Travel Rome to Sorrento

Train, Rome to Nsples. Commuter train or driver service to Sorrento.

In season it would be direct train from Rome to Salerno and ferry to Sorrento (and other places on the Coast).

Define "best" :-)

Easiest would be a private transfer, but also expensive.

Cheapest and pretty easy is train Rome-Naples and train (Circumvesuviana) to Sorrento. Note that the Circumvesuviana is not air-conditioned. You can also take a boat (ferry or highspeed) from Naples but then you need to get from the train station to the port.

I haven't done this all in one go but I've done both legs on the train and it's very easy.

Personal "best" way would be Trenitalia train to Napoli Centrale and then the Circumvesuviana Campania Express train from adjoining Garibaldi station to Sorrento. This train was initiated a year or two ago specifically for tourists and doesn't make as many stops along the way as the regular Circumvesuviana commuter. It's also more comfortable but doesn't make as many daily runs, and doesn't run during the winter:

http://www.napoliunplugged.com/campania-express-tourist-train-to-herculaneum-pompeii-and-sorrento

Otherwise, it would be the regular commuter from Garibaldi.

To Sorrento from Napoli:
http://www.eavsrl.it/web/sites/default/files/eavferro/Napoli%20-%20Sorrento_1.pdf

From Sorrento to Napoli:
http://www.eavsrl.it/web/sites/default/files/eavferro/Sorrento%20-%20Napoli_0.pdf

Ferry can be a preferred option for some travelers but it means transferring to the port from Napoli Centrale.

In my opinion the easiest way from Rome to Sorrento is on the Marozzi bus: http://www.marozzivt.it/home The bus leaves from the bus terminal near Tiburtina train station and goes directly to Sorrento, with a few stops in between. It's a four hour ride with a stop for a bathroom break. The bus drops passengers off on Corso Italia in Sorrento. I've done this twice and, for me, it makes more sense than taking the train to Naples, then switching to the Circumvesuviana, particularly with luggage. Have a great trip!

Good suggestion from Christine: that's the direct-route (no changes) way to do it. The only caveat is that buses only run once or twice a day depending on season and/or weekday versus weekend. But if timing works for you, go for it!

Explore schedules on this page of the site:

http://www.marozzivt.it/orari

Use "Roma" for the "Da, localita" box and "Sorrento" for the "A, localita" box. Choose a date from the calendar.

Awesome thanks for info everybody, bus sounds less complicated but longer, are you driving on cliffs yet. I have a problem with heights lol.

I agree do the bus..Clean, relaxing and direct.

Actually train it is, is there only one train station in Rome and do I buy tickets online for both trains and is it best to buy return at same time? Sorry I like all things spelled out for me.

www.trenitalia.com sells train tickets and will show you the station that any listed train is departing from. This route is usually from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale, taking just about one hour for the fastest departures. You buy these tickets for reserved dates and times. The DB link at How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online will also give you this info and schedules for other countries, but not sell Italian tickets.

Also, for more spelling out, Rick's Italy books have a lot of detail in the Naples and Sorrento chapters.

I don't work for Rick Steves, but I'll just emphasize Laura's advice. Rick's books are, by far, the best at spelling things out. Be sure to get Rick Steves Italy as soon as possible. It will not only answer the questions you have about getting from Rome to Sorrento, but will also answer all kinds of questions you didn't even know to ask.

For trains from Rome to Naples, the faster ones are cheaper if bought in advance as non-refundable and non-exchangeable; however, last minute tickets are not a fortune.

Rome has many stations; for this purpose, you want Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale (even on the English version of the Trenitalia website, you need the Italian station names).

Tickets are sold as one ways; for a round trip, you buy two separate one-way tickets (no "round trip discount").

Play around with the Trenitalia website for your dates to see the prices. Super Economy is totally nonrefundable and non-exchangeable; if you don't take that exact train, your ticket is scrap paper. Economy is not refundable, but you can apply the price toward a new ticket (so, as along as you make the change before the train departs, you don't lose value, but if the price has gone up since you bought the ticket, you have to make up the difference). And Base is full fare; it's fully refundable and exchangeable. There is no advantage to buying a Base fare ahead of time (except convenience; although ticket lines at stations can be long, ticket machines usually don't have lines). Once Super Economy or Economy sells out, it's gone for that train. So, if these interest you, book as soon as you know your dates and can commit.

Trenitalia: http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en

For Naples to Sorrento, think of the Circumvesuviana train as a "city bus on wheels." No advance tickets are needed or possible; just buy at the station (again, Rick's book has all the details).

I too am looking at transportation options from Rome to Sorrento in in the month of June. Does anyone know if the Circumvesuviana Campania Express train will be operating in 2017? I was reading that people were complaining about these trains running with few passengers while the regular Circumvesuviana trains were packed, so I was wondering if they'll continue to run these trains. Otherwise, it looks like I'll take the bus as I'm not keen on the idea of traveling on the regular Circumvesuviana with luggage in tow.

Are all these trains good with transporting luggage, there are 5 of us. trying pack light, carry on?

I agree that you should get RS' Italy book, especially if you wan turn-by-turn directions, it's like a GPS system on paper with very good commentary. You can also access podcasts (load before you go).

Trenitalia trains have luggage racks above the seats, there is often space under the seat for a small bag, plus luggage storage at the ends of the train car and sometimes in the middle of the car. The Circumvesuviana train has small overhead racks but no other designated storage space in the cars themselves (probably for the best). The Circumvesuviana takes a little over an hour to get to Sorrento, so keeping your luggage with you is not a problem since it's a commuter line with frequent stops - just make sure your luggage isn't blocking an aisle or doorway.

Does anyone know if the Circumvesuviana Campania Express train will be
operating in 2017?

Terri, the woman who has been answering questions about the Express on Napoli Unplugged....

http://www.napoliunplugged.com/campania-express-tourist-train-to-herculaneum-pompeii-and-sorrento

... has responded to 2 questions regarding 2017 schedules that she doesn't know if the train will run this year, and that a schedule hasn't been posted but that she, ".... will post it as soon as I find out." Scroll down to near the end of the Q and A thread at the bottom of the page. As it started operating towards the end of March last year, I would imagine there might be some news soon.

In case it's posted before she updates that page, you can check this URL now and again:

http://www.eavsrl.it/web/campania-express

It currently brings up the 2016 schedule but I would guess that's where 2017 will be posted if the train runs.

Thanks for those links Kathy! I will be monitoring those sites to see if the Circumvesuviana Campania Express will be operating in 2017.