How to organize a day trip to the Amalfi Coast from Naples.
Are you on vacation in Naples and would like to organize a day trip to the Amalfi Coast? Although we recommend spending at least one night on the coast, it’s fair to say that in just one day, you can get a rough idea of the scenic beauty of the area. Here are all the alternatives for spending a day on the Amalfi Coast from Naples.
By boat
During the summer months (generally from April to the end of October), it is possible to arrive directly by ferry from Naples to Positano and from Naples to Amalfi.
The Naples – Amalfi route takes about two and a half hours, while from Naples to Positano, it takes about two hours. Positano and Amalfi are well connected by sea, but only in summer.
Visiting the Amalfi Coast from Naples by ferry has the advantage of giving you a unique experience straight away, as the view from the sea is extraordinary. You can choose to visit Positano first, take the ferry to Amalfi and then return to Naples by ferry, or go the other way round.
We recommend that you visit only Positano and Amalfi or only Amalfi and Ravello in one day, as visiting all three places by ferry would be too much for a single day. If you choose to visit Amalfi and Ravello, take the Napoli – Amalfi ferry, then the SITA bus to Ravello. Reverse route for the return journey.
There are also some very interesting and less famous places to visit on the Amalfi Coast, such as Praiano, Furore and Conca dei Marini, but to visit these places that are less well served by ferries, we recommend a boat trip departing from Castellammare or Sorrento. From Naples, you can reach the port of Castellammare di Stabia or Sorrento by train or ferry (direct line Naples – Sorrento).
Information on ferries from Naples to the Amalfi Coast
- It’s advisable to book ferries online, especially if you’re traveling in July and August and at weekends; buying tickets in advance is essential to avoid queues and ensure the best seat to enjoy the fantastic view.
- On ferries to and from the Amalfi Coast, cars and motor vehicles cannot be taken on board.
- It is possible to carry luggage, but there is an additional charge of around 2 euros per item.
- In Amalfi, the arrival and departure pier for all ferries is the Molo Pennello, in the town center.
- In Positano, the pier where the ferries arrive is located on the Spiaggia Grande and is used exclusively for embarkation and disembarkation.
- In winter, it is not possible to reach the Amalfi Coast by sea from Naples, as there are no ferries.
By car
Reaching the Amalfi Coast by car is easier than you think.
The reference is the A3 freeway (E45), with the Castellammare di Stabia or Vietri sul Mare exit depending on which direction you take, then simply follow the signs for the SS3 – Costiera Amalfitana road.
We don’t recommend visiting the Amalfi Coast by car during July and August, as the roads are always very busy and, although the scenery from the car window can be breathtaking, the experience isn’t always pleasant.
On the other hand, exploring the Amalfi Coast by car is an excellent way to explore the coastline, stopping when and as often as you like at the most picturesque spots.
But if you’re not used to driving on narrow roads, the best option is to use public bus services or, if budget allows, a chauffeur-driven car.
Avoid driving from Naples to the Amalfi Coast on Saturday mornings, Sundays and throughout August, and from the Amalfi Coast to Naples in the late afternoon on Saturdays, Sundays and throughout August. In winter, the road is generally clear. Be careful on Sunday mornings, because when the sun shines, the SS 163 becomes a favorite meeting place for motorcyclists from all over Campania.
Parking on the Amalfi Coast can be tricky, and more or less expensive depending on where you decide to park. Given the limited parking possibilities, depending on the location you choose, you may even be asked to pay 30/35 euros for a few hours’ parking. So keep this in mind if you decide to choose this option.
If you don’t have your own car, you can rent one either at the airport or at the Naples train station. Narrow, cliffside streets await you. Keep this in mind when booking your car. Big cars are not the best choice here. Proportionality is the key to avoiding traffic jams on the Amalfi Coast. Once you’ve installed the navigator, it won’t be difficult to reach the coast in around an hour and a half’s drive.
If you opt for this option, we recommend this one-day itinerary on the Amalfi Coast departing from Naples (provided you need at least a few days to properly visit this wonderful region).
First stop: Positano. The journey from Naples takes around 90 minutes. The road is long but very picturesque and lends itself to memorable photo opportunities. Once you arrive at your destination, you can stroll through Positano’s historic center, and perhaps do a little shopping in the famous local craft stores.
A trip to the Amalfi Coast from Naples must include a visit to Amalfi (30 minutes from Positano), with its Cathedral, narrow streets and lemon terraces. If you arrive at lunchtime, take the opportunity to freshen up immediately in one of the restaurants overlooking the sea, sampling some local specialties such as spaghetti with colatura di alici di Cetara (Cetara anchovies). Afterwards, take time to explore the town center, its small stores, cathedral and beach. You can then visit the Paper Museum and the Amalfi Arsenal.
Ravello is the ideal place to end your day on the Amalfi Coast before returning to Naples. Picturesque, relaxed and romantic, Ravello is about a 15-minute drive from Amalfi, and will allow you to enjoy an aperitif (or dinner) in truly breathtaking surroundings.
By train
The railway line does not reach the Amalfi Coast, and the nearest stations are Sorrento on one side and Salerno on the other.
To visit the Amalfi Coast by train from Naples, the best thing to do is take the Circumvesuviana line to Sorrento (about an hour’s drive).
Tickets can be purchased directly from the Naples train station, either at the ticket office or the cash dispenser, as well as from tobacconists and newsagents. By train, you can easily reach Sorrento, from where you can take the Sita bus that connects the entire Amalfi Coast. You can also walk to the port of Sorrento in about 20 minutes, and choose between a ferry (in summer only) or a boat trip along the coast from Sorrento.
By cab or private driver
The most practical and flexible solution for organizing a day trip to the Amalfi Coast from Naples is to hire a private driver.
So, as well as not having to worry about changes, connections and waiting, you can decide your departure time and route independently, making the most of the time you have available.
Group tours
A compromise between “do it yourself” and private transfer.
In terms of cost and flexibility, the best option is to book a group day trip to the Amalfi Coast. And if you don’t have a lot of time, from Naples you can opt for an excursion that also includes a visit in English to Pompeii, which lies on the road between Naples and the Amalfi Coast.