Our tour guides are often asked about traveling outside of Rome to some of the other popular areas of Italy, including Sorrento.
We've used a lot of their helpful advice to compile this post with step-by-step directions to help you make the journey from this ancient city to one of the most charming towns on the Amalfi Coast.
While we value the suggestions of our knowledgeable tour guides very much, we've also included some useful tips from locals and travelers that you might want to consider.
- How to Get to Sorrento
- Organized Day Trips
- Tips From Locals & Travelers
- Things to Do in Sorrento
- Sorrento Free Walking Tours
How to Get to Sorrento from Rome
The journey from Rome to Sorrento is about 275 kilometers, and most of the trip takes place on just a few highways.
Treading the path along A24 and E45 highways, the scenic charm of this drive will bewitch your senses for approximately 3 to 4 hours, blessing your wanderlust heart with the allure of an Italian odyssey.
Along the way, you'll have chances to stop and see notable sites such as Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast.
The following directions will provide step-by-step advice for how to get from Rome to Sorrento, specifically focusing on how to get to our free Sorrento walking tour!
By Train
This is one of the easiest ways to get from Rome to Sorrento, and it's actually a bit quicker than driving by car.
Some trains will get you there in just 2 hours and 30 minutes, giving you a lot more time to spend exploring the small town on the Amalfi Coast.
The only problem with this option is that most trains don't run all the way to Sorrento, so chances are you'll have to transfer to a bus or metro train in Naples.
Here's a step-by-step guide explaining how to use the train.
Step 1 - Go to Terminus Station
Terminus Station (Roma Termini) is the main train station in the ancient city, and it provides most of the service to Sorrento.
Luckily, the metro is connected to this station, so it's pretty easy to get there from just about anywhere in Rome.
If you're near Vatican City, you'll find Ottaviano Metro Station will be one of the easiest ways to reach Terminus Station.
However, if you're closer to sites such as the Colosseum, your station will likely be Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus).
Step 2 - Purchase Tickets
You'll find several ticket machines at Terminus Station, and you can expect admission to cost around €30-€40 on average.
Tickets can also be purchased online ahead of time, and this can be a good way to save some money on travel costs, as prices are a bit lower when you buy in advance.
Purchase train tickets or learn more.
Step 3 - Board the Train
Whether you get a first class ticket or not, most trains from Rome to Sorrento offer useful amenities to all riders.
You can usually look forward to free wi-fi, plugs for charging cables, luggage storage, and a snack area where you can get something to eat or drink.
Step 4 - Arrive in Naples
If you've chosen a train that requires a transfer from Naples, your first arrival will be in Naples at Napoli Centrale.
From here, you'll either need to board a bus or a metro train which will take you the rest of the way to Sorrento.
The most common option is to take the L1 metro train to Sorrento, which will usually take about an hour.
Step 5 - Arrive in Sorrento
Assuming you have arrived at the main metro station in Sorrento, you should be right outside of Piazza Giovanni Battista de Curtis.
If you want to take one of our free Sorrento tours, start walking west until you reach Via Marziale. From here, walk north to Corso Italia.
Walk west on Corso Italia until you reach Piazza Tasso, which is where most walking tours in the area will begin.
You'll pass multiple excellent hotels along the way to this piazza, so if you're planning to stay in the area, you might want to consider one of these options.
By Bus
There are several bus services from Rome to Sorrento, and this is certainly a more economical choice if you're looking to save some money
The only problem with this option is that it's usually one of the slowest ways to get to Sorrento, clocking in at 4-5 hours on average.
While some bus services won't take you all the way to Sorrento, Flixbus offers direct service, so we'll be provoding directions for that option.
Here's a step-by-step guide to help you figure out exactly how to reach your destination by bus.
Step 1 - Go to Tiburtina Station
Most buses to Naples and Sorrento depart from Tiburtina Station, which is actually a bit further northeast than Termini Station.
The closest metro stations are either Policlinico or Bologna, and since Tiburtina is a bus station, the bus is usually the best way to get there.
Step 2 - Purchase Tickets
You'll find multiple ticket machines at Tiburtina Station where you can purchase admission.
Alternatively, you can also get tickets online ahead of time. This could be a good way to save some money, because they often offer better prices at least 1-2 weeks in advance.
Bus tickets ro Sorrento typically cost about €20-€25.
Purchase bus tickets or learn more.
Step 3 - Board the Bus
No matter which company you purchase tickets from, chances are your bus will include a few basic amenities including free wi-fi, plugs for charging cables, and more.
There is also room for luggage storage if you plan to stay in Sorrento overnight.
Step 4 - Arrive in Sorrento
If you're using Flixbus, you can expect the bus to arrive on Corso Italia, roughly a block from the Piazza Giovanni Battista de Curtis.
That said, if you're interested in taking a free Sorrento walking tour, it might actually be easier to get there from this drop-off point.
All you have to do is walk west on Corso Italia from here until you reach Piazza Tasso, which is about 3-4 blocks from where the bus will drop you off.
By Car
On a road trip with a rental car from Rome to Sorrento, travelers get to experience the beauty of the Italian landscapes.
Depending on which route you use, the journey will likely take 3-4 hours to complete.
Of course, the advantage of this is being able to stop at all the tiny little Italian villages along the way!
Here are step-by-step directions for how to get there and where to park after you arrive.
Step 1 - Get on the A24
The A24 highway will take you from the outskirts of Rome to some of the second and third rung neighborhoods surrounding the city to the east.
More importantly, this road will take you to the E45, which you can use to head south.
Step 2 - Get on the E45
This is the highway you will spend the most time on, as it will take you all the way past Naples and close to Pompeii.
From there, you'll get on the SS145, which will take you the rest of the way to Sorrento.
Step 3 - Get on the SS145
This road will follow the coast turning west from Pompeii and toward Sorrento.
Once you've reached the Meta neighborhood, you should turn onto Corso Italia, which will take you directly to the centre of town.
Step 4 - Find Parking
Marina Piccola in Sorrento boasts ample parking spaces, though visitors often find securing a spot challenging during the tourist season.
Prices start at €26 for the first 6 hours, €28 for the first 12 hours, and €32 for a full day.
There is also free street parking on Via Parsano, which is relatively close to Corso Italia.
Alternatively, you can also use blue paid public parking, which you'll see marked with blue paint all over the town centre. Prices are €1 for 30 minutes and €2 per hour.
Step 5 - Head to Piazza Tasso
Assuming you park at Marina Piccola, head to Via Luigi de Maio and head south until you see Salumeria Food Shop.
Right next to this location, you'll find a set of stairs that will take you further up Via Luigi de Maio, where you should continue south.
There is another set of stairs just up the road which will take you even further up Via Luigi de Maio.
You'll find one final set of stairs at the end of a bend in the road, and once you reach the top, you'll be at the end of Via Sant'Antonino, which leads directly to Piazza Tasso.
Although it sounds like a lot of walking, most people will find it only takes 10-15 minutes.
Accommodation: For those scouting family-friendly stays near Roma Tiburtina or in Sorrento, here are some top recommendations:
Private Transfers: For a seamless transition, especially if arriving via airports like Fiumicino airport, consider opting for private transfers or even a shuttle service.
While euros spent might be in the range of €250 to €600, the luxury and reliability they promise are unparalleled.
Organized Day Trips to Sorrento
If you’d rather have a tour company take care of all the guesswork for you, there are several different organized day trips from Rome to Sorrento that you might want to consider.
This section will cover some of the best options available, including details about ticket prices and what you can expect on the journey.
The Tour Guy
Sorrento & Ancient Pompeii Day Trip
You can experience a voyage through time with a Sorrento & Ancient Pompeii Day Trip.
The appealing coastal beauty of Sorrento and the strange echoes of Pompeii's ancient times blend together in this excursion.
- Duration: 12 hours
- Constant Availability
- Time to Begin: 7:00 AM
- €169.95/Adult | €154.95/Youth | €89.95/Child
- Book Your Tour or Learn More
Kiss From Italy
Sorrento/Positano Amalfi Coast Private Tour
Unfold a private journey through Italy's famed coastlines with the Sorrento/Positano Amalfi Coast Private Tour.
Allow the picturesque beauty of Sorrento and Positano to capture your heart as the legendary views of the Amalfi Coast enchant your senses.
- Duration: 11 - 12 hours
- Constant Availability
- Time to Begin: 7:00 AM / 7:30 AM / 8:00 AM / 8:30 AM / 9:00 AM
- €1,120/Adult | €80/Child
- Book Your Tour or Learn More
Gray Line | I Love Rome
Pompeii, Capri, and Sorrento 2-Day Tour
Embark on a journey of awe-inspiring beauty and historical resonance with the Pompeii, Capri, and Sorrento 2-Day Tour.
The exploration marries the ancient allure of Pompeii, the charming sophistication of Ca pri, and the rustic magnetism of Sorrento into a captivating Italian tableau.
- Duration: 2 days
- Constant Availability
- Time to Begin: 7:30 AM
- €743/Adult
- Book Your Tour or Learn More
3-Day Tour of Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, and Capri
Enter the heart of Italian culture and history with the Naples, Pompeii, Capri, and Sorrento 3-Day Tour.
Spend more time learning the tale of Pompeii, surrender to Capri's captivating charm, and let Sorrento's rustic beauty enthrall you.
- Duration: 3 days
- Constant Availability
- Time to Begin: 7:30 AM
- €1,083/Adult
- Book Your Tour or Learn More
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Tips From Locals and Travelers
Although we always do our best to provide the most helpful information, the truth is that sometimes you'll find even better advice on Facebook groups such as Rome & Italy Travel.
We also have a group called Rome Travel Tips, and it's certainly a good place to start.
Here are some of the best suggestions we found on these groups.
This is one of the more confusing aspects of driving in Italy if you come from a country without many toll booths, but it's not as difficult as it may seem.
If you choose to drive from Rome to Sorrento, you will run into multiple toll booths, and you'll have to pay for using the road.
As Claudia points out, you'll receive a ticket line this and then insert it at the next toll booth to pay the fee.
Beatriz offers some helpful advice of her own, noting that if you choose to take the bus or train, you'll need to validate your ticket at the train station using their green validation machines.
Speaking of train tickets, it's also important to note that while you can purchase them in advance to save money, they usually don't offer tickets more than a few months out.
When we suggest buying admission ahead of time, we mean 1-2 weeks before you plan to leave. This is typically the perfect time to save money on transportation.
For even more advice, make sure to check either the Rome & Italy Travel group or our own Rome Travel Tips group.
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