I'm not sure I understand. It sounds like you are trying to identify a place from which you can avoid buses? But then it sounds like you've identified problems with the ferry options from the two towns you are considering. You are aware that you can't visit the Amalfi coast by train? So easy access to Salerno (which is, IMO, vastly under-rated) is an advantage only for getting to/from the area and getting to/from Paestum. Or maybe you are asking to confirm whether you have correctly identified the limitations to transportation options in Cetara and Praiano?

FWIW, I visited the area in mid/late May a few years ago. The buses were crowded, but not so much that it interfered with my enjoyment of the area. I will admit, however, that I was irked at the number of people refused to honor lines for the buses - an incredible number of people barged through those who had been patiently waiting.

Yeah, that did not really make much sense. I would like to have the option of the bus either way, but I was wondering about how crowded it might be. I initially thought ferry might be an alternative, but that is not the case for Cetara or Praino. At least in Praino I'd have access to hiking paths--that might come in handy. Just checking to see if I've covered all the bases.
In addition to visiting Paestum, I may be traveling south into Cilento, plus if I stay as far as Cetara, I would access Naples via Salerno instead of Sorrento.
That whole line thing irks me, too, but then it's usually locals not using a line, so I can't say much! Thanks--there's nothing to do but try it I guess.

I would stay in Cetara in a heartbeat. Such a charming town with some amazing restaurants - Acquapazza and Convento to name a couple. If the buses are too crowded, you could take the ferry from Cetara to Salerno and then the ferry from Salerno to Amalfi or Positano. I would think that the bus going from Cetara to Amalfi would not be busy, as Cetara is south of where everyone goes.

Also, it is easier to visit Paestum from Cetara, which I would highly recommend!!

Thanks! That is what I decided, based on the restaurants, accommodation I found, and my hope that being at the end of the line would help with the buses.
Paestum is high on my list. We are headed to Cilento after Cetara, and I'm trying to decide when to visit. We're leaning toward not having a car, because we will just be hiking anyway, but apparently there is no left luggage at the train station, so visiting en route does not look like a good option. I'll try checking at the museum.

I second the recommendations above concerning Cetara. It is less touristy and less crowded than Praiano during the tourist season, and much better connected logistically to Naples and Salerno.

BTW, did you know that there are DIRECT buses between Cetara and Naples (avoiding a connection in Salerno), for 4 Euros each way?:

http://www.sitasudtrasporti.it/public/tpl/campania/5020.pdf

BEWARE: No direct bus service on Sundays.

The hourly SITA buses between Salerno/Cetara/Maiori/Minori/Atrani/Amalfi are likely to be much less crowded than those between Amalfi/Praiano/Positano/Sorrento, to be sure!

I would not worry too much about crowding on the Cetara/Amalfi and Cetara/Salerno buses, apart from commute hours, unless you're going in July and August.

Not sure about ferry service between Cetara and Salerno. The Cooperativa Sant'Andrea company states that this service has been suspended, and they did not operate in 2011 or 2012.

Fortunately, the SITA bus connects Cetara to Salerno hourly in 30 minutes, seven days per week, for 2.40 Euros each way:

http://www.sitasudtrasporti.it/public/tpl/campania/5120.pdf

There is a coat check room at the museum (or there was one when we were there in October), so I would think that leaving your luggage there shouldn't be a problem. Seeing it as a daytrip from Cetara would not be difficult either - just ferry to Salerno and train down and back. If you go as a day trip, just be sure to purchase your return ticket in Salerno, as the train station in Paestum is unmanned.

If you eat at Acquapazza, tell Gennaro that Engred from Oregon says Ciao and I will see him in June!

Thanks so much to you both for the invaluable information! GAC you have saved us so much time, so I'll be on the water in Cetara with a glass of wine even earlier.
I am just beginning to sort out the dizzying array of bus/train/ferry options. We travel light, so the coat check option may work.

If you plan to take the Trenitalia unreserved regionale train from Salerno to Paestum, BEWARE that there is a big GAP in service between 9:21 a.m. and 13:39. If you MISS the southbound train at 9:21 a.m., you'll need to take the hourly CSTP bus Line 34 to Paestum, which takes twice as long as the train (but costs the same).

www.cstp.it

http://www.cstp.it/linee/34fe.pdf (Monday thru Saturday)

http://www.cstp.it/linee/34fs.pdf (Sunday)

Thanks again for this vital information--we are not early risers! I am currently obsessed with a mozzarella tour, so we might have to give in and rent a car, but we are now armed with information we'll need, so I'm very grateful.

If you opt to rent a car and go to a mozzarella farm, I HIGHLY recommend Vannulo. The most amazing mozzarella and yogurt I have tasted in my life!

Also, if you would like a recommendation for a guide for Paestum just holler. I have a rec from someone who lives in the area.

Absolutely agree with Cetara over Praiano. No comparison. I would also try to see something of Salerno which, based on brief drive-throughs, appeared to be most worthy of a visit.

Agree about Vannulo, too. You do not need to take the official tour there; you can visit their incredible shop, adjacent eating areas, and then wander around the premises looking at the animals, the cheesemaking, etc. Of course, the tour is interesting, too. They do give out samples!

GAC, mind if I pick your brain about transport to Cetara from Napoli airport? I will be arriving at 12:30 on a Saturday, so the bus you suggested may help me, but I would have to transfer from airport to Napoli to that bus stop at the port.
I did some more digging and found a direct bus from Capodichino airport to Salerno, where I could then easily catch the SITA bus to Cetara. It runs on Saturdays:
http://www.sitasudtrasporti.it/public/tpl/campania/5002.pdf
Provided I can get out of the airport within an hour, does this look like the best plan? I will have to wait a hour or so for the bus in Salerno (just missing it by 10 minutes!), but I think grabbing a snack there may be a little less hectic than doing so in Napoli after an overnight flight.
My third alternative is to transfer from airport to Naples to Salerno (train) and then bus to Cetara.
is there anything I am missing? Thanks so much to you or anyone else who can assist me.

Either the bus or train to Salerno, and then bus to Cetara sounds like a good plan. Don't forget you will have to take a bus or cab from Naples airport to the train station to get the train to Salerno.

Yorkshire:

Your best bet is indeed to take the SITA airport bus from NAP to Salerno at 13:30, get off the bus at Piazza della Concordia, then connect to the SITA bus to Cetara/Amalfi, which stops directly in front of the Salerno train station around 14:35.

If you MISS the connection by a few minutes or seconds, you can grab a coffee or gelato in one of the cafes around Piazza della Concordia, then proceed to Cetara at 15:30 from the SITA stop directly in front of the Salerno train station.

This solution is, IMO, easier, more efficient, less stressful and prettier than connecting in Naples to either the SITA bus to Cetara/Amalfi or the train to Salerno.

If you MISS the airport bus from NAP at 13:30, you can connect in Naples.

Thanks again to you both. It is good to know I have multiple options, especially the first jet-lagged day.

hi, any ideas on where to stay in Cetara town?
Thanks
Louise

LouiseBez, I visit later this month and will do a trip report in June. There is one large hotel in Cetara, a few b&bs, and apartment rentals are certainly an option as well. Much of the b&b info is in Italian, but I managed with google translate.