Positano, a town situated in the Amalfi Coast, is the one place in Italy I wanted to go to the most. The Amalfi Coast is stunningly beautiful but getting there can be confusing and stressful. There’s no airport and there are no trains. So how do you get there without spending hundred of euros hiring a taxi?
Flying into Naples
If you are flying, the closest airport to the Amalfi Coast is Naples International Airport (Aeroporto Internazionale di Napoli). From there, you will have to get to Sorrento, which is a town on the peninsula that connects to the Amalfi Coast. There are a few different ways to get to Sorrento from Naples:
Train
The cheapest option is to take the Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Centrale Station, which would cost approximately €3-4 and takes about 45 – 75 minutes. Do note that this is a local train so it can get crowded and you are not guaranteed a seat. There is no luggage storage either. It’s also notorious for pickpockets so keep your eye on your belongings! If you are arriving from the airport, you can take the Alibus outside of the arrival hall to get to Napoli Centrale Station for €4.
Bus
Right outside of the departure hall of the airport, you can catch the Curreri Viaggi to Sorrento. It’s a coach so you can sit comfortably with air conditioning and have your luggage stored in the baggage hold. The ride takes about 45 -60 minutes and costs €10. You can book on their website so you are guaranteed a seat on the bus.
Ferry
If you are already in Naples, the fastest way to get to Sorrento would be by ferry. The Alibus from the airport also goes to the port, which would be the last stop and takes about 30 minutes, but if you are arriving at the airport, I suggest taking the bus to Sorrento instead of the ferry. The ferry ride takes about 40 minutes and tickets cost €11. If you are bringing luggage, this may not be the best option because when you dock in Sorrento, you’d have to go up a steep hill to get into town, but you can also take a taxi up since there will be plenty of taxis waiting for arriving ferry passengers.
From Rome
Italy has an extensive rail system and is very easy to use. You can take a train from Milan or Florence to get to Naples. If you are in Rome, you can purchase tickets and take the train from Roma Termini to Naples Centrale Station, which is the same station you would take the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento.
If you want to take a bus instead, you can take the Marozzi or Flixbus straight to Positano. Prices range from €11.90-19.00 and take about 3.5-4 hours. Both buses have reserved seats, luggage storage, and free wifi! Who doesn’t love free wifi?
You’re in Sorrento. Now what?
Sorrento is like the transportation hub of the area. From Sorrento, you can take the train to Pompeii, ferry to Capri, and bus to the Amalfi Coast. So where do you catch the bus to the Amalfi Coast? Right outside of the Circumvesuviana train station is where you can find the Sita buses. Sita buses are the buses that will take you all along the Amalfi Coast. Tickets have to be purchased at either a ticket booth or at tabacchi shops (tobacco shops) prior to boarding. They cost about €3 and seats cannot be reserved. Try to get a seat on the right side of the bus to enjoy the gorgeous views along the way! The ride from Sorrento to Positano takes about 45 minutes and over an hour to get to Amalfi, sometimes longer because often times, there will be traffic on those tight roads. The roads are extremely curvy, so if you are prone to motion sickness like me, be prepared. This is your warning!
But even if you do get motion sickness while getting there, the view is worth it, wouldn’t you agree? 🙂
-Diana
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