Sita Bus ? Amalfi Coast
 

Would like to know of your experiences riding on the sita bus to visit between Sorrento, Positano, Praiano and Amalfi.
Specifically, what the ride is like itself.
I am imagining Six Flags? One sharp turn after another? I have my own mental picture,
and don't know if my daughters would do well, they tend to get queasy. I think I may have read some people have an easier time using the ferry between towns but in early April I don't know if this would be an option. Your experiences would be helpful, thanks!


Tiller

Hi T,

If your daughters get vertigo from being near the edges of steep drop offs, this is going to be a difficult bus ride, evenif they sit on the side away from the sea - left going East and the right going West.

For Ferry schedules Positano – Amalfi - Salerno (P.zza della Concordia):
See http://www.salernocity.com/comune/tr...i/costiera.asp

((I))

Ira,

Thanks for the website, it shows prices and times but I can't find times of year they are running, like early April. I did read your trip report for Praiano and your wife dealing with vertigo, this was caused by the sensation of falling? Or motion sickness?
Tiller

I have taken the bus from Sorrento to Salerno (I stopped off at Amalfi), and have to say I really enjoyed the ride. Scenically, it is fantastic, and I do not remember it being overly "lurching". I spent some time thinking a) I am glad I am not driving this and b( whatever the bus driver is earning, it isn't enough.

Tiller - The ferries do run in April, weather permitting ...

The bus ride isn't 'one sharp turn after another' - more a gentle meandering along the hillside. I agree with Willit - the drivers are excellent.

Steve

Twice I've taken the SITA bus from Sorrento to Positano.
Let me try to recreate the ride.

You go thru Sorrento. Once you hear the driver shifting gears (we're talking a major grinding), you've now begun the ascent UP to Positano. As the climb continues the bus has to navigate both extremely sharp turns, switchbacks really, AND steep inclines .... consequently, the driver is restricted at his speed. During my first ride on the bus, I sat on the side w/ the view (right side?) .... seemed like a good idea at the time .... it's a spectacular site, views of the exquisite blue Mediterranean Sea while wondering where IS the edge of the road (are there guardrails??? am I going to plummet over these cliffs? please let the hand of God be guiding this bus driver!) .... ggggrrrind .... bus shifts down into the lowest gear ... you're still climbing . . . are we going to drive INTO that cliff? NO, no, the switchback curve is so tight the bus appears to turn almost 180 degrees ... now we slow down to a crawl ... a bus is coming in the opposite direction ... both buses stop, while the drivers reach out and fold in their side view mirrors. SLOWLY, we pass each other and all passengers are astonished at how close we're passing ... hmmmmm, I wonder, do they apply vaseline to the sides of buses, so as not to scrape off the paint when passing? . . . finally, we reach our Positano stop, and I stagger off the bus. Wow, that was some ride ... I am feeling a bit woozy, but the beauty of Positano quickly eclipes my nausea and now I'm focused on the hike up to (or down to) the hotel.

Like I said, I've taken the SITA bus on two different trips, so obviously, I was able to manage. On the second time I opted to sit on the cliff side and "miss" out on the seaside view.

And although, it'd seem more pleasant to take the ferry, I have to admit, if/when I return to Positano, there's something about that bus ride .....

Whoops, an emoticon has changed my post -
it now appears as a slightly ill looking figure b) instead of a "b" followed by )

The ride was fine, and the scenery wonderful. The ferry might be running, but I would hate to miss the visual impact of looking down from the heights.

Hi T,

>I did read your trip report for Praiano and your wife dealing with vertigo, this was caused by the sensation of falling? Or motion sickness? <

By being in a high place looking down at a low place.

See the movie by Hitchcock. :)

((I))