Florence to Positano

When are you going? Will you have luggage? You ok with train travel?

Freccia train to Naples, then take the local line (Circumvesuviana lower level of station) to Sorrento, then car hire or bus. I just found out about Rick's Mondo Tours which I am considering although the time spent in each city is fairly short. The bus from Sorrento to Positano is an hour each way. Hot, crowded and motion-sickening.
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Freccia to Salerno and local bus, car hire, tour to Positano is also an option but is you look at a map Positano is closer to Sorrento unless you also want to go to Amalfi or other small towns Sorrento is the best base camp.

Ferries are a great option but may not be running when you are there. My understanding is they only run in the tourist high season thru mid-Oct.

Travel will be the first week of November. We will be traveling with a rollerbag each. After your info I'm leaning towards hiring car from Sorrento or Salerno since my daughter gets car sick easily. Have you done this trip before? Any idea how long it will take us to get to Positano?

Maria, with your daughter's tender stomach, I'd consider using a private transfer from Sorrento to Positano as Sorrento is closer than Salerno, and the ferries do not show as running to/from Positano in November or I'd suggest you use those.

http://www.positano.com/en/ferry-schedule

They do appear to be running from Naples to Sorrento, though, so that is an option.

She'll have to endure the least amount of time on the curvy roads from Sorrento, and I'll strongly suggest that you give her an over-the-counter motion sickness medication the evening before and day of the journey. See if the driver will allow her to sit in the front seat; I've had severe motion sickness all of my life, and the worst place for me is the back seat.

Trains have not bothered me so I'll also suggest taking them from Florence to Sorrento (fast trains from Florence to Naples; Circumvesuviana commuter from Naples to Sorrento. The commuter is a bare bones train short on creature comforts but is cheap and gets the job done! The temperature inside shouldn't be overly hot in November, either. The plus with the trains is that you do not have to transfer from Napoli Centrale to/from ferry docks. Same with Sorrento unless you have a driver pick you up right at Marina Piccola.

Then again, if your budget generous, you could consider a private transfer from Napoli Centrale to Positano?

We haven't done the Sorrento-Positano SITA bus run for the same reason as you're considering other options - I knew my stomach couldn't take it - but we were able to do it by ferry: not an option for you. We did have to use a private transfer from Sorrento to Naples to catch a 7:00 AM flight, and I was plenty miserable by the time we got to the airport. Was in the back seat of the van, and didn't expect roads to be so curvy so I hadn't taken any Dramamine or similar.

Maria,

The Freccia trains from Florence to Naples are about 2.5 hrs and very nice. Florence is the easiest train station in Italy. Not more than 15min to departure just look at the board to match your train number (not destination) to the track. Freccia trains south run about every half hour from 7am to 9pm. No need to buy tickets in advance.

When you stop in Naples leave your bags at the left luggage desk for a few hours (about 7 euro). Cross the crazy street (see Rick's Naples episode for tips on how to do it :) which will take you to the Garibaldi metro station. From there you can get to the National Archaeological Museum; highly recommended if you plan to go to Pompeii. The metro stations are clean, safe and have great colorful designs.

After seeing Naples, do the metro in reverse, cross back to the Centrale Station. As you head in there will be a down stairwell on the left which will take you to the local Circumvesuviana line. Buy your ticket (2 euro) for this local train at the newsstand about half-way down the stairs. You should use the restroom at the main station before leaving...in general when you see a public toilet use it because you never know when there will be another one (a good point to drive home with your daughter)

Pay attention to the arrival board on the middle track (left side) "Pompeii Scavi" is the stop for the ancient site, but be careful there is another Pompeii stop that is not where you want to go. When is doubt ask a local. There is a nice view of the volcano as you ride along. You can also get a bus from Pompeii Scavi that will take you up to the rim.
Sorrento is pretty much at the end of the CV line (1 hr) and walkable to pretty much everywhere in town. If you want to do Pompeii another day it is about 30 min on the same train from Sorrento.

Watch your purse, Naples and the local trains are touristy but rough. Only get help from people in official uniforms. The "helpful" children who offer to translate the ticket machines for you are a scam/pickpockets. Your luggage will tell them you are unsuspecting tourists.

Dramamine has an ingredient that will make you sleepy. Instead look into motion-sickness bracelets (Amazon) and use Dramamine or ginger chews as back up.

They make a non-drowsy Dramamine, and bands/ginger do not work at all for me.

The Amalfi Coast in a bus or car is not a great place to find out what doesn't work so I'd go with whatever works FOR SURE for this young lady. There is nothing worse than being so carsick that you can't have a good time. Been there! :O(

Thank you all so much. Your information coupled with Rick Steves guide gives me a great foundation to work with. I hadn't thought about the ferry not running in November nor the motion sickness my daughter will certainly have to prepare for. Thanks again! Maria