I checked) only 2 bus companies and only 2 buses per day per company travel that route, I didn't include them. And there are many boat companies and routes and different schedules for different times of year... Hey, if you have lots of money, hire a driver from FCO (I assume) to Sorrento; no idea what THAT would cost...

I would like to thank everyone for all of the helpful information; I was feeling very insecure about making the travel decisions for my family's first trip to Italy, but with all your travel experience and advice I feel as though I have the knowledge needed to make the right decisions. Thank you all very much!

Patricia, One additional comment to mention... There ARE Buses from Rome to Sorrento, however I didn't mention them in my previous reply as I felt that under the circumstances that wouldn't be the best option. Marozzi Buses depart from Roma Tiburtina station to Sorrento, but I believe there are only a few departures each day so it might be difficult to connect with the arrival of your flight. You'd also have to get from FCO to Tiburtina and in a jet-lagged state and travelling with a group, I'm not sure that's the best option. At least with the trains, travel from Rome to Sorrento is fairly "predictable" and should be manageable even with someone of 85. You'll be able to rest on the trains and enjoy the scenery and the excitement of being in Italy! It would be a good idea to have a look at the Circumvesuviana website. There are several routes going to different locations, so you'll need to look for the train that's listed for NAPOLI-BARRA-SAN GIORGIO-TORRE ANNUNZIATA-SORRENTO (Sorrento is the "end of the line"). Cheers!