GAC

This is an update to a thread originally posted on September 24, 2010:

I thought it might be helpful to give a short recap of the most plausible public transportation options from Rome to Positano and other Amalfi Coast towns, a question which comes up with great regularity on this and other travel websites:

OPTION 1 (most popular, fastest, and greatest frequency):

1. Trenitalia AV, ES or IC train from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale (70/105/120 minutes; 45/36/22 Euros in second class).

2. Walk downstairs to the underground Circumvesuviana station

3. Circumvesuviana commuter train to Sorrento (65 minutes; 4 Euros, frequency every 30 minutes; unreserved train)

4. SITA bus to Positano (50 minutes; 3.60 Euros; hourly frequency)

OPTION 2 (very limited schedules, but particularly useful for the physically challenged, plus (nearly) cheapest option):

1. Curreri or Marozzi bus from Roma Tiburtina (not Termini) to Sorrento (3.5 hours and 16 Euros on Curreri; 4 hours and 17.50 Euros on Marozzi). Marozzi operates year-round; Curreri only from April through October, but not on Sundays. Check website for precise departure times. From June through September, the 7:00 a.m. Marozzi bus from Rome goes to Sorrento and beyond to Positano, Praiano and Amalfi (20.50 Euros).

2. SITA bus to Positano as above (or Marozzi direct to Positano/Praiano/Amalfi from June through September only).

NOTES:

1. There are frequent Trenitalia connections to/from both Roma Termini (32 minutes; 14 Euros) and Roma Tiburtina (45 minutes; 8 Euros) and Fiumicino (FCO) Airport. If taking either the Curreri or Marozzi bus, connect at Roma Tiburtina. If taking Trenitalia, connect at Roma Termini. There is also a cheaper airport bus (8 Euros) from Fiumicino Airport to the square in front of Roma Termini Station, which is not quite as fast, nor as frequent, as the train to Termini.

2. The Metro del Mare hydrofoils between Naples and the Amalfi Coast stop will reportedly not be running in 2011.

3. The Cooperativa Sant'Andrea ferry boats between Salerno-Concordia Dock and Amalfi/Positano operate from April through October. Concordia Dock is approx. 400 meters from the Salerno train station. Depending on the season, weather conditions, schedules and connections, sometimes routing through Salerno (instead of Naples) and proceeding to Amalfi or Positano by ferry boat is the optimal solution when coming from Rome.

4. From April through October, there are additional ferry boats and hydrofoils operated by Alicost from Salerno-Manfredi Dock (two kilometers west of the train station, near the old Jolly Hotel) to Amalfi and Positano, but these are less convenient than the Cooperativa Sant'Andrea boats from the Concordia Dock.

5. DISCOUNT BUS TICKETS FOR TRAVEL ALONG AMALFI COAST (Salerno to Sorrento including Ravello):

UNICO COSTIERA 24-hr. ticket: 7.20 Euros

UNICO COSTIERA 3-day ticket: 18 Euros

6. DISCOUNT TICKET FOR BUS/TRAIN TRAVEL THROUGHOUT CAMPANIA REGION (including Amalfi Coast): UNICO CAMPANIA 3-day tourist ticket: 20 Euros (also covers everything covered by the UNICO COSTIERA tickets described above). Covers a multitude of routes, including all Naples/Sorrento/Salerno city buses, Naples subway and funiculars, Trenitalia unreserved REGIONALE trains (not the faster reserved trains) throughout Campania, Circumvesuviana trains, Mt. Vesuvius buses, SITA buses throughout Campania (including along the Amalfi Coast), CSTP buses between Salerno and Paestum, buses on Ischia and Procida, SEPSA buses and trains, ALIBUS between central Naples and NAP Airport. Does NOT cover any ferries or hydrofoils, or buses/funicular on Capri. Usually a better value than the 3-day UNICO COSTIERA ticket described above.

7. ARTECARD: If planning to visit museums or archeological sites within the Campania Region, consider purchasing one of the Campania Arte Cards, some of which include free transportation by bus/train. In particular, consider the 3-day "tutta la regione" artecard (27 Euros) which includes all the transportation benefits of the UNICO CAMPANIA 3-day ticket described above, plus free entrance to TWO museums or archeological sites in the circuit, plus a 50% reduction in the entrance fees to additional museums or archeological sites.

8. Going to Praiano? Stay on the SITA bus from Sorrento for another 25 minutes to reach Praiano. If you prefer to avoid the connection in Naples to the Circumvesuviana rail, you could also connect through Salerno, as described below. The difference in travel time depends largely on the train taken to Naples or Salerno, plus connection times and travel conditions. Taking the AV train and connecting in Naples will be fastest (and most expensive).

9. Going to Amalfi or Ravello? Take a Trenitalia train to Salerno (not Naples), then the hourly SITA bus to Amalfi (75 minutes; 3.60 Euros), then the connecting hourly SITA bus up the hill to Ravello (25 minutes; 2.40 Euros). The SITA bus departs directly in front of the Salerno train station. Buy the bus ticket at the newsstand inside the station. There are AV, ES and IC trains from Rome to Salerno, but the morning trains are either the ES (150 minutes; 39 Euros) or the IC (180 minutes; 25 Euros). The AV trains (120 minutes; 48 Euros) are in the afternoon/early evening.

10. Going to Cetara, Maiori, Minori or Atrani? Follow the routing to Amalfi via Salerno, per note 9 above. The bus fare to Cetara is 2.40 Euros; to the other towns, 3.60 Euros.

11. There is also a direct bus from Fiumicino Airport (departs 15:20) to Salerno-SITA bus terminal (ar. 19:10) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, for 15 Euros. First piece of luggage is free; additional pieces are 5 Euros each. The service increases to daily except Sundays from June 15 through September 15. While this is a late afternoon departure, it represents the easiest and cheapest way to travel between Fiumicino Airport and Salerno (with connections to Amalfi and surrounding towns).

www.buonocore-group.it

http://www.buonocore-group.it/index....emart&Itemid=7

12. Not discussed here is the option of hiring a private car/driver from either Naples or Salerno. This option is clearly the quickest and most comfortable, but will cost upwards of 80-110 Euros (or even more). Hiring a private car from Fiumicino Airport could cost nearly 400 Euros.

13. Travellers electing to use public transportation should note: (i) the fact that the Circumvesuviana trains and the SITA buses along the Amalfi Coast can get very crowded at times; (ii) the absence of elevators in the Salerno station (unless this has changed recently?) and the need to haul luggage up steps to reach the main vestibule of the station and exit doors; (iii) the lack of dedicated space on the Circumvesuviana train (a commuter train) for stowing large luggage; (iv) the lift doors to the underfloor luggage compartment of the SITA buses, which a few travellers may find burdensome to lift (ask for assistance); and (v) the number of steps needed to reach your hotel from the bus stop or ferry landing (particularly the case in Positano and Ravello). Some tourists have reported that the easiest mode of transportation is to arrange for a private transfer from the Naples train station to your hotel.

14. Fares and schedules quoted above are believed to be accurate as of the date of this posting, but are not guaranteed to be correct, since they are taken from internet sources which are not always current. Travel times are accurate but not guaranteed to be exact, and are always subject to travel conditions and delays. Also, fares, schedules and routings are subject to change and should always be verified prior to start of travel. The foregoing is general information, and should not be relied upon in the absence of individualized travel planning.

Buon viaggio!

www.ferroviedellostato.it

www.sitbusshuttle.it

www.marozzivt.it

www.curreriviaggi.it

www.sitabus.it

www.vesuviana.it

www.unicocampania.it

www.artecard.it

www.coopsantandrea.it

www.alicost.com

bobthenavigator

Terrific !
You are a gem.

ira

Very nice, GAC.

Betsy

Didn't read your comprehensive info above because this itinerary isn't (unfortunately) in my current travel plans. Here is the link to a potentially really useful website that my techno-husband discovered a few days ago. Gives a lot of options about how to get from here to there. It's a Beta version, so I hope it stays around:

http://www.rome2rio.com/

JillDavis

This is awesome GAC. Thanks!

lmont

Thank you !!

seattle_bsh

Great information! Any different thoughts going South to North? I need to go Praiano to Rome this July.

GAC

Praiano to Rome from June through September:

1. DIRECT Marozzi bus to Roma Tiburtina; or
2. Route through Naples: SITA bus to Sorrento; Circumvesuviana train to Naples; Trenitalia train to Roma Termini; or
3. Route through Salerno: SITA bus to Amalfi; ferry boat to Salerno-Concordia Dock; Trenitalia train to Roma Termini.

Links to operator websites are provided above.

emerald125

That is fantastic... I wish someone had compiled that last year before my visit.

We did the first option to Sorrento. Easy as pie

GAC

Another thread on the various train options between Rome and Naples:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...in-choices.cfm

debp

Thank you for all the great information. We are scheduled to fly into Naples but I am a little worried about making our connection. As a backup plan I am looking into getting from Rome Airport to Amalfi.

I have a question about (#11) The direct bus from Fiumicino Airport (departs 15:20) to Salerno-SITA bus terminal (ar. 19:10) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, for 15 Euros.

www.buonocore-group.it

I checked out the link you posted but I couldn't find information about getting tickets. Can we purchase tickets either on the bus or at the airport?

kybourbon

http://www.busweb.it/privati/browse/...asp?linea=1179

debp

Thank you Kybourbon for the link, unfortunately it's all in Italian. Do you know how we would get tickets for that bus if we need to?

kybourbon

You can get them on the link I gave. It's the payment link from the buonocore link.

You can use google translator if you don't understand something.
http://www.google.com/language_tools?hl=en

It says you need to register first. Use an e-mail that won't send it to spam (gmail usually works). Click registrati to register. FYI - provincia - stato estero, stato - Stati Uniti.

http://www.busweb.it/privati/login.asp

http://www.busweb.it/privati/browse/...asp?linea=1179
Log in, if you aren't shown logged in.

Basically, select your departure city from the drop down box (Località di Partenza - Fiumicino) and your destination in the next drop down box (Località di Arrivo - Salerno). Enter your date next in day/month/year format. Click search (cerca viaggio). On the next screen, you need to select the number of travelers on the far left (click the blue 1 next to the red arrow). On the screen that pops up, click continue (continua, prenota). On this screen select the number of tickets you need in the drop down box (Ordinario). Next click you accept terms (Accetto le condizioni di viaggio ) and continua. You get the screen to enter the travelers names and it also says before completing, make sure you are connected to a printer as you will need to print your ticket.

You need to make sure your credit card won't block an Italian online purchase.

JudyC

Many thanks for the info.

debp

Great, thank you so much for the detailed explaination of the website, you're a big help!

kybourbon

If your flight is into Naples, your luggage will be going to Naples. If you skip a flight, your return flights will be canceled.

GAC

Here is a further update to my original posting above:

Having just returned from a trip to the Amalfi Coast, my previous posting is modified as follows:

1. The SITA bus fare between Naples/Sorrento as well as the Trenitalia train fare between Naples/Salerno is now 4.00 Euros. This trip requires the Unicocampania U5 ticket (or the equivalent Trenitalia train ticket). These tickets must be stamped when boarding the bus, or before boarding the train.

2. The distance between the Salerno train station and the departure dock of the Cooperative Sant'Andrea/Travelmar ferry boat to Amalfi/Positano is approx. 800 meters. Allow 10 minutes to walk between the station and the dock. The CSTP buses to Paestum stop directly in front of the long pier leading to the ferry dock, on the main coastal road leading out of Salerno towards Battipaglia. The modern Grand Hotel Salerno is visible less than one kilometer east of the bus stop.

3. The Salerno train station has an elevator for track one, and a separate elevator for tracks two and three. There is no elevator for track four, where many southbound trains (arriving from Rome and Naples) depart for Paestum, Agropoli and points south (including Sicily). This means that you must negotiate approx. 35 steps if departing from or arriving at track 4, whereas you can use the elevator if departing from or arriving at tracks 1, 2 or 3. The location of the elevators is NOT immediately apparent. They are not visible from the main foyer of the station (where the manned tickets windows and automated ticket kiosks are located). Instead, you must walk some 10 meters further to your right facing the station entrance (past the small Chef Express cafe/bar on the ground level), to the second underground tunnel at the east end, where the two elevators (and more stairways) are located. When getting off the train in Salerno, look for the Chef Express cafe/bar and/or the restrooms at the track level (by track 1). The elevators are located roughly perpendicular to the Chef Express and the restrooms. Remember that there is no elevator servicing track 4. Approx. 35 steps separate the track level from the street level.

4. You buy the SITA bus UNICOCOSTIERA bus tickets for the Amalfi Coast from the ticket agency adjacent to the newsstand inside the foyer of the Salerno train station. This ticket agency is NOT open on Sundays, nor before 9:00 a.m. or after 19:55. As of May 2011, the newsstand no longer sells UNICOCOSTIERA tickets (but only the regular UNICO CAMPANIA zone tickets for Campania residents). The ticket agency sells the 24-hr and 3-day UNICOCOSTIERA tickets, but NOT the 3-day UNICOCAMPANIA 3T Tourist Ticket, nor the CAMPANIA ARTECARDs (buy these at the Napoli Centrale train station). If you arrive or depart on a Sunday, or after opening hours of the ticket agency, you'll need to find another sales outlet to purchase the bus ticket (or see whether the newsstand will sell you a regular zone ticket which is supposed to be used by Campania residents and not tourists). Don't board the bus without a ticket, or you risk being fined.

5. The Roma Tiburtina bus depot (Curreri and Marozzi buses to Sorrento) is located 300 meters from the Tibutina train station and metro station. Exiting the Tiburtina station, walk under the road overpass (broken asphalt) towards the area teeming with buses. You'll soon see the ticket office and intercity buses lined up in the bus stalls. There is a lot of construction work going on at Roma Tiburtina, which is being transformed into a major modern train hub for fast trains travelling from north to south. Some AV Frecciarossa trains stop at Tiburtina Station as an alternative to the main Termini Station. All the upgraded regionale trains between Rome and Florence also stop at Tiburtina.

6. In May 2011, many of the SITA buses between Sorrento and Amalfi had standing room only, and seats were difficult to find if boarding in Positano or Praiano. Sometimes, the overcrowded bus could not accept all passengers wishing to board at all stops. The SITA buses between Salerno and Amalfi were considerably less crowded. The smaller SITA buses between Amalfi and Ravello have overhead racks where you can stow medium-sized suitcases and large backpacks. The larger SITA buses between Sorrento/Amalfi and Salerno/Amalfi have large underfloor luggage compartments.

7. Taxis out of Amalfi are very expensive and many will want to avoid them when there is SITA bus service available. Beginning June 10 through mid-September, the SITA buses will run to or past midnight on most tourist routes. Currently, the SITA buses run to 21:00, although the bus between Amalfi and Ravello runs past midnight.

A_Brit_In_Ischia

A couple of points, which may save visitors from a few difficulties, and perhaps unnecessary fines or expense...

1. ...."This trip requires the Unicocampania U5 ticket (or the equivalent Trenitalia train ticket)."

That last part - are you entirely sure there is an equivalent?

Last time we tried, the Trenitalia ticket offices in Napoli Centrale weren't selling those for use on either the buses or the Circumvesuviana railway, and we had to find the correct vendor.

It's most definitely not the impression given here, where they dissociate themselves from the CV - and only mention the UnicoCampania ones...

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD

.............................

And in 4: not surprisingly, anyone found fraudulently travelling without a valid ticket is liable to be fined.

A list of those entitled to travel that area with the cheaper UnicoCampania tickets can be seen here...

http://www.unicocampania.it/index.ph...anner=costiera

Villa and apartment renters may well be interested in taking advantage of the concession - but should first see the Italian version, which explains the conditions rather more fully...

http://www.unicocampania.it/index.ph...anner=costiera

For most other passengers, using one of those would be the equivalent of having no valid ticket!

Peter

GAC

I restate my point #1 in my previous posting above to add additional clarity:

1. The SITA bus fare between Naples/Sorrento as well as the Trenitalia train fare between Naples/Salerno is currently 4.00 Euros (subject to future increases). Either trip requires the Unicocampania U5 ticket (or the appropriate Trenitalia regionale train ticket if taking the regionale train between Naples and Salerno). Both the Unicocampania ticket and the Trenitalia regionale train ticket must be stamped when boarding the bus, or before boarding the train, as the case may be. The appropriate zone Unicocampania ticket (or the 3-day Unicocampania tourist ticket) are also valid for travel on the Trenitalia regionale trains within the Campania region (but NOT on the faster Trenitalia trains which require seat reservations). But do not use a Trenitalia regionale train ticket for travel on the Circumvesuviana rail (or on any other conveyance which is not a Trenitalia regionale train)!