Naples to Amalfi Coast - By Train, Bus, Ferry, and Taxi
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Considering that the Amalfi Coast is one of Italy’s most-visited areas, it can be surprising that getting there from Naples is actually not so simple. Getting around once you’re there is also a little bit complicated.
Know before coming that there is no singular means of transport here and in most cases you’ll have to take a combination of train and bus, various buses, or ferry and bus as you move around.
Which options will make the most sense for you depends on where you’re staying, which towns you’re planning to visit, and whether you’re looking to make lots of sightseeing stops along the way or go directly between destinations.
For the purpose of this guide, we’ve assumed that you’ll be starting your trip in Naples, as this is the entryway to the Amalfi Coast and the region’s transport hub.
The guide begins by covering the various options for getting from Naples to the Amalfi Coast before we get into all the different options for getting around on the coast once you’re there.
Table of Contents
Amalfi Coast planning cheatsheet
Plan your itinerary with expert advice
- Book an Italy travel consultation with a local expert
My favorite hotels on the Amalfi Coast
- Maison La Minervetta - clifftop luxury overlooking Sorrento. $450/night
- Palazzo Marziale - gorgeous rooms in a restored palace in Sorrento. $200/night
- Casa Santangelo Suites - opulent style in the heart of Salerno. $250/night
- B&B il Duca d'Amalfi - excellent value in Salerno's old town. $110/night
Guided tours and activities
- Private driving tours with Marco (our favorite driver)
- Archaeology & walking tours with Roberto
- Amalfi Coast day trip by car (small group)
- Capri boat tour
- Path of the Gods hike
How to get around
- Car rentals with DiscoverCars
- Train tickets from Trenitalia and Circumvesuviana
- Bus routes at SITA
- Ferries with FerryScanner
- Private transfers through Welcome Pickups
Important things to know
High season
One very important thing to consider when thinking about how you’ll get around during a stay on the Amalfi Coast is the season. The Amalfi Coast essentially has no shoulder season anymore and the entire region is very busy from spring through fall. Winter is quiet, but still not empty.
During high season, hotels will sell out, restaurants will require reservations well in advance, and guides, drivers, and tour operators won’t have last-minute availability.
Off season
Over the winter, much of the Amalfi Coast shuts down and tourist services largely disappear. Hotels and restaurants may be closed, tour operators will have shut up shop for the season, and ferry companies and other transportation providers will have heavily reduced service.
Train service, bus service, and ferry service is much less frequent in the winter and early spring months, so it’s crucial that you plan ahead and check schedules and departure times while planning.
Cruise ships
From late spring through early fall, hundreds of cruise ships stop in Naples, sometimes multiple in a single day, letting off thousands of visitors, many of whom head straight to the Amalfi Coast.
On days with multiple dockings, you should expect public transport to be very crowded, drivers and taxis to be unavailable, and for there to be big crowds at all the sights and most popular towns.
If you’re staying in the region for a couple of days, I’d advise that you inform yourself of the days when cruise ships are docking, and try to avoid visiting popular places like Pompeii, Positano, and Capri on those days. Visiting on days when fewer cruise ships are in port will lead to a better and less hectic/crowded experience.
You can check the cruise schedules on Cruisemapper or Cruisedig.
Transportation overview
Almost every trip to the Amalfi Coast will start off in Naples, southern Italy’s largest city. High-speed trains run from Rome to Naples multiple times every hour from early morning until late at night, leaving you in Napoli Centrale station, just about an hour away from the towns of the coast.
Once in Naples, you have a few different transportation options for getting to the towns that make up the Amalfi Coast: trains, buses, ferries, taxis, and private drivers.
From Naples, the small cities of Sorrento and Salerno are almost always the first stop for visitors heading to the Amalfi Coast, and both are reachable with regularly scheduled local train service. All other towns on the coast will usually require that you combine at least two modes of transportation, using Sorrento or Salerno as your transit/transfer point.
Once actually on the Amalfi Coast, there is no train service between towns. To get between the little villages on the coast, your options are the public SITA bus that runs along the entire peninsula (the Amalfi Coast is a peninsula that starts at Sorrento and ends at Salerno), a few ferry connections between certain towns, or taxis and private drivers.
In most cases, the bus will be your best means of transport for getting between the Amalfi Coast towns.
Train service on the Amalfi Coast
Train service from Naples to the Amalfi Coast is limited to two destinations: Sorrento and Salerno. No other towns on the coast have train stations.
The service to these cities is operated by three different train companies.
For Naples to Sorrento you have the choice between two privately operated train companies, the Circumvesuviana and the Campania Express trains. These trains essentially leave from Napoli Centrale station, although technically it’s a sort of sub-station connected to the main station, and it is called Napoli Piazza Garibaldi. This is important to know as your ticket will list this location.
For Naples to Salerno, Trenitalia runs the route and trains depart directly from Napoli Centrale.
Service to both Sorrento and Salerno is very frequent, with trains departing multiple times per hour all throughout the day. The journey to both cities takes about 1 hour and tickets cost from 5-15 euros.
Circumvesuviana
The Circumvesuviana (Naples to Sorrento) is a regular commuter line, so trains run all throughout the year and tickets are cheap; 5 euros. Service starts at 6:00 am and you have 2 departures every hour until late in the evening.
The train makes frequent stops along the route, so it is slower than the Campania Express, which is primarily a tourist train.
While the Circumvesuviana is a perfectly functioning train line, you should be aware that there are no assigned seats, no dedicated luggage storage, and no air conditioning. The carriages are a bit worse for wear and not the most elegant. Train tickets cannot be purchased in advance, so you have to do it at the station.
*And a quick pro tip: if you want to skip long Circumvesuviana lines at the ticket counter at Naples Garibaldi Station, there are two turnstiles that have been newly fitted with card readers so you can simply tap-in and go. Be sure to tap-out when you get to your destination so as not to incur additional fees.
Campania Express
The Campania Express is primarily for tourists and only runs during the high season of mid-March through October. The journey from Naples to Sorrento (or the reverse) will take about 1 hour and tickets cost 15 euros.
At the time of writing, the Campania Express train offers four daily departures from Naples to Sorrento - 8:50 am, 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, and 6:00 pm. Whether it’s a good option for you will depend on your schedule.
Tickets for the Campania Express can be purchased in-person at the station or online. Purchasing your tickets directly aboard the train will incur an additional surcharge of 5 euro per ticket.
Trenitalia
Trenitalia trains From Naples to Salerno depart almost every 20 minutes beginning early in the morning and ending late at night.
Tickets cost about 5 euros and the journey takes 40 minutes to 1 hour depending on the train.
Tickets can be booked online in advance or at the station. As this is a local train, prices do not fluctuate much and they rarely sell out, so buying on the spot is typically fine.
Taking buses on the Amalfi Coast
There is no bus service from downtown Naples to the towns of the Amalfi Coast.
However, if you’re arriving to Naples by plane, there is a direct bus from Naples airport to Sorrento. The service is provided by the Curreri Viaggi bus company. The bus leaves a few times per day, starting at 9:00 AM and with a final departure at 7:30 PM. The journey takes about 1.5 hours and tickets cost 10 euros.
Once actually on the Amalfi Coast, you have bus service that begins in Sorrento and connects all the different towns. The route runs along the main coastal road, with stops at every town. Service is provided by the SITA bus company.
Travel times, frequency, and cost
Buses pass through each Amalfi Coast town twice per hour, with departures beginning in the early morning and ending in the evening.
Ticket prices vary depending on your start and end point, but are typically no more than a few euros. If you plan to use the bus frequently, you can also buy a 24-hour unlimited use ticket for about 10 euros.
To give you an idea of how long the bus takes, if you got on in Sorrento (one end of the line) and wanted to ride it until Salerno (the other end of the line), the trip would take about 2 hours.
Know that not every bus runs the entire route. This means that some buses stop in the town of Amalfi and then go back in the direction they came. In these cases, you’ll have to get off at the Amalfi bus stop and transfer to another bus that is running the whole route. Always ask the driver when you get on if the bus is finishing its route in Amalfi or going the whole way.
Where to buy tickets
You can buy bus tickets at the Sorrento or Salerno train station, local tabacchi shops, at vending machines, or directly on the bus.
Ferry service
If you’re visiting the Amalfi Coast, you’re undoubtedly here for the coastal views and the beautiful sea, so taking a ferry can be a great way to combine leisure and transportation.
Three different companies run ferries here: Travelmar, Alilauro, and NLG.
From Naples, you have direct ferries to Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi. You can also get to the islands of Capri, Ischia, and Procida. All ferries depart from Beverello Port, just outside of the historic center.
To give you an idea of travel time, Naples to Sorrento takes about 40 minutes while Naples to Positano takes 1.5 hours. Naples to Capri or Ischia takes about an hour.
Once on the Amalfi Coast, you have ferry connections between main towns like Sorrento and Positano and Salerno and Amalfi, all offered by three companies above. During the summer, you also have connections between some of the smaller towns, with service mostly operated by smaller local companies.
Here are some main routes:
Sorrento - Positano
Sorrento - Amalfi
Sorrento - Capri
Salerno - Atrani
Salerno - Amalfi
Salerno - Positano
Positano - Capri
Positano - Amalfi
Amalfi - Capri
Travel times, frequency, and cost
Ferry rides between the different Amalfi Coast towns usually take no more than 30 minutes and tickets cost from 5-20 euros, depending on the route.
Although significantly more expensive than the bus, ferries can be a very convenient option on summer days when car traffic can lead to long traffic jams. They’re also rather pleasant.
Keep in mind that ferry service is far less frequent than the bus, with routes running usually only 3-5 times per day. This means that if you want to use the ferry, you need to plan in advance and make sure that the departure times work with your schedule.
Also be aware that the ferries are seasonal and have very different schedules, so you should always check and reconfirm them. Most are only operational from April to November.
If you’re traveling with luggage, know that there may be an additional per bag fee of a few euros.
The ports/marinas in the Amalfi Coast towns are all right in the town centers, so as long as you are staying in town you can almost always walk from the marina to your hotel/accommodation.
Where to buy tickets
To check routes, compare prices, and buy tickets, Ferry Scanner is definitely the easiest site to use. It might cost you a few more euros than booking direct, but the website is much easier to navigate than companies’.
You can also buy tickets directly at the marinas.
Taxis and private drivers
Taxis and private drivers are available for hire in Naples and most of the towns of the coast. In Naples you have designated locations where taxis sit and wait, including at the port, train station, and airport.
You have the same thing in a few of the more popular Amalfi Coast towns, but not most of them. From most towns, you will need to call and request service. In high season, these services need to be requested in advance and you should be prepared for the possibility of long waits.
Private drivers offering everything from simple transfers to full-day driving tours are also available to provide pick up and drop off everywhere along the coast.
Uber is not an option in this part of Italy.
Taxis
Taxis from Naples to the towns of the Amalfi Coast will normally cost from 100-200 euros, one way. The ride takes 1-2 hours depending on your final destination.
Getting between towns via taxi costs from 30-150 euros.
If you want to book ahead of time, you can reserve a transfer to/from anywhere on the coast with the company Amalfi Tour Leader on Viator.
The company Welcome Pickups is also always an option for private transfers. They operate in most of Europe (including Naples and the Amalfi Coast), working directly with licensed local drivers.
Private drivers
Private transfers typically cost a bit more than taxis, albeit not significantly. The slightly increased cost can be worth it if you want to be guaranteed that someone will be waiting for you or want to make stops along your route.
Another popular option is to hire a driver for a day tour of the coast. Most drivers will spend 8-9 hours with you, and take you throughout the entire peninsula, stopping at different towns and viewpoints. A full-day tour usually costs 500-600 euros and most drivers have vans that can accommodate groups of up to 8 people.
Because the cost of a day tour is high, I often recommend booking the service on your arrival day to the coast. This way, you get a full day of guided sightseeing and a transfer to your hotel.
If you’re interested in a driving tour, I always recommend Marco Puglia. He’s based in Sorrento and has been providing transfers and all different types of tours for over 15 years. He’s great.
If you’re after something more budget-friendly, you also have small group driving tours. Because vans can only carry 8 people, group sizes are always capped at 8. This small group driving tour is similar to what I just described, but it’s a shared experience, so much cheaper.
Driving on the Amalfi Coast
While it can be very tempting to rent a car to have more freedom while exploring the Amalfi Coast, it’s rarely a good option. The only instance in which I recommend having a car is for those who are visiting in the off season (before Easter or after mid-November) and spending at least 3-5 days in the area.
The roads of the Amalfi Coast are good quality, but they are narrow, winding, steep, and clogged with traffic. There’s only one main road that runs along the coast, so anytime you get in the car you’re going to find yourself on the same road as everyone else here; locals, tourists, buses, day trippers, etc.
There are sections all throughout where two cars cannot pass without one of them needing to squeeze into the shoulder of the road. You’ll often need to put the car in reverse to allow larger vans, buses, and trucks to pass. This might not sound like a big deal, but with a huge line of traffic behind you and pedestrians walking around, it can quickly become very unpleasant.
If you’re unfamiliar with driving in Italy, driving on the Amalfi Coast can be an overwhelming experience.
That said, if you’re coming in the off-season, having a car can be very convenient. It frees you from relying on slow buses and having to worry about organizing your sightseeing around departure times. The coastal road is also beautiful, and you’ll have the luxury of being able to stop at all the stunning viewpoints you pass. You’ll also be able to get up into the hills above the towns, where you’ll find lovely restaurants, working farms, fantastic viewpoints, and fewer crowds.
Below, I’ve included some important things you need to consider if you’ll be driving. If by the end of it you still feel good about having a car, then go for it!
Driving times
For an idea of driving times, consider that (without traffic) Naples to Sorrento takes approximately 1 hour. Sorrento to Positano is about 30 minutes, with each successive town adding a bit more time. Some towns are only a few minutes apart.
In high season, expect for traffic to cause travel times to increase significantly.
Parking
If you decide to rent a car, make sure to plan out your parking beforehand, as this can be a challenge all throughout the Amalfi Coast.
The towns of the coast are tiny and built on the side of cliffs. Many of them have just one or two roads, meaning that parking space is incredibly limited. There is very little public parking and spaces can be very tight by North American standards. If you’re driving a rental car, this may mean scratches and damage.
In high season, you often will not find anywhere to park and will lose lots of time just looking.
Alternate day driving
A few years ago new rules were put in place to limit the number of people driving on the coast on any given day. The rules apply to anyone driving a car.
It is as follows: cars can only drive on every other day. Cars with license plates ending in an odd number cannot drive on odd numbered days. Cars with license plates ending in an even number cannot drive on even numbered days.
The restriction is in effect during Easter week (early April) and then on all weekends from June 15th through September 30th. In addition, the rule is in effect EVERY day throughout the entire month of August.
There is an exception for travelers with verifiable arrival and departure info. I.e. if you have a hotel reservation, you are allowed to drive from outside of the coast to your hotel even if you technically cant. Likewise, you can drive out of the coast on the scheduled day of your departure (i.e. when your hotel reservation is up) regardless of your license plate.
These rules are for the Amalfi side of the coast. The Sorrento side of the coast has its own fun set of rules. For more info see here.
ZTL limited traffic zones
You also have many “ZTL” zones (limited traffic zones) where cars cannot go on certain days or at certain times of day. Fines for violating these rules can be quite expensive and signs can be easy to miss.
Manual and automatic vehicles
While automatic vehicle rentals are plentiful in Italy, most cars are still manual transmission. In shoulder or low season, getting an automatic should be no problem and will only cost a bit more than a manual. In high season, you may not find automatics and, if you do, the price may be exorbitant.
Car rental companies
You have all the major international car rental companies in Naples (both in downtown and at the airport) and you can always book direct with any of them.
To check options and compare prices, I always recommend having a look on DiscoverCars. It’s a car rental website that includes offerings from all the major international rental companies as well as lots of smaller local agencies, which often have much better pricing.
Prices can vary enormously depending on the season. While renting a car in the winter can cost as little as 20 euros a day, you’ll regularly see prices of 100+ euros per day in the summer season. Car rentals do also sell out, so you need to book in advance.
Common routes
There are too many potential routes for me to list them all, and I’ve already explained what your various options are for getting wherever you want to go on the coast, so hopefully you have a good sense of what transportation here is like.
Even so, below I’ve gone ahead and provided detailed instructions on what I consider to be the 4 main routes.
Naples to Sorrento
For most travelers, the easiest way to get from Naples to Sorrento is to take the train. You can also take a ferry or a bus if coming from the airport.
Train
Trains from Naples to Salerno all depart from Napoli Centrale/Piazza Garibaldi station and the journey takes about 1-1.5 hours. Tickets cost 5-15 euros, depending on which company you use.
Sorrento’s train station is right in the city center, so you can usually walk to your hotel.
Unlike in most of Italy, train service between Naples and Salerno not provided by Trenitalia or Italo. Instead, a local company called Ente Autonomo Volturno operates the two different train lines that run the route: the Circumvesuviana and the Campania Express.
Bus
If you’re arriving to Naples by plane, you can take a direct bus from the airport to Sorrento, operated by the Curreri Viaggi Bus Company.
Buses depart a few times per day, starting at 9:00 AM and with a final departure at 7:30 PM. The journey takes 1.5 hours and tickets cost 10 euros.
Ferry
Naples and Sorrento are connected by ferry, with five daily crossings departing from Naples’ Beverello port and arriving to Sorrento’s central marina. Service is offered by NLG and Alilauro and runs all throughout the year.
There are departures at 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 3:00 pm, 5:15 pm, and 6:25 pm. The journey takes approximately 35-45 minutes and costs 15 euros regardless of which company you use.
Taxi/driver
A taxi ride from Naples to Sorrento usually costs 100-150 euros and the drive takes 1 hour.
If you want to book online, you can schedule a private transfer with the company Prestige Limos on Viator. It will cost from 100 euros, depending on how many people you are.
Also check transfer rates with Welcome Pickups.
Naples to Salerno
Getting from Naples to Salerno is the easiest of any of the journeys on the Amalfi Coast. Your main option is to take the train, but you do also have the option of a bus.
Train
Trains to Salerno depart directly from Napoli Centrale station with 3 departures every hour. Service begins early in the morning and ends late at night. Tickets typically cost 5 euros and the ride takes 40-60 minutes, depending on the class of train. The service is provided by Trenitalia and you can book tickets online in advance or directly at the station.
For those coming from Rome, you can actually book your train all the way to Salerno, meaning you won’t even need to make a change.
Bus
Given the frequency and cheap price of the train, there is really no reason to take the bus from Naples to Salerno. However, it does exist.
Flixbus runs a route from Naples Metropark Centrale station (adjacent to the Napoli Centrale train station) to Salerno’s Piazza Concordia square. The trip takes one hour and tickets cost about 4 euros. There are a few departures spread out throughout the day.
Taxi/driver
A taxi or private transfer from Naples to Salerno normally costs 100 euros or a bit less.
The distance between the two cities is only 55 kilometers (34 miles) kms and the drive takes just 45 minutes.
For this route, I’d recommend just hiring a local taxi directly. You can also book with Welcome Pickups.
Naples to Positano
Positano doesn’t have a train station, so getting there from Naples requires either a combination of bus and train or the ferry. In both cases, your total travel time is usually around 2 hours.
Train & bus combo
The easiest way to get from Naples to Positano with public transport is to take the Circumvesuviana or Campania Express train to Sorrento and then transfer to the SITA bus.
The SITA bus departs directly from Sorrento’s train station, so transferring is very easy. The bus departs twice per hour and tickets cost a few euros.
Figure that the bus ride from Sorrento to Positano will take about an hour, so your total travel time from Naples should be around 2 hours.
Ferry
Naples and Positano are connected by ferry via 3 daily crossings throughout the week, with service increasing to 5 departures over the weekend.
These are summer-only ferries, and the route is offered exclusively from mid-June to mid-September. One-way tickets cost 20-30 euros and the journey takes 1.5-2 hours.
NLG operates 3 daily ferry departures, each with a transit time of about 2 hours. Timetables are constantly subject to change, but expect a morning departure and then at least one more in the mid-afternoon.
Alilauro offers this route only on Saturdays and Sundays, with one morning departure at approximately 8:00 am. This ferry is a bit quicker, completing the route in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Taxi/driver
A taxi from Naples to Positano usually costs 120-200 euros and the drive takes 1.5-2 hours.
You can book online via Viator with the company Positano Tony Taxi/Tours. Prices for a private transfer in a sedan start at 120 euros.
And again… you can also check on Welcome Pickups.
Naples to Amalfi
Your options for getting from Naples to Amalfi are the same as for Positano: a combination of train and bus or the ferry.
The only difference is that you have the option of taking the train to both Sorrento or Salerno, and then switching to the SITA bus in whichever city. It’s quicker to do it via Salerno.
Train & bus combo
By land, the quickest way to get from Naples to Amalfi is to take a Trenitalia train to the city of Salerno and then transfer to the SITA bus. The train ride to Salerno takes about 1 hour and then the bus ride to Amalfi is another 1 hour and 15 minutes. Buses depart twice per hour.
Your other option is to take a Circumvesuviana or Campania Express train to Sorrento and then transfer to the SITA bus there. In that case, the train ride from Naples takes an hour and the bus ride to Amalfi takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Train tickets to from Naples to both cities cost 5-20 euros. The SITA bus ticket costs a few euros from either one.
Ferry
The quickest way to get from Naples to Amalfi is to take a ferry. Ferries depart from Naples’ Beverello port right in downtown and leave you in the Amalfi marina, with a travel time of about 1.5 hours.
Two companies offer ferry routes between Naples and Amalfi: NLG and Alilauro.
As with the ferry route between Naples and Positano, this is a summer-only line.
During the week, NLG offers two daily crossings at 08:30 am and 2:30 pm. Tickets cost 20-30 euros and the trip takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Over the weekend, NLG has the same two crossings, but Alilauro adds two more at 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. At just 1 hour and 15 minutes, the trip is a bit quicker, and tickets also cost 20-30 euros.
Taxi/driver
Taxis from Naples to Amalfi usually cost 150-200 euros and the ride taxes 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The Chaffeur of Positano transfer company has private, one-way transfers to Amalfi starting at 140 USD.
You guessed it! Welcome Pickups runs this route too.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Amalfi Coast from Naples?
The Amalfi Coast is a peninsula near to Naples that contains 13 towns. Technically, it starts around the town of Positano (at the tip of the peninsula) and runs up until the city of Salerno. Naples to Positano is 56 km (35 miles) and the trip takes 1 hour and 30 minutes by car.
What’s the fastest way to get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast?
The fastest and easiest way to get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast is to hire a taxi or private driver. By car, getting from Naples to any town on the Amalfi Coast usually takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, costing from 120-200 euros.
Via public transport, the quickest way to get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast is to take a ferry from Naples’ Beverello port to Positano or Amalfi.
Direct ferries take about 1 hour and 30 minutes - less time than driving if there’s traffic - and they depart up to 3 times per day. The port terminal is also adjacent to the city center and it’s easily reached by bus or even walking. That said the departure times may not line up with your schedule, making using the ferry inconvenient.
Another option is to take a high-speed train from Naples to Salerno and then take a taxi or ferry from Salerno to your final destination on the Amalfi Coast.
Can you get a taxi on the street in the Amalfi Coast?
There are taxis available throughout the Amalfi Coast, but rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft do not exist.
Also, while you can find taxis on the street in Positano and Amalfi, from most other towns you will need to call and request service. In the summer, taxis are extremely busy and you will need to book many services in advance if you want to guarantee availability.
Can you visit the Amalfi Coast without a car?
The vast majority of people visiting the Amalfi Coast do so without a car. In fact, from April to November (high season), having a car is almost always more of a hassle than not. Public transportation on the Amalfi Coast is good, with public buses, frequent ferries, and even train service to some towns. You’ll have no problem visiting and getting around without a car.
That said, if you only have one day to visit the coast, you probably want to hire a driver or use a combination of ferry/bus and taxi to maximize your time. But if you’ll be visiting for multiple days, not having a car is not an issue at all.
Can you walk between towns on the Amalfi Coast?
Footpaths, trails, and sidewalks run all over the hilly slopes of the Amalfi Coast, connecting towns. Some towns are only a few minutes walk from each other, while others would require multi-hour hikes through the hills. You won’t want to solely rely on walking to get around the Amalfi Coast, but you can certainly walk between some of the towns.
How many days do you need to visit the Amalfi Coast?
While you can get a coast for the Amalfi Coast and see some of the towns in just a day, you really need at least 3 days to enjoy the region. The Amalfi Coast is a destination to take things slowly; savor views, sip a leisurely cocktail, lounge on the water, and hike in the hills. To experience the region in the best way possible (and not spend all your time in transport), give yourself at least 3 days.
When is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?
The Amalfi Coast is one Italy’s premier tourist destinations and millions of people visit every year. High season runs from practically April until November, and there really is no shoulder season here. For us, the best time to visit is in early spring before the mass crowds arrive or in late fall once they’ve all departed.
Where should you stay on the Amalfi Coast?
The two best places to base yourself on the Amalfi Coast are Sorrento and Salerno. In terms of access, they’re the two easiest towns to get to from anywhere else and they provide the best transportation connections to all the other towns of the coast. They’re also real cities, so there’s lots to do and many good options for restaurants, bars, hotels, grocery stores, and everything else you might need.
Staying in towns like Amalfi or Positano may seem tempting, but they are extremely overcrowded and don’t actually have very much to do, so spending multiple days in them may get boring.
Can you visit the Amalfi Coast on a day trip from Naples?
It’s entirely possible to visit the Amalfi Coast as a day trip from Naples, but you need to plan things well. You won’t be able to see every town, but you’ll be able to stop in major ones like Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, and Atrani, and stop at lots of fabulous scenic viewpoints.
Public transport on the Amalfi Coast, while extensive, can be very slow. Traffic can also be terrible and parking is extremely limited, so driving yourself can also be a nightmare.
If you want to visit on a day trip, the easiest thing to do is to hire a private driver who will pick you up and drop you back off in Naples and take you around for the day, without any need for you to park, wait for buses, stand in ferry lines, or get stuck in traffic.
Can you visit the Amalfi Coast on a day trip from Rome?
Visiting the Amalfi Coast as a day trip from Rome is doable if you take the high-speed train to Naples and then hire a private driver to take you around the coast for the day. You’ll need at least 8 hours of time on the coast to see anything, and you need to budget 2 hours of travel in each direction. So, you’ll need a bare minimum of 12 hours to do a day trip to the Amalfi Coast from Rome.
The train from Rome to Naples runs from early in the morning until late in the evening, the journey takes 1 hour and 10 minutes, and departures run multiple times every hour. Once you arrive in Naples, a driver can pick you up at the train station and bring you straight to the coast.
Driving from Rome to Naples is slower than taking the train (3 hours instead of 1) and ultimately means that you’ll spend almost 14 hours in the car if you attempt to do a day trip
Guided tours of the Amalfi Coast
If you’ve got a flexible budget and are looking for a bit of comfort, you can opt for a private transfer or a tour.
Transfer/tour combo option
If you’re thinking about doing a sightseeing tour of the Amalfi Coast during your stay, a cost-effective solution is to turn your transfer from Naples to the coast into a full-day guided tour.
You can work with most drivers to tailor your ride to include sightseeing stops and other activities along the way. This is a very popular option throughout the Amalfi Coast as it allows you to combine transportation that you would be paying for anyways with a private guided tour. Most drivers offer both half-day and full-day options.
Driving tours & transfers
For those with limited time, a full-day driving tour is a great way to see a lot of the Amalfi Coast in a little bit of time. Most driving tours are 8-9 hours and drivers can typically accommodate up to 6-8 guests in their vehicles.
When possible, we recommend doing a driving tour on the day you arrive to the region as it gives you a good introduction to the entire Amalfi Coast and it saves you some money on a transfer as you can get picked up at the train station, airport or ferry terminal in Naples and then finish the tour at your hotel on the coast.
For driving tours and transfer anywhere around Naples and the Amalfi Coast, we always recommend driver-guide Marco who is based in Sorrento and has lived his entire life in the region.
Walking tours
If you’re interested in walking tours, we highly recommend them in Naples and Salerno. Naples is a big city full of history & culture, hidden corners, and wonderful architecture. It can also be chaotic and confusing, so having a local guide with you really adds to the experience. Salerno, while not remotely as big as Naples, is an interesting little city that has a lot to see.
The town of Ravello is home to some beautiful villas and gardens, like those found at Villa Cimbrone and is nice for a longer visit if you have the time.
For terrific walking tours, we always recommend local guide Roberto. He’s an archaeologist-guide based in Salerno who runs really fun and interesting experiences.
Archaeological tours
Anyone with even a passing interest in archaeology, history, or Roman civilization should dedicate at least a morning or afternoon to exploring the Amalfi Coast’s stunning archaeological sites. Pompeii is the best known, but Paestum and Herculaneum are also wonderful places to visit (and much less crowded).
As for walking tours, our go-to guide is always Roberto, who is a PhD archaeologist and fully licensed guide.
More Amalfi Coast travel info
For more advice on planning your trip to the Amalfi Coast (and Italy in general), have a look at some of our other guides and itineraries!
- Private, customizable tours
- Luxury Mercedes vehicles
- 20+ years experience
- Genuine & friendly guide
Explore with Marco!
