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Finishing up travel details

Ok, I'm finished with my trip fast approaching on July 3rd. I need to get from Rome to Positano. Is it correct to take the high speed train from Rome to Sorrento, is that correct - Italia Rail. Or is going to Salerno better? Also we are staying near Pantheon in Rome, which train station is closest? And then book a ferry from Sorrento or Salerno to Positano? Which ferry is it I'm looking to book? There seem to be a few.

Posted by
3112 posts

First, don't use Italia Rail, a ticket reseller, to purchase tickets. Use the websites of the actual train companies, Trenitalia or Italo. Trenitalia operates more frequent high speed trains than Italo, but Italo prices are often lower.

High speed trains run to Naples and Salerno but not to Sorrento. You can take a high speed train to Naples and then use a combination of local train, ferry and/or bus to get to Positano. You can also arrange a private transfer, which is easier but much more expensive. Alternatively, you can take a high speed train to Salerno and then use bus and/or ferry to get to Positano. I tend to use local train and bus, so I'll let others comment on details about the ferries.

Posted by
15679 posts

This similar question was asked in one of your earlier posts:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/train-from-rome-to-positano-cdf71484-e920-4775-bce8-e3940d9e2d4f

As Frank said, don't use Italiarail, and there are no high-speed trains to Sorrento: you can take one to Naples but then you have to switch to the Circumvesuviana commuter or Campania Express train. The latter only runs 4 times a day so it's difficult to make the timing work. From Sorrento you'd have to take either a ferry, a SITA bus or private driver to Positano.

High-speed trains to Napoli Centrale (or Salerno) can be explored on Trenitalia or Italo websites.

Circumvesuviana and Express schedule from Naples to Sorrento as well as SITA bus and ferry schedules for the Sorrentine/A.C. region can be found under "Getting to Sorrento" on this site:

https://www.sorrentoinsider.com

The train station closest to you in Rome is Termini.
It doesn't matter "which" ferry you take: you want the one with a final destination of Positano which works with your arrival timing in either Sorrento or Salerno. You do need to give yourself time to get from train stations to the port, and in Sorrento that will involve a taxi or public bus. Not sure about Salerno.

Posted by
5955 posts

We were just there and stayed in Amailfi
From there we took a ferry to Salerno and caught fast train to Venice
So I would suggest fast train from Rome to Salerno from Termini
We took a cab from our hotel near Pantheon to Termini it was about 10 euros
Then ferry to Positano- you will have to change ferries in Amalfi
That avoids the Naples/Circumvesuviana train bit since you don’t need to be in Sorrento

You shouldn’t need to book that Salerno ferry to Positano in advance
The ferry dock is about a 5-10 min slightly downhill
Very easy

The ferry ride was very nice great scenery and open air
The buses are very crowded hot and stuffy

Posted by
215 posts

Thanks everyone. Thanks Frank, after returning from Walt Disney World vacation and having my brain sucked out of my head for 7 days I couldn't find my old post! Thanks all for the suggestions, off I go to finish booking the kid free vacation!!

Posted by
5955 posts

A good alternative if it's in your budget is to take a fast train to Naples then arrange a private driver to Positano. We just did this to Sorrento and thought it was money well sent. Our driver was waiting right at end of track and whisked us off in a air conditioned Mercedes van.
We used this company for 2 transfers and were very pleased with their service and rates
https://www.topexcursionsorrento.com

Naples to Positano rate is 137€:
https://www.topexcursionsorrento.com/en/i/SVKRF

You'll get a great drive along the coast from Sorrento to Positano right to your door and it will be much faster than the train/ferry I posted above. (If you take ferry to Positano you still need to get to your lodgings which probably means lots of steep stepsl!)

Posted by
301 posts

All good advice given... I'd just like to add that we went from Rome to Sorrento via Naples. We took the high-speed train Rome-Naples and Naples-Rome. On the way to Sorrento, we took the local train in lieu of the ferry because it seemed easier/better "on paper."

Whew! The local train made a NY subway look like the high speed Italian trains. But it was convenient, because the local was really just downstairs from the high-speed train.

We opted for the ferry from Sorrento back to Naples, and I'm glad we did. That said, we cabbed it from the ferry terminal to the train station, which means you pay more for the boat and the cab ride.

I like the idea of a personal transfer, and clearly see the obvious ease and convenience it offers.

So, there are lots of options -- all based on personal preferences and budget.

Posted by
215 posts

Thanks everyone, the quotes I'm getting from Sorrento to Positano are about 260 euros. Trying to figure out which route to go - literally!

Posted by
11056 posts

Sorrento to Positano- take a bus or ferry. It isn’t far. Your quote is outrageous.

Posted by
5955 posts

Sorrento to Positano are about 260 euros.<<

Whoa! that doesn't seem right- we paid 100euros from Sorrento to Amalfi which is a bit further than Positano- how many people? not sure why that would matter though

Posted by
18 posts

We are also going from Rome to Positano and are taking high speed train to Salerno. Then short walk to ferry dock to boat to Positano. Another poster here said that you have to change ferries in Amalfi, but my understanding is that the same boat stops in amalfi and then continues on to Positano. Anyone please correct me if I am wrong!

Posted by
15679 posts

Sorrento to Positano are about 260 euros

Whoa! That doesn't seem right to me either. Per chance are you looking at round-trip fares? And you're sure you asked for Sorrento> Positano and not Salerno> Positano (tho quote would still be pretty high unless RT)?

Posted by
215 posts

Kathy you are right I read the wrong quote. The higher one was Positano to Pompeii :) The quote for Salerno to Positano was 150 EURO

Posted by
15679 posts

Arg. Train from Sorrento to Pompeii is soooooo cheap: under 4 euros pp one-way.

Posted by
5955 posts

Aaaah- that's more like it!

Seriously if you are settled on train to Salerno then just take the ferry from there to Positano. Your bigger problem will be getting yourself UP the hill from the ferry and down the highway to your lodgings which look to be outside of Positano on the way to Amalfi.

I think you are looking at Top Excusion Sorrento- correct?
https://www.topexcursionsorrento.com/?portal_referer_id=46
As I posted above- their rate from Naples to Positano is 137€ which sounds quite reasonable to me. (and this would take you right to your hotel- you wouldn't need to worry about getting UP the hill from port.)

We did ask for a quote from Ravello to Salerno- that was 147€ so we said no- as it was too expensive and we wanted to see the coast from Amalfi to Salerno so we opted for bus and ferry- which was just fine (other than the guy who had celebrated a bit too much the night before and was sick on the bus- thankfully the bus was not packed to the gills so we were able to move).

I also think the 260€ quote you are referring to is a full day 9 hour tour to Pompeii/Herculaneum & Vesuvius from Positano.

Just for reference we paid Top Excursion 95€ from Naples to Sorrento, then 100€ from Sorrento to Amalfi. It was a bit of a splurge for us but we were very happy with the service.

Also wanted to add -if you want to visit Pompeii from Positano it would be very simple to take the bus from Positano to Sorrento- Sponda stop probably closest to your hotel- then Circumvesuviana to Pompeii. Try to catch an early bus like 8ish and make the 9:37 train from Sorrento and you can do a Mondo Guide tour of Pompeii- they meet at 11. Maybe return to Sorrento for lunch after Pompeii then home via ferry or bus. The whole trip won't cost much at all.