We will be in Italy in mid-late May for 2 weeks. I was wondering how easy is it to visit Positano from Sorrento? Should I take the bus or ferry? Which is more convenient and frequent? I read that SITA buses are often crowded and I need to reserve a limousine bus. Is that true?
Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.
Personally I would take the ferry. Obviously slower but more scenic and comfortable.
Take a bus to go there, sit at the right hand side. Take a boat back. Come to bus station (in front of Circumvesuviana train station) about half an hour early and you will have plenty of seats to choose from.
The SITA bus starts in Sorrento so is really not a problem and is easy as it can get and very frequent.
Problem with the bus when crowded is getting picked up after the starting point. Positano on the way back for example if enough people are not getting off, since that bus will have started in Amalfi.
A good plan would be to take the SITA bus to Positano walk down the hill while exploring the town and then take the ferry back to Sorrento. The added benefit is it reduces your uphill walking.
Thank you both for this useful information.
Is the bus schedule available on the web?
Thanks!
I think you can download it from here:
http://www.sitabus.it/en/amalfi-sorrento-bus-timetable/
The view from the bus is also great, try to get a window seat.
From the water is as well just 2 completely different viewpoints.
There is a fairly recently introduced hop on-hop off bus service from Sorrento to Amalfi via Positano. PDF of travel blurb and timetable below.
Buses leave every half hour from the Sorrento train station, starting at about 8am. Buy your ticket at a kiosk or from the driver (better from a kiosk, so you have a better chance of getting a window seat if you don't have to buy on board).
If you have time, you could ride all the way to Amalfi, take another bus to Ravello, then take the ferry from Amalfi to Sorrento (schedule may be seasonal).
Be aware that the ferry is not always running between Sorrento and along the coast. Strong tides or winds will cancel the ferry leaving the bus as your only option.
Thank you, everybody. I have appreciated Rick Steves' travel style for years now, and use his books extensively. I had no idea the travel forum is so vibrant. We love independent travel, and it is great to have come across this online community of fellow travelers. I appreciate your input a whole lot.
If you have no luggage (because you're on a day trip from your Sorrento hotel) the bus crowding is unimportant. However, you may find that the line in Sorrento (outside the train station) is so long that you have to wait for the second-next bus. So have your suntan protection as soon as you leave the hotel for the day. Rick also notes that it's better to (if you're going there ... ) see Positano first and Amalfi second, because the return bus originates in Amalfi and may be TOO FULL to stop (homeward) in Positano.
We paid a fortune for a car and driver, but for over 60 folks, it was worth it.
I have taken the bus several times from Sorrento. They run often enough so if you have to wait its not to long. If l recall I needed exact amount for the fare. Bring water because the bus can be crowded and hot. First stop should be Positano then Amalfi. You shouldn't have any problem getting there and back. Get a schedule at the Sorrento station and plan on taking the second to the last bus from Amalfi back to Sorrento. If that is crowded you can wait just across the parking lot and have a snack, beer or gelato. Enjoy the adventure and don't sweat the small stuff. You are in a very safe and friendly and wonderful part of Italy.
Lorie
