Help on Logistics for Rome-Amalfi_rome Day trip in September
 

Two couples travelling in September, basing out of Rome for a few days. Have one day free for trip to Amalfi coast...would leave Rome early, return Rome late same day. Thinking Amalfi is probably all that we can get in on the day trip. Any tips on how to get there and back, and suggestions on boat ride vs bus ride to Amalfi once we are in the area is appreciated. Any ideas also welcome on what top things do in Amalfi, best place for lunch, best areas to walk, sit, drink, shop.

Amalfi is a place to relax and enjoy a resort - not so much to see things.

I would take the train to Naples and from there get a ferry that goes to Amalfi (if possible) if not - a fery down the coast - these are he best views. then you can take the bus back to Sorrento to local train to Naples and the regular train to Rome.

This will be a VERY long day.

And the main things to see in the area - Pompeii and Capri - you won't have time for. (And do remember these are not cities but small towns)

Thanks for the tips!

At the end of the day, rather than bus to Sorrento, train to Naples and 2nd train to Rome, consider taking the bus (or taxi) from Amalfi in the other direction to Salerno and then taking a direct train back to Rome. The overall travel time will be about the same. If you plan it right, you could enjoy the sunset in Salerno (about 7:00p) and perhaps have dinner before boarding the train (about 8:40-8:50p).

Check train timetables here. September schedules won't be loaded yet, so just check next week on the same day of the week you're considering.

http://www.fsitaliane.com/homepage_en.html

Actually Jean's suggestion might be the best way to go to Amalfi also. Rome to Salerno, then bus or boat to Amalfi. Fewer transfers makes a long day a little easier.

It's called the Amalfi coast, but it's really a series of beautiful small towns, of which Amalfi is only one. Rushing in and out you won't see that much and you'll lose the feel of the place. So I don't recommend this daytrip.

I agree with Mimar that it's easier to go through Salerno in both directions, but if there's time I wouldn't miss the ferry ride from Naples. On a beautiful weather day, that could be the highlight.

Thanks everybody. I just wanted a "taste" of the area in one day, it looks tougher thatn I thought. Any other nice trip you'd recommned from Rome as a base? On other trips to Italy we've been to Rome, Milan, Genoa, Cinque Terre, St. Gim/Sienna/Pistoia.

Orvieto to tivoli?

Orvieto is easy to reach and has enough to see. There are late trains back to Rome.

Assisi is farther (about 2.5 hours plus the shuttle bus between the station and the town). The basilica is spectacular, and there are Roman ruins to see under the main piazza. Views of the Umbria Valley are beautiful, but the town will probably be more crowded than Orvieto.