We are a family of four who want to visit a town or two on the Amalfi coast from Naples - any advice on the best way to go abuot doing this?
We would like to visit Sorrento, or or Capri, depending on cost - we are travelling on a budget! Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7939 posts
Month and year? From hotel or from cruise ship? Sleeping in Naples that night?
I know it sounds pedantic, but neither of those two places is on the Amalfi Coast, they're both on the Gulf of Naples. If you had no interest in Positano or Amalifi, for example, the two named places are nice visits. But very different. Sorrento (train or ferry from Naples) is a modern resort town, with only one tiny, crowded beach. Capri is a big, rocky island with a lot of walking to be done, only by ferry. Many people consider Capri unmissable, but of course that's a matter of opinion. I think you need to do more research; the fact that the gritty, crowded, hot Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento is so cheap is not a good way to make the decision. (referring to your "depending on cost.")
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4625 posts
As Tim mentioned, neither of those places is on the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is nice but it's more of a hub to get to other places such as the Amalfi Coast and Capri. If you check out Ferry Hopper https://www.ferryhopper.com/#search you can search for ferries that go to Amalfi Town and Capri. If you're heart is set on Sorrento, then you can take the Circumvesuviana Train for less than 3 Euros each. It's the same train you take if Pompeii is on your itinerary.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16618 posts
Hi and welcome to the RS forums!
Yup, as Tim has asked, it would help to know what month you'll be are visiting, if it's from a cruise ship or a hotel in Naples, and if you're staying in Naples for multiple nights. Also, the approx. ages if your group might be helpful as very young children in tow can affect a recommendation.
As he has also stated, Sorrento is on the Sorrentine Peninsula versus Amalfi coast, and Capri is, of course, an island so not "on" a coast at all. That said, Sorrento by dirt-cheap, bare-bones Circumvesuviana commuter train will definitely run you less than ferry tickets to/from Capri. Still, if your family enjoys explorations on foot, I think there's more for you to do on Capri than Sorrento. Some of the activities on the island will have a cost but some of those costs are small, and there are plenty of scenic spots to enjoy for free. Spend some time with the website, and understand that you do not need any of the tours they advertise.
I'll advise skipping the Blue Grotto, and for sure get up to Anacapri (by bus) for a walkabout. If you can swing it - and your kids are not very young - do the chairlift up to the top of Mt. Solaro. You can hike down the mountain if that sounds like fun to your gang.
How long will you be in Naples, and what else do you have on your agenda?
Editing to add: whatever works is fine but I find this site a little easier to use.
https://www.naplesbayferry.com/en/index
Posted by
11606 posts
Take the commuter train, Circumvesuviana.
Posted by
California
1625 posts
We hired a private driver. We based in Sorrento and they picked us up and took us to a few towns on the Amalfi coast giving us a couple hours in each town, including Amalfi, Positano and Ravello, where we had lunch with a breathtaking view. We were two couples and we split the cost. We were able to sit back in an air conditioned Mercedez SUV and enjoy the views with no stress.