If you’re staying in Naples, a trip to Sorrento is one of the easiest and most popular day trips you can do.
But one of the biggest questions is how to actually get there.
Do you take the train, or is the ferry worth it?
We did this ourselves as a family of six and ended up choosing the train, but there are pros and cons to both options depending on your budget, time and how relaxed you want the journey to be.
This guide breaks down both options so you can decide what works best for you.
If you’re planning your full trip, you can also read:
👉 3 Days in Naples: Our Itinerary (with Pompeii and Sorrento + Real Costs)
Or for a full breakdown of transport in Naples:👉 How to get around Naples (metro, trains, funicular and buses)
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The train from Naples to Sorrento is the cheapest and most flexible option.
This runs on the Circumvesuviana line, the same train used for Pompeii.
We paid around €46 total for five of us (one of our teens stayed back), so roughly £40 return (£8pp) which I thought was a fantastic price.
The train station is just a few minutes walk from the main shopping area of Sorrento.
I’ll be honest, this isn’t a “nice” train.
It’s:
We stood for a lot of the journey, especially on the way there, and it was even busier than when we went to Pompeii (likely because it was Good Friday).
That said, it’s:
And by day 3, this suited us perfectly as we didn’t want to be tied to specific times.
The ferry is the more scenic and comfortable option, but it comes at a higher price.
This is a completely different experience to the train.
You get:
It’s also far less crowded than the train.
To check ferry times, prices and sailings we use Ferryhopper.
The cheapest option
Flexibility (turn up on the day and leave when you want)
No need to pre-book
Easy, simple travel
A more scenic experience
A quieter, more comfortable journey
To avoid crowded trains
Originally, we had planned to do the Amalfi Coast, but the weather wasn’t great and the sea looked quite choppy.
We didn’t want to risk an expensive ferry only for it to be rough, so we switched plans and went to Sorrento instead.
By that point in the trip, we were also quite tired and didn’t want to be tied to specific departure times.
The train meant we could just turn up, get on, and head back whenever we were ready.
It wasn’t the most comfortable journey, but it worked perfectly for what we needed.
Another deciding factor, was that we could literally step outside our apartment and be on the local train to Napoli Garibaldi in minutes. If we'd have chosen the ferry we would have needed multiple changes on public transport, a taxi, or had to walk to the port (37 mins away).
If you’re travelling with children, fares can vary slightly. On the Circumvesuviana train, younger children may travel free or at a reduced rate depending on age, but in our experience we paid the same fare for everyone to keep things simple.
Ferry operators usually offer child fares, but these vary by company and route, so it’s worth checking when booking.
One of the best things about Sorrento is how easy it is to explore once you arrive.
To get down to Marina Grande:
To reach Marina Grande, you’ll need to walk down from the town centre, take a bus or a taxi.
We spent most of our time around Marina Grande, which was easily the highlight of the day.
If you don’t fancy the walk down to Marina Grande, an easier alternative is Marina Piccola. This is the main port area in Sorrento where the ferries arrive, and it’s much more accessible from the town centre.
You can take the public lift down from Villa Comunale (just off Piazza Tasso), which only takes a couple of minutes and costs a small fee. It’s not as traditional or picturesque as Marina Grande, but it’s a good option if you want sea views without the steep walk, and there are still plenty of places to sit, eat and relax by the water.
For our Sorrento day trip:
Around £210 total for the day
This could have been much cheaper if we hadn’t gone big on the meal but it was our last day and we wanted a treat.
We’d 100 percent do Sorrento again.
If the weather was better, we might consider the ferry one way for the views and the train back for flexibility.
But overall, the train is the easiest and best-value option, especially for families.
Sorrento is one of the easiest day trips from Naples and well worth doing.
The train is the most practical option, while the ferry is more about the experience.
Neither is wrong, it just depends on what kind of day you want.
If you’re planning your trip, you might also find these helpful:
👉 3 Days in Naples: Our Itinerary (with Pompeii and Sorrento + Real Costs)
👉 Pompeii from Naples: Exactly How to Do It
👉 Where to Stay in Naples: The best areas for fist-timers, families and transport
And for more Italy routes and ideas:
👉 See all our Italy blogs
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