First time to anywhere! We arrive in Milan (Malpensa) 9:00 am Apr30 and have reservations in Sorrento that evening. Is the train the best way to go or AlpiEagles flight from Linate at approx. 2:30 pm arriving in Naples approx. 4:30 pm then the train to Sorrento? The flight is about $115 each for the cheapest flight, but it is the only flight of the afternoon. I have yet to calc the cost of the train(s)but the arrival time is a little later than flying. I am concerned we will get stranded at the Linate airport but I am also concerned the logistics of the train and transfers. Please, any advise is welcome!

Hi cb,

You might want to also consider Volare Air Lines (www.volareweb.com).

It's 6 1/2 hr Milan to Naples on the ES* (81 or 56E pp). You probably will have to take the 12:00 PM train.

You will also have to transfer from Naples to Sorrento.

I think flying is your best bet.

While I agree with Ira that flying is your best bet, you will still have to deal with changing flights and then from airport to train station in Naples and then at least an hour on the Circumvesuvia train/tram on to Sorrento after a flight of ____ distance from your point of origin. This is one gruelling opening act for a vacation. Have you any alternatives? Delay your reservation in Sorrento one night and give your self a day in Milan to recover? Fly into an aiport closer to Sorrento (Venezia?)?

I would fly down to Naples, then hire a driver to pick you up at the airport and deliver you to your hotel. There has been alot of recommendations for drivers that serve that area here on fodors.

cbulf: check out the national airline: www.alitalia.it (.com). Facing bankruptcy, this heretofore maligned airline has become much more competitive with more flights and lower prices. Having said that, the train ride isn't bad. And you get to see the countryside.

cbluf: This is a hell of a way to start your holiday, ESPECIALLY if you're flying in from North America. I assume you've already explored these alternatives:

1. Flying into Naples directly, or at least into Rome;
2. Breaking your journey in Milan

Having stated this, here are a couple of alternatives:

1. Take the Malpensa Shuttle Airporter Bus to Linate (lv. 11:00 ar 12:15; 8 Euros)
2. Fly Volareweb or Alpi Eagles to Naples. Volare flight PE8241 leaves LIN 14:50 and arrives NAP 16:10. One way discounted fare 103.84 Euros including all taxes.
3. Take the Curreri airporter bus to Sorrento. It leaves NAP at 16:30 and arrives Sorrento at 17:30. Fare approx. 5 Euros. A 20 minute connection means you have to keep your luggage with you on the plane. You'll probably miss this bus in any case, and will have to go into Naples proper to take the Circumvesuviana commuter train).
Total Fare: 116.84 Euros

ALTERNATIVE

1. Take the Malpensa Shuttle Airporter bus to Milano Stazione Centrale. Fare 4.50 Euros.
2. Take the NOON Eurostar to Naples. Fare 56.29 in reserved second class. Arrival Naples Centrale 18:30.
3. Take the Circumvesuviana commuter train to Sorrento at 18:41 or 19:13. Travel time 66/50 minutes. Fare 3.10 Euros. Arrive Sorrento 19:47 or 20:03 (the 19:13 train is faster).
Total fare: 63.89 Euros

You may arrive in Sorrento in a semi-unconscious state (if arriving directly from North America).

cbluf: This is a hell of a way to start your holiday, ESPECIALLY if you're flying in from North America. I assume you've already explored these alternatives:

1. Flying into Naples directly, or at least into Rome;
2. Breaking your journey in Milan

Having stated this, here are a couple of alternatives:

1. Take the Malpensa Shuttle Airporter Bus to Linate (lv. 11:00 ar 12:15; 8 Euros)
2. Fly Volareweb or Alpi Eagles to Naples. Volare flight PE8241 leaves LIN 14:50 and arrives NAP 16:10. One way discounted fare 103.84 Euros including all taxes.
3. Take the Curreri airporter bus to Sorrento. It leaves NAP at 16:30 and arrives Sorrento at 17:30. Fare approx. 5 Euros. A 20 minute connection means you have to keep your luggage with you on the plane. You'll probably miss this bus in any case, and will have to go into Naples proper to take the Circumvesuviana commuter train).
Total Fare: 116.84 Euros

ALTERNATIVE

1. Take the Malpensa Shuttle Airporter bus to Milano Stazione Centrale. Fare 4.50 Euros.
2. Take the NOON Eurostar to Naples. Fare 56.29 in reserved second class. Arrival Naples Centrale 18:30.
3. Take the Circumvesuviana commuter train to Sorrento at 18:41 or 19:13. Travel time 66/50 minutes. Fare 3.10 Euros. Arrive Sorrento 19:47 or 20:03 (the 19:13 train is faster).
Total fare: 63.89 Euros

You may arrive in Sorrento in a semi-unconscious state (if arriving directly from North America).

www.volareweb.com
www.trenitalia.com
www.vesuviana.it
www.curreriviaggi.it

My two cents worth:

It depends on your priority:
convenience
cost
comfort
challenge?

If cost is not a major object and you can't change your airport arrival to Naples, I would fly and take a hired car
to your hotel.

It would be nice to stay in Milano one night too, have a nice dinner, go to the Cathedral and the covered shopping area (I forget the name) and then take the train the next day down to Naples, then take the hired car to Sorrento.

When you arrive in Milan, you are probably going to be exhausted already, with the time change. (If you are flying from the US.)

I'm wondering why are you going into Milan and then all the way to Sorrento? It is probably too late to change the Milan destination, but in going to Sorrento, Rome and Naples would have been better destinations. Do you need to immediately be in Sorrento? Or can you take a day in Milan to recuperate from the time change? It can be brutal.

Good luck.