Amalfi Coast Question

We will be going in May, right after Memorial Day

Ferries are weather dependent- so there is that tissue.

I think ferry from Salerno to Capri takes about 2 hours.
Blue Grotto is also weather dependent and you'd have to get there from ferry port first. IMO- not worth it, a real tourist trap.
Did you intend to visit Capri at all other than Blue Grotto?

Ferry from Capri to Positano takes about an hour
Then bus from Postiano to Salerno takes at least 2 hours - I think.
Buses along the coast are usually full- standing room only and - no reserved seats.

Whether you have time in one day for all of that I doubt it. You would be on a super tight schedule and if you miss a ferry or bus well then you wait for next. Dominoes.

That said- Salerno is a good place to stay but you'll want to give Capri its own day.
Combine Positano with Ravello and Amalfi on its own day
Another day for Paestum- not to be missed!

Yes, it’s doable but you want to get an early start: https://www.directferries.com/global/index.html. From Positano the bus requires a transfer in Amalfi and takes a min of 2h to get to Salerno.

I assume you have additional sightseeing plans while you're staying in Salerno. I really liked staying in Salerno last winter, but it would not be my choice if I only wanted to go to Capri and Positano.

We're thinking about leaving here the day after Memorial Day, arriving in Naples, then spending 2 nights in Salerno, the tour Italy and Switzerland the next 2 weeks. Then fly out of Zurich. We haven't booked anything, just hoping May not be as busy in the Amalfi Coast.
Thanks for the responses.
Still trying to figure the deatils.

....hoping May not be as busy in the Amalfi Coast.

It will be VERY busy on the Amalfi Coast in late May. And quite honestly, there's no way I'd spend the time/money to go to Capri JUST for the Blue Grotto. We stayed there for 2 nights, skipped it, and have never been sorry we did. I'm so happy, in hindsight, that we didn't spend the time and money for the very few minutes in the thing - if you can even get in - when there were so many other great things to do on the island.

I would prefer to take the ferry back from Positano to Salerno because the bus will need a change at Amalfi....WAY more enjoyable, when the ferry just stops at Amalfi and you don't have to get off....

I love staying in Salerno, but it might be more enjoyable to stay in Positano or Capri if those are the only places you want to visit....

Last time I was in Capri (and didn't see the grotto) I had enough to keep me busy in Capri and then take the direct ferry back to Salerno....I didn't feel like doing any more things.....so it might not be enjoyable for you to try to do both in one day (though its easy from Salerno to take ferries to both places)

If you are flexible , I'd plan the trip for mid-April. We were in the Sorento/ AC this past May, 2023, and the area was already packed. Sorrento was ok, but the Positano and Amalfi town were too crowded to enjoy walking around, and this was during the week. Shoulder season doesn't exist anymore.
Transit doesn't function as well as in northern Italy, so moving about in the AC is time-consuming and inefficient. (Exception: the train to Salerno from Rome works well.)
Have a great time planning. There's a wealth of info here, so review Trip Reports, Search specific topics, and review previous posts under Italy.
Safe travels!

I did the Blue Grotto years ago and was so glad that I did it. Our boatman sang "O Sola Mia." That was great icing on the cake.

Based on your limited time, your itinerary is better than nothing. But be warned that transportation along the Amalfi Coast is frustrating, challenging and chaotic and you will spend a lot of time moving from place to place.

We loved Capri, but got to it from Sorrento which is only a 1/2 hour ferry ride. We also spent 2 days along the Amalfi Coast on daytrips from Sorrento and half of each day was in transit. My recommendation is to choose one; either Capri or the AC and give it a full day of attention.

Ditto what Allan just said!

Thank you all very much for the replies.
I was wanting to go by bus along the coast one way, and by boat
along the coast back. Plus see Capri and Blue Grotto. Either staying
in Salerno, or maybe better in Sorrento. Might need an extra day to
do it all.
Thanks again for all the help. Looking forward to going.