murphyO

Thanks so much for all the replies. I think I'll look into a driver to pick us up in Naples, but am feeling better about the Circumvesuviana now also. I've been on plenty of subways with luggage before--just not when I've been that tired.

cafegoddess

My goodness, after reading all the replys, I would take the private driver.

Andrew

rileypenny's story makes me glad I took the trains to Rome/Naples/Sorrento! Sure sounds more stressful than train travel, which I enjoy. After a long flight I'd rather be on a train where I can at least get up and walk around vs. being stuck in a car for 3-4 more hours.

FWIW, you can perhaps use the bus system in Sorrento, which I did, but I had bad information before I arrived, so I didn't know what I was doing. (The bus numbering system had changed since my year-old Rick Steves book.) Had I checked which bus to use and where to pick it up ahead of time, taking the bus to my hotel from the Circumvesuviana station would have been simple.

haanf

I am just curious if you have already gone on your trip - if so what did you end up doing? My husband and I are planning on traveling from Rome to Sorrento for 2 days in September.

Andrew

I assume murphyO went on her trip a long time ago, since her original post was from May 2009. There are more recent threads on this same topic.

PalenQ

check www.seat61.com for much info on booking Italian trains - for general info I also like www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

Yes Salerno + ferry is the most convenient IMO.

Jean

You can pre-purchase the Rome-Naples ticket but not the Naples-Sorrento train. It's a commuter line similar to the light rail service in major cities.

BTW, the info upthread is nearly six years old. The logistical stuff is probably all still accurate, but prices for train, taxi and car services as well as hotel rates have probably gone up.

dawn2duskb

I'm arriving in Rome on a Tuesday in the summer at 9am and will head straight to Sorrento. I will look for a new thread on this, but regarding this thread:
every e is either mentioning Trains or captivate driver.... why hasn't anyone suggested rentung a car in Rome and driving themselves from Rome to sorrento? is there a reason why this isnt suggested?
We are planning to rent a car and drive from Naples to sicily so why not just rent the car in Rome and drive ourselves to Sorrento???

greg

How many hours would you have stayed up when you land in Rome and start driving 3.5 hours to cover 285km?

bella9440

Having done almost the same exact leg a few months ago, this is what I would recommend: get a cab from FCO to the train station, book comfy business class in advance (I did have luck on trenaitalia) to Naples and then a driver to Sorrento (I recommend sorrento cars was excellent) I also come from CA and know how wiped out you can feel after the flight which is why I would avoid taking multiple trains upon arrival. Just be sure your passport and credit cards are safely secured when you get to the Termini and the rest will be easy. After riding the train between naples and sorrento one hot crowded afternoon I knew the money for a driver had been worth every penny!

PalenQ

Yes the CircumVesuviana commuter train Naples to Sorrento is just like a metro though above ground - can be SRO and hodt, etc. But dirt cheap at just a few euros. I've taken it several times and liked it but I rather like riding crowded metros too - and only certain times should be really crowded. Be watchful of bags too as on all trains. If staying in Sorrento use the train to get to nearby Pompeii (Scavi station right at entrance) though.

PalenQ

Cabs from FCO to Termini is OK but the airport express trains are dedicated airport trains with room for luggage, etc. And cabs let you off outside the station - trains from airport inside- carry change for luggage carts is overloaded.

AJPeabody

Didn't there used to be a bus direct from FCO to Sorrento? Does it still exist?

PalenQ

https://www.busradar.com/coach/rome-...-fco/sorrento/

the cheapest 'best' way in IMO.

dawn2duskb

Thanks PalenQ. i am definitely going to look into this website.
I still have to research, debate, and finalize our method of transportation for the 6 of us from FCO to sorrento (whether Train, private Driver, or now bus option).

Also need to determine method of transportation for the 6 of us from Sorrento to Messina. I believe my choices are between Train or overnight ferry. I worry if an overnight ferry for the 6 of us would be safe. I assume we need to rent sleeper cars, but Ihave never done anything like that ,and would need to explore the cost.

I assume we can check out of the hotel in Sorrento in the morning, leave our bags at the front desk, and then spend the day doing something (maybe a day in Positano?), then go retrieve our bags and either take train or the overnight ferry to arrive in messina the following morning....
.... If I take a train that same day to Messina, I then need to book an extra night in Messina area since I'll be arriving the night before (ahead if schedule) instead of the next morning. I Need to explore Ferry pricing, but seems like the overnight ferry with sleeper car is the way to go and then arrive in messina in the morning, RENT A CAR AT MESSINA, and then head to roccolumera to hookup with family and spend 6 days between family and mini excursions.

(after everyone's advice, I am skipping Maratea and Tropea and will head straight from Sorrento to Messina! This extra day or 2 will be added to Sorrento and/or Messina/Taormina area....and my car rental doesn't happen until Sicily at this point.)

Thoughts/feedback always welcome.

PalenQ

There are also overnight trains from Naples and Salerno to various Sicily towns- trains that go on the short ferry link at Messina. Get 3 private doubles or two triples and doors lock from the inside - same on ferries I assume.

kybourbon

>>>Didn't there used to be a bus direct from FCO to Sorrento? Does it still exist?<<<

No. There was a bus from Rome Tiburtina station to Sorrento (still is - Marozzi). In summer, Marozzi extends their route past Sorrento with stops in Pompeii and Amalfi. There used to be a bus from FCO to Salerno until a year or two ago. It was called Buonotourist, but seems to have bit the dust. Quite a few years ago there was a train from FCO to Naples that didn't involve going into Rome, but it's been a long time since that existed.

PalenQ

The bus link I gave does not have any direct Sorrento buses and they take 5-6 hours!

Best to go by train or to Tiburtina Station for bus kybourbon describes. Still probably much slower than high-speed trains, at least to Naples.

kybourbon

FWIW - I've done the land FCO, head to Sorrento slog more than once on arrival day. It is tiring even if you are very familiar with all the public transport/stations as I am. I catch the train (Leonardo Express) from FCO to Rome, take the next fast train to Naples, head downstairs and catch the Circumvesuviana on to Sorrento.

I think a lot of people aren't used to public transport so perhaps they do need a driver. While some of the Circumvesuviana trains are old and AC might be an issue (it's more like a metro), they also have newer ones where AC isn't a problem. The train ride from Rome to Naples is only one hour so I wouldn't worry much about class as long as you book a fast train. You barely have time to get settled before you are gathering your things to get off.

misstravelbug

There is a bus from FCO to Naples, if that helps.

BUS NAPLES TO ROME FIUMICINO AIRPORT | Fiumicino Express

It's 19e each way. I have booked it for a family member, as after a 30 hour flight she doesn't want to organise herself on and off trains and the private cars were around 400e.