From Bari to Sorrento
 

Greetings from Vermont!

I’m looking for your advice. We will be staying in the Puglia region for a full week in April, where we’ll be renting a car from Bari Airport for that period. Afterward, we will travel to Sorrento for another week (and after Sorrento, we’ll fly to Sicily to join a tour).

I’m seeking your recommendation on the best transportation method from Bari to Sorrento. I’ve done some research and read various travel blogs—some people prefer the train, while others recommend the direct bus. However, we’d prefer not to take the 7 AM direct train from Bari to Naples because the day before, we’ll be in Monopoli and need to return the rental car to Bari Airport.

We’re still debating what would be the most convenient option:

A direct bus to Naples
Changing trains along the way
Flying to Naples (though this requires a layover in Rome, so it may not be ideal)
Alternatively, should we keep the rental car and return it in Sorrento? We don’t plan to use a car while in Amalfi—just public transportation. My main concern is that driving from Puglia to Sorrento might involve steep and dangerous roads, which my husband isn’t comfortable with.

If we decide on a bus or train, it would obviously be to Naples. What transportation would you recommend from Naples to Sorrento? I’ve read mixed reviews about both the local and faster trains.

Additionally, we’ll be carrying a few sensitive laptops since we’ll be working while in Italy, and we want to avoid any unnecessary hassle. We’ll also have two large suitcases, as we’ll have spent the previous month in Rome.

I’ve even considered a shuttle or private transfer from Naples to Sorrento. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

For any journey more than a couple of hours, I'd pick the train over the bus under just about any circumstances. IMO, trains are more comfortable overall.

If you were intending to do some sightseeing in Naples, you might consider spending a night there after Bari and then heading to Sorrento the next day. If you can manage catching a train at 8:45 a.m., there's a daily train Bari-Naples that takes a bit over 4 hours with one comfortable change (20 minutes) at Caserta.

I don't generally like one-night stays, but a night in Naples would save you a couple of hours of traveling round-trip from Sorrento later. We don't have any problem with the Circumvesuviana commuter train between Naples and Sorrento, but I think it depends a bit on one's experience and confidence in using big-city transportation.

Whatever you decide, I would seriously reconsider the "two large suitcases." It doesn't really matter how long your trip is. I know people don't like to hear that, but it's true. The are launderettes where you can drop your clothes to be cleaned, and most hotels offer laundry services. If at all possible, downsize to smaller luggage, and keep your hands on the laptop cases at all times.

Thank you for your reply. Did you get your train tickets online in advance? I also read that there is another train from Naples to Sorrento that is more like an express.

https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/c...train-schedule
Yes, there is the Campania Express which is geared to tourists. The Circumvesuviana is more of a commuter train.

In your shoes I would just drive and drop the car off in Sorrento, you can Google driving conditions, I did and it doesn't look terrible. The highway between Naples and Sorrento is fine, it's not a corniche road like the Amalfi coast.
Just be careful along the way if you stop not to leave your car with luggage unattended.

There would most likely be a one-way surcharge for dropping the car in Sorrento. Whether it's more or less than the train fare is for you to research. But if your travel day is between April 13 (Palm Sunday) and April 21 (Easter Monday), there could be more traffic on the road, especially as you get closer to the Naples/Sorrentine area.

If you decide to go by train and your travel date is within the Easter period, I would definitely buy the tickets in advance. AFAIK, you can't buy the Naples-Sorrento tickets in advance. If your travel date is within the Easter period, a private driver from Naples to your Sorrento hotel would be a good idea IMO.

Thank you for the great tips! We will be staying in Monopoli the night before, so we’ll need to drive to Bari Airport—our original rental location—to drop off the car and then somehow get to the Bari train station. (I noticed there are no Ubers in Italy.)

If we keep our rental car, the issue is that our travel day to Sorrento is on Sunday April 13th (Ash Sunday), and most rental car agencies are closed or have limited hours. In that case, we would need to drop off the rental car at Naples Airport.

I’m not sure which option makes more sense.

There is a airport link from airport to Bari Centrale just outside of the airport - just follow the signs. It takes about 20-25 minutes, cost is minimal (about 3€ iirc).

There is a good motorway from Bari all the way to Naples.

If you do all by train, you may leave Bari airport at 11.46, change trains at Bari Centrale (ar 12.05, dp 12.46) and at Caserta (ar 15.43, dp 15.49) and arrive at Naples at 16.35.
Flixbus between Bari Centrale and Naples is not faster, but much cheaper and more frequent.

AFAIK (I'm not Catholic), there is no "Ash Sunday." There is Ash Wednesday on March 5, 2025, and Palm Sunday on April 13, 2025.

You don't need Uber to get from the airport to Bari Centrale. If the car rental return office/desk isn't near the airport taxi stand(s), ask them to call you a taxi. The Bari Centrale train station is only about 8 miles away.

There is also train service from the airport into the city. From what I can tell, the train from the airport stops less than 100 meters from the Bari Centrale station. Arrival/departure seems to provide a very comfortable connection (20 minutes). Depart airport at 11:56 a.m. (Regionale 91065), arrive Bari Centrale 12:25 p.m., depart Bari Centrale 12:46 p.m. (Frecciargento 8314), arrive Caserta 3:43 p.m., depart Caserta 4:04 p.m. (Regionale 5781), arrive Napoli Centrale 4:48 p.m. There is no earlier combo leaving from the airport, and whether you take the airport train or taxi to Bari Centrale, the first "good" train leaving Bari Centrale would be the same... 12:46 p.m. I would taxi. I would buy first class tickets on the Bari-Caserta leg; the Caserta-Naples leg is 2nd class only but takes less than 2 hours.

https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html [search "from Bari Aeroporto" and "to Napoli Centrale"]

When I look at flights from Bari to Naples, I don't see any non-stop service, at least on Sundays. If that's the case, there's no way I'd fly. Two opportunities for delays. Holiday weekend... ugh.

In your situation, I would take the train from Bari and hire a driver to transport from Napoli Centrale to the Sorrento hotel, especially considering the late afternoon arrival (about 5:00 p.m.) and if the hotel is not fairly close to or is uphill from the Sorrento train station.

If you keep the car and drop off at Naples Airport there is a bus that goes direct from the airport to the train station in Sorrento. I suggested just keeping the car and driving because for me that sounds like the least hassle, driving to Bari airport to drop off, then getting to the train station, then getting to Sorrento etc etc just sounds like a lot of faffing around but that is just me.

https://www.curreriviaggi.it/en/naples-airport-shuttle
Here is the link to the airport bus.
And yes Jean is right, it's Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday, it's not just a Catholic thing.

Jean's recommendation of train from Bari to Naples and private driver to the Sorrento hotel is good. You should have no trouble getting a taxi from the Bari airport to the train station, it's not something you need to book ahead.

Thank you so much for all your information! There’s a lot to consider… everyone was so helpful! By the way, I’m not sure why I mixed up Ash Wednesday with Palm Sunday.