Amalfi Coast in December - not worth going?
 

I'm intrigued with Amalfi Coast after reading so many things about it. I will be in Rome Dec 18 - 26 and is considering a day trip to visit Positano and Amalfi.

1) Has anyone been there during winter?

2) What's the best way to get there? I know Naples is about 1 1/2 hours from Rome by train and Sorrento is about 1 hour from Naples. From what I know there is a bus that will take you over to Positano and Amalfi but not sure how reliable they are. I'm considering joining a tour but all I found so far are private tour (they charge about USD$400 from Rome).

Any info on the above would be greatly appreciated! thank you!

I have never done this kind of day trip, but I can offer a few thoughts. First of all, in my opinion, the issue is less the weather than the fact that it is a long long trip to do as a day trip. Too long for me, but doable for those who can leave very early.

About the weather..who knows. But you can play it by ear. Listen to the forecast when you are in Rome. If clear sunny days are imminent, then you can plan your trip. If not, better spend the time in Rome.

I should avoid a daily trip and I'd consider to spend one night in Amalfi or Positano.
Winter in Amalfi Coast, when weather is fine, is a very good season. I have been living there (close to Positano) for 13 years.
To go there, car is better than train and anyway, yes, by train you must travel from Rome to Naples, then from Naples to Sorrento by circumvesuviana and then by SITA bus from Sorrento to Positano and Amalfi.
But, again, avoid the daily trip: you'd see almost nothing and spend the day only on public transport.
Have a nice trip, ciao.

Vincenzo

Hi Cl4 - Logistically it's viable as a day-trip by public transport ... if you don't mind a long day (- 12 hrs+) - though as Vincenzo says, an overnight would be nicer :)

As a day-trip, to maximise daylight hours you'd need to leave Rome early (- 07.00 or before).

You can plan the day around bus timetables between Salerno-Amalfi-Positano-Sorrento - or vice versa. Here's the link:

http://www.sitabus.it/sitabus/campan...COCOSTIERA.pdf

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Hello:

Would you recommend a day trip from Rome to the Amalfi Coast, taking in...Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Ravella early April with a private driver/guide? We would be
leaving Rome early morning and returning that evening. We do not plan to go to Pompeii. Please advise.

welig12, Early April should be fine for such a day trip; it will be after Easter in 2008 and everything will have reopened.

Two suggestions:
1. Skip Sorrento; there is nothing there worth seeing or doing.
2. Consider taking a fast early train to Naples and finding a driver/guide (many recommendations here, if you search) to pick you up in Naples. It will save you money, and it will not lose you any time.

Hi Welig - You really don't need a private driver/guide. I always think it's more fun to do the Amalfi Coast by ferry.

[A driver will cost you € 300+ from Naples, € 400++ from Rome].

My suggestion would be to jump on an early train from Rome to Salerno (- the 06.45 ES gets you to Salerno at 09.16).

That gives you plenty of daylight hours to plan a leisurely day on the coast by ferry, bus or taxi - and return to Rome from Sorrento or Salerno.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

I would do it in December only if you really want to see Pompeii. And even then I would;t do it as a day trip - unless you're willing to start before 7am.

I think the cost is beautiful - but it's really a series of beach resorts and they're not at their best unless it warm with beautiful flowers and scents everywhere - visits to Capri, ferry rides etc.

Just too much chance of bad weather, things closed and no ferries due to rought water.

Cl4udie - Sorry, wrong link. Here's the winter bus timetable:

http://www.sitabus.it/sitabus/campan...7/QuadroXV.pdf

I beg to differ with NYtrav. Yes - the villages will be relatively quiet - but that doesn't detract from the incredible beauty of this spectacular coastline ...

http://tinyurl.com/3coedn

Steve