We are travling to Florence for our daughter's wedding, which is June 2, 2015. We plan to leave Florence on June 5th to go to the Amalfi Coast, thinking of staying in Positano but are open. We will be there for 3 days, then heading to Rome for 5 days. Leaving Italy on June 14th. What's the best way to travel from Florence to the Amalfi Coast (Sorento, Positano, etc....)? Train, bus, ferry? Also - we will be traveling with our college age daughter and love the outdoors (hiking, biking etc). What are some great hikes near POsitano and in the Amalfi Coast?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
mary,
One point to mention about Positano is that it doesn't have rail access so is a bit more difficult to get to. Would staying in Sorrento be a possibility?
That trip is actually very easy. Here are the details......
- Travel via high speed Freccia train from Firenze SM Novella to Napoli Centrale (about 2H:50M, reservations compulsory). On that route you can use either Trenitalia or the competing Italo high speed trains.
- When you arrive at Napoli Centrale, walk downstairs to the Garibaldi station and buy tickets for the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento (Sorrento is the end of the line on that route, and it's the same line that goes to Pompeii). The Circumvesuviana has a bit of a "reputation" for pickpockets and scammers, so watch your belongings carefully! The trip to Sorrento is only about an hour as I recall.
- When you arrive in Sorrento, transfer to bus or Taxi to Positano.
If your budget will allow, an easier method would be to hire a private car service to take you from Napolli Centrali to either Positano or Sorrento. There are services listed in the guidebook.
Hopefully some of the others can help with hiking suggestions on the Amalfi Coast. I'm more familiar with the trails in the Cinque Terre.
Congratulations to your daughter and future son-in-law!
Posted by
693 posts
Path of the Gods. Senterio degli dei....great Amalfi walk.
Plenty of information if you google it. Walk from Bomerano end and have lunch in Nocelle. Then walk back down to Positano or catch the bus down.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16775 posts
Hi Mary -
Ken has given you good advice for staying in Sorrento instead of Positano as it is indeed easier to get to, and has good day-trip transit options from there to other locations around the area. It is possible to take a jetboat/ferry to Positano from Sorrento but service can be iffy when seas are rough. It may also be reached by bus (via Sorrento) but Sorrento is just less of a hassle overall, and easier to get around as large parts of it are more level versus straight uphill.
Current bus schedule:
http://www.sitasudtrasporti.it/archivio/Download/corse/sitasud/Campania/Salerno/bac6d4a7-6670-45f5-8626-c4e341a34939_5070.pdf/0
The Circumvesuviana is an inexpensive, bare-bones local commuter train but thousands of locals and tourists use it every day between Naples, Pompeii and Sorrento. As he recommended, just keep a hand on your valuables and you'll be fine. Current schedule:
Good advice from mph regarding Path of the Gods. We haven't been able to do that one yet but read that it's beautiful!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
A correction (possibly) to Ken's Circumvesuviana advice: the ticket booth for the commuter train is on the main floor, not downstairs at the tracks. At least it was until last year, I don't think it's changed. You buy the tickets, validate them in the turnstile, go downstairs to the track (take the correct staircase) and keep them with you until you leave the station at Sorrento.