HI there,
We will be there in 3 weeks!! :) We will take the ferry from Naples to Sorrento, next day: Sorrento to Ischia, We are in Sorrento 2 nights and then staying in Maori. Will take ferries to visit Positano, Ravello, etc and leave via Salerno to take train to Florence. Do we need to book ahead for any of these ferries? I heard there are long lines to buy tickets on the spot. Is it best to book the day before ( or much more ahead). Would like flexibility but don't know if it's cheaper if we book in advance like the trains?
TIA! :)
Posted by
4427 posts
The Amalfi Coast ferries can be booked here:
https://www.travelmar.it/en/index
This site seems good for Sorrento ferries:
https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/ferry-schedule
I see not reason not to if you know your general schedule--it is not cheaper, but you will avoid lines. It should be pretty busy by mid May.
Posted by
Ohio
1 posts
Hi Tia! We will be following the responses to your post with interest. We are planning the same trip next May prior to our Rick Steves tour of Tuscany. We would be interested to learn where are staying in Sorrento? Thank you. Neal.
Posted by
San Diego, California
4751 posts
Note that the ferries are very weather dependent, and when we were there last May, 2023, were frequently canceled due to the storms we had. Positano has a smaller dock, so smaller ferries serve it, and is more sensitive to the weather conditions.
Folks here have reported that the ferry docks aren't always very well organized, and that folks buying tickets on the spot can rush ahead of those with tickets purchased in advance, then the ferry fills up, and those with pre-purchased tickets have to wait for the next ferry. I'm not sure how often this happens, I'm sure many here will report their own experiences.
Things just don't work so well in this part of Italy, it's somewhat chaotic, so just be forewarned. The infrastructure has been sadly neglected and moving around via any mode takes patience and is time-consuming. Once you have accepted and prepared for the realities on the ground, you'll have a wonderful visit in this beautiful area. Safe travels!
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4118 posts
When you buy, you're given a voucher that you have to go to the ticket office to redeem. We did that once we got there, a day before our trip in order to avoid the early morning line.
Posted by
OP
16 posts
Neal, we booked our stay on Booking.com and looked at the reviews and did not want to pay for a high end place since we are just sleeping there and out all the time. Our criteria is price, looking at the reviews (8.8 or higher) clean, safe, queen size bed, with cancellation policy and in ~10 min walking distance to ferry/train. We are staying at Sorrento Flowers Rooms for $439 for 2 nights including tax in mid May. Hope that helps! :)
Posted by
OP
16 posts
Thank you all. Greatly appreciate it! :)
Posted by
Los Angeles
4412 posts
Reach out to Elizabeth she will answer all your questions
Posted by
Miami
257 posts
I was there in early April and didn’t see lines long to buy ferry tickets in Sorrento, Capri or Amalfi. Maybe in May will be different. I can see benefits in buying the tickets the day before but not weeks ahead of time. Just make sure you get to the marina about 15 minutes before the ferry leaves so you’re towards the front of the line to board and not at the end.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
696 posts
I also vote the earliest you need to buy is the day before, but all of the times that I have purchased ferry tickets in Salerno, Capri, Amalfi, and Positano I have MAYBE had one person in front of me the day of....
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7324 posts
Keep in mind that ferryboats vary enormously, not only because Positano has a much smaller harbor and dock, but because ferry operators use different sized boats to match crowd size and occasional auto/truck schedules. Ferries to distant places, like Capri or Ischia can be expected to have sealed windows and no outside riding. Sorrento is fully occupied by the last week in May, so don't expect to miss the crowds. I don't recommend risking "the last ferry" of the day, especially from May to September.
There's nothing wrong with going to Salerno to go to Florence, but you might add up the travel (and waiting) times and decide just how many times you need "to see the AC from the .... water." The Circumvesuviana commuter rail is unpleasantly hot and crowded. But it does go directly to the Naples central train station. Look at the Trenitalia site and see if you have a change in Rome. Also remember that Frecciarossa advance-purchase discounts mean you can't leave early or later than you booked, and you can't get a refund.
I trust you know that ferries do not go to Ravello, but only to Amalfi, below Ravello. You did not mention Pompeii, but keep in mind that Maiori is not a low-budget travel-expense base to visit Pompeii. Sorrento has the cheapest transit to ancient Pompeii. Do you understand that the Pompeii stops on the train from SALERNO are not directly at the ancient site?