How to Get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast (2026 Guide)

🇮🇹 Part of Italy Travel Guide

There is no direct train from Naples to the Amalfi Coast. The towns of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello sit on a cliff road that no rail line has ever conquered — and the SS163 Amalfitana, which winds along that coastline, is one of the most spectacularly narrow roads in Europe. What that means practically: getting from Naples to the Amalfi Coast always involves at least one connection, and the right option depends entirely on the time of year.

The good news is that the journey itself is half the experience. Whether you take the ferry across the Gulf of Naples and arrive with the coast rising up from the water, or wind along the cliffside on a SITA bus with your face pressed against the window, the approach to the Amalfi Coast is genuinely beautiful. Here is how to do it, with real prices and no filler.

Naples to Amalfi Coast: 5 Options at a Glance

Option 1: Ferry from Naples (Best Scenic Option, April–October)

This is the most enjoyable way to get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast. You board at Molo Beverello or Calata di Massa in Naples, and the ferry takes you across the Gulf of Naples past Capri's silhouette before pulling into Positano and then Amalfi. The coast looks best from the water.

Operators: NLG (Navigazione Libera del Golfo), Alicost, Alilauro, and Caremar all run the route. NLG is the main one for the Positano–Amalfi–Salerno corridor.

Prices (2026):

• Naples → Positano: ~€22–26 one-way
• Naples → Amalfi: ~€25–30 one-way

Journey times:

• Molo Beverello to Positano: ~1 hour 20 minutes
• Molo Beverello to Amalfi: ~1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours

Season: Typically mid-April through late October. Ferry schedules are weather-dependent — services suspend in rough conditions without much notice. Do not rely on the ferry as your only option in October.

Practical notes:

• Book online at nlg.it or at the ticket booths at Molo Beverello (arrive 30 min early)
• In July and August, morning ferries fill up fast. Book 24–48 hours ahead, especially if traveling with a group
• Molo Beverello is a 10-minute walk from Naples Centrale or take the R2 bus from the city centre
• The hydrofoil (aliscafo) is faster but smaller — more prone to cancellation in choppy water

Option 2: Circumvesuviana Train to Sorrento + SITA Bus (Best Year-Round Value)

This is the most popular budget route and the only year-round option that doesn't involve a private vehicle. It involves two legs: the Circumvesuviana commuter train from Naples to Sorrento, then a SITA bus along the SS163 cliff road to your destination on the Amalfi Coast.

Leg 1: Naples to Sorrento by Circumvesuviana

The Circumvesuviana runs from Naples Garibaldi station (lower level, Platform 3 — the upper level is Trenitalia). Trains run every 30 minutes during the day.

• Cost: €4.20 one-way (no day passes available on this line)
• Journey time: ~65 minutes
• Stops: Ercolano (Herculaneum), Torre del Greco, Torre Annunziata, Castellammare di Stabia, Sorrento

The train passes through Herculaneum and Pompeii — worth noting if you want to tick off a day trip on the same route. It is also worth noting that the Circumvesuviana is well-known for pickpocketing. Keep bags in front of you, zip everything, and don't use your phone while standing at platform level.

Leg 2: Sorrento to the Amalfi Coast by SITA Bus

From Sorrento station, it is a 5-minute walk to the SITA bus stop at Piazza Tasso or Circonvallazione. SITA buses run along the SS163 through all the main Amalfi coast towns.

Buying tickets: Get them at a tabacchi near Sorrento station before boarding. You cannot reliably buy tickets on the bus itself. One-zone ticket is €2.50 (valid 90 minutes) — buy a return if going back the same way.

Bus frequency: Roughly every 30–60 minutes in shoulder season, more frequent July–August. First bus ~6am, last ~9–10pm.

Crowds in July–August: The SITA bus from Sorrento to Positano is one of the most overcrowded public transport experiences in Italy in peak season. Standing-room-only, bags squeezed against strangers. Leave early (before 9am) or accept it.

Option 3: Train Naples → Salerno, then SITA Bus Along the Coast

This is the eastern approach — useful if your main destination is Amalfi town, Ravello, or the lesser-visited eastern towns like Maiori and Minori.

Naples Centrale to Salerno:

• Regionale train: ~40 minutes, €5.10
• Frecciarossa: ~20 minutes, €14–18 (usually not worth the price difference)

From Salerno's bus terminal (5 minutes from the train station), SITA buses run west along the SS163 towards Vietri sul Mare, Cetara, Maiori, and Amalfi.

• Salerno → Amalfi: ~1 hour, ~€2.50–3
• Salerno → Ravello (change at Amalfi): ~1 hour 30 min

This approach works well in shoulder season (May and September–October) because the Salerno-side buses are typically less packed than the Sorrento-side buses. Campania is well covered from this direction.

One practical note: if you plan to visit Ravello, the Salerno approach is actually faster than coming from Sorrento — Ravello sits above Amalfi town and requires a local bus or taxi regardless of which direction you arrive from.

Option 4: Private Transfer (Best for Groups and Airport Arrivals)

Private transfers make sense if you're arriving at Naples Airport (NAP) with luggage, traveling as a family, or just want the door-to-door reliability of a driver who knows the cliff roads.

Typical 2026 prices (1–3 passengers):

• Naples city centre or NAP → Positano: €90–120
• Naples → Amalfi: €100–140
• Naples → Sorrento: €70–90

Prices go up slightly for evening arrivals. Most drivers include waiting time and speak functional English. Book through GetYourGuide, Viator, or directly with local operators — deals from Naples Airport directly are often cheaper than through big booking platforms.

When it's genuinely worth it: Early morning starts (ferry and SITA buses don't run before 6am), large luggage, multi-generational families, or if you're only staying one night and want to arrive fresh.

Option 5: Self-Drive Naples to Amalfi Coast (Read This First)

You can rent a car and drive, but be honest with yourself about what that involves. The SS163 Amalfitana — the coastal road that connects Sorrento to Salerno via Positano and Amalfi — is a cliff-edge road wide enough for one car in places. Tour buses squeeze past in the opposite direction. There is nowhere to stop if you need to reverse for a bus.

Practical reality by season:

• November–March: Fine. Roads quiet, few buses. Good driving conditions.
• April–May, September–October: Manageable. Traffic builds on weekends.
• June–August: Avoid. Parking in Positano costs €15–30/day in the few garages that exist. Amalfi town has a public car park but queues start at 9am. The drive itself can take 2.5 hours for a 70km journey on a busy Saturday.

If you do drive in peak season, leave Naples before 7:30am and plan to park in Sorrento or at one of the inland car parks (Praiano has an elevator down to the coast). Use the bus from there.

Can You Visit the Amalfi Coast as a Day Trip from Naples?

Yes, but the choice of destination matters.

Good day trip targets from Naples:

• Positano: Leave Naples by 9am (ferry or Circumvesuviana + bus). 5–6 hours in Positano gives you the main beach, lunch, and a wander up the village. Last ferry back ~6–7pm.
• Amalfi town + Ravello: A full day combination. Take the ferry or train+bus to Amalfi, then local bus or taxi up to Ravello. Return via bus from Amalfi to Sorrento then Circumvesuviana.
• Sorrento only: This is not technically the Amalfi Coast, but it is 65 minutes from Naples by Circumvesuviana and is a genuinely pleasant town. Much easier than going further along the coast.

What doesn't work as a day trip: Trying to see multiple Amalfi towns — Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello in one day from Naples — unless you are comfortable with a 6am start and late return. The buses between towns are slow and the coast rewards slower travel.

July–August day trip warning: Positano and Amalfi are genuinely overwhelmed with visitors in peak season. Weekends in August are particularly brutal — queuing for buses, packed beaches, hour waits for a table at lunch. If you're set on a day trip in August, go on a Tuesday or Wednesday, not Saturday.

Naples to Specific Amalfi Coast Towns

Naples to Positano

Positano is the photogenic cliffside town you've seen on every Instagram reel about the Amalfi Coast. Ferry is the best option (April–October). Off-season: Circumvesuviana to Sorrento (€4.20) + SITA bus (~50min, €2.50) = about €7 total.

Naples to Amalfi Town

Amalfi is the historical heart of the coast — the medieval cathedral, the harbour, the old arsenal. Slightly less Instagram-polished than Positano but more authentic. Ferry or Circumvesuviana+SITA. If coming from the east, Salerno train + bus is actually more direct.

Naples to Ravello

No ferry access. Take Circumvesuviana to Sorrento → SITA bus to Amalfi → local bus or taxi up to Ravello (15 min, €3–5 by bus). The Villa Rufolo gardens (€7 admission) and Villa Cimbrone (€10) are both worth it.

Naples to Sorrento

The easiest excursion from Naples. Just the Circumvesuviana — 65 minutes, €4.20. Sorrento is a good base if you want to split time between the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii/Herculaneum. Accommodation is cheaper here than anywhere on the coast itself.

Best Time to Visit the Amalfi Coast from Naples

April–May: Ferry starts, smaller crowds, some restaurants still reopening from winter. Water still cold for swimming, but hiking and walking are pleasant. Prices 30–40% lower than July.

June: Good balance. Ferries running full schedule, beaches not yet overwhelmed. Go early in June if possible.

July–August: Peak season. Everything runs — all ferries, all buses — but also maximum crowds, maximum prices, maximum heat. The coast is genuinely at capacity in August. Booking accommodation 3–4 months ahead is not excessive.

September–October: The sweet spot. Ferries still operating (usually through late October), sea temperature still around 22–24°C, crowds noticeably thinner after the first week of September. Prices drop. Best month is September.

November–March: Ferries suspended. Bus + train only. Many restaurants and B&Bs closed, especially in Positano. The coast is hauntingly beautiful in winter and practically empty — but check carefully what's open before going.

Getting Around the Amalfi Coast Once You Arrive

Once you are on the coast, the SITA bus continues to be your main tool for moving between towns along the SS163. It is slow but it goes everywhere, and the views from the upper deck of the bus are frankly excellent. Tickets are the same zonal system — buy at tabacchi in each town before the return leg.

Local water taxis run between towns from spring through autumn. These are faster than the bus but more expensive — €20–40 for a short hop depending on the number of people and distance. They operate from the small harbour areas in each town. Useful if the bus is packed or you want to cover Positano to Amalfi in 20 minutes instead of 90.

Walking between towns: The Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) is the most famous coastal trail — roughly 7km from Bomerano down to Nocelle (above Positano), with views straight down to the sea. Do not underestimate it in July: exposed, rocky, and starts above the bus line. Get there early or do it in the evening. Takes 2.5–3 hours one-way.

If you are spending multiple days on the coast, Sorrento or Praiano are sensible bases. Sorrento has the train connection back to Naples (direct Circumvesuviana, no connection), a full range of budget and mid-range accommodation, and its own beach access. Praiano is quieter and cheaper than Positano but still on the main bus route. Staying in Positano itself is expensive — nice hotels start around €200/night in peak season, and the town gets mobbed by day-trippers from 10am to 6pm.

Practical Tips

• Ferry tickets: Buy at the booth or online 24–48 hours ahead in July–August. The queue at Molo Beverello in August is 40 minutes on a good day.
• SITA bus tickets: Always buy at a tabacchi before boarding. If you forget, the driver usually sells them but it slows down the whole bus.
• Circumvesuviana pickpockets: Keep bags zipped and in front of you the entire journey. Do not put luggage in the overhead rack. This is the most pickpocket-prone public transport route in the region.
• Shoes matter: Both Positano and Amalfi town involve steep stairs and uneven stone streets. Sandals that you can actually walk in, not flip-flops.
• Cash and card: Ferry terminals and most tabacchi accept cards. SITA bus drivers sometimes cash-only. Bring a mix.
• Return transport: If you're on the coast for a day, figure out your last viable return before you leave Naples. Last SITA bus from Amalfi to Sorrento typically around 9–10pm; last Circumvesuviana from Sorrento to Naples around 10:30pm. Last ferry usually 6–7pm.

FAQs: Naples to Amalfi Coast

How do you get from Naples to Amalfi? The most popular route is the Circumvesuviana train from Naples Garibaldi to Sorrento (€4.20, 65 min) then a SITA bus along the cliff road to Amalfi (€3–4, ~2 hours). April through October, the NLG ferry from Naples Molo Beverello is faster and more scenic (~2 hours, €25–28). There is no direct train from Naples to Amalfi.

Is there a bullet train from Naples to Amalfi Coast? No. The Frecciarossa high-speed trains stop at Naples Centrale, but there is no rail line to the Amalfi Coast itself. The fastest train option is the Frecciarossa Naples → Salerno (20 min, €14), then a SITA bus from Salerno to Amalfi (1 hour, €2.50).

How long is the ferry from Naples to the Amalfi Coast? The NLG ferry from Naples Molo Beverello takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes to Positano and around 1 hour 50 minutes to Amalfi town. Times vary slightly by operator and sea conditions.

Which is better, Amalfi or Positano? Positano is more photogenic and gets more social media attention — it is also significantly more expensive and more crowded. Amalfi town has a more lived-in character, the medieval cathedral, and a better connection to Ravello. If forced to choose: Positano for one day purely for the views; Amalfi as a base if staying longer.

Can you visit the Amalfi Coast on a day trip from Naples? Yes. A day trip to Positano or Amalfi works if you leave by 9am and return by 7–8pm. The round trip takes 3–4 hours total travel time, which leaves 6–7 hours on the coast. Trying to see multiple towns in one day from Naples is ambitious — better to pick one and do it properly.

📍 Also useful: Top Things to Do in Naples · Best Day Trips from Naples · 3 Days in the Amalfi Coast