LorRan

I've seen plenty of posts about this, but am hoping someone might have some advice based on our specific timing...

My fiance and I are headed to Amalfi coast this weekend, moving from Naples to Montepertuso, where we will stay for 3 nights.

We thought taking train to Sorrento (and stashing bag in train station) and spending the morning there,before continuing to Montepertuso.

1) The SITA bus seems to be discouraged during high season given the crowds. based on this weekend (early season), would you recommend bus or go with taxi? If we won't have a seat or be able to enjoy views on bus, wed rather pay the premium for cab. Our B&B quoted 50€ between Sorrento and Montepertuso for taxi.

2) Easiest way to get from Montepertuso to Naples?

3) any tips for moving around coast without car, at this time of year? Is the bus really that crowded that we wait and it's full when it passes?

Thanks!

ekc

I would spring for a taxi. Even though it is early in the season, the buses will still be crowded. With only 2.5 days in Positano (Montepertuso) I wouldn't spend time in Sorrento.

Ferries are the best way to get around the AC. You will need to take the bus down to Positano and catch the ferry there.

To get back to Naples, either hire a driver (best) or bus down to Positano, then ferry to Salerno, then 30 minute train ride to Naples.

PalenQ

We thought taking train to Sorrento (and stashing bag in train station) and spending the morning there,before continuing to Montepertuso.>

I would check if there is any baggage storage in Sorrento station - if at the Pompeii-Scavi train stop -if you want to tour that before going on - Sorrento is nice but not the Amalfi Coast of your dreams-nothing special to see there.

LorRan

hey PalenQ and ekc - thanks for the advice!

The reason we were thinking Sorrento is because I have really fond memories of my first trip to Italy there (and haven't been back since, and thought it would be nice for my fiance to get a taste of it, putz around a market or do some limoncello tastings. But....with so little time on coast and only a morning in Sorrento, perhaps its not worth the schlepping...?

So: If we skip Sorrento, what's the recommended way to get from Naples to Montepertuso? I've read cabs are 120 euros or more...? So doing that round-trip starts to get a little rough on the budget.

Would you recommend a ferry from Naples to Positano, then cab up to Montepertuso?

Or is the drive along the coast not to be missed? Cab out to Montepertuso, and then ferry back to Salerno? (great tip on that by the way, thank you!)

kybourbon

There isn't bag storage in Sorrento.

Is there still a bus service between Montepertuso and Positano? I'm not sure it's still in business. The name was Flavio Gioia.

You will still have to take the train from Rome to Naples and change to the train to Sorrento (same station in Naples,but down a couple of levels). At Sorrento, you will need to catch the bus to Positano (in front of the Sorrento train station). In Positano, you will have to see if the bus I mentioned above still exists or taxi.

I don't see how a ferry helps and it could add more layers of travel. Ferries don't run often (nowhere near as often as buses) so you could have to hang out a while at the port. From Naples, it would require a change of ferries plus any ferry from Sorrento to Positano might not start until mid May. Ferries don't put into Positano if the sea is rough either. You would have to get to Amalfi if the sea is rough.

While there is a bus from Rome to Positano in summer, it will only run to Sorrento this early in the season.

Train from Rome to Salerno isn't much of an improvement as you would have to switch to a bus to Amalfi and then change to one for Positano. It might be cheaper to get a taxi from Amalfi, but you would have to check. You would get to see most of the coast if you take buses from Salerno.

ekc

The bus between Positano and Montepertuso is now called Mobility Amalfi Coast. They have a Facebook page where you can see the schedule.

The ferries between Sorrento and Positano started April 15.

iris1745

If you can get a ferry from Sorrento to Positano, that is the way to go.

It's such a great sight seeing the Amalfi towns from the sea.

PalenQ

Amalfi Coast buses are world-famous for thrill rides - take at least one.

BumbleB6

We were just in Sorrento, the week before Easter. We took the SITA bus to Positano on Good Friday, and it was crowded, but if you catch the bus in Sorrento, you'll be among the first people to board.
I enjoyed taking the bus, it was cheap, scenic and fun. (but someone did throw up on the way there. So that was bad.)

We caught it back from Positano to Sorrento and there were seats.

On another day, though, we took a guided bus tour to Amalfi and Ravello. More expensive than the bus, but you're guaranteed a comfortable seat, there and back.

Taxi is another option.

BumbleB6

Oh and there are ferries from Sorrento, as well, but we didn't look into those.

PalenQ

Naples-Sorrento-Positano should be quicker than via Salerno I think no matter how you go.

To me the bus was a real thrill as state above.

ekc

Depending on the ferry timings, it is actually quicker to train Naples to Salerno (30 minutes) and ferry to Positano (1 hour). Naples to Sorrento on Circumvesuviana takes an hour and the bus Sorrento to Positano takes 45-60 minutes without any traffic.

But I am partial to the ferries, as I would be the one who threw up on the bus.