Traveling from Sorrento to Monterossa via Pompeii

When we were in Sorrento, we took a bus back to Rome. Left Sorrento at 5pm. We didn't really like the feeling at the Naples train station. It was actually more comfortable on the bus than the train. You would have to look at train schedules to see what train you can get, but the train system below Naples is Circumvesuviana and from Naples is Trenitalia. You have to not only change tracks, you have to change train companies. I would suggest the bus to Rome and train from there to CT.

Why did you feel "uncomfortable"? Not safe?

The travel time from Sorrento to Roma Termini via Pompeii is less than three hours, so no night trains.

This is going be a time-consuming journey any way you crack it as Pompeii is a long way from Monterosso, and I'm sure there's no night-train option for this route. Even if there was, there's no DIRECT train so you're going to have to change trains somewhere.

I would say this involves taking the local Circumvesuviana train - which you'll take from Sorrento to Pompeii - to Naples, and then catching an onward trains from there to Monterosso. It will take you about 6 hours, you will change trains at least twice between Naples and Monterosso, and one of those changes is likely to be in Florence.

Right now there is one option which only take 5 hours but it doesn't leave Naples until 5:00 PM (17:00) and doesn't get into Monterosso until 10:09 (22:09). That one does change at Roma Termini instead of Florence.

You can explore schedules on the Trenitalia website:

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=4ddd1a035296f310VgnVCM1000005817f90aRCRD

Enter "Napoli Centrale" in the "From" box, and "Monterosso" in the "To" box. Use a random date for examples as things could change by May, and you may not know exactly what day of the week you'll be traveling. Figure about 40 minutes on the Circumvesuviana from Pompeii (Pompei S. Villa Misteri) to Napoli Garibaldi station - which is connected Centrale. Current schedules for that train are here:

http://www.eavsrl.it/web/sites/default/files/orariautomobilisti/Orario%20Sorrento_Napoli.pdf

wind,

I assume you're referring to Monterosso in the Cinque Terre? As Kathy mentioned, this will be a fairly full travel day, especially as you want to spend four hours at Pompeii. That will mean a late arrival in Monterosso.

Here are a few thoughts on the journey.....

• Travel via Circumvesuviana from Sorrento to Pompeii Scavi station. I believe there's luggage storage there, but you'll have to check the guidebook.
• Travel from Pompeii to Napoli Garibaldi via Circumvesuviana and then walk upstairs to Napoli Centrale.
• Travel from Napoli Centrale to Monterosso via Trenitalia. The most realistic departure that you'll be able to connect with is at 13:00, arriving Monterosso at 18:52. Two of the segments on that trip have compulsory reservations and one is via Regionale (DON'T forget to validate), and there are two changes at Firenze SMN and Pisa Centrale. There's an earlier departure at 12:00, but it's doubtful you'll be able to connect with that one (that departure has changes at Roma Termini and La Spezia Centrale).

NO, a night train is not a good option!

Everyone, I really appreciate all of your suggestions and advise. I wonder what you (or others) think of taking a bus or taxi to Pompeii from Sorrento, visit Pompeii as we planned, then reboarding a bus or taxi to the Naples (Central ?) Airport and flying into Pisa. From there, taking a train to Montarossa in CT.

I keep thinking of a statement I heard Rick Steves say: "Time is money, if a journey takes longer than 5 hours, fly there." What do you think?

I keep thinking of a statement I heard Rick Steves say: "Time is money, if a journey takes longer than 5 hours, fly there." What do you think?

I think that may make sense if the airport you're flying into is also your final destination, and/or if the difference in journey times is not that great. In your case, I would doubt that you'll save any time at all.

Starting with the time it will take to get to the airport, add wait time until the next flight plus the flight itself. Using a random date, flights showing on Skycanner involve at least one stop between Naples and Pisa, and take upwards of 4+ hours.

I see only one which is 3 hours/10 minutes, with one stop, but it doesn't leave until 7:30 at night, getting into Pisa at 10:40. From there, you have transfer time to Pisa Centrale + however long until the next train+ 1 hour, 10 minutes to Monterosso.

Granted, this is at a VERY quick glance so to get the full picture, it would have to be figured using actual dates and whatnot. But at that glance, it looks like you can get there earlier by train. Does this make sense?

Factor in time for security checks and less frequent departures by air than by train, I doubt that you come out ahead by flying.

I fly from Napoli or Roma to Palermo or Catania, but that train trip (with no changes and no waiting) is usually 7-10 hours.