We will be in Naples and then heading to Sorrento. I am readying the guidebooks and totally confused by the multiple train stations and options. What is the shortest train, not worried about cost, where do you pick it up, and how do you end up in downtown Sorrento. Thanks in advance.

The easiest way to get to Sorrento from Naples is to take the Circumvesuviana train which leaves from the main Centrale station in Naples at Piazza Garibaldi. The Circumvesuviana is downstairs in the train station. There will be signs to direct you. When you go down the first set of stairs you will see the ticket counters to the left. Buy your ticket, then continue to another set of stairs/escalators down another level to the tracks. Very easy. Make sure you get on the Sorrento train.

When you get to Sorrento you are not far from the downtown, just a short walk. Upon exiting the train station head left and you will hit the downtown. There will be cabs at the train station if you need one.

Another option to get to Sorrento from Naples is to take a ferry from Molo Beverello port. When you get to the port of Sorrento, you will have to go up a big hill to get to the downtown. There are orange buses at the port that you can't miss. There is a ticket booth right there also for the bus. The bus will take you to the town.

Thanks so much. I have friends who had horror stories of being on a train that made over 20 stops and we won't be leaving Naples until around 4 PM and I was expecting disaster. The Vesusviana web site is in Italian with no way to translate it. Again Thanks!

The Vesuviana DOES make close to twenty stops between Naples and Sorrento. It's a very direct way, but a lousy trip.

Be careful at the Naples station and especially the Circumvesuvia track. Lost our wallet there to some kids playing music as we got on the train.

Just be aware of your surroundings.

Having had made that train trip to Sorrento from Naples.. I would suggest the ferry. It's relaxing and a nice ride.. takes about 45 minutes or so- I think there are three different ferry companies. Reasonably priced too. At the port in Sorrento, taxi's are easy to find to take you up the hill.

I would avoid the train- a bit scary! (Hot too!)- Ferry a much easier way to go and they go out several times throughout the night.

Actually, although there are a few "express" trains, I think the Circumvesuviana "local" makes 25 stops. Naples to Sorrento takes about an hour. It's a commuter line, not a tourist line to only Sorrento.

As Scullysioux mentioned, make sure you get on the train bound for Sorrento and not Salerno. I've made that mistake because I wasn't paying attention.

The fare on the Circumvesuviana from Naples to Sorrento is very reasonable, just a few euros and cheaper by far than the ferry option which requires getting to/from the docks.

Regarding Eurogals comment: Pay attention at all times in the Naples station, on the Circumvesuviana platform and on the Circumvesuviana train. Not paranoid, just attentive.

if you decide to take the train, know that to get to the the circumvesuviana train, you have to exit the train station, as you exit, you will see the stair which go down to the train station which takes you to sorrento. We took this train and it was okay, it did make the 20 or so stops. I did see some buses ouside the train station in Naples. Has anyone had any experience with taking a bus to sorrento? The ferry is a good option, but you have to take a cab from the station to the ferry. We took a ferry from sorrento to capri and a ferry from sorrento to Positano.

Here's a user-friendly version of the Circumvesuviana timetable:

http://www.massalubrense.it/circum.htm


If you prefer to go by sea you can find timetables here:

http://www.consorziolmp.it/consorzio_orari.pdf

Hope this helps ...

Steve