Can only go in August, already know hot weather....want 2- nights in Rome and then train to Amalfi coast as base for another 3-4 nights. Which town is best to take ferries for day trips to Capri, Salerno, Ravello...

Although not exactly on the Amalfi coast, Sorrento is often suggested as the best centre for exploring the Bay of Naples area.

However, 2 nights in Rome gives you only one full day, and then it'll take you at least 1/2 a day to get to Sorrento, via Naples, so even if you have 4 nights there, you'll only have 3 full days. Which isn't long to see Capri, Salerno and Ravello. What about Amalfi, Positano, Pompeii, Herculanium, etc etc? and Sorrento itself [or wherever you shoose to stay]? and having a bit of a rest?

Sorrento (but on the Bay of Naples) is the most convenient center for ferries and hydrofoils. But agree you don;t have enough time - esp in Rome - unless you have been there before.

If you want a base to see the towns on the Amalfi Coast, then choose a place on the AC - Sorrento is near the AC, but not a part of the AC and has terrible ferry connections to the AC.

If you want to see Capri, your best option would be Positano. I almost always choose Positano when visiting the AC, as IMO it is the most picturesque town on the AC and has good ferry connections to Capri, Amalfi/Ravello and Salerno.

Although I love it, I would skip Rome and add your days to the Amalfi Coast. Rome will be miserably hot sand your current schedule allows no time for relaxing and enjoying the AC. Save Rome for the next trip when you can do it some justice.

Where are you arriving/departing from? And do you already have plane tix? That will help a lot in determining what to suggest.

For instance: I think Alitalia still offers summertime non stops into Naples from JFK. That would drastically cut your time getting to the Amalfi Coast. You can arrange a private transfer from Naples to a hotel on the AC for about E120.

And I totally agree with ekc. Stay in Positano. It's a picture-perfect Amalfi Coast town. But please keep in mind that August is prime time for European vacations, so you need to decide and get on this ASAP. There may be very limited availability wherever you go.

Now about Rome: I'd spend at least a day there, even though it's way too short. Try to do that on your way home, so you're not backtracking. There are a few options: Ferry to Salerno, then train to Rome; OR boat/bus to Sorrento, commuter train to Naples, then fast train Naples-Rome ( 70 minutes). You could also arrange a private transfer Positano-Rome for lots of $$$$.

Do some more research, then post back with other questions. Good luck!

Two nights in Rome, unless you've been before as the others have said, isn't enough. There's no time to do it justice. However, if you have been before then when you move to the AC, you'll need to stay somewhere more central. Salerno is too far round the bay so Positano or Amalfi would be much better.

There is no direct train to the AC. You'll either have to go Rome-Salerno, then bus up the AC, or Rome-Naples, then Naples- Sorrento on the Circumvesuviana line and finally Sorrento-AC by bus or taxi.

>>>I think Alitalia still offers summertime non stops into Naples from JFK.<<<

I don't see that flight listed. Do you have a link for it?

I would fly into Naples (you'll probably arrive around noon because you will have to change planes somewhere in Europe) and take the shuttle bus (Curreri - 10€) to Sorrento where you can continue on to ? (Positano?Amalfi?) by local Sita bus. Spend several days and then take the train to Rome for your last days(you really need more time). Fly home from Rome.

Sorrento is not the best location if you want to see Capri, Salerno, Ravello via ferry. There are only 2 ferries per day from Sorrento to the Amalfi Coast - the first at 10:30 and the last at 3:00.

Sorry -

From Sorrento to Capri - 20 ferries and hydrofoils per day in season

From Positano to Capri they list 4 and from Amalfi to Capri 2 per day

From Sorrento there is the SITA bus - or car or cab - to the towns down the coast

So it sort of depends on what your want to see/do as well as where you want to stay.

I've never heard of Alitalia direct from NYC to Naples. I think Eurofly used to do this in summer, years ago.

If you want to visit Amalfi Coast towns, and Salerno, you should stay ON the Amalfi Coast, in Amalfi or Positano. I would try to avoid the bus at all costs in August. Taxi from Sorrento to Positano will cost in the range of 70 euro, or at least that was the price last time I was there, a few years ago.

I would avoid a daytrip to Capri, especially in August.

Amalfi has good boat connections and while it may have lots of tourists, it is fun. We stay up the road leading to Ravello so that we're near Amalfi, but in a peaceful area. Ditto avoiding the bus. Last year in late September we hiked to Positano, took the bus from Positano to Sorento for the evening, and then back to Amalfi. It was the most miserable ride that I can remember.