Transportation from Naples to Sorrento?

I know that you'll get all sorts of opinions but we took the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento without issue. Yes, it's a battered, bare-bones thing but we've taken the "L" in Chicago, the Tube in London, the Metro in Paris and Rome, BART in San Francisco, and the Underground in NYC. etc. and it's no better or worse than similar anywhere else. Yes, it will be hot and crowded.

Just keep your valuables out of reach as you should on ANY public transport anywhere at all in Europe. There are alternatives but nothing with more frequent "run" times than this train. And it's CHEAP.

There is a nicer express train (Campania Express) but it has far fewer runs a day and the schedule won't be up until next spring.

If you take the Circumvesuviana, you can walk through Centrale in Naples directly to Garibaldi station for this train. To take the ferry, you'll need to transfer by bus or taxi to the docks. Some folks prefer private transfer by car but it's quite expensive, depending on budget, although divided by a family of 4 will make it more affordable.

From Sorrento you'd need to take a bus, taxi or private driver to Sant Agata. Personally? I probably wouldn't have chosen this location if you want to spend a lot of time exploring the coast.

Current SITA bus schedule from Sorrento to Sant Agata:
https://www.sitasudtrasporti.it/archivio/Download/corse/sitasud/Campania/Salerno/7dd903f4-97c9-46d1-bd7d-2e58a0d4d2c0_5070_INV_2.pdf/0

We did Naples to Sorrento once by Circumvesuviana train - hot, crowded, few suspicious characters. The other time by ferry. Ferry wins, no doubt about that. Fresh air, scenery and so on. From the station in Naples take a taxi to the Harbor. You don't need to know any companies. They have a display there, so simply buy a ticket and board the first ferry going to Sorrento. From the Harbor in Sorrento it is steep up to the town. Take a taxi or bus.

The ferry to Sorrento is relaxing and becomes part of your vacation. I stay in Sorrento every year and that's usually how I get there. But for you, the trip to Sant' Agata is a bit more complicated. The bus service from Sorrento there is also the bus along the Amalfi Coast so it might be very crowded. You catch the bus at the train station.
HOWEVER, my vote is for a car service. Your airbnb host should be able to arrange one. Expect it to be about 80 euro door to door from the Naples train station to your apartment. Hassle free and less interesting but if you just got off the plane you might prefer the hassle free part.
The circumvesuviano is everything you don't want in your vacation.

I took the Circumvesuviana. No issues. As noted above: keep an eye on your valuables, as you would on any other train.

I'll bet the ferry is more fun and more scenic, but the Circumvesuviana would be faster and easier, really, if your goal is just getting to your lodgings. I would never take a car service myself, but I'm a frugal traveler.

Four people with four carry on bags, definitely a pre-arranged car service or even just a taxi. Either would take you directly from the train station to your lodging in Sant Agata. By public transportation you will need to hassle with your bags at every terminus, pay for four tickets, and still likely need a taxi from Sorrento. Note: I am also a frugal traveler, but a taxi from my lodging in Naples direct to my lodging just outside of Sorrento, was the best splurge of my time in Italy, and I was just one person. Saved so much time and energy!!

I like what Larry said. The Circumvesuviana train can be a little stressful.

I have done the Circumvesuviana and a car service and I think the car service is money well spent if it is in your budget. I have used Amalfi Coast Destinations which is usually 120-130 euro to Sorrento. I have used them on multiple trips and they are reliable and friendly.

The Circumvesuviana is doable but it was hot and we had to stand most of the way. We had just arrived from the States which made it a little more annoying and tiring. On return trips, the money for air conditioned door to door service was worth it.

Budget considerations: If you buy your fast ticket trains well in advance you save a lot of money which might help stomach the cost of the Naples/Sorrento transfer a better. How were you planning on getting from the Sorrento train station (or ferry) to your airbnb? That might be a 20-40 euro cab ride.

It is a beautiful area. Enjoy your trip!

One question to add on this since I had the same question. I am debating between taking the local train vs ferry. Can one be guaranteed the ferry will be running or does it sometimes shut down if bad weather? If it could shut down best to wait until arrive and purchase a ticket on the spot. Also, if you are considering using a private driver I just got a quote from Naples train station to Sorrento from Sorrento Silver Star for 100 euro. They also do private drives to the Amalfi Coast towns but that is much more expensive. Here is there link: http://www.sorrentosilverstar.com/

I'm also looking for transportation options from Naples to Sorrento and interested in peoples experience with the ferry option.
We will be coming from Rome, taking the high speed train to Naples, and then I had thought the best most economical route would be the ferry from Beverello. Yes, we will need a taxi from the train station to the port, but the ferry shows it's a 45 minute trip and approx 13 euro each. I'm not sure how much extra luggage costs.

No need to use a taxi, take the Alibus, located outside the station. €4. 15 minutes to the port.

You will probably have a small luggage fee for each bag on the ferry.

Edit: here is the fixed rate taxi fare. It's an old one and I know prices changed in June 2017.

http://www.comune.napoli.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeAttachment.php/L/IT/D/1%252F1%252F3%252FD.c15f164bdb740e3ff43d/P/BLOB%3AID%3D1193/E/pdf

The trick is you have to tell them you want the fixed rate. They then print out a receipt BEFORE you leave the station. Should be no longer than 20 min unless you hit heavy traffic.

During the tourist season, there has been an upscale train from Naples to.Sorrento (Campania.Express) which had air-conditioning, reserved seats -- but it only ran a few times a day, unlike the Circumvesuviana which runs frequently. We did not take it because it would have added about three hours to our trip We just missed one) -- but it was relatively cheap and a BIG step up from Circumvesuviana hassles. See if it's available in 2018 and fits with your schedule.

Thanks for the info on the Alibus and taxi as a backup. I'm still wondering if the ferry runs ALL the time or is it dependent on weather? Thanks

In each instance, consider where you are staying in Sorrento and how to get there from the ferry vs. the train station. Two things to note are [1] the topography and [2] taxis in Sorrento are expensive, 2-3 times the prices in Rome, for example. Sorrento is on a hillside. The ferry is down at the shore, obviously. The historic center is up, a fairly steep climb on foot (several flights of stairs) or winding road by taxi. I visited in winter and saw that there were elevators from the center down to the sea for a small fee but were shut for the winter. I haven't seen anyone mention them in various posts so maybe they will be operating, maybe they won't. The train station (where buses stop too) is uphill from the historic center. If you are staying in the center, it's probably going to be pretty easy to walk down, but be sure to have precise walking directions.

My hotel was less than a 10-minute walk from the train station, I took a taxi, cost about €15, in February, no traffic, several years ago.

Thanks for your responses. We will be going from Rome to Naples, Naples to Sorrento and then have to find a way to our airbnb in Sant Agata. I agree that I would rather not take the commuter train but am trying to convince my husband. I will look into the private cars and the ferry option and then I have to figure out how to get to Sant agata.

If you're staying in Sant' Agata sui Due Golfi, then I highly recommend www.ristorantelostuzzichino.it. It looks like there is SITA bus service from Sorrento.

It looks like there is SITA bus service from Sorrento.

I linked the current schedule in my first post.

If you book a private car service from the station in Naples, which would be the least hassle overall, they would take you directly to your accommodations in San Agata. We used Monetti Taxi for a tour of the Amalfi Coast, but they do transfers from the train station and airport. They are based in Sorrento. You can email them and they will respond pretty quickly in English. They are friendly and dependable. They are listed in the Rick Steves book. With 4 people traveling, it’s probably not too much more than the separate fares.

Www.monettitaxi17.it