We are a group of 8 traveling. What would be the best mode of getting from Siena to Sorrento, considering economy and time? Would love to hire a private driver (expensive) or drive myself, or should we simply stick with trains? Thank you.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12253 posts
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Posted by
9 posts
I enjoyed going around Italy by train, as they were relaxing and comfortable, and not too expensive for a single ticket, but driving with a group of 8 is probably going to be cheaper and more flexible, if you share the cost of gas (more expensive in Europe) and don't mind driving in Italy. It allows you to go wherever you want to but you have to navigate unfamiliar roads as well as city centers with limited parking. Siena's historic center was way up a hill from the train station but there were escalators to the top so easy to do. It's really what you are comfortable doing. I was there last summer and loved both Siena and Sorrento-Amalfi-Pompeii-Capri.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8165 posts
It's not the question you asked, but how many places are you going? How many nights in Sorrento? What's after Sorrento? These are not irrelevant questions. They are not remotely "the same", but have you considered the closer Cinque Terre instead of Sorrento? (We spent 5 nights in Sorrento, but it was from Rome. I'm not bad-mouthing Sorrento.)
Can you fit your luggage in a 10-passenger van, or would you need a bigger vehicle? Having driven from Sinalunga (near Siena) to Rome FCO Airport, I can tell you that it's not the same as "driving around Tuscany." It's more like driving from Los Angeles to San Diego. Have you ever been to Europe before? Are there any mobility issues, or luggage handling problems? Can you drive a standard transmission?
Personally, I would take the train (probably three changes). But eight tickets add up, especially if you are not willing to commit to advance purchase, non-exchangeable, non-refundable tickets (for the portions of the trip that they are available.)
Posted by
OP
82 posts
Thank you all for the replies. What I am learning is that is is a challenge to get from Siena to Sorrento easily. Private drivers want a small fortune, so I will reach out to the hotel to find someone local who may be capable and reasonable. Otherwise it's the treno!
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
There are trains, Siena-Roma Termini at 9:18 and 11:18 that arrive in Rome in 3:22. One change in Florence. Cost right now, for May dates, is €34,20. Use this to look up schedules.
Posted by
35 posts
I am considering something similar - we come out of Praiano area, then I want to head to Montepulciano area. Train looks like it's a long 7-8 hour ride, and it looks like 3-4 hours by car. So I am thinking I will rent a car in Naples and just drive. I have a Tom-Tom Nav device and I don't foresee any real problems since I won't actually be stopping in any big cities. But this will allow us to take our time and still have some sight seeing stops along the way. Then we can decide if we want to keep the car for driving around Tuscany.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
Train looks like it's a long 7-8 hour ride
The fastest trains to Montepulciano take 4:20 from Salerno and 3:33 from Naples. Use an official site to check the schedules.
There are ZTL areas in big and small cities, you'd better take a train to Chiusi-Chianciano and rent a car there. An american that thinks he/she can drive from Praiano to Montepulciano in less than 5 hours (plus stops) is headed for a disaster.