amalfi coast

Two full days in Sorrento? I suggest planning your time wisely because Sorrento can weave its own magical spell (ask Ulysses). Instead of driving to the Amalfi Coast, how about taking the ferry from Sorrento? The coast, inho, is more beautiful from the water than from the bus window (with people who sat on the wrong side leaning over you). There is one excursion (sorry, don't remember the details) that included a stop off of Capri for swimming - my friends and I are still talking about that! You can do that trip in a very nice, relaxing half day or more. That leaves you time for the beauty of Sorrento in the evening (best sunsets in the world!). The Marina Grande is my favorite dinner experience - right on the water (literally), crowded and fun with a dinner that you'll remember with smiles.

Capri is a boat ride in itself. Sorry, it isn't my favorite place. I've done the boat ride around the island - yes, it's beautiful. I've hiked up to the Roman ruins - spectacular scenery, lots of exercise. People that I know who have done the Blue Grotto have basically said it's another check mark on their 'to do' list. (Doesn't sound like they were very excited about it.) When are you going? In June and July the ferries can be very crowded morning and especially at the end of the day. Don't gamble on getting a space on the last ferry back to Sorrento!

If that is what you want to do, your choices are fine.
I think most of us would say 3 nights / 2 full days is far too short for the area.
Given that is your time you really can only pick 2 main things which you have done.

Amalfi Coast: I would personally take the SITA bus or some combination of bus and ferry ; but if you can afford to hire a private driver to take you around ; go ahead. Keep in mind you will be paying for their time not really the mileage since they would be waiting around while you site see.

Capri: I really enjoyed Capri and did not take a boat tour at all or see the Blue Grotto.
You would take a ferry from Sorrento to reach Capri.
Once you get there unless staying overnight you have a choice of boat/water type tour around the island ; usually including Blue Grotto or exploring the island itself.
If you want to take the lift up to the top of Ana Capri and see those sites plus see the town of Capri itself you really don't also have time for any kind of boat trip.
We did that and had a wonderful day. Personally taking a boat tour after the ferry does not sound as appealing.

We liked walking on the pedestrian paths of Capri much more than the boat ride around it. The views were incredible.

Plus, those boat trips are often canceled due to high seas. The ferries were not canceled.
We were on Capri four days and only were able to sail the last day.
If you want a day tour to the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento or for a walking tour of Pompeii, look at Rick Steves' shared tours with Mondo Guides,based in Naples. www.sharedtrours.com

Yeah, that’s not tons of time, but your plans for those days are very doable. I’m not sure how early is too early for you, but the best thing you can do in this region is to get an early start as crowds build up fast.

I recommend the boat tour around Capri. It was very enjoyable and only takes an hour. The grotto was closed when I was there due to tides/rough seas. This can happen, so be prepared. I would rate the chairlift to Monte Solaro and it’s views to be the real highlight anyway.

Hiring a car for Positano/Amalfi is a good option if you don’t mind paying. I would expect a private driver to maybe make some other interesting stops that you wouldn’t get via bus. Still, I also recommend using the ferries. Approaching Positano and Amalfi by sea is simply unbeatable. It’s very relaxing.

Sorrento is a nice place, but you don’t need to account extra time to see anything there. Definitely find your way to the old port before sunset, find a restaurant (everyone seems to have their own faves) and enjoy!

I like the idea of taking the boat/ferry from Sorrento to Positano. Is it easy to take the bus back? Is it possible to visit Amalfi as well? Technically we have 2 1/2 days there but I am not worried about it as the rest of our trip is pretty much staying 4 nights at a time in other places. We plan to visit Positano and or Amalfi one day and possibly Capri the next. Do you think we can make the plans once we get there as opposed to having it all planned out? It sounds like we can use the ferry's to get to both places.

Re: Sorrento to Positano and Amalfi

There is a bus that travels from Sorrento to Amalfi and makes an automatic stop at Positano in the middle as well as a couple of other stops. Positano is the very popular stop so you cannot miss it.

There is also a ferry that travels from Sorrento to Amalfi and makes the same stop in Positano (tides permitting)
Sometimes even in nice weather the waves can be too high for the dock in Positano for the Sorrento boat to stop.

You can choose which direction to take which. Getting on the bus in Positano when very crowded in the summer can sometimes be an issue if the bus is full and not enough get off at Positano for you to get on. In that sense it is easier to take the bus from Sorrento or Amalfi. I don't think the ferry fills up the same way but busses come every 20 min. or so the ferry is no where near as frequent.

Positano is a vertical town. The ferry/dock is at the bottom the bus stop is at the top. It is better for your legs but also for the view when you get there I think to arrive by bus and depart by ferry.
Amalfi it does not matter the ferry and bus are near.
Sorrento the ferry requires some walking down to reach and then back up after so for most the bus in Sorrento is probably easier to reach from their lodging.

You don't have to book these things in advance so yes you can wait until you are there.
Given your time doing these 2 things is fine ; trying to do more would not be.
The area is in my opinion more beautiful than where you are staying otherwise (and I say that with some confidence not even knowing your plan) so that is the reason why I would say 4-6 nights for your stay in Sorrento/Amalfi Coast is better than your 3 nights.