Looking to get to the Amalfi Coast and overwhelmed by all the options? Below is our guide for the ways to reach this famous coastline.
Travel by Car
You can travel from Rome via car to the Amalfi. However, if you are a tourist, we wouldn’t recommend renting one. The roads are thin with steep cliffs. You will also come fact to face with several buses which will dominate the road.
If you have extra budget, you could consider chartering a car from Rome. There are professional transfer services that specialize in this. You can also consider hiring a private car service while in the Sorrento or the Amalfi if your goal is to avoid the bus. This is Rick Steve‘s (the famous travel rider) preferred method to explore the Amalfi Coast. However, it is expensive and not the cheapest way to travel long distances.
Travel Through Salerno
Salerno is an easy train ride from Rome. We chose this when we went to the Amalfi recently, since it is direct from Rome, with no transfers.
Salerno is not as touristy as Sorrento, but still holds a lot of charm. It has a beautiful waterfront and cute restaurants. From Salerno, you can rent a car or take one of the below options. We took a ferry to Salerno and a bus home.
Our recommendation: Hotel Plaza is located right near the train station. It is only a few minutes walk from the ferries, with a bus station right outside. It’s very convenient in terms of transportation to the Amalfi.
The docks in Salerno
Bus
The bus is a great transportation option for getting to the Amalfi. The bus connects the Coast Line, and you can get from town to town by taking the bus really easily. I thought the bus would be scary with the high cliffs, but I actually found it relaxing. If you can, try to get a window seat. The views are unbelievable.
Please note: The bus can get packed in the summer, but we had no trouble in the off-season. We’d recommend taking the bus over renting your own car due to roads.
Views you can expect on the bus
Ferry
The ferry is more expensive, but a really pleasant way to travel. You can enjoy the coastline views as you reach your final destination. The ferry is also very easy to reach from the main Salerno train station.
Please note: If you go in the off-season, there are very limited ferry options. Ferry schedules are also very weather-dependent.
Coming in via ferry to Positano
Boat making it to Positano
Travel through Sorrento
Sorrento is beautiful and SDanck and I loved it when we went. However, it is more touristy than Salerno and less direct from Rome. You will need to take a train to Naples and then transfer.
However, if you also want to see Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii, and Herculean, this can be a great option, since these are all on the way to Sorrento. Naples also has a great Archelogical Museum, which houses a lot of famous Pompeii mosaics (which we recommend checking out).
Bus
Like Salerno, it’s easy to reach the Amalfi Coast via the bus. They have an expansive bus network, and you can easily hop on and reach your final destination.
Ferry
The ferry ride is beautiful and may be easier to use from Sorrento, depending on your end destination.
SDanck and I on the ferry from Sorrento (This is from when we went to Capri)
Please note: We found the ferry rides more limited from Sorrento in the off-season. However, be sure to check the schedule before leaving.
Final Thoughts
Is it worth going to Amalfi from Rome?
The Amalfi is a long journey from Rome, but it is worth it. The Amalfi has stunning coastlines, hiking with incredible views, and charming towns.
Is there a direct train from the Amalfi Coast to Rome?
There is no direct train from the Amalfi Coast to Rome. You will need to either travel to Sorrento or Salerno. You can then drive, catch a bus, or a ferry.
Is it easy to get around the Amalfi Coast without a car?
You can easily get around the Amalfi with the bus. Public transportation is really good in the Amalfi, since they are trying to reduce cars on the road.
Is Positano a day trip from Rome?
We wouldn’t recommend making Positano just a day trip. Since the Amalfi is difficult to reach, we’d recommend spending a few days here. If you are looking to save money, we’d recommend making Salerno or Sorrento your base and doing day trips from there.
Where to fly into for the Amalfi Coast?
Naples is the closest airport, but you may choose to fly into Rome (based on where you are coming from). It’s possible to reach the Amalfi from either airport, though Naples will be closer. If you travel through Naples, you will likely want to enter the Amalfi via the Sorrento side.
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