Seems as if the concensus is the best way to get to Positano and the Amalfi Coast is to take a bus from Sorrento (we'll be there for 5 days) and then take a boat back. I break out in a cold sweat just thinking of riding on those kind of roads and think, for me, it would just be torture to have to make that drive. That said, I really want to see the coast and wonder if it is crazy to take the boat both ways and would it be a lot more expensive? Would we really miss that much if we didn't drive those roads?
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
If you want to ride the ferry both ways, it's not really expensive. About 9Euro each way from Sorrento to Positano on the MetroMare ferries. As for the bus, note that the coastal highway was not really built for buses in each direction. The bus drivers are really good a getting through. Just don't sit at the right side window going down as the cliff just outside your window may disappear from time to time. I'm teasing but not by much.
Posted by
Ramona, CA
63 posts
Larry's kidding aside ... if you don't sit on the right hand side of the bus you will be missing a good part of the reason for taking this trip in the first place. You could compromise. Take the bus to the shore at Positano then get a boat to Amalfi. This is what we did on a guided tour last month.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
Be very sure of the ferry schedules in advance so you do not miss it. We assumed there would be one late afternoon or evening from Positano. Nope there was not and had to take bus back. Same prob leaving Capri one trip, last ferry left around 5;30pm. due to cruise traffic. I wsa not disappointed to stay on Capri but I was disspointed that I never saw the amalfi coast from the water.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
its fun to do one each way. But be SURE to look at the schedule for the ferry; some boats make the trip in less than 2 hours, some do the same route in 5+ hours.
Posted by
Marin, CA
532 posts
I loved going by boat. The water is beautiful, and looking up the cliffs with the buildings clinging to them is exciting.You've got a nice breeze and can move around and it's fun. I live in Northern California and the kids and I all get car sick going to the beach on our curves. I did do the bus to Monaco from France but it was only a few minutes and I would have enjoyed a boat more then too.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Consider taking the boat to Positano and returning by bus. Then even if you sit on the left (sea) side for the views, you'll have a full lane of buffer and it will be less harrowing. If you do decide to try the bus, use the Sponda stop at the bottom of town rather than the Chiesa stop at the top.
Posted by
Lawton, OK, USA
64 posts
Having just done the Amalfi drive, we considered the same thing. We decided to do the drive rather than by boat and we think it was absolutley the right decision. You will get a very different view from the ferry and while it is very beautiful I think you will miss a lot by not seeing the coast from up above. The panaromas that you will get from doing the drive are truly unbelievable. I have Ricks's video and must say, it just can't do it justice. The Amalfi coast must be actually seen to be believed. Do the drive down and take the ferry back.
Debby
Posted by
In the Mountains, USA
689 posts
We drove the entire coast - Massa Lubrense to Paestum one day... We didn't stop in any of the towns that day. Then took the ferry from Sorrento to Positano and on to Amalfi spending time in both towns. - then back to Sorrento.
It was great to do both. But I don't think I'd want to do it in a bus. We drove ourselves and had a great day. We were able to stop at each pull out and check it out completely!
Posted by
In the Mountains, USA
689 posts
Scooter? yikes.
The ferries we were on were Peds only...
think hard about a scooter...
Posted by
OP
Brier, WA, USA
25 posts
Thanks everyone! I know that there is no way I can do the bus thing but it has been suggested we do a scooter. Hmmm.... Is the boat a ferry that you could bring a scooter on or is it a passenger only boat? Thanks!
Posted by
St. Louis, MO (formerly, Windermere, FL)
340 posts
Barb,
Ooo, I envy you going to that lovely part of the world! We were there last September and did something a little different for our transportation. We hired a driver through Rick's recommended Monetti Tours. One of the best things we have ever done on a trip! Yes, it was a splurge, but no more so than a gondola ride in Venice (which we skipped since it lasts such a short time, and saved our money for the driver on the Amalfi Coast). There were 4 of us sharing a comfortable Mercedes van. The driver and car were at our disposal for 8 hours and we drove from Sorrento to Ravello with many stops along the way for seeing the views, shopping, and lunch. The driver was full of local info and anecdotes and had great sightseeing tips. The cost was 200 euros plus tip for the day which we split between 2 couples. I would not be comfortable driving the Amalfi coast myself in a car or on a scooter and would be a nervous wreck by the end of the drive. Our driver told us that there are numerous tourist accidents each year. The busses are ok and you shouldn't be afraid of them. The drivers do the drive every day and are very safe. We just really liked having the flexibility and more intimate experience of having our own car and driver. Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
Oakland
19 posts
We just got back from Sorrento and did both the bus and the ferry. We enjoyed Amalfi so much we went again on our last day. We actually preferred the bus ride to the ferry. The drivers were great and it was really fun. You don't really see very much from inside the ferry and we weren't allowed outside during the trip.
Posted by
boulder, colorado
192 posts
Forget about the bus. Took it once and it was actually boring. Can't really see anything unless you are at the window on the right side of the bus (which I was), and then those views aren't much. But the ferry is totally different - relaxing on a deck chair facing the cliffs affords you a great view. Took the ferry back to Sorrento and have taken a ferry both ways ever since. Stuffy, crowded bus or relaxing, outside deck chair?
Posted by
Brier, WA, USA
34 posts
LOL - Mike, a man after my own heart ;) That was sort of what I was thinking, too!
Posted by
Toronto
13 posts
Hello,
We just came back from Italy and went to Positano. We took the ferry one way (Sorrento to Positano) and the bus on the return leg. I don't know - I didn't think the bus trip was really that bad. Maybe it was because I come from an area where this time of highway isn't that uncommon. I was just fascinated by the views more than anything. The bus driver was great and it wasn't like they go through the area at 100km per hour, it goes at a reasonable pace.
Depending on when you go, be aware that there are limited ferries or none at all if it is off season.
To give you an idea, here is the July ferry schedule
Sorrento to Positano: 7:30; 9:25; 13:35; 15:10
Positano to Sorrento: 10:40; 12:30; 16:15; 19:00
You can check out their website at http://www.metrodelmare.com/
Fare was 9 euros.
The bus back we were charged 3 euro each, which is different from what the Rick Steves book said.