I would appreciate your advice. I am staying in Amalfi for two nights in early October before heading to Rome. I have heard stories of the heavy traffic and twisting roads. Is it advisable to take a ferry from Amalfi to Salerno and then catch a train to Rome? Would it be better to ferry to Sorrento and enjoy some views along the way? Would a private transfer or shuttle bus be wiser, and forget these other plans? Thank you.

It's a little hard to answer just because of personal preferences. And then there's the weather....

I wouldn't take the ferry to Sorrento. Too many "steps" to the journey. Ferry to Sorrento, taxi or bus to the train station, commuter train to Naples and fast train to Rome. All with luggage in tow.

I'm cheap, so the private transfer wouldn't be my choice either. I doubt I'd take the bus, partly because it would be on the "wrong" side of the road for the best views. I don't, but some people get motion sickness on the bus.

So, I'd ferry to Salerno and take a no-connection train to Rome. I wouldn't buy the train ticket in advance in the event the ferry is cancelled and you have to take the SITA bus to Salerno.