There are two of us traveling the first part of October for three weeks. We will have a car and be near the end of our visit to Italy. But, I have heard the stories of the drive being difficult and scary and that the bus is so crowded it is even more stressful. Is there a way to take the trip to Amafi that is not stressful and/or dangerous? We may stay in Salerno for one night after traveling from Rome to see Pompeii and would be leaving from there for a day to see the Amafi Coast if possible. Thank you.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6863 posts
I wouldn't say the bus was stressful at all. Driving looked like it would be hell on wheels. Scary? IME, I saw no traffic moving fast enough for anything to be "scary" but if you managed to get up some speed while driving, those tight corners would get scary fast.
I always chuckle when someone asks the "best" way to get someplace. Private helicopter is a great way to go - especially if someone else is paying - it's good enough for Popes and Presidents. But what's "best" depends on what you need/want/like/are willing to pay for.
As much as I enjoy a nice, scenic drive (and the AC is as scenic as it can get) I think the bus is probably the most efficient and reasonable way to get there and back. The boat would be another low-stress way to go. No way I would drive.
Posted by
Chicago
8228 posts
I used this hop on hop off service last month.
https://www.city-sightseeing.it/it/citysightseeing-sorrento---coast-to-coast/
You pay a little more than the Sitabus but you do not have to worry about getting a seat .You can catch and take from Ravello to Amalfi to Positano to Sorrento and back
The driver has to pay attention to were s/he is going and would not be checking out the scenery.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12037 posts
The driver has to pay attention to were s/he is going and would not be checking out the scenery.
Correct statement, however, I found there were plenty of times that traffic was stopped or moving at a walking pace that I was able gaze at the scenery.
The curves make it interesting, especially when an oncoming semi needs part of your lane to negotiate a curve. ( that's why the car has the gear marked "R")
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15798 posts
Last year I spent 5 days in Salerno with a car and I loved it . . . in February when there was little traffic on the coast road. Here's the thread . . . If you're worried about driving, you can leave the car parked in Salerno and take the bus one way along the coast and the ferry the other way - for different views.
I went back to look at my other posts from that trip and found this one where I wrote (from Salerno): Today I had the best gelato ever and an exquisite cannolo at Tenuta Vannulo Buffalo Farm
Anyway, I stayed in Salerno and drove the AC and also drove to Paestum (with the Vannulo stop on the way).
If you have any questions, and I don't respond here, PM me.
Posted by
64 posts
Jazz,the city sightseeing bus you took - was it open air ? Was on their web site and that was the picture.Also,how far ahead did you book ? We are going to be in Sorrento Jne 26 and want to go down the Amalfi coast ,possibly a ferry or by bus .
Posted by
Chicago
8228 posts
Jazz,the city sightseeing bus you took - was it open air ?
The Amalfi to Ravello leg was open air. The Sorrento to Positano to Amalfi is not.
We got lucky as we bought our ticket 15 minutes before departure right out side the end of the line of the Sorrento Train Station.
But it maybe a little more busy in June versus going in May. We only had 3 nights. So I would use it if you do not have enough time Otherwise try taking the ferry but they do not run as late depending on where you are going
Posted by
Cincinnati, Ohio
303 posts
We took the Frecca train from Rome to Salerno as home base as we toured the Amalfi Coast. I had read about the crowded conditions on the SITA buses, so we took the ferry! Salerno is a transportation hub, with access to buses, trains and ferries. The ferries run from Salerno to Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento, and the view from the water is outstanding. We did take a SITA bus late afternoon from Sorrento to Positanon (in mid May) and it wasn't crowded.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
The ferries are fine - when they run. By October, the schedule will be severely curtailed. Check carefully before assuming you can use one.
Posted by
Chicago
2124 posts
We did take a SITA bus late afternoon from Sorrento to Positano (in
mid May) and it wasn't crowded.
That's good to hear, Barb. I would have thought that it would be crowded-to-overrun by that time of the season. We had the same experience on that run in mid-March, maybe half-full at most. Really enjoyed going through those little inland villages as well.
I too am a big fan of the SITA bus, except June through September. Waiting for another bus if the first one is full, plus the 'creative' queueing Italian (or tourist)-style, might get a little tiresome for me.
As I've stated before, Salerno is a great base anytime. Simply wonderful SITA bus ride from there to Amalfi, like a slow-motion roller coaster for no more than 4 Euro!