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Daytrip options from Rome to Positano

In searching the forum it seems like most of the posts about daytrips from Rome to Positano are fairly old. Anyone have any recent experience with this? My husband and I will be in Rome the first part of October. Several years ago we took a bus tour along the Amalfi Coast. It was great but we didn't get to stop in Positano. We'd like some time there. If possible, it would be great to see the coast from a boat/ferry. Any suggestions? We understand this will be a very long day but are definitely up for that. Thank you.

Posted by
4811 posts

You can hop on a fast train to Salerno, walk a short way to ferry dock, and take the Travelmar ferry to Positano. https://www.travelmar.it/en/index
Be sure to check schedule and weather the day before--the dock can be closed, and going in foul weather would be pointless anyway.
Alternative would be bus to Amalfi and different bus to Positano.

Posted by
7766 posts

You may wish to use the Search box top left, because there have been some 2023 posts about both congestion and repairs to the dock in Positano. That dock is smaller than the others on the AC, and requires smaller ferries.

After the Search results appear, you can filter for Newsboards and, say, Six Months.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/amalfi-coast-day-trip

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/getting-around-amalfi-coast

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/amalfi-coast-september-transportation-issues

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/pompeii-day-trip-from-rome-2c38f926-9036-480d-95fd-403dd7694e4a

Posted by
16396 posts

As your previous post indicated avoidance of bus travel, I'll echo what valadelphia suggested:

"You can hop on a fast train to Salerno, walk a short way to ferry dock, and take the Travelmar ferry to Positano. https://www.travelmar.it/en/index
Be sure to check schedule and weather the day before--the dock can be closed, and going in foul weather would be pointless anyway."

My additional comment about this proposed trip is that there's really very little to do in Positano so personally, I think it's a long and somewhat pricey day trip from Rome given the lack of activities. Yes, you could have a meal and look at the sea and browse the upscale shops but otherwise....

If intent upon this trip, you might want to spend a little time in Salerno, as long as you'd be traveling in/out of that city.

Posted by
7766 posts

I don't see an easy way to get the off-season ferry schedule "today." You can't assume the June 1 schedule for October. Maybe the Internet Wayback Machine is a last resort.

Posted by
4105 posts

If this was my trip, and coming from Rome, I’d take this early direct fast train to Salerno. Keep in mind this is a 14 hour day.

2 hr 37 min7:30 AM - 9:54 AM

7:30 AM from Roma Termini
17 min
7:30 AMRoma Termini
FR 8333 towards Reggio Di Calabria Centrale
9:50 AMSalerno

Walk
0.8 mi (17 minutes)
9:54 AMSalerno

Train station to ferry dock is a 15 minute walk. Ferry-Amalfi. 10:40 35min.

https://www.travelmar.it/en/timetable-from-april-2023

Bus to Ravello 30 min. Explore. Bus back to Amalfi 30m., ferry to Positano 25 min.

Ferry back to Amalfi 25min explore or continue by ferry 40 min., on to Cetara
For a look at a cute fishing village before ferry back to Salerno 15 min.

Train back to Rome.

6:58 PM Salerno, Province of Salerno, Italy
Walk Walk
1.3 km (15 min)
7:13 PM Salerno
Train
REG
5228Napoli Centrale
Maintenance
Maintenance
Maintenance
Maintenance
8:10 PM 8:30 PM Napoli Centrale
Train
FR
9674Firenze S.Maria Novella
2 stops
8:42 PM
Napoli Afragola
9:38 PM Roma Termini

Posted by
1829 posts

I wouldn't do it personally as a day trip.
Spend 1 night at least ; then it would be worth it.