The small harbour of Marina di Cassano in Piano di Sorrento seen from the coast
Sorrento Peninsula

How to get to Piano di Sorrento:
ferries, trains andthe peninsula without the crowds

Relax, beach, shopping, boat trips, tradition

Piano di Sorrento seen from above, between the headland and the gulf
The town

Piano di Sorrento, the quiet soul of the peninsula

Piano di Sorrento is a destination with a double soul: on one side the marina, with its small harbour and cliffs diving into the deep blue sea; on the other the town centre, surrounded by historic villas, citrus groves and panoramic terraces overlooking Capri and Mount Vesuvius.

Less crowded than nearby Sorrento, Piano is the perfect choice if you want the beauty of the Sorrento Peninsula in a more authentic and relaxed atmosphere, without giving up comfort and services.

Boats moored in the small harbour of Marina di Cassano in Piano di Sorrento
Marina di Cassano

The little harbour and the boat trips

Boat trips along the coast set off from Marina di Cassano, while the streets of the centre still reflect the town’s commercial and artisan roots, with workshops, pastry shops and family-run eateries. It is a small marina of fishermen and wooden gozzi, right below the Villa Fondi headland.

It is an excellent base for exploring the coast, but also a destination in its own right, offering sea, nature and local traditions. And every morning at 08:30 the direct crossing to Capri leaves from here.

Ideal base

Ten minutes from the port of Sorrento

Piano di Sorrento sits in the heart of the peninsula: the Circumvesuviana train connects it to Naples in a little over an hour and to Sorrento in about ten minutes. That means sleeping in a quiet town while having one of the busiest ferry hubs in the gulf a few minutes away by train — plus the direct crossing to Capri from your own harbour.

Piano in five letters

Why choose Piano di Sorrento

The name of the town also spells out the reasons to stop here: letter by letter, what you take home from a day in Piano.

The small harbour of Marina di Cassano seen from above, in Piano di Sorrento
P

Picturesque Marina di Cassano, lively and authentic, with the fishermen’s boats.

I

Identity tied to the sea, with terraces looking out to the Gulf of Naples, Capri and Vesuvius.

A

Authenticity, away from mass tourism: workshops, pastry shops and village bars.

N

Nature and citrus groves, Mediterranean gardens above the sea.

O

Opportunities for excursions, to Capri, the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii.

Plan your visit

When to visit Piano di Sorrento

The mild climate and panoramic position make it enjoyable year-round. The best times, though, are spring and early autumn.

Ideal weather

Warm but pleasant days, perfect for both swimming and excursions.

Less crowded

Quieter than July and August, on the trains and at the harbour too.

Stunning scenery

Spring blossom in the citrus groves and golden autumn sunsets over the gulf.

Authentic events

Local festivals and traditions: the moment you see the soul of the town.

Getting here

How to reach Piano di Sorrento

The coast of Piano di Sorrento seen from the sea, with Marina di Cassano below the headland

Reaching Piano di Sorrento is simple and enjoyable, thanks to its strategic position in the heart of the Sorrento Peninsula. By land you have three options: the Circumvesuviana train, the car along the SS145 coastal road, and the SITA buses from Naples and Salerno.

By sea things work differently than in Sorrento: Marina di Cassano is a small harbour, not a terminal. The Coastrider catalogue lists one scheduled connection, and it is a departure: Piano di Sorrento → Capri, every day at 08:30, a 25-minute crossing, from €22.50 with Laser Capri.

So to arrive by sea you land at the port of Sorrento — connected with Capri, Naples, Positano, Amalfi, Ischia and Procida — and carry on with a ten-minute train ride. In the warmer months seasonal tourist boats also dock directly at the marina.

By train

  • The Circumvesuviana connects Naples to Piano di Sorrento in a little over an hour, with frequent departures.
  • The station is right in the heart of town: the most affordable and practical choice.

In high season trains can get crowded: travel outside the busiest hours.

By car

  • From Naples take the A3 motorway to Castellammare di Stabia, then the scenic SS145: about an hour and fifteen minutes.
  • Handy for moving between the peninsula towns and for the Vesuvian archaeological sites.

In summer traffic is heavy and parking in the centre is limited and expensive.

By bus

  • SITA services run from both Naples and Salerno along the coastal road.
  • The journey is longer than by train, but the views along the way make up for it.

The service depends on SS145 traffic: allow for some delay.

By sea

  • The direct crossing to Capri leaves Marina di Cassano every day at 08:30.
  • To arrive, use the port of Sorrento, ten minutes away by train, with thirteen direct routes.

The tourist boats docking at the marina are seasonal: check them before counting on them.

A proper Rider picks the fastest option — but also the most beautiful one.

From Piano di Sorrento, the finest way to leave is the 08:30 ferry.

The home route

From Marina di Cassano to Capri

One scheduled connection only, but at the right moment of the day:

  • Departure every day at 08:30, seven crossings a week.
  • Twenty-five minutes at sea: arrival in Capri at 08:55.
  • Fares from €22.50, with Laser Capri.

Good to know before you sail:

  • There is no direct return from Capri: you come back via Sorrento, ten minutes away by train.
  • No scheduled arrivals at the marina: to land by sea, use Sorrento.
  • One departure a day: in high season seats sell out early.
Book the crossing to Capri →
How long to spend here

Is one day enough to visit Piano di Sorrento?

Yes, if what you are after is the atmosphere. The centre, the panoramic terraces and the walk down to Marina di Cassano fit into a morning: you go down to the harbour, have a fish lunch and climb back up to the town in the afternoon, with a stop at a pastry shop.

But Piano di Sorrento is at its best as a base. It costs less than Sorrento, it is quieter, and the Circumvesuviana puts you ten minutes from the ferry hub and a little over an hour from Naples and the ruins of Pompeii.

With two or three days the sea comes into play: the morning crossing to Capri, a boat trip along the coast and a day on the Amalfi Coast via the port of Sorrento.

If you are coming for the beaches, know that the sea here is one of cliffs and small coves, reached from the harbour or by boat: do not expect long stretches of sand.

Ferry company

The company serving Piano di Sorrento

Every sea connection from Piano di Sorrento is operated by Laser Capri, the only company sailing from Marina di Cassano.

Laser Capri, ferry operator from Marina di Cassano

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Three possible days

Choose the day that suits you

The same town changes with the way you travel: with children, as a couple, or with proper shoes on.

A family day in Piano di Sorrento
For families

Piano di Sorrento with the family: the harbour, the coves and the shops of the centre

A morning at the harbour of Marina di Cassano, a swim in the coves and an afternoon among the shops and pastry shops of the centre.

See the itinerary →
A day for couples in Piano di Sorrento
For couples

A day for two in Piano di Sorrento: terraces over the gulf and a boat trip

The panoramic terraces over the gulf, a boat trip along the coast and sunset from the park of Villa Fondi.

See the itinerary →
A day of excursions from Piano di Sorrento
For explorers

Capri and the coast: day trips from Piano di Sorrento

The 08:30 ferry to Capri, or the train to Sorrento and from there Positano, Amalfi or Pompeii in the same day.

See the itinerary →

Tell her how you travel and what you care about: turns the idea into a real day, with live availability and times.

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Good to know

Practical tips & FAQ for visiting Piano di Sorrento

The questions we get asked most. If yours is not here, ask .

How do you get to Piano di Sorrento?
By train on the Circumvesuviana, which connects Naples to Piano di Sorrento in a little over an hour; by car on the A3 to Castellammare di Stabia and then along the SS145; by bus with SITA services from Naples and Salerno. By sea you land at the port of Sorrento and carry on with a ten-minute train ride.
Do ferries arrive in Piano di Sorrento?
Not scheduled ones. Marina di Cassano is a small harbour: the Coastrider catalogue lists a single route, and it is a departure (Piano di Sorrento → Capri). To arrive by sea you use the port of Sorrento, served by thirteen direct routes. In the warmer months seasonal tourist boats also dock at the marina.
How much is the ferry from Piano di Sorrento to Capri?
Fares start from €22.50 per person with Laser Capri. The departure is every day at 08:30 from Marina di Cassano and the crossing takes 25 minutes, arriving in Capri at 08:55. The exact price depends on the date: checks it in real time.
How do I get back to Piano di Sorrento from Capri?
There is no direct return. You take one of the many Capri–Sorrento crossings and carry on from Sorrento with ten minutes of Circumvesuviana. It is the easiest combination to hand over to , who lines up both legs.
How much time do you need in Piano di Sorrento?
Half a day is enough for the centre, the panoramic terraces and the walk down to Marina di Cassano. With two or three days the town becomes a base: the crossing to Capri, a boat trip along the coast and excursions to the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii.
Is it better to stay in Piano di Sorrento than in Sorrento?
For many travellers, yes. Piano is quieter and usually cheaper, and the Circumvesuviana puts it about ten minutes from Sorrento’s port and centre. In exchange you give up the evening buzz and the services of a bigger town.
What is the sea like in Piano di Sorrento?
It is a sea of cliffs: small coves and deep water below the headland, with access concentrated around Marina di Cassano. Boat trips along the coast leave from the harbour and remain the best way to enjoy it. This is not a destination for long sandy beaches.
What is there to see in Piano di Sorrento?
The harbour of Marina di Cassano, the park and museum of Villa Fondi overlooking the gulf, the historic villas and citrus groves of the town centre, the panoramic terraces towards Capri and Vesuvius, and the workshops and pastry shops of the old streets.
When is the best time to visit Piano di Sorrento?
Spring and early autumn: ideal weather, fewer crowds and the landscape at its best, between blossom and sunsets. July and August are the liveliest months, with the marina and centre full of life, but also the busiest on roads and trains.
Can you visit Pompeii from Piano di Sorrento?
Yes, and it is easy: the Circumvesuviana connects Piano di Sorrento to the ruins of Pompeii in a little over half an hour, on the same line as Naples. Many travellers use the town as a base for exactly this reason.
Any practical tips before visiting?
  • for Capri you have one departure, at 08:30: book ahead in high season
  • to arrive by sea, aim for the port of Sorrento, not the marina
  • the train stays the most practical option: the station is in the centre
  • in summer skip the car if you can: limited parking and heavy SS145 traffic
  • check the seasonal tourist boats before building a plan around them
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