I've been reading that the bus along the Amalfi Coast is very crowded. My wife and I will be taking the bus from Sorrento to Ravello where we will be staying for 3 nights.
How early should we arrive at the Sorrento bus station in order to purchase tickets and get seats together on the right hand side of the bus?
Thanks,
Craig
You're going to have a great ride on the bus(es). A few years back we rode from Salerno to Sorrento. Going that direction we were on the inside (hill side) of the road. You will be on the outside (water/cliff side) of the road.
It was in early October and both buses had hardly anyone on them. Perhaps you could take time upon your arrival in Sorrento to visit the bus station and get some advice there about your question.
Buses leave from the train station every half hour or so, you just need to be at the front of the line. One of you should get seats, the other have the driver validate the tickets.
When we got on at Sorrento, it was crowded but everyone got a seat (it was about 2pm)...by the time we got half way to Amalfi, we were able to move over to the right side of the bus to enjoy the view. Probably just past Positano. We had just missed a bus, so were pretty much first on the next bus. This was in early Sept.
I pretty sure you will have to change buses at Amalfi to get to Ravello. We were going on to Atrani (the next town over - a 10-15 min walk) and the bus stopped in Amalfi and everyone unloaded.
...one other thing - if anyone is prone to motion sickness, some Gravol may be in order. Someone on our journey back to Sorrento was doing a bit of hurling...maybe they were hung over, maybe it was motion sickness...but they were at the back of the bus, and I think perhaps the swerves and curves were a bit more noticeable back there...
End of October is one of the times we holiday in Sorrento each year and the Amalfi Coast buses are still busy at that time. There does not seem to be any really quiet period during the day eg from early morning commuter period - then tourists setting out for the day - and last but not least school children going home at about noon to about 2pm.
You may wish to consider taking the "Coast to Coast" tourist service (link below) instead. They do take luggage and it costs more but although I have not used it myself, reports say it is more comfortable.
And yes you will have to change buses at Amalfi to get to Ravello but that is pretty painless.
http://www.sorrento.city-sightseeing.it/eng/percorsi.htm
Or, for 70 euro, you could book this door to door car service from Sorrento to Ravello
We took the round-trip bus from Salerno to Amalfi in mid-March. Bus was half full at most, about a 50 minute trip each way. We sat on the water side of the bus both times, spectacular scenery. Cost 2,20 Euro apiece. Quite a value for a wild ride with virtually no traffic!
Craig, just arrive when you want. You may need to wait for the next bus but its only a half hour wait.
You will really enjoy being seated on the right side of the bus for the best view.
Good luck.
Thanks everyone,
Craig
Have been to A.Coast in the summer months several times and buses were very crowded. Just wait for another bus to get a seat on the right side. Worth the wait as the views are spectacular! In the summer months we have used the boats to get to Positano & Amalfi town and have taken the bus back to Sorrento where we always stay. On the bus from Positano to Sorrento we have experienced standing room only several times and doesn't stop here if already full. On a late Oct visit buses from Sorrento to Amalfi town were packed too just like summer months. We did take the boat to Positano one day & bus back but boats run on a limited schedule in the fall. Buon viaggio! Enjoy Ravello & don't miss the spectacular views from the infinity terrace at Villa Cimbrone!
