Sorrento to Positano: how far?
 

Here is my situation: I will be on a cruise and will only be in Sorrento for one day. I am already committed to Pompeii for the morning, and wondered if I would have enough time upon my return to Sorrento in the afternoon to see the famous Amalfi coast. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

If you want to "see" the coast, your best bet frankly is to take a boat ride along the coast (although your cruise ship will probably do that anyway).
I sure wouldn't depend on busses to get there and back, and starting in the afternoon from Pompeii or even Sorerento, I can't think you'd really have much time to see much of anything on land.

If you're using public transportation (train for Pompeii, bus for coastal towns), you really don't have enough time to go two places which are in opposite directions from Sorrento. The train between Sorrento and Pompeii takes about 35-40 minutes one way (not counting time you wait for the train at each end). Spending less than three hours at Pompeii would make it hardly worth going. The bus ride between Sorrento and Amalfi (the farthest coastal town you're likely to want to see) takes about 40-45 minutes one way (and sometimes longer if traffic is heavy). Again, factor in time waiting for the bus at each end.

If money is no object, you could hire a car and driver to spend the entire day with you: Take you to Pompeii, wait, take you to Positano and/or Amalfi and/or Ravello, wait, return you to Sorrento.

Patrick is correct about "seeing" the coast.

If you're interested in ancient Roman culture and amazing urban planning, you'll find Pompeii fascinating. From there, you could continue to Naples and visit the archeology museum to see the exhibits of Pompeii artifacts. Train takes about 20 minutes, taxi to museum about 5-10 minutes. After the museum, taxi back to the train station or to the ferry dock for your return trip to Sorrento. (Ferry does not operate in rough seas.)

Thanks Patrick, I guess I had visions of the views from the winding road... but I figured it would probably not be possible. Just out of curiosity though, how long is the drive from Sorrento to Positano?

Thanks Jean, I posted my reply to Patrick before I saw yours! Unfortunately renting a driver will be out of the question, as will a trip to Naples. We will be part of a tour group and have to stay for the duration of the tour. Although I am excited about Pompeii, I am a little diappointed that I won't be able to make that drive...

Thanks again!

KK - Sorrento-Positano is normally 40-45 mins by road.

What time do you arrive in and leave Sorrento - and when are you going?

It might be quite possible to do both depending on boat times.

Can you leave the group and rearrange your day? Actually logistically it would be quite straight forward if you went to Positano in the morning for a couple of hours, then to Pompei afterwards - that's how I'd do it.

Steve

Hi kk,

I take it that you have purchased the tour through the cruise line.

Does it include a guide in Pompeii, or do they just take you there?

If the latter, I suggest that you drop it and go by yourself.

Hi Ira,

Actually I'm hosting a group for the tour, and therefore can't get out of it. Luckily I won't be the guide though ;)