If you have motion sickness how could a boat possibly be better than a bus? I'm sure you know your body but it seems strange to me.

I took the bus to Ravello (actually 2 buses) with no problem and the boat to Capri which would definitely upset someone with motion sickness.

I have pretty severe motion sickness and I took the ferry from Positano to Amalfi and had no problem. I am fairly certain I would "lose my lunch" on a bus and therefore never took one when I stayed in Positano for a week last year. We hired a driver to take us from Amalfi to Positano and as long as I sat in the front seat and kept my eyes on the road, I was fine.

There is a ferry from Sorrento to Positano, but I don't know if it will be running when you are there in May. You should check with your hotel when you arrive.

I don't think it is feasible to do Positano and Amalfi in one day from Sorrento, especially if you are relying on the ferries for transport.

Also, talk to your doctor about getting a Scopalamine patch to wear behind your ear - much more effective than motion sickness pills!

ekc - I guess you won't be going to the Eagles Nest! That's a really bad road where it seems like you'll go off the cliff at every turn.

I read on most sights that the hairpin turns on the Amalfi drive is a problem with someone with motion sickness and I know the length of the ride can vary depending on traffic. I also have problems if the boat ride is very rocky but if the ride isn't very long and I take meds, I should be ok. So, if it is not recommended to do Positano and Amalfi in the same day, what would you recommend for the second day? I won't take the scopolamine patch because you need to keep it on for a certain number of days and my sister got vertigo really bad when she tried the patch. I'm ok with using meds when needed.

Would suggest 1 day trip to Capri and 1 down the coast - by bus or ferry. You will need dramimine or similar for either one if you have true motion sickness. (1 pill is good for 24 hours and the only side effect I ever had is a little sleepiness - and I get REALLY motion sick.)

In season, I don't think the buses can go fast enough to cause motion sickness as the roads are too crowded.

>>>Is there a ferry from Sorrento to Positano and then from Positano to Amalfi?<<<

Ferries don't run often (and not very late - last one may be around 4 or 5 pm) and some won't start until mid June. If the water is too rough, they won't put in at Positano. You could take a ferry to Amalfi (further away than Positano) then try a bus between Amalfi/Positano and see how you feel.

I'd heard so many bad stories about the AC road that I had to be talked into taking the bus ride. Once the bus got moving I realized that people had tremendously exaggerated the road and I was glad I went.

I also have a tendency to get motion sick. I have never felt motion sick on the many ferry rides that I have taken in that area. If the weather is good I try to stay outside on the ferry.
I usually don't get motion sick on the buses on the Amalfi coast but actually feel better on the ferry. Are you familiar with Bonine? It is the non-drowsy over-the-counter type of pill that has worked for me. Lemon drops (the ones with some sort of real lemon) and ginger pills seem to help as well.
Whenever you are in moving transportation, keep your head up, eyes in front, and don't try to read things like newspapers.

thanks. I've taken Bonine and it helps. I'm usually ok if I know to take it in advance. I've had problems when I haven't taken anything. I was on a cruise in South America that went in very rough waters to Cape of Good Hope where most everyone couldn't leave their rooms. When I took Bonine, I was able to function because I was prepared. I didn't feel 100% but I could function. I also was in a minibus in the back with little ventilation for several hours on a bumpy road in Chile a few years ago and since I wasn't prepared and didn't take anything, I was sick all day and all night. It was unbearable! I was on an excursion from a cruise about 6 years ago in May and we went to Pompeii, Sorrento and hydofoil to Capri. I had no problems at that time. I guess I'll keep options open and check bus and ferry schedules. My ideal situation would be to take the bus from Sorrento to Amalfi and take a ferry back.

May well not be your cup of tea, however I've read some enthusiatic reports from people who've taken tours operated by this company....

http://www.goldentours.it/en/daily_excursions.php

With them, one big advantage over riding the SITA buses is, of course, that everyone gets a guaranteed seat!

As far as trips from Sorrento to the AC resorts Sorrento go, the only line offering a regular service (although there are quite probably some excursions arranged locally) that I'm aware of is Alicost - whose "high season" schedule for 2012 looked like this:

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/145497402/original

No guarantees going forwards, but last year those two runs from and back to Sorrento started operation in late April - as noted at the time in...
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g187782-i162-k5367218-Positano_and_Amalfi_sea_route_now_open-Sorrento_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html

(The Coop Sant'Andrea line mentioned haven't gone to Sorrento for some years, but offer services connecting several places along the AC - some of which continue to Salerno and/or Capri!)

Watch for updates showing the Alicost routes starting up again once the visitor season starts, on:
http://www.alicost.it/content/?id=6

For Ischia, there's a daily "Alilauro" line hydrofoil, usually timed something like:
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/131364851

As to where you might enjoy visiting, maybe try:
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/tele

Peter

>>>My ideal situation would be to take the bus from Sorrento to Amalfi and take a ferry back.<<<

I would reverse that since the ferries don't run late like the buses do. Also, most of the time on the way back you will be on the inside lane of the road instead of seaside.

I took the bus and the ferry several times each (we were in Sorrento for 8 days). My husband got motion sick on the bus, each time . He did not have any problem with the ferries. I never get motion sick and on one of the bus rides even I had a touch. Each driver is a little different in terms of how fast and jerky they drive. The ferries are pretty big and not as bad as a tiny boat for things like sea sickness.

If you want to take the bus one way and the boat the other I would take the bus from Sorrento TO Amalfi/Positano and the boat back. The scenery is more dramatic in that direction.

You can do both Amalfi and Positano in one day easily. They are quite small.

You could take a boat to Positano, then the bus to Amalfi, then the boat back to Sorrento. That would minimize the amount of bus riding but the schedules might work better than trying to do it all by boat.

Capri would be the other good day trip, obviously you need a boat for that one.

Here's my trip report and link to photos. http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/amalfi-coast-rome-and-croatia-images-of-three-hot-but-wonderful-weeks.cfm

We have driven the coast road - off-season - and fond it a lot of fun. But even soo you cant go very fast since it is so narrow and curving. No nausea - but I'm fine if driving the car or sitting in the front seat.

I would not make any ferry or hydrofoil trips - never mind the maller boats without a med. People who have atiny bit of queasiness have no idea what real motion sickness is like (vomiting, dizzy and wanting just to die) so take the suggestion to go without drugs with a grain of salt - if you have real motion sickness.

Do NOT use scopalomine - it works only in about 85% of people (I'm one of the 15%) - but dramimine has always worked perfectly.

I know what real motion sickness is like and I don't want to experience it again. I've had it too many times! I've had good luck with Bonine and I've even tried Travel Gum. I'll check out the schedules before I go and when I get there for buses and ferries. I'll be there May 19-22.

Even if the buses go slowly in traffic, they stop and start, so that increases the problems that can cause motion sickness.

They hydrofoil to Capri is not a problem in my experience. It is a much different experience than sitting on a boat in the water in that part of the world. However, it is a very choppy day, you might prefer to wait for a windless one.

I get motion sickness too, on just about anything that moves, but don't remember having any trouble on the Amalfi coast buses. I know everyone is different. You could try getting an early bus, which should be less crowded, to Positano. Spend some time there, maybe coffee or lunch, then get another bus to Amalfi and look around there. You can either try and get a ferry back if they are running or the bus. From Amalfi you can get another bus up to Ravello which is also lovely.

They may have improved signage now but we missed the Positano stop because we didn't know that's where we were! We realised after we'd left and got off at the next stop and caught another bus back (had to buy another ticket). You could ask other passengers to let you know when you get to Positano.

Kay

Thanks. Another question. We arrive during the day in Naples and plan to stay in Sorrento. I'm confused. Do we take a bus from the airport to the train station in Naples or a bus from the airport all the way to Sorrento?

Take the Curreri Viaggia bus, direct from the airport to Sorrento.

http://www.curreriviaggi.it/inglese/E_index.html

(Frequency of service varies with the season!)

For the new position of the stop it uses, shared with the Alibus (which is what you'd perhaps take if going to the rail station - outside of the hours when the Sorrento bus runs), see...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/alibus

OK?

Peter