How to get from Naples to Amalfi Coast: 6 options

For such a long period of time, I was ignorant. About the world around me and about the places I could have loved. However, thankfully, life has taken me to many incredible places and opened my eyes to them. And perhaps the most amazing trip I’ve ever taken was my first day trip from Naples to the Amalfi Coast. 

Getting from Naples to the Amalfi Coast is easy, even if you go there for a day trip or are planning to spend more time in one of Southern Italy‘s most beautiful destinations. 

Read further if you want to find the answers to all your questions and plan for the perfect getaway. 

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This can be said about the Amalfi Coast, the wonderful place I have discovered by chance during my trip to Naples late one Summer.

While I was in the North of Italy, they told me “Vedi Napoli e muori” is a common saying in Italy (“see Naples and you can die” – because it is so beautiful of course and you don’t need anything more), but nobody told me about the Amalfitan Coast that waiting not far from the city.

I think I was the last one to hear about it, the world plotted against me so I would never hear about the most incredible coast there is. I most certainly don’t remember how we got to the idea of going there, but we did.

Table of Contents

1. How to get from Naples to Amalfi Coast? 
   1. BY TRAIN
   2. BY BOAT/FERRY
   3. BY CAR
   4. BY ORGANIZED TOUR
   5. BY BUS
   6. BY TAXI
   7. Other FAQ
      1. Can you take a train from Naples to the Amalfi Coast?
      2. The best way to get from Naples airport to the Amalfi Coast
         1. By public transportation
         2. By private transfer
      3. What is the fastest way to get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast?
      4. What is the cheapest way to get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast?
      5. When is the best time to travel to the Amalfi Coast?
      6. How many days do you need to see the Amalfi Coast?
   8. Other Amalfi Coast travel resources

How to get from Naples to Amalfi Coast?

BY TRAIN

We took the Circumvesuviana train directly from Naples Central Train Station up to Sorrento (here are some additional things to do in Sorrento if you have more time).

The train leaves from Naples Central Station in Piazza Garibaldi, on the lower level, track 3.  

The journey should normally take between 45 minutes and 1h30. But be prepared for the train to be delayed (it sometimes happens, in our case, we got stuck for around one hour on the road because of a fight).

If you are interested, you can check out the timetables here. 

Oh, and another thing to have in mind if you travel during summer and especially during the weekends: stepping into the train is like stepping into a loud, crazy, hectic, Italian bar, or better yet, school.

Lots of children are heading to the beaches around Naples, loudly talking and laughing in Neapolitan dialect.

We took a day trip, departing from Naples in the morning and returning in the evening, opting for the day ticket, which is cheaper than buying two one-way tickets.

From Sorrento, you will take a public transportation bus (SITA bus) to any one of the villages on the Amalfi Coast.

BY BOAT/FERRY

Another way of getting to Sorrento is by boat.

This is the faster but more expensive method, taking around 40 minutes. 

I guess it can be a very pleasant experience, seeing the coast from the sea, having the wind in your hair, and getting lost in the deep blue.

If you are interested in booking a ticket, you can do it here.

Also on the sea, you can choose to go by ferry and more precisely by The Metro del Mare. This option is cheaper than taking the boat, and you will find out there are many more destinations to choose from.

BY CAR

You can rent a car at any time and drive all the way from Naples to Amalfi.

I would not do that because I am still a novice when it comes to driving, and also because of 2 other reasons:

• Drivers in the South of Italy tend to drive a bit like madmen
• The coast is very high, narrow, and steep

But that shouldn’t stop you if you trust your driving skills.

If you choose to drive on the Amalfi Coast read our comprehensive guide!

I think this would be the best way to take the trip, allowing you to stop whenever and wherever you want, and take as many pictures of ice cream as you like.

And if you do decide to rent a car and drive your way from Naples to the Amalfi Coast, I suggest you check out Discover Cars, which will help you find the best deals and save up to 70%. 

Book your car here!

BY ORGANIZED TOUR

The easiest way to plan a day trip from Naples to the Amalfi Coast without worrying too much about timetables and other details is by booking an organized tour. 

We usually choose this kind of trip whenever we have a short time and want to make the most out of our trip.

With a tour, you’ll always have someone to consider the timeline and show you all the most important things you’ll need to see in a place. 

On top of that, you won’t have to worry about transportation or anything else. 

As expected, there are many available options for tours to the Amalfi Coast from Naples, and I usually go for the one organized by GetYourGuide or Viator. 

They are easy to book ahead of time online, you can always cancel if something arises and you can no longer attend, and they have great reviews. My experiences have always been perfect. 

To make things even easier, here are 2 incredible day trips from Naples: 

Full day trip from Naples or Sorrento 

From Naples – Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi

BY BUS

Flixbus has direct buses leaving in the morning and in the afternoon from Naples to Sorrento. 

The bus ride takes around 1.5 hours and costs between 10 EUR and 50 EUR, depending on the time that you choose and how much time in advance you book your trip. 

From there, you will still need to take the SITA bus or a boat to your final destination on the Amalfi Coast.

Check out the timetables and book your bus ride here!

BY TAXI

Be careful when traveling by taxi on the Amalfi Coast. I’ve seen many people claim they’ve been asked for large amounts of money for short taxi trips.

That’s why you should either book a private transfer or download one of the taxi apps available in the region. Look for inTaxi and FREENOW.

How to get from Sorrento to the Amalfi Coast?

The cheapest option is to travel by SITA bus – the public transportation that links Sorrento to Salerno. 

You can purchase a one-way ticket or a day ticket from any tabaccheria in town (a convenience store), and you can get off at any stop along the way. 

The SITA bus stop is also in front of the Central Train Station in Sorrento, and it’s easy to access.

Or, simply download the UnicoCampania app, buy digital travel tickets, calculate the route of your journey, and get on board.

You can buy all UnicoCampania integrated tickets, urban, and extra-urban tickets of Busitalia Campania, ANM, AIR, CTP, EAV, Sitasud, and Trotta bus.

Another option is to take a boat from Sorrento to one of the villages on the Amalfi Coast. The downside to this is that not all villages have ports, and you might still need to take a bus or a transfer.

Check the route of boats leaving from Sorrento to the villages on the Amalfi Coast here!

Other FAQ

Can you take a train from Naples to the Amalfi Coast?

The answer to that question depends a lot on your final destination on the Amalfi Coast.

While many might think of Positano as the Amalfi Coast, this is only one of the many villages you can visit here.

Sorrento is the largest city, and it’s linked to Naples by train, the Circumvesuviana. 

From there, you can get to Positano or any other village on the Amalfi Coast by bus. Some of the most important destinations (like Positano or Amalfi) are also linked to Sorrento by boat/ferry.

The best way to get from Naples airport to the Amalfi Coast

Are you landing in Naples but have a longer vacation planned for the Amalfi Coast?

The easiest way to get to your final destination might be to rent a car and drive all the way there. You can pick up the car directly from the airport, no matter when you land. 

Exit on E45 and SS145 and drive the 52 kilometers to Sorrento. Or, take the same roads for 61 kilometers all the way to Positano. 

This being said, if you travel during the peak season (particularly from June to September), you must know that the Amalfi Coast gets crazy crowded.

The road that links all the pretty villages only has one lane on each side, and everyone would be there: public buses, private tour buses, and of course, cars. It happened to us several times to be stuck at some corners with low visibility.

On top of that, finding a parking space in most villages (or close to them) is almost impossible, and if you do find one, it can be expensive. Thus, you will either way end up using public transportation.

By public transportation

There is no direct bus that links Naples Airport to the Amalfi Coast. Thus, you will have to go to Sorrento and from there take the SITA bus to your final destination on the coastline. 

From Naples International Airport, take the Alibus and get off at Garibaldi. From there, take the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento. 

By private transfer

The easiest and hassle-free option – a local driver will wait for you at the airport and will take you all the way to your hotel on the Amalfi Coast. 

It might be a more expensive option, but you won’t have to worry about a thing – traffic, how to get to the hotel, parking, or anything else. 

Book your private transfer here!

What is the fastest way to get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast?

As always, because it doesn’t depend on traffic or any other circumstances, getting from Naples to Sorrento by train might be the fastest option. 

However, even though the train ride officially takes around 1 hour, delays can occur, especially during the peak season. 

Another good option is to rent a car and leave early in the morning. If you manage to leave Naples behind before the peak traffic, you can drive from Naples to Sorrento in less than an hour. And all the way to Positano in around 1 hour and 15 minutes. 

What is the cheapest way to get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast?

By using public transportation, you will manage to save on your travel expenses.

When is the best time to travel to the Amalfi Coast?

I don’t encourage you to travel during the peak season, particularly during July and August. 

Another thing worth knowing is that during winter, many restaurants and hotels will be closed, especially in Positano. Additionally, ferries have fewer frequent rides, and the buses run on the low-season schedule. 

With that said, I would choose the shoulder season as the perfect time to travel to the Amalfi Coast. Anywhere from April to early June, and from September to early Novembe,r should work great. 

How many days do you need to see the Amalfi Coast?

While I think I could spend months exploring the dramatic coastline without getting bored, I also think that one or two weeks would be enough time for a vacation.

If you are trying to impress someone, this is where you should bring him/her. The effect will be 100 times more than what you were expecting. 

Just make sure to take more time than I did to spend here, just one day is not enough, and you will regret not having more time on hand just to sit back and admire this Paradise on Earth.

I plan to go back at some point. And when I do, I want to choose to stay in one of those incredible places you see on Pinterest overlooking the sea.

I want to see the sunset, relaxed, sipping from a glass of fruity white wine while savoring a rich pasta dish.

This dream I know will come true!

Other Amalfi Coast travel resources

• 5 days on the Amalfi Coast itinerary
• 7 days on the Amalfi Coast itinerary
• Amalfi Coast on a budget itinerary
• Your ultimate Amalfi Coast honeymoon guide
• Where to stay in Positano
• Rome and Amalfi Coast 10-day itinerary

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