If you are looking at how to get from Naples to Amalfi Coast or from Amalfi Coast to Naples the best way, this comprehensive one-stop guide will get you covered for all the possible routes and means of transportation. Depending on your travel style, I summarized all the available options of getting to Amalfi Coast from Naples Airport and Naples city center (and vice versa).
In short, you have the following options to get to Amalfi Coast from Naples (Napoli):
- by car,
- bus or train + bus,
- ferry or train + ferry,
- private transfer services or taxi,
- organized tour if you are visiting the Amalfi Coast as a day trip from Naples.
Based on my extensive research and personal travel experience, read on to find all the practical information and tips, including travel costs and timetables to pick the best option and easily plan your journey from Naples to Amalfi Coast, Italy and back.
I also provide a summarized list of the best ways to travel from Naples to Amalfi Coast by public transportation.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase by clicking a link. This helps to keep my blog growing and filling up with detailed honest travel advice for you.
Naples to Amalfi Coast Quick Links
If you are in a hurry here are some useful links to plan your commute from Naples to Amalfi Coast.
How far is Naples from Amalfi Coast? Distance and driving time
The distance from Naples to Amalfi Coast is approximately 60 to 70 kilometers (37-43 miles). It takes 1 hour to 1 hour 40 minutes to Amalfi Coast from Naples Airport or Naples city center, depending on the exact destination.
Note that traffic on Amalfi Coast is often hectic and the actual driving times might be longer. Expect to spend up to 2-2.5 hours if you are caught up in a traffic jam. This is expected during the summer months and also mid-spring and early autumn.
For your reference, below are the distances and driving times from Naples Capodichino Airport and Naples city to the most popular seaside towns of the Amalfi Coast (Positano, Praiano, Amalfi, and Ravello), as well as Sorrento and Salerno (the two popular towns on the opposite edges of the Amalfi Coast). Timing is given with moderate traffic in mind.
Related article: plan your time in Amalfi Coast with my 2-day Amalfi Coast itinerary.
How to get from Naples to Amalfi Coast: by car, bus, train, ferry, private transfers and day tours
In the following sections, I go through each option for traveling from both Naples International Airport (NAP) and the city center of Naples to the Amalfi Coast. You will also find handy tips, pros and cons for each of the transportation options, and a comparison table summarizing different travel options from Naples to Amalfi Coast’s most popular towns (Amalfi, Positano, Ravello, Atrani, Vietri Sul Mare) as well as Sorrento and Salerno (two popular bases for exploring Amalfi Coast from).
Note that you can mix and match public transportation options between train, bus, and ferry. In this post, I explain all the available combinations in detail.
How to get from Naples Airport to Amalfi Coast
If you are travelling from Naples Capodichino International Airport (NAP) to the Amalfi Coast, there are 4 ways to get there without having to go to Naples city center:
- rental car (direct way)
- private transfer (direct way)
- taxi (direct way)
- bus (have to change to another bus or ferry in Salerno or Sorrento)
Naples Airport to Amalfi Coast by car
Renting a car at Naples Airport is the most convenient and fastest way to get to Amalfi Coast from Naples Airport if you are planning to drive in Amalfi Coast or go on a road trip in southern Italy.
That is precisely what we did when we first visited Amalfi Coast. We picked up our rental car at Naples Airport and headed to the Amalfi Coast for 2 days. Since we stayed in Agerola village, located higher in the hills of the Amalfi Coast, it took us just slightly less than 1 hour to reach it.
Car booking tip: Get the best rates for your rental car in Italy using Discovercars, the company that I personally use to book my ride. We rented ours for 20 EUR per day for our two-week South Italy road trip through Discovercars.
Naples Airport to Amalfi Coast by private transfer
Private car transfer is the fastest and the most comfortable option to get to Amalfi Coast from Naples if you are not renting a car. Also, it is your best bet if you are not keen on the hassle of dragging heavy luggage or want to
save tons of time you otherwise spend commuting between Naples Airport and Amalfi Coast by using public transportation. Moreover, a private transfer is a good option if you land at night. The downside, it is one of the most expensive ways to get to the Amalfi Coast from Naples.
Nonetheless, if you are travelling in a bigger group of 3 or more people, and are splitting the cost, getting a private transfer to Amalfi Coast might be a great solution.
The cost of private transfer varies greatly, and some companies charge per person while others per group.
After doing tons of research, I found that Welcome Pickups offers an easy booking system and the most reasonable prices for a private transfer from Naples Airport to anywhere on Amalfi Coast (around 160 EUR for a car of up to 3 people, and 220 EUR if it is a group of 4 to 8 people).
Naples Airport to Amalfi Coast by taxi
Metered taxis are available at Naples Airport 24/7 and they will drive you to the Amalfi Coast. If you choose to use a taxi, make sure they have a meter on. I cannot confirm how much exactly the airport taxi costs as I never took one and the information online is very mixed up. If you happen to use an airport taxi, please let me know in the comments or an email so I can update this information for other travelers.
Naples Airport to Amalfi Coast by bus
From Naples Airport you can take a direct bus either to Salerno or Sorrento. The two towns are located on the opposite edges of the Amalfi Coast and serve as jump-off points to getting to other coastal towns like Amalfi and Positano (naming the most popular ones). This is a perfect way to commute from Naples Airport to Amalfi Coast if you are staying in either Sorrento or Salerno, or travelling on a budget.
Bus to Sorrento from Naples Airport
Curreri Viaggi shuttle service is a regular bus service from Naples Airport to Sorrento from 9:00 to 19:30. You have to book tickets online at least 4 hours prior scheduled departure time. The ticket costs 10 EUR and the journey takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. Sorrento is a town located on the western edge of the Amalfi Coast and is convenient to continue your journey to Positano and Praiano.
From Sorrento, you will either have to take a bus or a ferry to other Amalfi Coast towns (refer to the relevant sections below for the exact routes).
Bus from Naples Airport to Salerno
Use this bus if you need to go to Amalfi, Atrani, Ravello, Maiori, Minori, Cetara, or Vietri Sul Mare.
Bus #5003 runs from Naples Airport to Salerno. The bus service is provided by a SITAsud bus company and has 2 departures from Naples Airport on Monday to Friday at 8:45 AM and at 16:00 (4 PM). The journey takes up to 1 hour 20 minutes. The ticket costs 5.50 EUR. The bus stop is located at the P Bus next P1 parking area (refer to a pin on the map provided at the end of this post).
- From Salerno, you will either have to take bus #5120 or a ferry to other Amalfi Coast towns.
Where to buy tickets: for the bus at Naples Airport you should be able to buy tickets from the driver. However, I never took this bus and I do not know if that is 100% possible. I would recommend checking with the information desk at the airport to advice you. I read that there are ticket vending machines in the arrivals for Alibus shuttle. Therefore, there might be a similar system to suburban buses.
GOOD TO KNOW: The total travel time by bus from Naples Airport to the towns on Amalfi Coast via Sorrento or Salerno can take around 3 hours.
Getting from Naples Airport to Naples City Center
If you are first visiting Naples (which I strongly encourage you to do), or landing at the time when buses no longer operate or schedules are inconvenient, then you will have to first get to Napoli city center and then travel to Amalfi Coast either by train, bus or ferry, or a mix of them.
The great news is that going to Amalfi Coast from Naples city center is easy because there are plenty of public transportation options available (which I go through in detail below in this post).
How to get to Naples city center from Naples Airport:
- Alibus shuttle. If you are arriving between 5 AM and 11 PM, then the cheapest way to get to Naples city center is to hop on the Alibus shuttle that will take you either to Napoli Piazza Garibaldi (for trains) or Molo Beverello (for ferries). The ticket costs just 5 EUR and can be bought directly from the driver. The journey to Napoli Centrale (Piazza Garibaldi) station is only 15-20 minutes (depending on traffic). Alibus runs every 20 minutes.
- Taxi. Metered taxis are available outside the airport and the journey during the day should cost up to 20 EUR. Once we landed at night and paid 25 EUR (night rate) to get to the hotel near Piazza Garibaldi.
- Private transfer. You can also organize a private driver to take you to the train, ferry, or bus station in Naples city center.
Related article: if you are visiting Naples for a couple of days, plan your time with my 2-Day in Naples itinerary.
How to get to Amalfi Coast from Naples City Center by public transportation
If you are travelling to the Amalfi Coast from Naples city center, below I share all the public transportation options, including schedules and prices.
Amalfi Coast from Naples by bus
Taking a bus to Amalfi Coast from Naples city center is a definition of slow travel. It is perhaps one of the most tiring ways to commute. However, it is also the cheapest option.
There are direct buses to Salerno from Naples. Also, there is one direct route to Amalfi town on the Amalfi Coast from Naples city center. The latter also stops at other popular towns along the coast.
Let’s take a look at the routes (operated by SITAsud bus company):
- Naples- Amalfi bus #5020 (Linea 5020). It departs from Napoli (Varco Immacolatella) station in Central Naples (near Castel Nuovo, refer to the map at the end of this post for the pin). On the way, this bus stops in many other popular towns like Vietri Sul Mare, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, and Atrani. One way ticket price is 5.30 EUR. The journey to the final stop at Amalfi town takes 2 hours. The downside is that there are only 1 or 2 departures every day, and the bus does not operate on Sundays.
- Naples-Nocera-Salerno bus #5001. It also departs from Napoli (Varco Immacolatella) station in Central Naples (near Castel Nuovo, refer to the map above for the pin). A popular stop on this route is the coastal town of Vietri Sul Mare. On the way, the bus also passes Pompei. One way ticket costs 4.70 EUR. The journey to the final stop takes 1.5 hours.
- Naples- Salerno (Via Autorstrada A/3) bus #5000. Just like the above two buses, it departs from Napoli (Varco Immacolatella) station in Central Naples (near Castel Nuovo, refer to the map below for the pin). One way ticket costs 4.70 EUR. This bus has only a few stops along the way and is fairly fast. It only takes 1 hour 15 minutes to reach Salerno. You can use this bus to reach Salerno and then change to bus #5120 which goes to Vietri Sul Mare, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Atrani, and Amalfi. For Ravello, change in Amalfi to bus #5110.
- If you need to go to Amalfi, Atrani, Maiori, Minori, Cetara, or Vietri Sul Mare, then you have to take bus #5120 from Salerno. The furthest town is Amalfi and it takes 75 minutes to get there. A single bus ticket price is 1.20 EUR- 2.40 EUR, depending on the final destination.
- If you need to go to Positano or Praiano, then from Naples city center you have to first take bus #5020, disembark at the final stop in Amalfi town, and then take bus #5070. The ticket price is 2 EUR. From Amalfi town to Praiano it takes 25 minutes, and to Positano, it takes 40 minutes by bus. The total journey from Naples to Positano or Praiano by bus will take around 2 hours 40 minutes (this does not include waiting times to change to another bus). If you want to save time, I would recommend an alternative route: first take a train to Sorrento and then change to bus #5070 or a ferry. It will save you at least an hour of traveling.
- If you are travelling to Ravello, then first take bus #5020 to the last stop in Amalfi and change to bus #5110. The ticket costs 1.30 EUR, and it takes 30 minutes, the total journey time is 2 hours 30 minutes (does not include waiting times between changes).
- Naples-Agerola-Amalfi bus #5080. This bus departs from Napoli (Varco Immacolatella) station in Central Naples. However, it does not go directly to Amalfi town (see table below). This bus may be a perfect option if you need to go to Agerola (Bomerano) where the iconic Path of the Gods hike starts. One way ticket price is 3.90 EUR. The journey to Agerola from Naples city center takes 2 hours.
Where to purchase the tickets? You can buy SITA bus tickets in Tabacchi (tobacco) shops. You can find one easily close to any of the stations. Be aware that you cannot buy SITA bus ticket from the driver.
Information: for the latest timetables (updated every half a year) you can refer to SITAsud. Meanwhile, for the latest bus fares (which change according to petrol prices) you can refer to the Unicocampagna price calculator here.
Pro travel tip: from my experience commuting between towns on the Amalfi Coast by bus, their schedules are somewhat flexible and not always reliable. I suggest always arriving around 20 minutes earlier as the bus may fill up quickly and also depart early.
Amalfi Coast from Naples by train + bus
If you are wondering if you can get from Naples to Amalfi Coast by train then you should know that there is no direct train to Amalfi Coast from Naples. The train from the city center of Naples only serves Sorrento and Salerno- the towns that sit on the opposite edges of the Amalfi Coast. To reach other towns that dot the interior of the Amalfi Coast you will have to use either bus or ferry. But first, let’s start with getting from Naples to Amalfi (Sorrento and Salerno) by train.
NOTE: Taking a train from Naples and then a bus from either Sorrento or Salerno is one of the cheapest options to get to Amalfi Coast. However, it is also a very time-consuming and exhausting way if you are travelling with lots of luggage and your accommodation is located far away from the station (note that seaside towns are hilly). Allocate at least 3 hours with all the changes, and count in traffic jams along the way if you are taking the bus during rush hour.
Naples to Sorrento train+ bus to Amalfi Coast towns
You should use this Sorrento train + bus route if you are going to Positano or Praiano.
Sorrento can be easily reached from Naples city center by either Circumvesuviana (slow) or Campagna Express (a bit faster) trains. Both trains depart from Napoli Porta Nolana or Napoli Centrale (Piazza Garibaldi) stations in Central Naples.
Circumvesuviana train
Circumvesuviana is a slow local train that has frequent departures from early morning 5:40, to late evening 22:10. The ticket costs 4.60 EUR one way and can be purchased at the train station or online. The train ride takes around 50 minutes to 1 hour and 10 minutes, depending on how many stops the train makes along the way.
Good to know: the train does not have assigned seats, air conditioning, or luggage storage. It is also reported to be quite packed and pickpocketing happens often, thus stay alert.
Campagna Express train
Campagna Express runs along the same line as Circumvesuviana but is catered to tourists and stops at fewer stations. For this reason, Campagna Express is considered a fast train.
Campagna Express runs only 4 times per day. The stops on the Campagna Express train include main tourist attractions (Pompeii, Herculaneum, Vesuvius). However, it costs a few times more- 15 EUR one way. For this price, you get assigned seats, AC, and luggage storage (all those things are not available on the Circumvesuviana train).
Good to know: I have not used Campagna Express train personally but I read online reviews where people complain about the train service as being disorganized with some confusing boarding system at Piazza Garibaldi Station. Moreover, AC does not always work as advertised and commuting time actually is not that much shorter than with a regular train.
If you take a look at the timetables provided below, you actually see that Campagna Express train takes roughly the same time as Circumvesuviana train to get from Naples to Sorrento.
Campagna Express train tickets can be purchased online or at the train station (the latter is recommended).
Good to know: The main Naples train station is Napoli Centrale (Piazza Garibaldi) station. Circumvesuviana and Campagna Express trains depart from the lower level of the Naples Centrale station in Piazza Garibaldi, Platform 3 (at the time of writing). Make sure to double-check the exact departure platform when in the station.
Getting on a bus from Sorrento
Once you arrive at Sorrento railway station, outside it you will find a SITA bus station departing to Amalfi Coast. Tickets for SITA bus can be bought inside the Sorrento train station or at the ticket stand near the bus. Refer to the timetables shared above in this post.
- To Positano, Praiano and Amalfi take bus #5070.
- To Ravello, you will have to change in Amalfi town to bus number #5110.
- To Atrani, Maiori, Minori, Cetara, Vietri sul Mare take the train to Salerno instead and then bus #5120 from Salerno- it is a shorter route. Or if the timings align, catch direct bus #5020 from Naples city center.
Naples to Salerno train+ bus to Amalfi Coast towns
You should use this Salerno train + bus route if you are going to Amalfi, Atrani, Ravello, Maiori, Minori, Cetara and Vietri Sul Mare.
Frequent direct trains are running from Naples Central Station (Piazza Garibaldi) to Salerno. The duration of the trip depends on the type of the train.
- Slower regional trains take 40 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes and the cheapest tickets cost 6 EUR one way.
- Fast trains (Intercity and Frecciarossa) take around 34-37 minutes and cost from 10 EUR to 20 EUR.
There are almost 40 departures every day and plenty of cheap regional trains from Naples to Salerno. You can check timetables and book tickets online on Omio website by putting “Napoli centrale” as a departure and “Salerno” as an arrival in the search box. You can also book tickets at the train station if you do not know the exact time you will travel.
Taking a bus from Salerno
Unless you are staying in Salerno, you will then have to catch a bus to one of the Amalfi towns. Just outside Salerno train station a SITA bus #5120 runs to the most popular coastal towns Vietri Sul Mare, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Atrani, and Amalfi. The furthest town is Amalfi and it takes 75 minutes to get there. A single bus ticket price is 1.20 EUR- 2.40 EUR, depending on the final destination.
Amalfi Coast from Naples by ferry
Taking a ferry from Naples to Amalfi Coast is perhaps the most scenic way to travel. It is certainly not the cheapest, however, it is a much faster and more enjoyable way to get to Amalfi Coast than by train+bus method discussed earlier in this post.
Travel Tip: book your ferry tickets in advance if you are travelling to Amalfi Coast during the high season (June, July, August). Even during the should season there enourmous amount of people travelling by ferry (see picture below).
Note that ferries might not be in operation during the winter season when the weather conditions are not suitable.
You have a few options how to get to Amalfi Coast from Naples by ferry:
- Take a direct ferry from Naples Molo Beverello port to Amalfi Coast (Sorrento, Positano or Amalfi).
- From Naples Airport take a bus to either Sorrento or Salerno and then a ferry to Amalfi Coast towns.
- From Naples city center take a train to either Sorrento or Salerno and then a ferry to the towns on Amalfi Coast.
- Take a bus from Naples city center to the town of Amalfi and then a ferry to another Amalfi Coast town.
Direct ferry from Naples to Amalfi Coast
Aliauro and NLG operate direct ferry services from Naples to Sorrento, Amalfi, and Positano. The ferry boat departs from Napoli Molo Beverello ferry terminal station. The easiest way to book a ticket is either directly at the port or online through Ferryhopper which provides all the available options across all companies.
Ferry routes from Naples to Amalfi Coast (+ prices)
- Naples to Sorrento by ferry takes 35-45 minutes and costs 15 EUR – 17 EUR.
- The journey from Naples to Amalfi town is from 1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the type of ferry, and costs between 28 EUR to 32 EUR.
- Naples to Positano by ferry is 1 hour 10 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes, depending if it is a hydrofoil or a slower ferry. The ticket price ranges between 25 EUR – 36 EUR.
If you are travelling to other seaside towns on Amalfi Coast, then you would have to change either to a bus or another ferry to reach them. Since direct ferries from Naples go as far as Amalfi town, you should make a change there for Atrani, Maiori, Minori, Cetara, Vietri Sul Mare and Ravello (bus only).
Ferry between Amalfi Coast towns
TravelMar is the company that runs frequent ferry services between all the towns on the Amalfi Coast (Vietri Sul Mare, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Atrani, Amalfi, Positano) and Salerno. You can check ferry schedules and book ferry tickets either at the port, on TravelMar website, or on Ferryhopper.
The ticket prices start at 5 EUR for the shortest rides and can cost up to 15 EUR for the longest distance (Positano-Salerno). The ferry station in Salerno is just outside the train station.
If you are using a bus or a train first to get to either Salerno or Sorrento and then a ferry, here are the shortest route options for different towns:
- To Amalfi, Atrani, Maiori, Minori, Cetara or Vietri Sul Mare take a ferry from Salerno.
- To Positano take a ferry from Sorrento.
Summary of Naples to Amalfi Coast by public transportation routes
Traveling from Naples to Amalfi Coast by public transportation provides you with many choices yet can be very confusing. Therefore, I have summarised all the combinations in the tables below. I gathered information together comparing times and costs of using different means of public transportation to get from Naples to the main towns on the Amalfi Coast.
- Summary of Naples to Amalfi, Atrani, Maiori, Minori, Cetara and Vietri sul Mare possible routes
- Summary of Naples to Positano possible routes
- Summary of Naples to Ravello possible routes
Day trip from Naples to Amalfi Coast with organized tours
If your goal is to visit the Amalfi Coast as a day trip from Naples, perhaps the best way to do so is by joining an organized tour. Transportation will be taken care of and also you will receive some guidance and information about the towns you are visiting.
There are literally hundreds of tours that can be easily booked online, and the majority of them offer a 24-hour cancelation policy. You can choose to explore the Amalfi Coast by ground tour, a boat tour, or a mix of both. Also, there are private tours (more pricey), small group tours (great middle ground) as well as regular tours (the most affordable), and even tours for those of you visiting Naples on a cruise ship.
For the most unique experience, you can even opt in for a vintage Vespa or Fiat 500 day tour with a pro driver to take you around the Amalfi Coast.
Bellow I collected a variety of the best-rated tours to the Amalfi Coast as a day trip from Naples.
- Small group Naples- Amalfi Coast tour. Small group full-day tour from Naples in a luxury Mercedes Van, that includes pick and drop off from your accommodation in Naples, visits to Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, the iconic towns on the Amalfi Coast. This tour has an Excellence Badge and is highly recommended by travelers.
- Bus + boat Naples-Amalfi coast tour. This full-day tour includes visiting Amalfi Coast from Naples (or Sorrento) by small a bus and a boat. It includes exploring the colorful town of Positano, and a boat ride to the town of Amalfi where you can opt for another boat ride around the coast or choose to spend time in the historic town. The final stop will be Ravello, known as the town of music and sweeping views over the Amalfi Coast.
- Budget Naples to Amalfi Coast tour. This highly rated Amalfi Coast tour from Naples includes visits to Amalfi and Ravello with brief photo stops in Sorrento and Positano. 16 pick-up points around Naples city are available.
- Naples to Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi is a highly rated full-day tour that includes sightseeing time in Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi with a light lunch.
- A small group boat tour from Naples to Amalfi. An 11-hour boat tour from Naples that stops at Positano and Amalfi, the two iconic towns on Amalfi Coast. You will also be given time to swim, snacks on board are also included.
- A private tour for a group up to 3 people from Naples includes visits to Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.
- A private Naples to Amalfi shore excursion. Perfect for those of you who are on a cruise to Naples. This specialized tour will accommodate your cruise ship times and visit the three gems on the Amalfi Coast (Positano, Ravello, Amalfi) on a private tour.
- Naples: Pompeii and Amalfi Coast tour is a great option if you are short in time bus also want to visit the ancient village of Pompeii.
- Amalfi Coast tour on Vespa offers a unique experience of seeing the Amalfi Coast on a vintage Vespa. You will be driven by an expert guide with stops at Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi. From Naples, you will be first transported to Sorrento from where you will start your Vespa ride along the coast.
- Amalfi Coast by Vintage Fiat 500 or 600– another classic experience on the Amalfi coast is driving or being driven in a Vintage Fiat and stopping for those iconic photos along the coast. This tour from Naples offers exactly that with stops along the most popular town on the Amalfi Coast.
Driving from Naples to Amalfi Coast
I have driven from Naples to Amalfi Coast, and then along the scenic Amalfi Drive SS163 road on the Amalfi Coast and even in the hilly interiors. The experience is certainly one of a kind. Here are the pros and cons of renting a car and driving on the Amalfi Coast.
Pros of driving from Naples to Amalfi Coast
- Driving is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to reach any town on the Amalfi Coast from Naples. Moreover, having a vehicle opens up possibilities to book your accommodation even in the mountain towns where you can get some fantastic deals with free parking. For example, we stayed in Agerola in a wonderful holiday house, with private parking, and used public transport to move around the Amalfi Coast for most of the time during our stay.
- Moreover, you can go for a ride along the scenic SS163 coastal road (Amalfi drive) that runs along the cliffside and the sea, passing by all Amalfi Coast seaside villages and connecting Salerno to Sorrento. The distance between the two is only 60 kilometers, but do not get deceived- it takes almost 2.5 hours to complete it (without stops).
- Cost-wise, if you are a group of 2-4 people, it becomes even cheaper than using public transport than buying multiple tickets for buses, trains or ferries.
Read more about Renting a Car at Naples Airport.
Cons of driving to Amalfi Coast from Naples
- Driving on Amalfi Coast is not for the faint-hearted. The road is narrow and windy, or hilly narrow and windy if you venture to the mountains.
- Moreover, traffic on Amalfi Coast during rush hours is terrible, especially between the most popular towns of Positano and Amalfi, and also between Amalfi and Vietri Sul Mare. This is taken to the extreme during the peak summer season, even late spring and early autumn.
- Also, the infamous SITA buses are very stressful to deal with while driving a car on the Amalfi Coast. Those buses are huge and tend to jump out from blind bends unexpectedly. Then you have to break suddenly and squeeze through or reverse to make space for overtaking. While I find driving in Italy generally easy, Amalfi Coast (and Naples) are a few of the places I consider driving difficult.
Information: a new Alternating License Plate System was introduced in 2023 April to control tourist traffic on the Amalfi Coast during the peak season. The regulation says, that if you have a car with a plate number ending in an odd digit you are not allowed to drive on odd days of the month, if it is an even number, then should not drive on even days. You are allowed to get to your accommodation though, or depart from it if it is one of those “not allowed” days. You can read more about the alternating license plate system here.
Map of Naples to Amalfi Coast route by road
This map illustrates the routes from Naples International Airport to Amalfi Coast towns. Note: driving routes have tolls.
How to get from Amalfi Coast to Naples
To travel back from Amalfi Coast to Naples, the exact same routes and variations apply as getting to Amalfi Coast. If you are going to Naples Airport, the fastest way to get there is by car or private transfer. If you have to use public transport, you will have to travel to Naples Central Station (Piazza Garibaldi) first. You can catch Alibus from there to Naples Airport.
What is the best way to get to the Amalfi Coast from Naples: final words
The best way to get from Naples to Amalfi Coast depends on your travel style and budget. To sum up this Naples to Amalfi transportation guide, here are my final thoughts:
- Driving from Naples to Amalfi Coast is the best way for those of you who are visiting Amalfi Coast as a part of a road trip, or if you are visiting outside the peak season.
- Private transfer is a perfect option to quickly get to the Amalfi Coast if you are travelling in a bigger group, have lots of luggage, or, in general, if budget is not a problem (as private car transfers are the most expensive option to go from Naples to Amalfi).
- Bus, or bus+ train combination will suit travelers on a budget. It is the slowest way to travel from Naples to Amalfi Coast.
- Taking a ferry is a great way to travel if you want to see the beautiful Amalfi Coast from the sea perspective. It is a faster way to get from Naples to Amalfi Coast and between the towns on the coast than bus or train + bus.
- Joining an organized tour is a good idea if you plan on visiting Amalfi Coast as a day trip from Naples and want to visit all the most popular small towns along the coast.
Getting from Naples to Amalfi Coast FAQ
What is the cheapest way to get from Naples to Amalfi Coast?
The cheapest way to get to Amalfi Coast if you are travelling solo is by bus or bus+ train. For a group or a family (2-4 people) renting a car might come out cheaper if you get a good rental deal. We rented our car for 20 EUR per day from Naples Airport.
What is the fastest way to get from Naples to Amalfi Coast?
The fastest way to get from Naples to Amalfi Coast is by car. Direct ferry is also a fast and scenic way to get to Amalfi and Positano.
Is there a direct bus from Naples to Amalfi Coast?
There is a direct SITAsud bus #5020 that goes directly from Naples City center to Amalfi town, passing other coastal towns along the way. This bus is not frequent though (refer to the paragraph above in this post where I share the timetable).
The only direct public transportation is bus #5020 and a ferry.
Is there a direct ferry from Naples to Amalfi Coast?
Yes, there is a direct ferry departing from Naples Molo Beverello to Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi. You can book tickets using Ferryhopper.
How do I travel from Naples to Amalfi Coast without a car?
To travel from Naples to Amalfi Coast without a car you can use buses, train and a bus, train and a ferry, or just ferry, depending on your destination. All information is shared above in this post. You can also opt for day tours, or get a private transfer.
Where do I catch Naples to Amalfi Coast bus from?
Direct bus #5020 to Amalfi town on Amalfi Coast departs from Napoli (Varco Immacolatella) station in Central Naples (near Castel Nuovo, refer to the map above for the pin).
How to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast?
To get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast you can use train to get to Naples and then follow this guide on how to get from Naples to Amalfi Coast. Meanwhile, private transfer is also an option, yet might be pricey one. Also, you can self-drive from Rome to Amalfi Coast.
I hope you find this guide to getting from Naples to Amalfi Coast useful. Make sure to also check my other Italy travel guides (road trip itineraries, city guides, driving guides, and more).
I hope you are enjoying my free travel guides & tips. You may support my work by using any of the affiliate links on this post to plan your own trip at no extra cost to you, or just buy me a coffee so I can continue creating more useful content from my favorite coffee shop in town. Thanks!
More Italy Travel Guides
- Browse all my blog posts about Italy HERE.
- Looking for information on how to spend time in Amalfi Coast. Check my 2-day Amalfi Coast Itinerary.
- Looking for romantic road trip ideas in Italy? Check my list of 15 Most Romantic Road Trips in Italy.
- Thinking of renting a car in Naples? Use my Must-Know Tips for Renting a Car in Naples and Driving in Southern Italy.
- Thinking of renting a car in Rome? Read my guide to How to rent a car in Rome.
- Is Naples worth visiting? 23 solid reasons to visit Napoli.
- Where to stay in Naples” 10 best areas and accommodations.
- Plan your day in Naples with my 1-Day in Naples Itinerary.
- Staying in Naples for longer? Here is a detailed 2-day Naples itinerary.
- Planning South Italy road trip? Check my Naples to Calabria 10-day road trip itinerary.
- Discover Castelmezzano and Pietrapertossa- the most beautiful towns in Basilicata, south Italy.
Italy travel resources
Here are links to essential travel resources and services I always use when organizing my trips.
