Naples to Amalfi Coast: Every Route Compared (With Real Prices)

Understanding the Geography Before You Book

The Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana) is a 50-kilometer stretch of cliff-hugging coastline in the Campania region, southeast of Naples. Amalfi town itself sits roughly 60 km from Naples as the crow flies, but the road distance is significantly longer because of the terrain. There is no direct rail connection to Amalfi or anywhere on the coast. Every route requires at least one change, whether that's a ferry, a bus, or both. Planning this transfer is genuinely the most logistically complex part of visiting the area.

Most travelers approach the Amalfi Coast from one of three directions: via Salerno to the east, via Sorrento to the west, or directly by sea from Naples or Salerno. Understanding this geography helps enormously when comparing routes. If you're already visiting Sorrento as part of your trip, the Circumvesuviana plus SITA bus combination makes obvious sense. If you're based in Naples and doing a day trip, the train-ferry combination via Salerno often wins on time and comfort.

Route 1: Train to Salerno, Then Ferry to Amalfi (Recommended in Summer)

This is the route most worth considering for a summer day trip. Trains from Naples Centrale to Salerno run roughly three times per hour on Trenitalia, take 40–60 minutes, and cost around €5–6. From Salerno, ferries operated by Travelmar, NLG, and Alicost run to Amalfi in approximately 25–50 minutes, with tickets costing around €12–20 depending on operator and season. The total journey runs 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, and you arrive directly at Amalfi's small harbor in the center of town.

The ferry leg is the highlight of this route. You approach the coast from the sea, which gives you a perspective that no road journey can match. Cliffs drop directly into the water, whitewashed buildings stack up the hillside, and the scale of the landscape becomes obvious. For a first visit especially, this is the right way to arrive. Ferry frequency is roughly hourly in peak season. Book trains on trenitalia.com and check travelmar.it for the latest ferry schedule, as times shift seasonally.

Route 2: Circumvesuviana to Sorrento, Then SITA Bus Along the Coast

This is the classic backpacker route and it works well, though it demands patience. The Circumvesuviana regional train connects Naples Porta Nolana to Sorrento in about 70 minutes, with tickets around €3–4. The upgraded Campania Express tourist train runs in high season (roughly mid-March through October) and costs around €13–15, but it's faster (about 60 minutes) and significantly less crowded. From Sorrento, SITA Sud buses depart for Amalfi along the SS163 coastal road, a journey of approximately 1 hour 15 minutes depending on traffic, for €2.20.

The SITA bus along the Amalfi Drive is an experience in itself: a narrow two-lane road shared by coaches, tourists, and local traffic, with sheer drops on one side. It's worth doing once. Sit on the left side of the bus heading toward Amalfi for the sea view. The SS163 is also where traffic collapses in July and August, so what's nominally a 1h 40m journey can stretch to 2h 30m or more. If time matters, this is not the fastest route. If you're also stopping in Sorrento or Positano, this route makes more logistical sense. Consider pairing it with our Naples or Sorrento comparison if you haven't decided where to base yourself.

Route 3: Direct Options from Naples (Bus and Ferry)

Two direct options exist, and both have significant caveats.

• Pintour Bus from Naples Airport Pintour operates a direct coach from Naples Capodichino Airport (NAP) to Amalfi, with a journey time of around 2 hours 10 minutes and a ticket price of approximately €20. It runs roughly 5 times daily and is a solid option if you're arriving by plane and heading straight to the coast without stopping in Naples. It does not depart from Naples city center, so it's not ideal for those already in town.
• Ferry from Naples Beverello Port From late June, ferries run directly from Molo Beverello in Naples to Amalfi and Positano, taking around 1 hour 30 minutes each way. This is the most comfortable and scenic single-leg option, but it only operates in summer, frequency is limited (up to 3 departures daily), and it can sell out. Check NLG or Travelmar for schedules. Tickets are not cheap but the experience is exceptional.
• Cheapest Bus Combination Bus from Naples (via G. Ferraris) to Salerno (around €3–6, approximately 1 hour), then SITA line 5120 to Atrani/Amalfi (around €1–3). Total cost roughly €4–9, total time around 3 hours 45 minutes. This is the budget option, not the comfort option.

Route 4: Driving and Private Transfers

Renting a car and driving to Amalfi is a legitimate option with one major caveat: traffic. The distance is approximately 57.5 km and nominally takes about 1 hour, with fuel and toll costs around €9–13. In practice, summer traffic on the Amalfi Drive adds 60 minutes or more during peak periods, and parking in Amalfi is effectively nonexistent in July and August. The town operates access restrictions during high season, meaning you may be turned away at a checkpoint if the road is at capacity. Driving is best suited for shoulder-season visits (April, May, September, October) and for travelers who want to stop freely along the coast.

A private transfer removes the parking problem but not the traffic. Licensed operators charge approximately €200–310 for a one-way transfer from Naples to Amalfi in a private vehicle, taking 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes under normal conditions. This is worth considering for groups of 4+ splitting costs, travelers with significant luggage, or anyone arriving at Naples airport who wants a direct, no-stress connection. Compare this to the Pintour bus at €20 per person and the calculation changes depending on group size. You can also find rideshare options through BlaBlaCar for around €4–7 per seat, though availability is irregular. Browse Naples skip-the-line tickets and tours for curated Amalfi Coast day trips that include transport.

Seasonal Timing: When You Go Changes Everything

The Amalfi Coast is an extreme example of seasonal variation. In April and May, ferries are starting up, traffic is manageable, the hills are green, and prices are reasonable. By July and August, every road, ferry, and parking spot is operating at or beyond capacity. September and early October bring fewer crowds while keeping good weather and full ferry schedules. November through March, several hotels close, some ferries stop running entirely, and the SITA bus becomes the only reliable connection for stretches of the coast.

• April–May: Best overall conditions. Manageable traffic, ferries starting, cooler temperatures for walking.
• June: Summer begins, direct Naples-Amalfi ferries launch, crowds building but still manageable mid-week.
• July–August: Peak season. All routes operating but heavily congested. Book everything in advance. Road access restrictions possible.
• September–October: Ideal for the coast. Full services, thinner crowds after mid-September, warm sea.
• November–March: Reduced ferry schedules. SITA bus and train via Salerno are the primary options. Some attractions and restaurants closed.

Practical Booking and Logistics

Book Trenitalia tickets at trenitalia.com. Book Travelmar ferries at travelmar.it and NLG at nlg.it. Pintour buses at pintourbus.com. For comparison across multiple modes, omio.com covers many of these routes in one search. If you're planning a full day trip from Naples, consider combining the Amalfi Coast with a stop in Pompeii, which sits between Naples and Salerno. Our guide to getting from Naples to Pompeii covers the logistics.

For those planning multiple days, where to stay in Naples and whether to base yourself in the city or on the coast is a real decision worth thinking through. Staying in Naples gives better transport connections throughout Campania, including day trips to Pompeii, Capri, and the coast itself. Staying on the Amalfi Coast means waking up to postcard views but paying significantly more and dealing with the logistics of reaching anywhere else.