Transportation along Amalfi Coast
 

I am learning so much for our upcoming trip Sept 22. We are flying into Rome for 2days then on to Positano by train as far as Sorrento. Thinking of hiring car for balance of that ride.
The Transportation still has me a bit confused. Do most of you find getting information on what to take where along the Amalfi Coast from people there or is it best to have it all figured out before you get there? My husband tells me I worry too much!

The public transportation between Sorrento and towns along the Amalfi Coast is easy to figure out after you arrive in Sorrento or Positano.

If you want to hire a driver, I'd do that in advance. Search this site for mention of several companies that offer this service.

With luggage, I'd opt for the driver to Positano. After you've settled in, you can use the bus system and ferries to travel along the coast, to Capri, Sorrento, Pompei, Naples, wherever.

I'd figure it out before-hand. After looking at all the options on this board, I figured for us the best method was Rome to Salerno, then ferry from Salerno to Positano, and it was perfect for us. And believe me, we had a lot of luggage. We just returned, and did that on June 30th. It was a question, for us, of factoring in my husband's recent back surgery (making long drives difficult) and my fear of heights.

My family and I visit there often, there is no need to worry about transportation. As soon as you get off the train you will see a line of taxis, one of which will take you to your hotel. Ask the price before you get in and if you use the driver for other day trips you can bargain for a good price.

I have even done that as a single traveler before my husband joined me in Positano.

Be cool, calm and collected and enjoy your holiday.

Hi zee,

The train from Rome takes you to Naples.

You then have to take the Circumvesuviana (same station) to Sorrento. No sense hiring a car from Sorrento since you can take the bus to Positano.

It is more convenient to hire a car to take you from the Naples train station to your hotel.

We used Renato Cuomo www.cuomonet.it [email protected]

Ira if you catch this, is it a lot more expensive to hire a driver from Naples? I was trying to avoid Naples thats why I chose Sorrento. Thanks for correcting this.
Thanks all for replies

I'm not Ira, but I'll give it a shot... You said you're "trying to avoid Naples, that's why I chose Sorrento." If you're travelling from Rome by train, you must change trains at Naples to get to Sorrento. Ergo Ira's comment on the Circumvesuviana.

I would disagree with Ira's advice that you take the bus from Sorrento to Positano. I wouldn't take the bus if I had luggage. The bus is usually pretty crowded.

I'd hire a car and driver at either the Naples or Sorrento train station. Again, search this website for many postings regarding recommendations and costs for this service.

Or consider Surfergirl's recommendation of taking the train from Rome to Salerno and the ferry to Positano.

If I read this question correctly....you are already transported to Sorrento?

If So....just take the ferry from Sorrento to Positano...easy, pretty and cheap.....and the staff handles your luggage

Hi zee,

The SITA bus from Sorrento to Positano has luggage storage under the passenger compartment.

The hardestpart of your trip will be the Circumvesuviana commuter train between Naples and Sorrento. That's why I suggested a driver.

The Rome/Salerno route suggested by surfergirl is also an interesting way. The view of the coast from the boat is quite beautiful.

Apparently Ira and I have had different experiences... I think the Circumvesuviana is quite easy with luggage. In Naples, you're boarding an essentially empty train and can choose where to sit with your luggage close at hand. The bus from Sorrento to towns along the coast, however, has been a bit of an every-man-for-himself situation when boarding in Sorrento (and only slightly less chaotic in the other direction). If we had spent any time stowing luggage, every seat on the bus would have been taken before we boarded. That would mean standing for the entire ride and not being able to see any of the gorgeous scenery.

Yes, Jean, we had the reverse experience.

We boarded an empty bus across from the Sorrento train station. Passengers with luggage stowed it in the compartment.

Hopefully by the 24th of Sept. it won't be that crowded at the bus stop in Sorrento, but I agree that it can be a free-for-all at times. Zee, if you have more than one carryon each I would say take the train to Sorrento and then just take a cab from there. This way you won't be time constrained and there are always taxis at the station waiting for good fares like yours to Positano.

Ask the price before you get in and, yes, you can negotiate and really get a good deal if you hire the driver for other stints as well.

I would not do the bus with more than one piece of luggage unless I was down to my last cent.