Tropea to Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi

There is an alternate train called the Campania Express, without the issues of the Circumvesuviana:
https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/campania-express-train-schedule

To avoid having to tack on a final bus ride, I would ask the accommodation in Sant'Agata about picking you up in Sorrento, though there is the SITA bus.

I have taken that bus from across the plaza from the Sorrento Circumvesuviana station. Unless you have a large suitcase, your terror of the Circumvesuviana may be misplaced. I would also think it's not as bad off-season (you wrote : "soon"). I'm not urging it, but you might consider a ferry from Salerno to Sorrento, if it runs in October. That would avoid retracing your steps North to Naples and south to Sorrento.

If you are staying in Sant'Agata, note that it is possible to walk down to Sorrento on a 99% paved path, which takes 1.5 hours or so. Naturally, it's all downhill. And has beautiful views. Don't wear flip-flops, because of the constant slope. I personally would stay in Sorrento for immediate access to transit options for daytrips. But you've said you won't take the Circumvesuviana.

I also presume you are a budget traveler, but you might get a car service from Naples to Sant'Agata for 100 or so Euros. Or the bus (is it from the Naples airport, I don't know?) to Sorrento. But I think there are only a few departures per day. Transit is much less available after sunset, although you can look up the Circumvesuviana schedule. I mention that because our scheduled arrival (air, from Stanstead) was so late that we spent the night by prearrangement in Naples. Do you have no interest in Naples, a very historic place?

Thank you valadelphia and Tim.. great information that will be put to good use. I figured with as many folks as there are in that area there had to be other ways in and out that didn’t take 16 hours.

I love the ability to discuss an issue that I think I have and discover I’m not the first ( obviously) and that others are so generous with their travel knowledge of the area.. what a great site! Thanks Rick !

You could also take the ferry from Naples to Sorrento (and then the bus to Sant’Agata. It involves an additional piece of transit — getting from Naples train station to Naples ferry station — but it is an option that avoids the Circumvesuviana!

We stayed a night there (in Sant’Agata) on our honeymoon after a week in Positano so that we could go to the restaurant Don Alfonso 1890. What a special experience. We stayed at what felt to me almost like an old communist-bloc hotel, but it had a great pool and an amazing view and allowed us to save our money for dinner!!

Ah, as Tim said, you could also get the ferry from Salerno!