The three ways out, compared
Sorrento sits about 50 kilometres from Naples airport, and the road there runs through some of the busiest traffic in the whole of Campania. That is why the cheapest option is not always the fastest, and the fastest is not always worth the money.
| Option | Price | Journey time | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct bus (Curreri Viaggi) | about €10 per person | about 80 minutes | Budget travellers with normal luggage |
| Alibus + Circumvesuviana train | €5 + €5 per person | about 2 hours with the change | Solo travellers who want a stop at Pompeii or Herculaneum |
| Private transfer | about €70-95 per vehicle, commonly €90-150 | about 60-70 minutes | Families, groups, late arrivals, anyone with big bags |
| Taxi | Fixed extra-urban fare, ask before departure | about 60-70 minutes | Same as a transfer, without pre-booking |
Prices were checked in September 2026. Bus and train fares are per person, transfer prices per vehicle, which is what changes the maths as soon as you are three or four people.
The direct bus: simplest for the price
Curreri Viaggi runs a coach service straight from the airport to Sorrento. The ticket costs around €10, luggage is included, the ride takes about 80 minutes, and there are several departures spread through the day. Tickets can be bought online in advance or from the driver.
What makes it the default choice:
- No changes. You leave the terminal, find the coach outside, and get off in Sorrento.
- Luggage goes in the hold, which matters on a route where the alternative is a commuter train.
- It is the cheapest door-to-area option: €10 against €70 or more for a car.
What to watch:
- Departures are spaced out. If your flight lands just after one leaves, you may wait an hour or more. Check the current timetable on the operator's site the day before you fly, because it changes with the season.
- It stops in Sorrento town, not at your hotel. From the stop you may still need a taxi or a walk with your bags.
- It does not run through the night, so a very late arrival needs a car.
The train, with a change in Naples
The rail option is two steps: Alibus from the airport to Piazza Garibaldi, then the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento.
- Alibus: €5 per person, about 15 minutes, up to one bus every 15 minutes, first departure 05:30 and last at midnight.
- Circumvesuviana: a single ticket to Sorrento costs €5, a return €10. The journey from Napoli Garibaldi takes about 75 minutes with 34 intermediate stops, including Herculaneum, Pompeii and Castellammare di Stabia. Trains run roughly every 30 minutes, from about 05:39 to 22:14. Tickets are sold at machines and ticket offices in the station, at tabacchi nearby and through the operator's app.
Add the change and the walk between the bus stop and the platforms, and you are looking at around two hours in total for €10 per person.
One important update: the Campania Express, the tourist service with reserved seats and fewer stops, has been announced as suspended from 1 October 2026 until further notice. If you were planning to use it, check before travelling: the regular Circumvesuviana still runs.
The train wins in one specific case: you want to stop at Pompeii or Herculaneum on the way to Sorrento. With the direct bus you cannot do that. Be aware, though, that the Circumvesuviana is a commuter line: carriages fill up, there is little room for suitcases, and it is not the place to be at rush hour with a family and four bags.
Private transfer: what you pay and what you get
A private transfer is booked in advance, the driver meets you at arrivals and takes you to your address in Sorrento. Prices we found for September 2026 start around €70-95 per vehicle depending on size, with typical rates in the €90-150 range, and premium vehicles going higher. A night surcharge of around 20% is common.
It becomes the rational choice when:
- you are three or more. Four people on a €90 transfer pay less each than €10 bus tickets plus taxis at both ends;
- you land late. After the last train and the last coach, a car is the only way, and pre-booking avoids negotiating at midnight;
- you have children or heavy luggage. Ask for child seats when you book: they are usually free but must be requested;
- your hotel is outside Sorrento centre, on the hills or towards Massa Lubrense, where public transport gets complicated.
Five things to confirm before you pay:
- Does the driver track the flight number and wait if you are delayed, and for how long?
- Is the price per vehicle or per person, and does it include tolls and luggage?
- What happens if you cancel, and by when?
- Where exactly is the meeting point at arrivals, and what is the driver's phone number?
- Are child seats included, if you need them?
Taxi: possible, but ask the fare first
Taxis wait in front of arrivals. Naples city council sets fixed fares from the airport for several out-of-town destinations, so ask the driver for the flat fare to Sorrento before you set off rather than starting with the meter. Keep the receipt, and note the CP licence number shown in the car, which is what any complaint refers to.
For the same money a pre-booked transfer usually gives you a fixed price in writing, flight tracking and a named driver, which is why most travellers heading to the coast book one.
By sea, in season
In the warmer months hydrofoils connect the port of Naples with Sorrento from Molo Beverello. Getting to the port from the airport takes about 35 minutes by Alibus or 15-25 minutes by taxi at the fixed €24 fare. It is a pleasant trip, but it only works if the sailing times match your flight: check the current timetables, and allow at least two hours between landing and departure, because baggage reclaim alone can take 20-30 minutes in peak season.
Which one should you take?
- Alone, light luggage, daytime arrival: the direct bus. Cheapest, no changes.
- Couple, one big suitcase each: still the bus if a departure is close to your landing; a transfer if you would wait more than an hour.
- Family of four, or three adults: a private transfer. Per person it is close to the bus once you add taxis at either end.
- Landing after about 22:00: a transfer or a taxi. The last train leaves Naples at around 22:14 and the airport itself closes at 22:30, so nothing waits for you.
- You want to see Pompeii on the way: Alibus plus the Circumvesuviana, with your bags left at the station or at your hotel.
- Very early flight on the way back: plan the return the night before. Details in our Naples airport guide, which also explains the night closure.
Timing: the buffers that save the day
- Baggage reclaim: 20-30 minutes in peak periods. Never plan a connection assuming you walk straight out.
- Airport closure: the airport is closed from 22:30 to 04:00 except for delayed flights, and you cannot stay in the terminal overnight. A late arrival means leaving immediately.
- First Alibus at 05:30: for a flight before roughly 07:30 on the way back, you need a taxi or transfer instead.
- Traffic: between 07:30 and 09:30 and again from 17:00 to 19:30 the road towards the peninsula slows down. Add 20-30 minutes.
- Return trip: allow three hours before a long-haul flight and two hours for European flights, plus the journey itself. From Sorrento that means leaving 4-5 hours before departure.
Travelling with children, or with reduced mobility
With small children. The coach has luggage space but no child seats, so with a toddler a private transfer with a seat requested in advance is easier and safer. On the Circumvesuviana, avoid rush hour: carriages are crowded and there is nowhere to put a pushchair. Whatever you choose, carry water and snacks: between reclaim, the journey and the walk to your hotel you can be on the move for two hours.
With reduced mobility. Assistance inside the airport is arranged through your airline, at booking or at least 48 hours before departure. For the journey to Sorrento, ask the transfer operator in advance whether the vehicle takes a folding wheelchair, because not all do. The Circumvesuviana has steps at several stations and is the least accessible option of the three. If a companion is travelling with you, remember that a transfer priced per vehicle often costs little more than two separate tickets.
With sports or bulky luggage. Golf bags, surfboards, bicycles and oversized cases are not always accepted on public transport, and the coach has limited hold space. Declare the size when you book a transfer: the operator will send a van rather than a sedan, usually for a small supplement.
Going back: Sorrento to Naples airport
The same options work in reverse, with two details worth noting. The direct coach picks up in Sorrento and takes about 80 minutes, so book or arrive early in high season when it fills up. The Circumvesuviana runs until about 22:14 from Naples, and earlier from Sorrento, so an evening flight is fine but a night departure is not.
If your flight leaves before 09:00, a pre-booked transfer from your hotel is the only option that removes the risk: you will be leaving Sorrento between 05:00 and 06:00, when the coach may not yet run and taxis are scarce.
We are building a directory of airport parking, guesthouses and licensed transfer operators around the airport, with clear prices. If you run one of those services, see our partner page. Everything else we cover is on the home page, for now in Italian.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the bus from Naples airport to Sorrento?
Around €10 per person for the direct coach operated by Curreri Viaggi, luggage included, with a journey of about 80 minutes. Tickets can be bought online or on board.
How long does it take to get from Naples airport to Sorrento?
About 60-70 minutes by car or transfer, about 80 minutes by direct coach, and around two hours by Alibus plus the Circumvesuviana train, including the change.
Is there a train from Naples airport to Sorrento?
Not directly. You take Alibus to Piazza Garibaldi (€5, about 15 minutes) and then the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento (€5 single, about 75 minutes, roughly every 30 minutes).
How much does a private transfer from Naples airport to Sorrento cost?
Prices start around €70-95 per vehicle and commonly sit between €90 and €150 depending on the car and the time of day, with a night surcharge of about 20%.
What about the Campania Express?
The tourist service with reserved seats has been announced as suspended from 1 October 2026 until further notice. The regular Circumvesuviana service continues to run.
Can I take a taxi from Naples airport to Sorrento?
Yes. Fixed fares exist for out-of-town destinations, so ask the driver for the flat fare before you leave and keep the receipt.
What if I land after midnight?
Book a transfer in advance. The last Circumvesuviana leaves Naples at about 22:14, the airport closes at 22:30 and you cannot wait inside the terminal.
Can I stop at Pompeii on the way to Sorrento?
Yes, but only with the train: the Circumvesuviana line to Sorrento stops at the ruins. The direct coach does not stop there.
Page updated on 18 settembre 2026. Fares and timetables change: always double-check on the official channels before you travel.