Circumvesuviana

Pros

• It's a lovely ride on an old train. The nicest thing about it is mostly locals are using it. We had no issues and throughly enjoyed the experience.
• Circumvesuviana would've been fine for me if I was traveling solo.
• to go to/from Naples you’ll probably use the Circumvesuviana local railway and the Pompei Scavi station (right at the main entrance of the archeological area).
• we took the Circumvesuviana, and got the tickets on the Naples main station and it was easy process plus the crows wasn't so extreme so the train ride was ok
• Tip: board the Circumvesuviana at Porta Nolana to avoid the Garibaldi crowds.

Cons

• The last part of the trip is on a regional train, there's the regular one that stops at every station and there's the express one that only stops at a couple stops.
• Savvy tourists do Salerno to avoid having to travel via Circumvesuviana.
• Main advantage is not having to negotiate the packed, non-airconditioned Circumvesuviana in high season with luggage.
• Note - Even without a strike, our 8:14 train from Sorrento was outright canceled (listed as "soppresso" on the electronic board) and folded into the 8:50 causing to miss our 9:10 Pompeii tour.
• We tried to take the Circumvesuviana from Garibaldi, but it was so packed and the trains were running so late that they would not allow people onto the platform, essentially creating a crowd crush at the gate.