Amalfi Coast/Sorrento-which town?
 

My husband, 15 month old and I will be meeting my in-laws somewhere in the Amalfi Coast for 3 days at the end of September. They'll be coming from Venice (via Rome, I'm sure) and we'll be coming from Rome (so we'll join them on the train). Not sure which city to go to. We'd like to be able to use public transportation for the entire trip, if possible. I would guess we'd need a hotel or apartment in the city center so we can get out for meals, etc. What town would you recommend? Trying to make this as easy as possible. Thanks in advance.

You should probably stay in Sorrento. With your 15 month old you should also plan on using ferries to go sightseeing along the Amalfi coast because the buses are often packed, standing room only, and the winding roads can nauseate adults, not just small children.

For what it is worth, there is very little that is "simple" about a short visit to that area if part of the group is coming from Venice & the part has a 15 month old in tow -- unless you are willing to throw a lot of money at taxi drivers. Maybe an alternate plan?

Sorrento is a great transit hub for Pompeii by train- Capri and Ischia by ferry -Amalfi by ferry or bus.

Sorrento is not really on the sea but high above it so not your proverbial cute seaside Amalfi town but very pleasant and easy to meet folks.

If the point of the trip is to be on the Amalfi Coast and to visit the various villages on the Amalfi Coast, then stay somewhere actually on the Amalfi Coast.

Sorrento is near, but not on the AC, and does not have good ferry connections for visiting the AC villages and the bus is a misery during high season.

Both Amalfi and Positano have very good ferry connections to each other and other villages. IMO Positano is the most picturesque of the villages on the AC and is always my choice - I am visiting for the 8th time in October.

But where you stay will likely be dictated by where you can find lodging at this point. My October trip is last minute and I am having a hard time finding accommodations.

I also think Sorrento best for you; you can day trip along the coast, as well as taking a short ride over to Capri. Positano is extremely "vertical" but a day there will be delightful. I would guess its hotels would be alot more money than some of the larger in Sorrento. Agree, at this point, depends on what you can find.

As I read your post I thought of this:

If you're coming from Rome, take the train to Salerno. From Salerno, it is easy to ferry to Capri or Amalfi.

If I was bringing a 15 month old, I'd go straight to Amalfi. Flatter, easier to get around, and some possible daytrips. Positano and Capri by boat (bus is a bad idea) and Ravello by taxi or bus.

To me, this would be by far the easiest choice with a 15 month old.

Positano is my favorite too, but awfully steep and crowded with a toddler. Sorrento is a nice resort town, but as stated, not on the AC.

I think tuscanlifeedit has given some great advice. With only 3 days and with a 15-month-old, I think you want easy transportation and as flat a location as possible. I'd even go so far as to suggest Salerno itself, as it is very easy to reach, has a large flat area, has a gorgeous waterfront, and would allow day trips by bus or ferry to other parts of the Amalfi Coast.

But it depends on what you and your group want to do. If Pompeii and/or Naples and/or Capri are on anyone's agenda, the calculus shifts, and Sorrento becomes an option worth considering. JMO.

Agree with kja (usually do), with this caveat: I wouldn't take a 15 month old to Pompeii. Touring there isn't that easy.

OMG, I wasn't suggesting that you take your 15-month-old to Pompeii! I was thinking that maybe some of the OTHERS in your party (e.g., the in-laws) might want to do that.

@ tuscanlifeedit: Thanks so much for making sure to clarify that issue!

Thanks, everyone!!! I appreciate the insight. And, don't worry, won't be taking the 15 month old to Pompeii! ;)

We just came back from our 4th time in Sorrento.
For me it's the best as base for all the other towns and islands.