I have a 10:20 am flight from Rome to Madrid, and will be in Sorrento in the days leading up to the flight. Should I go back to Rome the night before the flight, or is it possible to catch an early train out of Sorrento to Naples - Rome and make the airport in time for the flight? I'd sure love the extra day in Sorrento. Or is that cutting it too close?

In theory you can do this. Catch the 5 AM Circumvesuviana from Sorrento to Naples, the 6:05 train to Rome Termini, then the 7:22 from Rome to Fiumicino. (It is Fiumicino from which you're flying to Madrid?) It also depends on when you're trying to do this.

However, relying on Italian trains is dicey. All too often there are stoppages, strikes, breakdowns. Are you willing to take the chance of missing your flight to Madrid? What would a new last-minute ticket cost you?

There is an earlier train from Naples. I haven't looked at Circumvesuviana schedule yet. It takes 2+ hours to get to Rome from Naples, doesn't it? You can do it, just start earlier than 5.

What about hiring a driver? [email protected] is e-dress of guy DH and I hired. He would charge much more than train fare but it would be a straight shot in a comfy car.

I can't find the earliest train from Circumvesuviana Sorrento. But it does say that it's a 75 minute ride.

1 hr 15 to Naples
2 hr 15 to Rome
1/2 hr to airport?

= 4 hours minimum by train. If you need to arrive 2 hours before flight time, you need to leave 6 hours before.

I'd consider a driver or just going up to Rome the evening before. Stay at Raphael Hotel (almost on the Piazza Navonna) and have them call you a cab in the a.m. for flight. You can sit on their rooftop bar or stroll over to Piazza Navonna and then get a good night's sleep.

Just as I thought. . . probably better to have the sure thing than to try and do it the morning of the flight. . . that said, thanks for the advice. I 'll check out the Raphael Hotel. Either that, or we'll take our time back to Rome and stay somewhere near the airport if we arrive later in the evening. Yes, Fiumicino. Any recommendations for a good "airport" hotel??

Be at the airport by 0730---that is not easy if you sleep in Rome. Stay at the Hilton Garden Inn, as we will in 2 weeks.