sharonliz

We're going from Rome to Positano.

I've read conflicting information on driving (stressful on the winding roads with high speeds).

Would you recommend we rent a car, fly to Naples and then bus, take a train, private transfer?

ellenem

Private transfer would be great if you have a spare 300 euros or so. If you are already in Rome (not just off a plane), take the train to Salerno, and from there take a ferry or bus to Positano.

pookymimi

From Rome take train to Naples, then take ferry to Sorrento or Positano.
We did the following train from Rome to Naples where we took Circumvesuviana IC train to Sorrento, one level down from the main Naples train station. In Sorrento outside of the Circumvesuviana final station, you have the Blue Sita buses parked going to Positano, about 1hr bus ride.

No reason to take train to Salermo that it's south of Amalfi Coast.

pookymimi

I found this useful chart.

http://www.positano.com/en/how-to-get-here

ellenem

"No reason to take train to Salermo that it's south of Amalfi Coast."

Except that you may have fewer connections and faster times by traveling via Salerno. It's worth checking

pookymimi

Except that you may have fewer connections and faster times by traveling via Salerno. It's worth checking

Correct, it may be faster

GAC

1. Roma Termini to SALERNO by direct Trenitalia Intercity train (25 Euros; 3 hours) or Eurostar train (39 Euros; 2.5 hours) or Frecciarossa AV train (48 Euros; 2 hours);

NOTES: lower "MINI" train fares are available with an advance purchase. Read the rules and restrictions of this fare before purchasing. Take a direct train and not one requiring a connection at Napoli Centrale!!!

2. Walk 800 meters to Concordia boat dock (allow 10-15 mins);

3. Cooperativa Sant'Andrea ferry boat to Positano (11 Euros in 2011; 70 minutes) OPERATES FROM APRIL THROUGH OCTOBER except in bad weather. Limited schedules. Plan trip carefully to make the connection to this boat.

www.lefrecce.it
www.coopsantandrea.it


A private transfer will cost 400 Euros


There is also a daily direct BUS operated by Marozzi from Roma Tiburtina bus depot at 7 a.m. to Positano from June through September only. NO CHANGES OR CONNECTIONS. Travel time 4.5 hours and 21 Euros. The Roma Tiburtina bus depot is 300 meters from the Tibutina rail/metro station.

www.marozzivt.it

bardo1

A private car is "best" but few people can afford that luxury (certainly not me). If it's no hardship, it's the way to go.

If I was paying, I would take a Eurostar train to Naples, taxi to dock and continue to Positano via ferry. Not the absolute cheapest, but affordable to me and worth the extra travel time.

The road along the Amalfi coast can be stressful - and very backed up in high season. A personal choice that depends on the driver.

pookymimi

"The road along the Amalfi coast can be stressful - and very backed up in high season. A personal choice that depends on the driver."

Agreed.
If you are afraid of heights, get sick with very windy roads, afraid of crazy drivers, I would take a ferry to Positano.
I know this year we are not taking the bus to Positano but a ferry both ways. I almost had a heart attack riding that high on the bus for over an hour. Those bus drivers are the most skilled I've seen so far.

GAC

Please note that in 2011, the direct hydrofoil (Metro del Mare) from Naples Beverello Dock to Positano operated only during July and August and had extremely limited schedules (morning departures ONLY at 8:30 and 9:45). The one-way hydrofoil fare was 17 Euros last year.

There are more frequent (and cheaper) ferry connections to Positano from Salerno, not Naples, and they operate from April through October.

Nevertheless, taking the Frecciarossa AV train from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale before or around 8 a.m. will allow a connection to the Metro del Mare hydrofoil leaving Naples for Positano at 9:45. I recommend taking a taxi from Napoli Centrale to Molo Beverello dock. Again, in 2011, this was possible only in July and August!

Taking the train from Rome to Naples, then connecting to a hydrofoil to Positano is rarely a viable option FOR PEOPLE CONNECTING FROM FIUMICINO AIRPORT, because the last boat to Positano leaves at 9:45 a.m. (in 2011).

Direct hydrofoil service from Naples to Positano was severely reduced in 2011. Schedules for 2012 are not out yet.

www.metrodelmare.net

lilyclaire

I would take the train from Rome to Naples and have a driver pick you up at the Naples train station. After much research, that is what we did on our visit and have no regrets.

TDudette

Train to Naples or Salerno, Ferry to Positano sounds good except for the part where they schlep their luggage up the hill. Please stay at a hotel that will meet you with a porter.

Train to Naples and have a driver take you to Positano. Can't they get a driver for less than 400 euros to drive from Naples train station to Positano?

ellenem

The 400 euros is the price from Rome to Positano. Certainly from Naples it would be less expensive.

GAC

Naples to Positano by private driver would be 100-130 Euros.

CUFFLNX

WIMPS, the only real experience is to drive. It is NOT bad at all, from Rome to Positano, 4 hrs of drive as you wish, it is NOT a race track. AND the Amalfi drive is simply spectacular, done again at your leisure, no rush no fuss. EXCEPT, during high tourist season, I am told, having never traveled other than spring and fall, bumper to bumper.

Control your time and what you see, drive.

jerhewitt

I've heard reports that the Circumvesuviana train is not operating currently. Can anyone confirm this and provide details?

My wife and I are trying to get from Rome to Positano on April 13th and then return from Positano to Rome on April 20th.

Thanks

Grassshopper

According to this it's running. http://www.vesuviana.it/web/en

Grassshopper

The circumvesuviano only goes to Sorrento. From there you can take a taxi or the SITA bus.

jerhewitt

Thanks, Grasshopper. I got this reply on another forum. It looks like the company is in trouble and service has been reduced, but it is still running:

"The holding company is in deep financial trouble with the regional government fighting for extra funds - indeed there was an item about it in "La Repubblica" newspaper only a couple of days ago. On the Naples - Sorrento line, some early morning and late night trains have been withdrawn (most replaced by buses I'm told) but between about 0600 and 2000 hours most trains are running as normal every half hour or so. However, some of the other lines have been reduced to hourly causing overcrowding so be prepared for a squash, but you should be otherwise OK."

We may end up taking Marozzi bus from Rome to Sorrento, then Sita bus from Sorrento to Positano.

If anyone hears anything else about the Circumvensuviana train please post it here. I'm sure it will be of interest to other travelers in the region.

Thanks!

European

If you would like the most economic way to get to Positano you should take train (there are also fast train)from the station Termini, Rome to Naples and then you should change train and choope the line: www.vesuviana.it.web, that goes from Naples to Positano.