How to Get From Naples to Sorrento (Ferries, Trains, Buses, and Private Transfers)
I was warned by a friend before visiting Italy that the public transportation situation can be a bit… hectic.
After visiting other European countries like Switzerland and Germany, where the trains are unbelievably punctual and easy to understand, Italy definitely felt overwhelming.
As soon as we landed in Naples for our 5-day trip to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, my friend’s story made perfect sense.
Getting from Naples to Sorrento seemed straightforward when planning, but we ran into several hiccups along the way. There are many different options for the journey: some cheap, some fast, some easy.
We personally took the train from Naples to Sorrento (and back), but you can also take a ferry, a bus, or a private transfer. Read on for the pros and cons of each to decide which one is right for you!
Naples to Sorrento Overview
Before we get into the transportation options for your journey from Naples to Sorrento, it helps to understand the geography of the area!
Naples is a large city and the main transportation hub servicing the Campania region of Italy, which includes Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast towns like Positano, Amalfi, etc.
Sorrento lies about 30 miles (48 km) south of Naples on the Sorrentine peninsula, with the Gulf of Naples sprawling between them.
The famous city of Pompeii is about halfway between Naples and Sorrento (which makes for a great day trip from Sorrento since it’s right off the main train line!).
Most people refer to this entire region of Italy as the Amalfi Coast, which is technically incorrect. As you can see on the map above, the Amalfi Coast is just one small part of the coastline (shown in purple).
While Sorrento is not actually on the Amalfi Coast, it does make a great home base for exploring the rest of the region (read more about why we preferred staying in Sorrento here!).
The main reason for this is that Sorrento is so well-connected to Naples, which is where most people will fly into when visiting this area, as well as other spots like Pompeii, Capri, etc.
As I mentioned above, there are five main ways to get from Naples to Sorrento: private transfer, train, ferry, or bus.
Note: This post assumes you are arriving in Naples via plane, but you can absolutely still use it if you are arriving via train!
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚐 Private Transfer | €90 pp | 60-90 min | Groups, heavy luggage, door-to-door |
| 🚆 Train (Campania Express) | €15 | ~1 hr 10 min (plus airport transfer) | Guaranteed seat, AC, budget-friendly |
| 🚆 Train (Circumvesuviana) | €5 | ~1 hr 20 min (plus airport transfer) | Cheapest option, runs frequently |
| ⛴️ Ferry | €20 | 45 min crossing (plus port transfer) | Scenic route, no traffic |
| 🚌 Bus (Curreri Viaggi) | €13 | 75-90 min | Direct from airport, budget-friendly |
By Private Transfer
💰 Cost: ~€90 pp
⏰ Time: About 60-90 minutes, depending on traffic
📍 Pickup location: Naples airport
If you wish to avoid the travel logistics and arrive in Sorrento with little to no effort, booking a private transfer is the way to go.
While I usually pride myself on navigating transportation in foreign cities and love saving money (which is why we took the train), I’ve also grown to love comfort and convenience too, lol!
And to be totally honest, when I visit this part of Italy again, I will 100% be booking this option for our trip, especially if I’m traveling with a group!
Booking a private transfer from Naples to Sorrento means you get to skip the chaos of navigating to the train station or ferry port (which I will get into in the next sections).
Instead, a driver will meet you at the airport, load your luggage, and take you straight to your hotel door in Sorrento. Voila!!!
There are plenty of transfer companies to choose from. Most charge around $200 for 2 people, but the more you add into the car, the cheaper it becomes!
The boat tour company we used while exploring the Amalfi Coast (You Know! Boat) happens to offer private transfers, so I can vouch for their professionalism 🙂
However, Welcome Pickups has some of the best rates I’ve seen!!
Overall, if you want the easiest option, this is the one to go with!!
By Train
💰 Cost: €5 (commuter) or €15 (express)
⏰ Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
📍 Pickup location: Naples train station
The train is the most popular option for getting from Naples to Sorrento, which is what we personally did on our visit!
However, there are some logistics you’ll need to know in advance before taking the train!
First: there are actually two train options: the Circumvesuviana (commuter) train and the Campania Express train.
We took the Campania Express from Naples to Sorrento when we arrived and the Circumvesuviana from Sorrento back to Naples at the end of the trip, so I’ll share everything you need to know about the two of them below.
But no matter which you take, you will first need to navigate from the Naples airport to the Naples train station, which requires its own logistics!
Note: Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to reach the train station if you are booking a train ticket in advance. We arrived in Naples at 11:30 am, and our train left at 1:55 pm, which gave us plenty of time to get there and have lunch!
Getting from Naples Airport to the Naples Train Station
From the airport, the closest train station is Naples Centrale station – it’s a quick 15-minute drive between the two.
To make the journey, you can take a private taxi for €18, a shared taxi for €6, or a shared bus for €5.
We personally took the shared bus (called Alibus), which runs in a loop from the airport to the train station to the ports.
There are ticket machines inside the airport for the bus, but we waited in line for these twice and had issues both times.
Afterwards, we found out you don’t actually need to buy a ticket in the airport… You can pay directly on the bus with Apple Pay or cash, so I recommend that instead!
Waiting in line to buy a ticket for the Alibus Waiting in line to board the Alibus
To find the bus, just follow the signs for the Alibus as you exit the airport – it’s straight out from the arrivals area (look for the blue and green signs). Buses depart every 15-30 minutes.
The first stop on the route is the train station – you’ll be dropped off right across from the main entrance. (If you are doing this route in reverse, the bus stop to get back to the airport is on the west side of the station, just south of the main entrance).
Once you enter the train station, follow the signs for Campania Express and/or Circumvesuviana (they are both located on the same tracks downstairs).
There are escalators right inside the main entrance of the station, and then it’s a short walk to the platform.
Note: This page from Seat 61 has a great overview of navigating the Naples train station!
Circumvesuviana vs Campania Express
As mentioned above, there are two different trains that run from Naples to Sorrento: the Circumvesuviana and the Campania Express.
Both trains leave from the same platform in Naples Central and even run on the same track, but they are slightly different experiences.
Campania Express
The Campania Express is the tourist-oriented option, costing €15 for a one-way ticket.
It’s an “express” train because it makes fewer stops than the commuter Circumvesuviana train; however, it only arrives in Sorrento around 10-15 minutes faster (depending on delays).
Unlike the Circumvesuviana, the train cars are air-conditioned and only a limited number of tickets are sold for each departure, which means you’re guaranteed a seat.
It’s also supposed to have dedicated luggage space, though our train didn’t actually have this.
Platform in Naples Central station for Campania Our car inside the Campania Express (no luggae racks)
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The Campania only runs a few times a day, and tickets are non-refundable (however, you can add cancellation coverage when booking through Omio).
So, if the times don’t align with your plans, you may end up waiting a while in the station.
Since tickets are limited and it only runs a handful of times per day, I do recommend booking online in advance rather than risking it selling out if you do decide to take the Campania.
(We actually planned to purchase at the station ticket stand, but found the machines extremely confusing, so just did it online instead!).
Circumvesuviana
The Circumvesuviana is the regular commuter train that the locals use. It’s not air-conditioned, and there’s no limit on how many tickets are sold.
This means you could end up standing for the whole 1 hr 20 minute ride, which is not ideal, especially if you’re traveling with luggage.
The upside is that it runs every 20-40 minutes (instead of every 2-3 hours like the Campania), so you have way more flexibility on timing.
It’s also significantly cheaper, less than €5 per ticket. You can buy tickets directly at the station.
🚆 Check the full Naples to Sorrento train schedule here (the express times are marked by EXP)!
We actually took the Circumvesuviana train on our way back to Naples from Sorrento because the first Campania Express didn’t leave until 10:30 am (and our flight was at 12:30 pm).
We purposefully arrived 30+ minutes before the train left so we could get a seat for the journey with our luggage (since the line starts in Sorrento, the train is normally there waiting).
Funny enough, this train actually had luggage racks, but our bags were too big for them, so we just slid them under our seat.
With seats and luggage secured, the only difference between the Campania Express and the Circumvesuviana was the lack of air conditioning and a 10-minute later arrival, which really weren’t a big deal.
So, my recommendation between the two depends on which direction you’re headed:
From Naples to Sorrento, I’d book the Campania Express to guarantee your seat, since you’re likely arriving with luggage and don’t want to gamble on standing room after a flight.
From Sorrento back to Naples, the Circumvesuviana is fine – just get to the platform early to grab a seat!
By Ferry
💰 Cost: €20
⏰ Time: ~45 minutes
📍 Pickup location: Naples ferry port
Taking the ferry from Naples to Sorrento is a popular option if you want to skip the trains and buses entirely and enjoy the views from the water instead.
While we didn’t take the ferry from Naples to Sorrento, we did take ferries later in our trip between Sorrento and Capri as well as Sorrento and Positano!
Ferries to Sorrento depart from Molo Beverello, the main passenger pier in Naples (“Molo” means “wharf” in Italian!).
The pier is located right in front of Castel Nuovo in the city center, about 15 minutes from the train station and 20 minutes from the airport.
Similar to getting to the train station, you can either take a taxi for €24 or the shared Alibus for €5 to reach the port from the airport.
The Alibus runs in a loop from the airport -> the train station -> the ports.
It stops at Porta di Massa first (which is for larger ferries to other parts of Italy) and then stops at Molo Beverello, where the high-speed ferries and hydrofoils to Sorrento leave from (make sure you get off at the right stop!).
Ferries run every 1-2 hours through two main companies: NLG and Alilauro. They tend to cost the same (around €20), and neither is better than the other, so book whichever has the best time for you!
I personally prefer to book through FerryHopper to compare prices and times across both companies!
By Bus
💰 Cost: €13
⏰ Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
📍 Pickup location: Naples airport
The last (but certainly not least) option for getting from Naples to Sorrento is by bus!
While you can absolutely take a bus (like Flixbus) from the train station, I actually recommend booking the Curreri Viaggi airport shuttle bus, which runs from the Naples airport to several different stops in Sorrento.
Tickets can be purchased in advance for €13, and the bus picks up right outside of the airport (no transfer to the train station needed!).
Below is the timetable for the shuttle bus, which takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the Sorrento train station from the airport (the same as the trains).
Personally, I wish we knew about this bus before our trip to Sorrento!!
Not having to navigate from the airport to the train station and on the train itself with your bags is a huge benefit. Plus, it’s cheaper than the Express train and arrives in the same amount of time!
If we don’t do a private transfer on our next trip, we will be taking this shuttle bus for sure.
🍋 Read Next: Here’s a list of all the top things to do on the Amalfi Coast & Sorrento!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the train from Naples to Sorrento cost?
There are two trains you can take from Naples to Sorrento. The commuter (Circumvesuviana) train costs €5, while the Campania Express train costs €15.
Is it better to take the ferry or train from Naples to Sorrento?
It depends on your preference! The ferry from Naples to Sorrento costs around €20 and takes 45 minutes. The train from Naples to Sorrento takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes and costs between €5 and €15 depending on whether you take the commuter or express train.
How long is the ferry ride from Naples to Sorrento?
The ferry ride from Naples to Sorrento takes around 45 minutes.
What is the easiest way to get from Naples to Sorrento?
The easiest way to get from Naples to Sorrento is to take a private transfer so you don’t have to navigate any public transportation from the airport. However, it is also the most expensive option. Another easy way is to take the Curreri Viaggi airport shuttle bus.
What is the fastest way to get from Naples to Sorrento?
The fastest way is to take the ferry, which takes around 45 minutes, but that does not include the time it takes to get from the airport/train station to the port!
What is the cheapest way to get from Naples to Sorrento?
The Circumvesuviana train is the cheapest option at under €5, followed by the Curreri Viaggi bus at €13.
Is the Campania Express worth it over the Circumvesuviana?
It depends on your priorities. The Campania Express guarantees you a seat and has air conditioning, but only saves about 10 minutes. If you’re traveling with a lot of luggage or just want peace of mind, it may be worth the extra cost.
Which Option is Right For You?
Choosing the best transportation option from Naples to Sorrento (or vice versa) is a balance of time, money, and convenience.
If you care most about budget, the Circumvesuviana train is your best fit.
If you want scenic views and the fastest ride, consider taking the ferry!
If you want ultimate convenience from the airport, a private transfer or the shuttle bus are my personal recommendations.
And if you want a happy medium between all 3, the Campania Express is always an option.
Once you’ve decided, head over to my guide on Where to Stay in Sorrento to continue planning your Italy vacation!
Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!
