AMALFI - GETTING THERE

By Car

The Amalfi Coast opens onto the northern part of the Gulf of Salerno and stretches from the town of Salerno westward to Positano. Farther west, the Sorrentine peninsula begins with Punta Campanella, the narrow point of land that divides the Gulf of Salerno from the Gulf of Naples. There the SS 163 turns into SS 145, the coastal road of the Sorrento Coast, in the Bay of Naples. The other half of the Gulf of Salerno, from Salerno south, is the plain of Paestum.

AMALFI COAST
The towns of the Amalfi Coast are linked by the SS163, also known as the 'Amalfi Drive'. One of the most scenic roadways in the world, it consists of thirty miles of road, curling around the beautiful coastline and conveying visitors to the picturesque towns of the Amalfi Coast in a series of spectacular hairpin turns. If the curves begin to take their toll on your stomach or the heat of the summer sun makes driving uncomfortable, you can stop for a refreshing lemonade or crushed ice drink at one of the stands set up along the road.

The SS163 has just one lane in each direction and is often very busy. Considering the traffic and the continuous curves, please use maximum caution. And try to avoid driving in peak hours, especially in the summer months, when the traffic often comes to a standstill under the hot sun.

One of the world's most famous scenic drives, the entire length of the 'Amalfi Drive' between Vietri sul Mare and Positano is only 22 miles. While the technical difficulty of the drive is moderate, the traffic and the aggressive Neapolitan driving style can turn it into a headache for even the most experienced driver and into a complete nightmare if you usually drive on spacious highways or on flat terrain. Alternative forms of transportation are abundant so you might do yourself a favor if you take advantage of one of those. However, if you want to really explore this area in depth having your own car will certainly provide you with maximum flexibility.

Another problem on the Amalfi Coast is the lack of sufficient parking space. While the towns have a number of public and private parking areas, the cost of parking can be as much as five euro an hour. It is also important to remember that the historic centers of Positano and the other towns on the Amalfi Coast are usually closed to traffic, especially in the summer months. In Positano, the best option is to park on the side of the road (just make sure not to park in a resident-only space) and take the flight of steps linking the SS163 with the town center. On your way back to your car, you can use one of the local buses if you don't feel like climbing the steps.

NEAPOLITAN RIVIERA
One might think that driving along a coastline like the Bay of Naples would be fun and scenic, and in some places that's true. But the almost thirty mile trip is primarily on highways that are further inland (so you're not really winding along the coast) and notoriously busy (so you're likely to be stuck in traffic).

To drive to Sorrento from Naples you'll take the A3 motorway (a toll road) in the direction of Salerno-Reggio Calabria until you get to the exit for 'Castellammare di Stabia'. This is when the drive will start to get pretty and potentially very frustrating, because you'll be winding your way along the 'Statale 145' peninsula road (also known as 'La Sorrentina') following the signs to Sorrento.

There are several parking areas in Sorrento, which will cost you varying amounts, so you might not want to pull into the first one you see. If you're staying the night in Sorrento, ask the staff at the hotel whether they have a recommendation for a parking area to use (or if they've got a dedicated parking area so much the better).

By Ferry

Ferries are really convenient and many locals use them instead of trudging along the local road, which is usually jammed with traffic in summer. Vietri, Maiori, Minori, Cetara, Amalfi, and Positano are all connected by ferries. Service is very frequent in season, when road traffic is at its worst. You can see the city and the mountain from the windows, but it's not ideal for taking pictures. It can also be a bumpy ride. To reach towns and hamlets not on the ferry routes, taking a bus is the most convenient and cheapest way to get from one village to another.

Unfortunately, we are unable to book these for you, but you can find contact information below. Please note that Ferries will not run when the seas are rough (at the very start and end of the season).

Naples, Sorrento, Salerno, and the islands of Capri and Ischia TO: Positano, Amalfi, and Minori.
ALICOST
Phones: Naples: 081-7611004 or 081-811986
Amalfi: 089-873301 or 089-871483
Positano: 089-875032 or 089-811164
Fares depend on the distance and the boat. Please note that you must make reservations at least 24 hours in advance.

BETWEEN Naples and Salerno (with stops in Amalfi and Positano)
METRO DEL MARE
Phone: 199-446644;
(www.metrodelmare.net)
Operates April through September
The Metro del Mare route starts further up the coast from Naples and stretches all the way down the Amalfi Coast to Capri, so your first task is to make sure the boat you're getting on in Naples goes to Sorrento and doesn't bypass it for the Amalfi or go straight to Capri. The lines which connect Sorrento with Naples are the MM1, MM2, MM3, and MM7. The MM1 stops at every city along the route, the MM2 and MM7 stop at a few of the cities, and the MM3 stops at only one before Sorrento.

The frequency of the Metro del Mare boats changes with the season (they're more frequent during the high season), so check the schedule when you're there. The different lines also stop at both the Molo Beverello and Mergellina piers at different times so that's another thing to watch for. Depending on the line you choose, the trip could take between 35 minutes and 2 hours.

BETWEEN Salerno, Vietri, Maiori, Minori, Cetara, Amalfi, Positano, and Sorrento
Cooperativa Sant`Andrea
(www.coopsantandrea.com/index_en.asp)
Phone: 089-873190
Fares depend on the distance.

BETWEEN Amalfi and Capri
LMP
(www.consorziolmp.it)
Phone: 081-5513236
Fares are 10€ to 18€

BETWEEN Salerno, Amalfi, Minori, Maiori, and Positano
Travelmar
(www.travelmar.it)
Phone: 081-7041911
During the summer months fares are 10€ to 18€

By Bus

Traveling by public bus is an easy option, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Although buses are frequent, the volume of traffic on the SS163 often means they do not run according to schedule. For the best views, remember to sit on the right side of the bus when traveling from Sorrento and the left side from Vietri and Salerno. And be prepared for the crowds. At peak times in the summer you may not always find a seat on buses as they are full of local vacationers heading to the coast. Also be aware that buses do not run at night so if you want to get from one town to another in the evening, and do not have your own vehicle, you will have to take a taxi.

Tickets cannot be purchased on board the bus. Tickets can be purchased in the majority of bars and tobacconists on the Amalfi Coast.

FROM: Naples, Sorrento, and Salerno
TO: Amalfi and Positano
SITA

(www.sitabus.it)
Phones: In Naples: 081-5522176
In Amalfi: 089-871016
For most other villages and hamlets you need to switch in Amalfi (bus terminal on Piazza Flavio Gioia, tel. 089-871009) to the local lines serving the area.

By Motorbike or Moped

You can rent mopeds in most of the towns on the Amalfi Coast. A moped or motorbike is without a doubt the most pleasurable means of transportation to travel along the Amalfi Coast, allowing vacationers to explore the area in absolute freedom, without worrying about where to park or getting stuck in traffic.

It goes without saying that a motorbike or moped is only recommended if you already have considerable experience and are confident about steering around the many miles of hairpin turns.

By Train

Unfortunately the train line that connects Naples to Sorrento is not included in our contract with the rail companies in Europe, so we are not able to book this for you.

Circumvesuviana
(https://www.vesuviana.it/web/en)
Trains from Naples to Sorrento leave from the main station (Stazione Napoli Centrale on Piazza Garibaldi) about every half hour between 6:00am and 11:00pm every day and the journey takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour 15 minutes depending on the train. If you want a faster trip, trains marked 'direttissimo' are quicker than the 'diretto' trains because they make fewer stops along the way. Also note that the part of Napoli Centrale that's dedicated to the Circumvesuviana is downstairs from the regular trains.

You can buy tickets for the Circumvesuviana from a ticket booth or an automated machine. While taking the train to Sorrento from Naples is probably the cheapest option, it's important to note that the Circumvesuviana train is known for an alarmingly high number of pickpockets. So if you do opt for the train, make sure you're wearing your money belt/purse in a secure way and that you're paying very close attention to your bags and belongings.