Getting Around Sorrento

Public transportation in the center of Sorrento

The center of Sorrento is quite small and can be easily explored on foot. The areas around Marina Piccola and Marina Grande are located beneath the center, so it's more convenient to take a bus to get up the hillside to the center. Both these areas are linked to the center by EAV and Cooperativa Tasso buses.

Public bus

EAV buses are red and orange, and smaller in size than Sita buses. EAV buses run between Sorrento and Meta, Piano, Sant'Agnello, and Massa Lubrense.

Tickets cost €1.20 and can be purchased at tobacco shops ("tabaccaio") or at the Circumvesuviana train station, where you find also the Sorrento bus station.

Tickets cannot be purchased on board.

Usually buses running to and from Sorrento are relatively on time and run about every 20 minutes, but they can get off schedule due to heavy traffic.

There are a number of routes:

• Linea A: Meta - Massa Lubrense

• Linea B: Sorrento, port of Sorrento, Sant'Agnello

• Linea C: Sorrento, port of Sorrento, Piano

• Linea D: Sorrento, Marina Grande

• Linea E: Sorrento - upper part of Sorrento

To travel between the towns on the Sorrentine Peninsula, you can take the Cooperativa Tasso bus line that runs from Meta to Sorrento Porto and is a convenient way to catch the ferry for Capri. They are the white buses, and tickets can be purchased on board.

Circumvesuviana Trains

The Circumvesuviana is the local rail line that links the towns in the province of Naples. It is a commuter line, much like a subway in a large city though above ground. There is limited seating and you can't reserve a seat. There is no luggage storage and you may find that you have to travel standing up. Regardless, trains generally run on time and this is the best way to get to Pompeii from Sorrento. It takes less than 30 minutes since there is no traffic and the Pompei Villa dei Misteri stop is directly across from the entrance to Pompeii.

Ticket prices vary according to your route. Tickets for Pompeii cost around €2 and for Naples around €3.50.

Schedule Circumvesuviana Train Naples - Sorrento

Sita Buses

Sita buses link Sorrento to Positano, Amalfi, and the other towns along the Amalfi Coast. The terminal for Sita buses is located at the Circumvesuviana station in Sorrento. If possible, it's best to board the bus here since it will be easier to find a seat, especially near the window. Sit on the right side of the bus for the best views of the coast along the route.

There is a ticket booth for purchasing bus tickets. You can purchase either a single ride or a daily pass.

The ride between Sorrento and Amalfi is quite long (over an hour) and the road is very curvy. In summer, the bus and be crowded and there can be heavy traffic along the road. Keep this in mind if you suffer from motion sickness!

Bus schedule Sorrento - Positano - Amalfi

Ferries

Ferries depart from Sorrento for Capri and Naples all year long. During the summer, there are also routes for Ischia and the Amalfi Coast.

Travelling by ferry is by far the most comfortable and convenient way to visit the area surrounding Sorrento, with the only drawback being the relatively high ticket prices. There are also a number of ferry companies that organize boat tours and mini-cruises.

Ferry Schedules and prices

Scooter Rentals

If you have a bit of experience driving a scooter, we strongly suggest you consider renting one to travel the coast. With a scooter, you won't have problems with traffic and parking, and you'll be able to reach the most beautiful beaches and explore the whole of the Amalfi Coast independently.

Rentals cost about €30 per day, and you can drive a scooter up to 125cc without a special license.

Getting Around Sorrento by Car

Driving is a excellent way to explore many areas of Italy's Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Peninsula which are not well-served by public transportation, including the rolling countryside. You an also easily drive to Positano (there is rarely traffic along the road between Sorrento and Positano), as long as you are willing to pay €4/hour for parking. We do not recommend driving to Pompeii or Naples, however, as it is much faster to go by train.

Parking in Sorrento

There are a number of car parks in Sorrento, which always cost €2,7/hour and €27/day. There is no free parking. The most conveniently option is Sorrento Parking, located just outside the ZTL area. This parking garage is guarded and offers a number of services including a shuttle to and from the port and city center, car wash and luggage deposit.

In Sorrento there are several car parks available at a cost of €3 euros/hour, and about €30/day. There is no free parking. One of the most convenient car parks is Sorrento Parking, which also offers valet service, shuttle service, car wash, scooter rental, and luggage storage. Another excellent alternative is Fuorimura Parking garage, located just a five-minute walk from Piazza Tasso. It's located outside of the ZTL (limited-traffic zone) coming from Via degli Aranci. Fuorimura Parking is a covered parking garage with 24/7 video surveillance and also offers motorcycle parking, valet service, bicycle storage, and luggage storage.

Parking in Sorrento

From the center of Sorrento to Marina Piccola (the port)

Marina Piccola is the area around the port, where ferries depart and where there are a number of small beaches.

On foot: from Piazza Tasso, take the staircase down about 100 steps to the port. It takes about 10 minutes. If you are reasonably fit, you can also walk up without any problems.

By bus: Cooperativa Tasso and EAV buses run between the center and the port. Tickets cost €1 and can be purchased directly on board. Buses stop at Piazza Lauro, Piazza Sant'Antonino, and the train station. Some routes also go to Sant'Agnello, and the EAV C line goes to Piano di Sorrento.

By elevator: at Sorrento's Villa Comunale, there is an elevator which will take you down to the area near the beach clubs, just a few steps from the port.

From the center of Sorrento to Marina Grande

Marina Grande is Sorrento's fishing village, and is a favorite spot for both tourists and locals to take a walk along the water's edge and stop for lunch or dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants.

By foot: from Piazza della Vittoria, take the lane that skirts the Bellevue Syrene hotel, and follow it until you arrive at the stairs which pass beneath Sorrento's historic city gate leading to Marina Grande.

By bus: the center of Sorrento is served by the EAV D line bus, which stops in Piazza Lauro and Piazza Tasso. There is also a Cooperativa Tasso minibus which runs between Piazza Tasso and Marina Grande every 30 minutes from 7:15am to 7:30pm. Tickets cost €1.20.

Distances between Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi

Sorrento and Positano are 16 kilometers apart and the road between them a series of tight curves, so it takes a good 30 minutes to travel between them by car or scooter and about 50 minutes by bus. The average taxi fare between Sorrento and Positano is about EUR 90. The Sita bus is much less expensive (about EUR 3), but keep in mind that the bus does not run at night and that there are always long lines to board in the afternoon on the return trip from Positano back to Sorrento. In the summer, there is a convenient ferry service between Sorrento and Positano.

Sorrento and Amalfi are about 50 kilometers apart along a curvy road that is often clogged with traffic, especially in high season. It takes about 90 minutes to travel by car or scooter between them. The average taxi fare between Sorrento and Amalfi is EUR 120. The Sita bus departs from Sorrento and takes two hours to reach Amalfi, passing Positano and Praiano on the way. There is a convenient ferry service to travel between Amalfi and Sorrento by sea in summer.

Bus schedules Sorrento - Positano - Amalfi Ferry Schedules and prices Sorrento - Positano - Amalfi