Trains to Sorrento

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There is no direct train to Sorrento from Rome, Florence, or Milan. Every long-distance route requires a change in Naples, where you transfer to a regional service for the final leg. Once in Naples, you have two choices: the EAV Circumvesuviana, a frequent regional train taking around 65 minutes, or the Campania Express, a reserved-seat service that does the same journey in about 50 minutes with fewer stops.

Getting the Naples transfer right is the most important part of this journey. High-speed trains from Rome and Florence arrive at Napoli Centrale. From there, you descend to the lower level to reach Napoli Garibaldi, where the Circumvesuviana and Campania Express depart. There are no elevators or escalators on the way down. If you have large luggage, plan for it.

Naples to Sorrento: two options

Both services are operated by EAV (Ente Autonomo Volturno). Trenitalia Frecciarossa and Italo do not serve Sorrento.

Circumvesuviana

The Circumvesuviana runs from Napoli Porta Nolana through Napoli Garibaldi and down the peninsula to Sorrento, stopping at every station along the way. That includes Pompeii (Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri) and Herculaneum (Ercolano Scavi), so the same ticket covers day trips to both sites. Trains run roughly every 30 minutes, seven days a week. Frequency drops at weekends and on public holidays, so check the timetable if you’re travelling on those days.

The journey from Napoli Garibaldi to Sorrento takes around 65 minutes. For the best chance of getting a seat, join at Napoli Porta Nolana, where services originate. By the time a train reaches Garibaldi, it can already be busy.

A ticket costs €3.60. Buy it from the machines or the ticket office before you board, then validate it at the machines on the concourse — not on the train. Inspections happen regularly and fines are issued for unvalidated tickets.

The Circumvesuviana has basic seating and no air conditioning. In summer, particularly around Pompeii, it can get very crowded.

Campania Express

If you want a guaranteed seat and air conditioning, the Campania Express is the better option. It runs the same corridor but stops only at major tourist stations — including Pompeii and Herculaneum — and skips the smaller intermediate stops. Journey time is approximately 50 minutes.

From 28 March 2026, the Campania Express operates 8 daily departures. It costs more than the standard Circumvesuviana ticket and must be booked in advance through the EAV website or the GoEav app. Check current fares before booking.

Interrail and Eurail passes

Interrail and Eurail passes are not valid on EAV services. This applies to both the Circumvesuviana and the Campania Express. Even with a pass in your pocket, you still need a separate EAV ticket for the Naples–Sorrento leg.

The high-speed trains to Naples — Trenitalia Frecciarossa and Italo — are covered by both passes. On Trenitalia services, a mandatory seat reservation is required. Reservation fees for a standard class seat typically run around €13, but the exact amount depends on the train, class, and booking channel. Check before you book.

From Rome to Sorrento

There is no through ticket. You book two legs separately.

Leg 1: Rome Termini to Napoli Centrale. Trenitalia Frecciarossa and Italo both serve this route frequently. Journey time is typically 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes. Advance fares can start from around €15–25 depending on demand, departure, and how early you book. Interrail and Eurail pass holders can use this leg with a reservation.

Leg 2: Naples to Sorrento. From Napoli Centrale, go down to the lower level and board the Circumvesuviana (~65 min, €3.60) or Campania Express (~50 min) from Napoli Garibaldi. EAV tickets are not covered by rail passes.

Total journey time from Rome is typically 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on connections and which Naples–Sorrento service you take.

From Florence and Milan to Sorrento

All routes require a change at Naples. From Florence, high-speed trains to Naples take around 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes. From Milan, the journey is approximately 3 hours on the fastest services. Once at Napoli Centrale, the transfer to Napoli Garibaldi for the EAV connection is the same as from Rome.

How to navigate the Naples transfer

When you arrive at Napoli Centrale on a high-speed train:

1. Follow signs for the Circumvesuviana or Garibaldi station within the building.
2. Take the central staircase to the lower level — no escalators or elevators.
3. Buy your EAV ticket (€3.60 for the Circumvesuviana or Campania Express fare) from the machines or the ticket office.
4. Validate your ticket at the machines on the concourse before boarding.
5. Sorrento-bound trains at Napoli Garibaldi typically depart from track 3 — check the departure boards.

Allow at least 15–20 minutes for the transfer. More if you have heavy luggage.

How to buy tickets

For the Naples–Sorrento leg (EAV):

• Station ticket machines or ticket office at Napoli Porta Nolana or Napoli Garibaldi
• EAV website (eavsrl.it) — required for Campania Express advance booking
• GoEav app

For the long-distance leg (Rome, Florence, or Milan to Naples):

• Trenitalia.com or the Trenitalia app
• Italo (italotrain.com) or its app
• Third-party booking platforms — check for added booking fees

The EAV ticket for the Naples–Sorrento leg must be bought and validated separately. It cannot be combined with a Trenitalia or Italo ticket into a single booking.

Train station in Sorrento

Sorrento has one station, served by the Circumvesuviana and Campania Express. It is a five-minute walk (around 500 metres) from Piazza Tasso in the centre of town. Taxis wait outside the entrance. Local buses and ferries to the Amalfi Coast connect from near the station.

Sorrento as a base for day trips

The Circumvesuviana makes day trips to Pompeii and Herculaneum straightforward. Pompeii (Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri) is around 30 minutes from Sorrento; the ruins are a short walk from the station exit. Herculaneum (Ercolano Scavi) is around 50 minutes away, with the site a 5–10 minute walk from the station. Your EAV ticket for these trips is the same type of ticket used to get here from Naples.

For Mount Vesuvius, take the Circumvesuviana to Ercolano Scavi and connect to the Vesuvio Express shuttle for the ascent.

Getting to the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento

SITA buses leave from the main bus terminal outside the Circumvesuviana station. Positano is around 50 minutes; Amalfi takes approximately 90 minutes. The coastal road can be slow in summer.

Ferries from Marina Piccola run seasonally. In summer, Capri is around 30 minutes, Positano around 30 minutes, and Amalfi around 50 minutes. The ferry is often a better option than the bus when the coastal road is at its most congested.

Travel seasons

The Circumvesuviana runs year-round, including Sundays and public holidays, though frequency drops outside peak season. Summer (June to September) is the busiest period, with crowded trains particularly around Pompeii. Travelling early morning or in the evening is more comfortable than the midday peak.

In winter (January to mid-March), services run on a reduced timetable and some Amalfi Coast ferry connections do not operate. April, May, and October offer a good balance of reliable timetables and manageable crowds.