How to Get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast (Train, Ferry, Bus, Transfer & Car)
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Looking for the best way to get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast? In this guide, we compare all the options, whether you’re arriving at Naples Airport, traveling from the city center, or planning a day trip.
You’ll find private transfers, trains, buses, ferries, rental cars, and organized tours, with travel times, prices, and our recommendations based on our own trips.
Short on time? Here’s what we recommend:
- Staying on the Amalfi Coast → book a private or shared transfer.
- On a budget → train or shuttle to Sorrento + SITA local bus.
- Visiting for one day → take an organized tour.
Planning a summer trip?
- Avoid renting a car because of traffic and parking.
- Book transfers and accommodation as early as possible.
- Ferry schedules are seasonal and may change or be canceled in rough seas.
- Expect SITA buses to be crowded.
Naples to Amalfi Coast Transportation Comparison
| Transport | Time & Flexibility | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | €€€ | Airport, luggage, 3+ travelers, families |
| Organized tour | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | €€ | Day trips |
| Shared transfer | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | €€ | 1-2 travelers |
| Ferry | ⭐⭐⭐ | €€ | Summer travel |
| Shuttle bus or train to Sorrento + SITA bus | ⭐⭐ | € | Budget travelers |
| Rental car | ⭐ | €€€ | Not recommended unless in low season |
TIP: Staying on the Amalfi Coast? Before booking transport, decide where to stay. The best town depends on whether you’re relying on public transportation, renting a car, or visiting on a day trip. See our guide to the best towns and hotels on the Amalfi Coast.
Naples to Amalfi Coast: Map, Driving Distance & Time
Below, you can see the map of the drive from Naples to the Amalfi Coast.
There are four main towns on the Amalfi Coast: Positano, Praiano, Amalfi, and Ravello. Depending on where exactly you are going, the driving distance from Naples to the Amalfi Coast is about 60 km (38 miles), and the drive takes about 1.5 hours.
However, if the traffic is heavy (and it often is), the drive from Naples to the Amalfi Coast can easily take 2 hours or longer.
READ ALSO: Where to Stay in Naples
How to use this map: Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.
Naples Airport to Amalfi Coast
If you’re arriving at Naples International Airport (NAP), you have several ways to reach the Amalfi Coast. The best option depends on your budget, how much luggage you have, and where exactly you are staying.
On our most recent trip, we flew into Naples and booked a private transfer to Positano. It was by far the easiest and most comfortable option after a flight, especially since we were traveling with luggage and three kids. The driver met us at the arrivals and dropped us off directly at our accommodation.
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, you don’t necessarily have to travel into Naples city first. There is a shuttle bus that connects Naples Airport directly with Sorrento. From there, you can continue to Positano, Amalfi, and the other coastal towns by SITA bus. It takes longer than a private transfer, but it’s much easier than first getting to Naples train station, taking the train to Sorrento, and then changing to a bus.
Below, you can find more details about all the transportation options, including private transfers, public transport, ferries, rental cars, and organized day tours.
Private or Shared Transfer to the Amalfi Coast from Naples
If you are staying on the Amalfi Coast and aren’t renting a car, you’ll need to get from Naples (or NAP Airport) to your accommodation. By far the best way to do this is by booking a private or a shared transfer. However, price differences can be quite big, so check what’s available and compare the best options for your route, travel dates, and group size.
Here are some of the best-priced transfer options from Naples city or Naples Airport to the Amalfi Coast (or back):
- Private transfer is the easiest and most convenient way to travel between Naples and the Amalfi Coast towns.
- Shared transfer is a good option if you need a transfer from Naples to the Amalfi Coast towns for one or two travelers. There are shared transfers between the city/airport and all the main towns on the Amalfi Coast, but fixed departure times mean you have less flexibility.
Our experience: For our recent trip, we booked a private transfer from Naples airport to Positano. I did quite some research and contacted 6 local companies, and we ended up booking a private transfer via GetYourGuide. At that time, the price was 90 euros (!) lower than with any of the companies we contacted directly!
The booking process was very straightforward. After we booked, we sent them an email via the booking platform with our flight info, and the driver was waiting for us at the airport when we arrived.
We were traveling as a family of five with luggage, so we booked a minivan. If you are traveling solo or with 2-3 people, you may find some cheaper options, but the price difference isn’t big since you pay for the car.
In any case, booking online in advance was much cheaper than anything I was quoted by any of the local guides directly.
We afterward used the same company for the transfer from Naples city to the airport. Also there, the price we paid was about 40% less than the transfer our accommodation offered to arrange for us.
Yes, you read this right. Asking locals to arrange the transfers for you might look easier, but you’ll often end up paying much more. Naples – Amalfi Coast transfers are really pricey to start with, so it really pays off to do a bit more research and book everything yourself.
Day Tours from Naples to Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places in Italy. So it will come as no surprise that it’s also one of the most popular day trips from Naples. And yes, it’s totally worth it, even if one day is all you have to spare.
If you are planning to visit the Amalfi Coast from Naples for one day, I’d forget all the other options and simply book a tour. It’s just so much easier and it allows you to make the most of your short time and see a few of the best places.
That said, even choosing a tour can be overwhelming. To help you plan, we selected some of the best options below.
Here are some of the best tours from Naples to the Amalfi Coast:
- Best Overall. This day tour by bus and optional boat is one of the best-value and most popular tours from Naples to the Amalfi Coast. It includes all transportation and visits the three main towns: Positano, Amalfi & Ravello. You also have the option to add a boat ride and see the coastline from the water. It’s one of the most complete Amalfi Coast day trips from Naples.
- Positano, Amalfi & Sorrento. If you want to visit Sorrento instead of Ravello, this super-popular tour is an excellent alternative. It covers the two main towns on the Amalfi Coast — Positano and Amalfi — plus beautiful Sorrento. You can choose between a small-group or semi-private tour and add a traditional Mediterranean lunch at a local restaurant with a view, or arrange your own lunch. This tour offers excellent value.
- Best Budget. This popular tour is one of the most affordable ways to visit the Amalfi Coast. You’ll spend a few hours in Amalfi town and also visit Ravello. Keep in mind that this tour doesn’t stop in Positano.
- Best Boat Tour ⭐. This highly rated small-group boat tour is ideal if you want to avoid the traffic on the Amalfi Coast. You’ll visit Positano and Amalfi, enjoy the coastline from the water, and have free time in both towns. The tour also includes time for swimming and snorkeling.
- Private Tours. If you prefer a more personalized experience, there are many private Amalfi Coast tours from Naples. Prices vary depending on the itinerary, group size, vehicle, and tour duration, so compare a few options before booking. Be sure to check where the tour starts, which places you’ll actually visit (rather than just drive through), and what’s included.
How to Get to the Amalfi Coast from Naples by Train + Bus
If you’re traveling from Naples to the Amalfi Coast, you can also use public transportation. It’s the cheapest option, but it also has a few drawbacks: the journey takes much longer, you’ll have to carry your luggage between connections, and crowded trains and buses can attract pickpockets. So keep an eye on your belongings.
Good to know: There is no direct public transportation from Naples to the Amalfi Coast. The best options go via Sorrento:
- From Naples city: Take a train to Sorrento, followed by a local SITA bus to your destination on the Amalfi Coast. Trains to Sorrento depart from Napoli Porta Nolana station every 20-30 minutes throughout the day. Depending on the train, the journey takes about 70-80 minutes.
- From Naples Airport: Take a shuttle bus to Sorrento (75-90 minutes), followed by a local SITA bus to the Amalfi Coast. Shuttle buses usually operate several times a day, from early morning until late afternoon. If your flight is delayed, you can simply take the next available departure.
From Sorrento: SITA buses run regularly to the main Amalfi Coast towns, including Positano, Praiano, and Amalfi. If you’re traveling to Ravello, you’ll need to change to another bus in Amalfi town. You can buy tickets at Tabacchi shops in Sorrento and throughout the Amalfi Coast, choosing either a single journey or a day ticket.
Keep in mind that SITA buses are often very crowded, especially in summer, and frequent stops mean the journey can take quite a while.
Getting from Naples to the Amalfi Coast by Ferry or Boat
If you are traveling in high season, you can also get from Naples to Amalfi Coast by boat. This can be a more relaxing option, especially if you are traveling from the city and not from the airport and don’t have any luggage with you. You can opt for a boat tour or a ferry.
Traveling by ferry from Naples to Amalfi Coast isn’t always straightforward, and ferry prices are usually higher than train/ bus. Plus, they can’t drop you off close to your accommodation as private transfers. So, depending on where you are staying, it’s definitely something to consider. For example, the house we rented in Positano (Villa Eos) sits high on the hill, with hundreds of stairs from the harbor.
That said, if you like the idea of taking a ferry, there are several good options, with direct ferries from Molo Beverello harbor in Naples to Positano or to Amalfi. Keep in mind that these ferries usually only run in the summer (between mid-May and mid-September), and only once or twice a day.
There are more ways to get from Naples to Sorrento by ferry, and from Sorrento to Positano or Amalfi, but this can become quite an expensive and long trip, with boat changes, delays, etc. It’s not really the best option if you have luggage or if you just want to get from one place to another as soon as possible.
Boat tours are the ideal way to explore the Amalfi Coast as a day trip from Naples. It’s by far the best way to make the most of your time. This is one of the best-value Amalfi Coast boat tours from Naples, but you also do part of the journey by bus (or it would take too long).
Below, you can find a bit more information about the best day tours from Naples to the Amalfi Coast.
Driving from Naples to the Amalfi Coast by Car
Driving from Naples to the Amalfi Coast takes about 1.5 hours without traffic, but that’s rarely the reality. During much of the year (especially from May to October), the coastal road is extremely busy, with long traffic jams, very limited parking, and frequent delays.
While we usually enjoy exploring destinations by rental car, we do not recommend driving on the Amalfi Coast in the high season. The road is narrow, traffic is heavy, parking is scarce, and if you do find a space, expect to pay around €6-10 per hour or €35-50 per night at your accommodation.
Furthermore, to help reduce congestion, the Amalfi Coast also operates a seasonal odd-even number plate system on much of the coastal road, restricting driving on certain days depending on the last digit of your license plate. While regulations vary, it’s another reason why renting a car here rarely makes sense in summer.
READ ALSO: Amalfi Coast Travel Tips & Tricks for First-Time Visitors
Renting a Car
IF you decide to rent a car, we recommend booking through a reputable platform such as Booking.com and taking full insurance. Even careful drivers can easily end up with scratches in this area.
Also, be sure to read all the small letters if renting a car from a local company. We almost got tricked into a seemingly good deal that said ‘full insurance included*’. Except that the small letters at the bottom of the page said ‘*Except in Campania region, where coverage is limited to 50%’.
Our experience: In the end, we booked our rental car through Booking.com with full insurance, and were very glad we did. During our trip, another driver bumped into our car in Sorrento, and we later discovered a big scratch after parking in Pompeii. Two incidents in just a few days. We’ve never experienced anything like it elsewhere.
Furthermore, we didn’t actually drive on the Amalfi Coast itself. The car was mainly for exploring the Sorrento Peninsula and the Naples area, yet we still spent hours sitting in traffic, even at the beginning of April. After that experience, I wouldn’t rent a car here again unless traveling in the low season.
If you’re visiting between October and March (or possibly early April), renting a car can still make sense. Otherwise, private transfers, ferries, and organized tours are far more relaxing ways to explore the area.
Best Way to Get to the Amalfi Coast from Naples
To summarize:
- If you’re staying on the Amalfi Coast, the easiest option is a private or shared transfer.
- On a tight budget, take a train or the airport shuttle to Sorrento, followed by a SITA bus to the Amalfi Coast.
- For a day trip, book an organized tour. In the peak summer season, a tour by boat is one of the best options. It lets you experience the Amalfi Coast from the water, avoids the worst road traffic and crowds, and usually includes free time to swim.
Where to Stay
If you would like to stay on the Amalfi Coast for a few days but are not yet sure where exactly, I highly recommend that you read our guide to the best towns to stay on the Amalfi Coast. There is a lot to consider, based on how much time you have, how you travel, and what you plan to see and do. Check it out!
If you are looking for a hotel in Naples as well, take a look at our guide to the best areas to stay in Naples. Depending on what you plan to see and do in the region, Naples can be a good base for a few days or even an entire trip.
READ ALSO: Itinerary for Naples, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Pompeii, Vesuvius, and more
More travel inspiration for Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Capri
- Naples:
- Best Things to Do in Naples (all the musts + map)
- One Day in Naples (detailed itinerary)
- Best Areas to Stay in Naples
- Best Day Trips & Tours from Naples (top sights for first-time visitors)
- Complete Guide to Visiting Mount Vesuvius
- Amalfi Coast:
- Capri:
- Best Things to Do in Capri
- Best Things to Do in Anacapri
- Where to Stay in Capri
- Capri from Sorrento (travel info + 1-day itinerary)
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