Amalfi Coast Transport: handy transport guide to help you plan your travels on the Amalfi Coast, taking into accounts season (it matters!), budget and crowds.
One of the hardest things to figure out, when planning trip to the Amalfi Coast, is the best transport to explore the area.
The reason for this is that, while there are several options for transport in the area, both private and public, which one to choose depends on a couple factors: budget, of course, but also season, if you travel style.
I have visited the Amalfi Coast many times and on different budget.
I have seen it on a shoestring, using buses and ferries, and on more generous budget.
I have visited it in summer, in the low season, I have been with kids and without.
So, if you are researching the best way to get around the Amalfi Coast and transport options, I can help!
The best ways to get around the Amalfi Coast TL:DR
Unlike other parts of Italy, the Amalfi Coast doesn’t have trains.
In the area, Sorrento and Vietri sul Mare have a station but there are no train connections between Amalfi Coast.
Amalfi Coast ferries and boat tours
The most beautiful thing about the Amalfi Coast is the coast itself and the best way to appreciate its beauty if from the water, either by private boat / boat tour of by taking the ferries.
Private Boat tours are a pricey and wonderful way to explore the coast.
They are one of the most popular things to do on the Amalfi Coast, there are many to choose from and they are, for many, the highlight of a trip.
Tours come in all shapes and sizes: you can get big group boats, private boats, simple vessels, luxury yachts, you can get day tours, sunset tours.. the sky is the limit here or rather, the budget is!
Boat tours are an offering very much aimed at overseas wealthy visitors and come with prices to match.
If the experience is withing grasp, they are a wonderful way to spend the day.
If it isn’t, don’t despair!
There is another way to explore the Amalfi Coast from the water!
A very popular, inexpensive and fun way to see the Amalfi Coast from the water, without breaking the bank, is to explore by ferry.
Ferries go up and down the Amalfi Coast regularly during the day connecting the coastal towns to one another. They area efficient, pleasant and have open decks for enjoying the stunning views of this area.
They are an absolutely excellent way to explore this stretch of coast however, they do have some downsides:
First and foremost: ferries are seasonal. Ferries along Amalfi Coast only run during summer, both for weather conditions and demand: normally the start operations in April, slowly increase daily runs, and close operations for the season at the end of October.
Ferries do not serve all towns equally: bigger towns get more frequent ferries, while small ones only have limited boats.
This means that you have to be organized in terms of times and you may need to mic and match with other means of transport.
Last but not least: ferries can be very busy. Especially in late spring and summer, which is the busiest time of the year on the Amalfi Coast, you may need to book and/ or wait in line, which means you may need a bit of patience.
Personally, I adore hopping around by ferry; if you embrace the fact that is it public transport, with all the good and bad that comes with it, I believe it is a fabulous way to explore the Amalfi Coast in summer!
You can check the website of each for schedule, types of boats, destinations and prices or you can see everything on one handy page on Omio, which also allows to book your tickets from different companies all within their app.
This can be very handy if the schedule works best mixing and matching different providers.
Ferries are the best way to move around the area if you are visiting in summer and are visiting the Amalfi Coast on a budget.
Amalfi Coast by car
The Amalfi Coast is famous for being a beautiful, scenic drive; therefore, getting a car and driving it may sound like the perfect idea. In reality, it is and it isn’t!
The main thing to know about driving on the Amalfi Coast are:
The Amalfi Coastal road is a scenic, meandering two lane road (one each way).
Driving here requires not being afraid of heights and being comfortable on a road with many beds, a cliff on one side and a drop (with guardrail) on the other.
You do not want to tackle this road when tired, at night, in poor weather conditions or with anyone in the car who suffers from motion sickness.
You also do not want to tackle this drive in the busy season, as traffic can get bumper to bumper and you find yourself stuck for hours, potentially between cars and massive buses trying to maneuver their way around the bends!
At busy times you may also encounter driving restrictions.
To limit congestion, on specific days during the year and in summer, the area implements an alternate registration plate driving permit system, which means you can only drive on certain days if your car reg ends with an odd number and on others if it ends with even one.
Last but no least, parking is a nightmare in this area and the few spaces available often come at a high cost.
All this considered, I think you’ll agree driving on the Amalfi Coast is only ok in low season, in good weather and if you are comfortable with the type of driving requires.
Buses on the Amalfi Coast
Buses on the Amalfi Coast are a great way to explore the coast in the low season (when ferries do not go) or to reach towns that are not on the water, such as Ravello.
Unfortunately, however, they share the same issues as the cars, when it comes to traffic, and are therefore a good mean of transport in low season, but a busy and potentially frustrating one at busy times.
If planning on using the bus, always factor in possible traffic and potential motion sickness due to the bends.
Make sure you get tickets before you board. I highly recommend to check the schedule locally for the most up to date information on the actual bus service running at the time of your visit.
Taxis and private cars on the Amalfi Coast
Taxis and private car service are a popular way for visitor to get around the coast as they allow to get from town to town when ferries do not run.
Taxis and private drivers are a costly way to move around the coast but are the one thing that will allow you to reach more remote restaurants, viewpoints and accommodation.
If you think you’ll want to avail of taxis while in the area, i recommend you ask your host for the most local company to your accommodation and make sure you have data and connection to call them when needed.
Private car service (NCC service in Italian) is a popular way to explore the area with a private driver / tour guide.
Services of this type in the area offer both driving only and guided options and usually must be booked in advance.
A great advantage of local drivers is that they know alternative routes in case of traffic congestion on the main road.
This means that often they are able to navigate a busy time with shortcuts inland. This of course depends on the exact locations you need to reach, but is a definite advantage vs driving yourself.
| Need to know: if you are on the Amalfi Coast with kids, you need to know that taxis do not offer and do not require car seats for children. Private car service does not require the use of car seats either but good ones are able to offer children seats if asked in advance. |
Taxis and private cart service tend to stay available all year round.
However, in the busy season, on the main road, they encounter the same traffic issues as cars and buses. I recommend to keep this in mind especially if you get a metered taxi.
Car services you may consider on the Amalfi Coast are:
Transfer Naples to Positano with guided tour of Pompeii on the way by Aksos Tours
Transfer Naples to Positano by Askos Tour
Rainbow Limos Amalfi Coast driving tour from Positano to see Sorrento, Amalfi and Ravello (Ravello is not on the coast and therefore only accessible by road)
Transfer Naples to Sorrento by Aksos Tours
Fully customizable Amalfi Coast tour by LivTours (one of my absolute favorite providers of tours in Italy – pricey but OUTSTANDING), several pickup points available, car seat for children available.
I hope this very quick overview of transport options around the Amalfi Coast was useful. Safe travel planning!
