About the ride from Sorrento to Naples
Big things come in small packages, and there’s no better example of that than the charming coastal town of Sorrento. Nestled between the jagged cliffs of the Campania Coast, the Bay of Naples, and the iconic Isle of Capri, this place is definitely a must-see. But after a few days of navigating its cobblestone streets, it’s time to explore the beauties of southern Italy even further. That’s where a trip from Sorrento to Naples comes in.
As Italy’s third largest metropolitan area, and one of the oldest settlements on the Apennine Peninsula, Naples is a city deserving of any traveler’s visit. This place is everything south of Italy is known for, but louder, brighter, and more exciting. Campania’s capital city has found a way to combine ancient piazzas and museums with loud warrens and busy markets in the most unapologetic way possible – and you’re going to love it.
The question is, how do you get from Sorrento to Naples?
First of all, the two towns are just 30 miles apart, so you won’t need long to get there. Better yet, with as many as 6 transportation options to choose from, there’s something for each budget and travel taste. So, to get from Sorrento to Naples, you can:
- Hop on a ferry. One of the most convenient ways to travel between the two cities, a ferry ride gives you all the comfort you need, with commanding views of the beautiful Bay of Naples to boot. The journey takes just half an hour, and you have 6 departure times to choose from every day.
- Take a minivan. Minivans are a popular transportation option in Italy, and for good reason. Quick and cozy, these shuttles take around an hour to reach their destination. Just sit back and admire the local landscape as you traverse the scenic coastline.
- Go in a private car. The great thing about going from Sorrento to Naples in a private car is that you’re able to split the price with 2 other people. That’s really useful if you’re traveling with friends. These aren’t your run of the mill cabs, mind you. Hop in one of the luxury sedans and feel what it’s like to travel like royalty!
- Go by train. If you’re on a longer road trip in Italy, taking a train might suit you best. This is by far the most affordable way of getting from Sorrento to Naples. On the flip side, it’s not as quick and comfortable as some of the other options. You’ll have two operators to choose from, both of which are making a few stops along the way.
What to see when traveling from Sorrento to Naples
Sorrento and Naples lie on opposing sides of the Bay of Naples, meaning that, on a clear day, you can almost see the other town. But with loads of beautiful scenes to enjoy along the way, there’s no need to think about your destination just yet.
What you’ll be able to see on your way from Sorrento to Naples will obviously depend on whether you’re going by sea or land. Needless to say that as far as views go, you won’t go wrong with either!
A ferry ride from Sorrento will greet you with the shimmering waters of the bay. Leaving Sorrento and the beautiful isle of Capri in your wake, you’ll be able to admire deep blues of the Tyrrhenian Sea. On the other side, the picture-perfect Campanian coast – time to snap a few photos!
Taking the land route to Naples will take you past some of Italy’s most iconic attractions. The road is lined with neat stone pine and cork oak trees, the sort of thing you’d expect on an Italian road trip. Every so often, a medieval castle pops up, just to remind you of how special this place is.
After around 20 minutes on the road, you’ll come up to the ancient city of Pompeii. If you have time, you can pop out to see its magnificent amphitheater and learn about the tragic fate of the city. If not, you can see the bane of the ancient metropolis for yourself. The towering 4,200-foot Mount Vesuvius, one of the few remaining active volcanoes in Europe, is truly a sight to behold!
As you make your way into the city, prepare to be awestruck! If you’re coming in by ferry, have your camera at the ready. The sight of the imposing Castel dell'Ovo is definitely something you’ll want to brag about. Within minutes of arriving, many of the town’s attractions will be within walking distance. Culture buff or not, Naples is the birthplace of pizza, so make sure grab a slice!
Getting from Sorrento to Naples
Going by ferry
Getting a ferry from Sorrento to Naples is easy as can be. The two operators, Alilauro and NLG (Navigazione Libera del Golfo), combine for a total of 6 departures per day. Both offer tickets for under $20, with return tickets available. A bargain if there ever was one.
In terms of amenities, Alilauro and NLG are pretty similar. Both offer air-conditioned cabins (a life-saver in southern Italy!), and toilets. Alilauro does win bonus points on outdoor seating in case you want to catch some sun.
NLG ferries have a luggage policy that allows one bag per person, up to 50 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm in size. Alilauro has the same requirement, with a slightly higher 50 cm x 35 cm x 20 size allowance. If you’re bringing more luggage, you can pay an extra fee. Same goes if you want to bring your bike or a pet.
Both ferries depart from the Port of Sorrento and land at the Naples Ferry Terminal.
Taking a minivan
If you’re bringing a lot of luggage on your trip from Sorrento to Naples, a minivan is the way to go. You can choose between two operators: Enjoy Travelling, and DTS Travel Group. Both offer private vans, where you’d have the entire vehicle to your group, or shared vans.
If you’re traveling with a larger crew, a private van is an ideal choice. The prices range between $150 and $192, with 6-pax and 8-pax options available. If you’re going solo or in a pair, you can choose between the $30 Enjoy Travelling van, or the $44 van from DTS.
All vans boast comfortable seating and A/C. The only real differences between the two operators is how much luggage you can bring.
The Enjoy Travelling shared van lets you bring a 20 kg bag plus a 7 kg carry-on. If you take the private van, each person in your group can bring two 20kg bags, plus the 7 kg carry-on. DTS vans allow a single 20kg bag, regardless of whether you’re in a private or shared van.
Going by private car
If traveling in a van isn’t your thing, perhaps you’ll prefer booking a private car. Operated by Enjoy Traveling and DTS, the cars going to Naples give you the extra comfort without losing out on the sense of security.
Enjoy Traveling runs their trips for $127, while DTS is a little more affordable with a price of $101 for the vehicle. Again, the only difference between the two operators is the luggage policy. You can bring two 20 kg bags with Enjoy Travelling, whereas DTS only allows you to bring one.
Going by train
There are two trains running from Sorrento to Naples: Circumvesuviana and Campania Express. The former is your typical commuter train. It doesn’t offer much in terms of comfort, so you might need to stand for the duration of the 90 minute journey. On the flip side, a one-way ticket is just under $6, which is a bargain.
If that’s a bit bare bones for you, you can go with the more comfortable Campania Express train. This option provides guaranteed seating, luggage racks and air conditioning. A ticket will run you around $10, but you’ll also reach Naples in 30 minutes less.