Every route, real prices, and the options locals actually recommend
Getting to the Amalfi Coast is not complicated, but choosing the wrong route can cost you hours and hundreds of euros. The coast has no airport, no train station, and no highway exit that drops you at the beach. Every arrival involves at least one transfer. The good news: once you understand the options, the journey itself becomes part of the experience. Salerno is your gateway. Whether you are coming from Naples, Rome, or anywhere else in Italy, the fastest and most scenic route almost always passes through Salerno and then continues by ferry or bus along the coast. This guide covers every realistic option with honest prices, actual travel times, and the mistakes to avoid.
Naples Capodichino (NAP) is the closest international airport to the Amalfi Coast, roughly 65 kilometers away. But those 65 kilometers include some of the most congested roads in southern Italy, so the transfer takes between 75 minutes and 2.5 hours depending on your route and the traffic gods.
The smartest route — and the one locals use — is bus to Salerno, then ferry. Flixbus and SITA Sud operate direct buses from Naples airport to Salerno (Piazza Concordia) for approximately 8 euros, taking about 75 minutes on the A3 motorway. From Salerno's Molo Concordia ferry terminal, which is a 5-minute walk from the bus stop, Travelmar ferries run 6-8 times daily to the coast from April through October. The ferry to Maiori takes about 45 minutes and costs 8-12 euros; to Amalfi it is 35 minutes; to Positano the full route takes about 70 minutes and costs up to 15 euros. Total journey time: roughly 2.5 hours door to door. Total cost: under 25 euros. And the last hour is one of the most beautiful ferry rides in Europe.
Private transfers are the comfortable option. A licensed car service from Naples airport to Amalfi costs 130-160 euros, to Positano 150-200 euros, and to Maiori 120-150 euros. The journey takes 90 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic. This makes sense for groups of 3-4 splitting the cost, for late-night arrivals when ferries are not running, or if you have heavy luggage. Book through your hotel for the best rates — they typically have arrangements with local drivers.
The Circumvesuviana train is a third option, but it is not ideal with luggage. You would take the Alibus shuttle from the airport to Naples Centrale station (5 euros, 20 minutes), then the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento (3.60 euros, about 70 minutes), then a SITA bus or ferry from Sorrento to the coast. This route works for backpackers traveling light, but the Circumvesuviana has no luggage racks, no air conditioning, limited seating, and an unreliable schedule. With suitcases, skip it.
One common mistake: do not take a taxi from the airport directly to the coast. Metered taxis from Capodichino to Positano can exceed 250 euros, and some unscrupulous drivers at the airport rank quote even more. If you must taxi, agree on the price before getting in and only use licensed vehicles from the official rank.
If your flight lands after 18:00 in summer or after 16:00 in shoulder season, the last ferry will have departed. Plan a private transfer or overnight in Salerno (a beautiful city worth exploring) and take the first morning ferry.
Rome is roughly 270 kilometers from the Amalfi Coast. The fastest route is by high-speed train to Salerno, then ferry or bus to the coast. Total travel time: approximately 4 hours door to door.
The high-speed train from Roma Termini to Salerno runs frequently on Trenitalia's Frecciarossa and Italo's NTV services. The journey takes 2 hours and 10 minutes to 2 hours and 40 minutes depending on the service. Tickets range from 25 to 55 euros if booked in advance on trenitalia.com or italotreno.it — last-minute prices can double. The train drops you at Salerno Centrale station, which is a 10-minute walk from the Molo Concordia ferry terminal. From April through October, Travelmar ferries depart for the coast 6-8 times daily. Salerno to Amalfi is 35 minutes (8-12 euros), Salerno to Positano is 70 minutes (up to 15 euros).
Outside ferry season (November through March), take the SITA bus from Salerno's Piazza Concordia. The bus to Amalfi takes about 75 minutes and costs 2.90 euros. It runs every 30-45 minutes from 6:00 to 22:30. Sit on the right side heading west for cliff-top views of the coast — though in winter you might prefer a taxi (Salerno to Amalfi is a fixed 70 euros, to Maiori 55 euros).
Private transfer from Rome is an option for groups. Expect to pay 400-600 euros for a car that seats up to 4 passengers, covering the 3-plus-hour drive on the A1 motorway south to Salerno, then the coast road. This only makes financial sense if four people split it. Otherwise, the train-plus-ferry combination is faster, cheaper, and more scenic.
Driving from Rome is possible but not recommended unless you plan to explore beyond the coast. The A1 south to the A3 toward Salerno takes about 2.5 hours without traffic. But parking on the Amalfi Coast is scarce and expensive — 4-8 euros per hour in most towns, with lots that fill by mid-morning in summer. If you do drive, park in Salerno or Maiori (which has the most generous parking on the coast at 2-4 euros per hour) and use ferries and buses to explore.
Book Frecciarossa tickets 2-3 weeks ahead for the best prices. The 'Super Economy' fare on Trenitalia can be as low as 19 euros Roma-Salerno, but it is non-refundable and sells out fast.
Salerno is the gateway to the Amalfi Coast and the easiest starting point. The city's ferry terminal (Molo Concordia) and bus station (Piazza Concordia) are both steps from the train station, making connections seamless.
The ferry is the best option from April through October. Travelmar operates 6-8 departures daily from Molo Concordia, stopping at Cetara (20 minutes), Maiori (30 minutes), Minori (35 minutes), Amalfi (35 minutes direct or 45 minutes with stops), and continuing to Positano (70 minutes for the full route). Prices range from 8 to 15 euros depending on how far you go. Alicost runs a competing service on the same route with similar prices — check both schedules and take whichever departs first. Buy tickets online or at the port kiosks. Sit on the left side of the ferry heading west for the best views of the coastline unfolding.
The SITA bus is the year-round alternative. Line 5120 runs from Salerno (Piazza Concordia) through Vietri sul Mare, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Atrani, and terminates in Amalfi. Frequency is every 30-45 minutes, first departure at 6:00, last at 22:30. The full route takes about 75 minutes. A single ticket costs 2.90 euros — buy it at a tabacchi or newsstand before boarding, because the driver will not sell you one. The 24-hour COSTIERASITA pass costs 10 euros and gives unlimited bus rides.
Taxis from Salerno station use fixed rates: 55 euros to Maiori (25 minutes), 70 euros to Amalfi (35 minutes), 75 euros to Ravello (40 minutes), 120 euros to Positano (60 minutes). These prices are per car, not per person, for up to 4 passengers. Always confirm the price before departure — the rates should be posted on a sign at the taxi rank, but some drivers try to charge tourists more.
If you are staying the night in Salerno before heading to the coast, the city itself is worth exploring. The medieval Schola Medica Salernitana, the lungomare promenade, and the Arechi Castle above the old town are excellent. Salerno has none of the tourist inflation of the coast — a full dinner with wine costs 25-35 euros per person at quality restaurants.
The first ferry departure is usually around 8:30-9:00. If you need to reach the coast earlier, take the 6:00 SITA bus. In peak summer, ferries can sell out for morning departures — book online the evening before.
Sorrento sits on the northern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula, directly across from the Amalfi Coast. The two are connected by ferry (seasonal) and by the famous SS163 coast road via bus.
The ferry from Sorrento to Positano takes about 35 minutes and costs 15-20 euros. From Positano you can continue by ferry to Amalfi (another 25 minutes) and onward to Maiori and Salerno. Alilauro and NLG both operate this route from April through October with 3-6 departures daily. This is the most pleasant way to travel between the two — the crossing offers views of Li Galli Islands (Homer's legendary Sirens' home) and the full panorama of Positano's cascade of houses from the sea. Buy tickets in advance for summer weekends.
The SITA bus from Sorrento to Amalfi via Positano (Linea 5070) runs the entire SS163 coast road. It departs every 50-60 minutes in peak season, less frequently off-season. The ride takes about 90 minutes to Amalfi, costs 2.90 euros, and is one of the most scenic (and terrifying) bus journeys in Europe. The road twists along sheer cliffs with hairpin turns and buses squeezing past each other on a road barely wide enough for two vehicles. Sit on the right side heading east for the sea views. In July and August the bus is standing-room-only by 10:00 — take the 6:30 or 7:30 departure to guarantee a seat.
If you are arriving in Sorrento by Circumvesuviana train from Naples (about 70 minutes, 3.60 euros), the bus station is right outside the train station. The ferry terminal is a 15-minute walk downhill to Marina Piccola. Note that the Circumvesuviana is not air-conditioned, has limited luggage space, and runs on an often unreliable schedule — but it is the cheapest way from Naples to the Sorrento-Amalfi area.
Taxis from Sorrento to Positano cost approximately 80 euros (40 minutes), more to towns further along the coast. This makes sense if you are in a group of 3-4, especially with luggage, but the ferry is almost always the better choice for couples or solo travelers.
If you are staying in Sorrento and doing the Amalfi Coast as a day trip, take the first morning ferry to Positano and the last ferry back in the evening. This gives you a full day on the coast without worrying about driving or parking.
Let us be direct: driving to the Amalfi Coast is easy, but driving on the Amalfi Coast is a challenge. The SS163 Amalfitana is one of the most famous roads in the world — carved into vertical limestone cliffs, with blind hairpin turns, buses that take up the entire road, and scooters weaving between everything. It is spectacular. It is also stressful, slow, and parking at your destination may be impossible.
That said, a car makes sense in specific situations. If you are arriving from Rome or northern Italy and want to explore Campania beyond the coast — visiting Pompeii, Paestum, Naples, or the Cilento — having a car gives you flexibility that public transport cannot match. The drive from Rome takes about 3 hours on the A1 and A3 motorways to the coast. From Naples airport, it is about 90 minutes. The road is straightforward until you reach the coast itself.
The reality of driving on the coast: the SS163 is a single lane in each direction for most of its length, sometimes narrower. In July and August, traffic jams of 2 or more hours are common between Positano and Amalfi. The road has no shoulder, so when two buses meet on a curve, everyone stops. Local drivers are aggressive and know every centimeter of the road — you do not. Motorcyclists appear from nowhere. The speed limit is often 30 km/h and even that feels fast.
Parking is the other challenge. In Positano, parking costs 5-10 euros per hour and lots fill by 9:00 in summer. Amalfi is slightly better, with the Luna Rossa garage offering 250 spots at 5-7 euros per hour. Ravello has a small lot near the Auditorium for 2-4 euros per hour. Maiori has the most generous parking on the coast — the lungomare lot has 300 spots at 2-4 euros per hour and rarely fills completely. If you must drive, base yourself in Maiori or Vietri sul Mare and use ferries and buses for the rest.
Rental car costs: a compact car runs 50-80 euros per day, a convertible 80-120 euros. Add fuel, tolls (the A3 has tolls), and parking, and driving becomes one of the most expensive ways to experience the coast. Scooter rental at 35-50 euros per day is the local secret — you skip all traffic, but the road demands confidence and experience on two wheels.
If you rent a car, get the smallest vehicle available. A Fiat 500 or similar is perfect for the coast's narrow roads. Anything larger than a compact sedan will cause you grief on the SS163 hairpins.
Salerno's port handles a growing number of cruise ships, and Naples' port is one of the busiest in the Mediterranean. If your cruise stops at either city, the Amalfi Coast makes an excellent shore excursion — but timing is everything.
From Salerno port, you are already at the doorstep. The Travelmar ferry terminal at Molo Concordia is walkable from the cruise dock in about 15 minutes, or a 5-euro taxi ride. From there, ferries run to the coast every 1-2 hours. The ride to Amalfi takes 35 minutes. To make the most of a port day, take the earliest ferry out and the latest one back. A typical itinerary: ferry to Amalfi (explore the cathedral, have a pastry at Pansa), bus up to Ravello (90 minutes in the gardens of Villa Rufolo or Villa Cimbrone), bus back to Amalfi, ferry to Positano (walk the town, lunch at the beach), ferry back to Salerno. This is tight but doable in 8 hours.
From Naples port (Molo Beverello), the options are different. You can take a hydrofoil directly to Capri (50 minutes, 20-25 euros with NLG) or to Sorrento (40 minutes, 15-20 euros with Alilauro), then connect onward to the Amalfi Coast by ferry. Alternatively, take the train from Naples Centrale to Salerno (35-40 minutes on a regional train, 5-8 euros, or 30 minutes on the Frecciarossa for 12-20 euros) and then the ferry.
Organized shore excursions from cruise lines typically cost 100-200 euros per person and visit Positano and Amalfi with a brief stop in Ravello. You can do the same independently for under 40 euros using ferries and buses, with more freedom and less time spent on a bus with 50 other people. The trade-off: the ship will not wait for you if you are late, so build in a buffer of at least 90 minutes for your return.
One critical warning: do not book a private car transfer from Naples or Salerno to the coast on a cruise day and expect a smooth ride. Cruise ship days flood the SS163 with tour buses, creating the worst traffic of the year. The ferry bypasses all of this.
Download the Travelmar and NLG apps before your cruise. Live departure times and the ability to buy tickets on your phone save precious minutes on a tight port-day schedule.
Train to Salerno, then Travelmar ferry to the coast. The ferry terminal is a 10-minute walk from the train station, and the ferry ride is scenic and stress-free. Total from Rome: about 4 hours. Total from Naples: about 2.5 hours.
Uber does not operate on the Amalfi Coast. For private car service, book through your hotel or use licensed NCC (noleggio con conducente) services. Taxis between towns use fixed regulated prices displayed at taxi stands.
Not for exploring the coast itself. The roads are narrow and stressful, parking is scarce and expensive (5-10 euros per hour), and summer traffic jams last hours. Rent a car only if you plan to explore the wider Campania region (Pompeii, Paestum, Naples). Base yourself in Maiori for the best parking.
By private transfer: 90 minutes to 2.5 hours depending on traffic and destination (130-200 euros). By bus to Salerno plus ferry: about 2.5 hours total (under 25 euros). The bus-ferry route is cheaper and avoids coast road traffic.
Naples Capodichino (NAP) is the closest, about 65 km away. Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is a secondary option with more international flights, but adds a 2.5-hour train ride to Salerno. If you find a much cheaper flight to Rome, the train connection is easy and comfortable.
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