Getting to the Amalfi Coast, especially in summer, can sometimes be difficult if you’re traveling by car or bus, as you may have to wait for the bus under the sun or find traffic jams on the road.
By taking advantage of connections by sea, you’ll not only avoid the traffic, but also enjoy a different and exciting experience, immersing yourself in the dolce vita of the Amalfi Coast right from the start. There’s nothing better than getting to Positano and Amalfi from the sea. After all, it was the only way to reach these towns for hundreds of years before roads were dug into the mountains.
Ferry service has improved considerably in recent years and is a more reliable alternative to the often congested road traffic. Ferries to the Amalfi Coast, with their numerous daytime departures, allow travelers to choose the most exciting itinerary. For the duration of the crossing, which varies according to the itinerary chosen, never very long and always pleasant (sometimes as short as 35 minutes), passengers can enjoy every comfort.
The following towns on the Amalfi Coast have ferry and hydrofoil services: Amalfi, Positano, Maiori, Cetara, Minori. Amalfi and Positano are the best connected and served. Maiori and Cetara are also well connected to Amalfi and Salerno. Minori also has links to Sorrento and Capri.
There are direct ferries from Naples to the Amalfi Coast in summer. Otherwise, you’ll have to go via Sorrento or Capri. There is no ferry to Ravello, this leaves the option of a private helicopter transfer to get to Ravello in style. You can get to Amalfi by ferry, from where you’ll need to take another form of transport (bus or cab). Ferry and hydrofoil services on the Amalfi Coast start at the end of March, with most companies in full operation from mid-April to the end of October.
Anyone traveling by ferry on the Amalfi Coast can enjoy the scent of the sea and the splendid panorama from the comfort of their seat on the outside deck. It’s not possible to take a vehicle on board, which makes a vacation on the Amalfi Coast even more carefree and relaxing. At the start of the tourist season, ferries to the Amalfi Coast are a fast and pleasant way to reach the most beautiful resorts such as Salerno, Amalfi and Positano, as well as the beautiful Sorrento in the Gulf of Naples and the islands of Ischia and Capri. Connections to the Amalfi Coast are entrusted to four shipping companies: Alilauro, Caremar, NLG and Positano Jet.
The ferry service is quite efficient. Here’s some information on the most popular routes:
- Ferry journey from Amalfi to Positano, approx. 20 minutes
- Trajet du ferry de Positano à Capri, environ 30 minutes
- Ferry journey from Positano to Capri, approx. 30 minutes
- Ferry journey from Salerno to Amalfi, approx. 35 minutes
- Ferry journey from Sorrento to Positano, approx. 40 minutes
You can take your luggage with you on the ferry, but bear in mind that you may have to pay a few extra euros for it (around € 2,00 per suitcase).
Where to buy tickets
Advance bookings are recommended, especially in July and August.
On this site, you’ll find up-to-date ferry and hydrofoil timetables for all routes connecting to Amalfi Coast towns with ports (Amalfi, Positano, Maiori, Minori, Cetara) and connections to Sorrento, Salerno, Ischia and Capri.
Where to sit on the ferry
You have to be on the Amalfi Coast. So it depends on the direction:
- Left > Sorrento to Positano/Amalfi, Positano/Amalfi to Salerno, Capri to Positano/Amalfi/Salerno
- Right > Positano/Amalfi for Sorrento, Salerno for Positano/Amalfi, Positano/Amalfi/Salerno for Capri.