How to Get to Sorrento: Train, Bus, Ferry

Sorrento lies about fifty kilometres from Naples and can be reached in four ways: by direct bus from Naples Capodichino airport, by Circumvesuviana train from Naples, by hydrofoil or ferry from the port of Naples and the islands, or by car along the Sorrentina road. The best choice depends on your luggage, the season and where you are coming from: here are the pros and cons of each option.

By air: from Naples Capodichino airport

The nearest international airport is Naples Capodichino. The most convenient option, if the timetable matches your arrival, is the direct bus to Sorrento run by Curreri, which leaves from the bus area next to the airport car parks and takes just over an hour, with intermediate stops along the peninsula (Sant'Agnello, Piano di Sorrento, Meta, Vico Equense). Alternatively, take the Alibus shuttle to the central station in Piazza Garibaldi to continue by train, or to the Molo Beverello port to continue by sea. Groups or travellers with lots of luggage can book a private transfer or a taxi. Timetables and fares change with the seasons: check them on the official websites before you travel.

By train: the Circumvesuviana from Naples

If you arrive in Naples on a national train, you get off at Napoli Centrale in Piazza Garibaldi. From there, go down to the lower level and follow the signs to the Circumvesuviana's Napoli Garibaldi station, the regional railway run by EAV that starts from the Porta Nolana terminus. The Sorrento line runs along the gulf, with stops that are also handy for visiting Herculaneum and Pompeii, and reaches the Sorrento terminus in just over an hour. It is the cheapest and most frequent option; in summer, however, trains are often crowded, so travel light, buy your ticket before boarding and keep an eye on your belongings. From Sorrento station, Piazza Tasso is a few minutes' walk.

By sea: hydrofoils and ferries

Hydrofoils and fast ferries to Sorrento leave from Molo Beverello in Naples; the crossing takes about half an hour and offers lovely views of Vesuvius and the coast. Sorrento also has sea links with Capri and, especially in the warmer months, with Positano, Amalfi and other resorts on the gulf. You land at the port of Marina Piccola, at the foot of the town: to reach the centre there are steps, shuttle buses or a lift that goes up to the area of the Villa Comunale. The sea can be rough and crossings may be cancelled in bad weather, especially in winter.

By car: motorway, Sorrentina road and ZTL

From Naples, take the A3 Naples-Salerno motorway to the Castellammare di Stabia exit, then the SS145 Sorrentina road, which follows the coast through tunnels and scenic bends via Vico Equense, Meta, Piano di Sorrento and Sant'Agnello. At weekends and in summer traffic can be heavy. Sorrento's historic centre is a limited traffic zone (ZTL) monitored by electronic gates, active at certain times of day and during part of the year: if you do not have a permit, leave your car in one of the paid car parks around the centre and continue on foot. If your hotel is inside the ZTL or has a garage, ask how to proceed before you arrive.

Once you arrive

Sorrento's centre is easy to explore on foot. Scheduled buses to the Amalfi Coast and the villages of the peninsula also leave from the station, and there are taxi ranks in the centre. To choose where to stay based on how you are arriving, browse our list of hotels in Sorrento; for emergency numbers, pharmacies and practical advice, read the useful information.