6 Ways How To Get From Sorrento To Pompeii (Italy)

Are you wondering how to get from Sorrento to Pompeii in Italy? I have been to Pompeii with my husband and friends during our 2-week Interrail trip around Europe. So let me share with you the different possible ways to visit the Ancient city of Pompeii.

Pompeii is an archaeological site that showcases an ancient Roman city, remarkably preserved by the layers of volcanic ash discharged by the nearby Mount Vesuvius. If you are coming from Sorrento, this destination is less than an hour away.

You can reach Pompeii from Sorrento by train, bus, ferry, tour, private transfer and rental car. The road distance between Sorrento and Pompeii is  26.3 kilometres or 16.34 miles while the direct distance is 13 kilometres or 8 miles. It takes about 54 minutes to travel this distance by car. 

Pompeii is worth going to – I assure you. Once you’re there, you’ll have a deeper understanding of Roman culture, history, and society. Before that, let’s see first the many ways how you can go there from Sorrento.

How to get from Sorrento to Pompeii

OPTION 1: How to get from Sorrento to Pompeii by Train

• Travel Duration: about 40 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £15

You can take the train coming from Sorrento if you are planning to visit Pompeii. This option is conveniently available for booking online via Omio, so make sure to check their timings in advance. 

Campania Express services this route. Here is a sample schedule for your reference:

Train from Sorrento to Pompeii

The trains leave from Sorrento, Corso Italia / Piazza Angelina Lauro, and arrive at Pompei, Scavi. This trip is direct, so you don’t have to worry about doing transfers along the way. 

Campania Express is the train operator that runs between Naples and Sorrento. It has the same route as the Circumvesuviana line; the main difference is that Campania Express stops less frequently.

That being said, you can also ride the Circumvesuviana line. However, you cannot book this train online nor in advance. You will have to buy a bus ticket at the station. Furthermore, you have to set your expectations right. Campania Express caters more to tourists while the Circumvesuviana is utilized by residents for their day-to-day transport.

The latter can get pretty crowded, so do not expect to have guaranteed seating nor to have ample air conditioning for a comfortable ride. Some Circumvesuviana trains may look a bit run down and have graffiti. It is, though, a great way to see how the locals live, travel, and interact.

BEST TRAIN DEALS!

If you are looking to travel by train for your upcoming trip to Italy, I recommend checking Omio. They are a one-stop shop for trains and other transportation that suit your budget and schedule.

OPTION 2: How to get from Sorrento to Pompeii by Bus

• Travel Duration: about 55 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £3

You can travel from Sorrento to Pompeii by bus if you wish to skip the train. It is easy and straightforward, starting from Sorrento, Corso Italia / Piazza Angelina Lauro, and ending at Pompei, Piazza Falcone e Borsellino.

Travelling by bus is an economical way to reach Pompeii from Sorrento. Flixbus offers trips for as low as £3 one-way. If traffic conditions are favourable, you can reach your destination in less than one hour.

Here is what it looks like to travel by bus from Sorrento to Pompeii:

Bus from Sorrento to Pompeii

As you can see, there is usually only one bus schedule that travels this route. On other days, there will be no Flixbus travelling to Pompeii. Therefore, make sure to plan your itinerary accordingly.

BEST COACH / BUS DEALS!

If you are planning to travel via coach or bus for your upcoming ITALY trip, I recommend searching for the best coach or bus fare deals with Trainline. They have a great network of coach or bus services across Italy.

OPTION 3: How to get from Sorrento to Pompeii by Ferry

• Travel Duration: about 55 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £11

It is possible to take a ferry when going to Pompeii from Sorrento, but this will not be a direct trip. It is a journey that will ask you to take a ferry and then a train or a bus.

The first leg of the journey will require you to ride a ferry from Sorrento to Castellamare di Stabia. Below is a sample timetable of ferry rides travelling this route:

Ferry from Sorrento to Castellamare di Stabia

The ferry operator that goes from Sorrento to Castellamare di Stabia is NLG. They have limited and irregular trips, so make sure to check the schedule prior to your departure. Better yet, book a ticket in advance by going to the website of Direct Ferries. They have all the best deals from major ferry operators all under one roof.

After arriving in Castellamare di Stabia, you will have to take the Circumvesuviana train from the Castellammare di Stabia Villa delle Ginestre station. This journey costs about £2 and will take around 15 minutes to finish. Stop at Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri station.

As mentioned above, you cannot book a Circumvesuviana train ticket online and/or in advance; you will have to buy one once you reach the departure station. If you are not keen to ride the train as it can get really crowded there, you can choose to ride a bus instead.

BEST FERRY DEALS!

If you are looking to book a ferry ride, I recommend searching for the best routes and deals with Direct Ferries. They have access to over 4000 ferry routes in 901 ports around the world!

OPTION 4: How to get from Sorrento to Pompeii by Tour

• Travel Duration: about four hours
• Travel Fare: from £64.08

For your utmost convenience, you can skip all the planning and just book an arranged tour with Get Your Guide. They have all the best activities to do in Pompeii, with some even extending your itinerary to nearby interesting destinations.

This Full-Day Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Tour, for example, takes you on a guided trip wherein you don’t have to line up for tickets. Your experienced local tour guide will share to you a lot of stories and facts about this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During the tour, you will have plenty of time to go around and visit shops and cafes. You can choose to book the tour with a lunch package so you don’t have to think about what to eat once you’re there.

Included in this day tour is a visit to Mount Vesuvius. As you climb to the summit, you’ll know more about this volcano that forever shaped the once-thriving Roman city of Pompeii. From the top, you will be treated with outstanding views of the Bay of Naples.

If you have limited time on your hands, you can also opt for a half-day tour from Sorrento to Pompeii. In this package, you will be provided with round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, an experienced local tour guide, and a priority pass so you can skip the line at the entry to Pompeii.

OPTION 5: How to get from Sorrento to Pompeii by Private Transfer

• Travel Duration: about 50 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £90

For those who wish to have the vehicle to themselves but would rather have a professional local driver to take care of the driving, you can opt for a private transfer. 

There are several transport companies that offer private transfers from Sorrento to Pompeii. You can ask your hotel in Sorrento to arrange one for you, or you can also find companies online that offer this option.

Amalfi Shuttle is one of the transport providers that can take your travelling party from Sorrento to Pompeii privately. Enjoy the comfort and flexibility of being able to travel at your most convenient time and having some rest stops along the way.

The cost to ride a private transfer depends mainly on the number of passengers who will be travelling from Sorrento. The ride to Pompeii takes less than an hour to complete, although this depends on the traffic conditions during that day.

COMPARING TICKET PRICES?

If you love getting a good travel deal, you can head to BOOKAWAY to compare the best rates and schedules for buses, ferries, and trains that suit your schedule and route.

OPTION 6: How to get from Sorrento to Pompeii by Car

• Travel Duration: about 54 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £66.36

Do you wish to drive on your own from Sorrento to Pompeii? It is possible to do so, and if you are bound to rent a car, I suggest you go for Discover Cars. All the best deals from major rental car companies in Italy can be found on their website.

To drive from Sorrento to Pompeii, you have to head east on SS145 (Strada Statale 145) towards Piano di Sorrento. Along the way, you will pass through the towns of Meta and Sant’Agnello. Follow the direction going to Castellammare di Stabia.

Before hitting the roads, make sure that you researched about the route – especially if this is your first time driving in Italy. Furthermore, you must note that Pompeii is a very popular destination, so parking can be very tricky once you are there.

Do not get discouraged, though! Having your own car on your trip to Pompeii allows you to drop by (or even stay) at nearby destinations, making your trip even more worth your while. Some of the spots you can go to after Pompeii include Mount Vesuvius, Herculaneum, Naples and Capri.

BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS!

If you are planning to book a car rental for your upcoming trip. I recommend searching for the best car rental deals with Discover Cars. They have various options that suit your budget.

More About Pompeii, Italy

• Where is Pompeii located, and what stories surround this interesting archaeological site? Learn more about this location in just a click.
• The ancient city of Pompeii has so much to offer! I wrote down all the best things to do here, including of course a visit to the world-renowned Pompeii Archaeological Park.
• Discover the erotic side of Pompeii and learn how this played an integral role in the history and culture of the city.
• Coming from Rome? Pompeii and other beautiful cities such as Naples and Florence are popular day trip destinations from Rome.
• Backpacking around Europe? You can’t miss your chance to visit Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius.
• Witness this 2000-year-old city ruin in the flesh – Pompeii is definitely one of the most beautiful places to visit in Italy!
• Are you coming from Rome instead? Here are different ways to get from Rome to Pompeii. Word of advice: it is so convenient to just join a tour!
• Thinking of heading to Naples first and then to Pompeii? Here are your transport options when coming from Naples to Pompeii. Did you know that the fastest way to get from Naples to Pompeii is by car? You can get there in as fast as 28 minutes if you drive by yourself.

FAQs on How to Get from Sorrento to Pompeii, Italy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Everything Zany

Travel Blog

Everything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British – Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our missions are to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.