How much time to allow in Amalfi Coast?

Posted by Joni (Houston, Texas, USA) on 07/15/16 10:39 PM

Hello Fellow Travelers,

We are planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast in late April or May 2017. I have been reading many of your posts and have noticed there are many must see sights in this area. We have to see Pompeii, Capri and are thinking about basing ourselves in Sorrento. I e\read that there is a hop on hop off bus now running from Sorrento to Positano, has anyone done this? Another question...from Sorrento can you see Positano, Ravello and Amalfi in one day? Can you take the ferry back from Amalfi to Sorrento? What would be the best way to get to Paestum from Sorrento?
Any and all help would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Joni

Posted by John

CA, USA

07/15/16 10:58 PM

1272 posts

Can you take the ferry back from Amalfi to Sorrento?

A qualified yes. We took a ferry on this route. They don't run if the seas are rough, and the boats are seasonal (April may be early). And the departure times are not evenly spread thru the day but tend to be grouped a bit. Check at the dock when you arrive in Amalfi to see when the departures are. You may find yourself with a boat back leaving in 45 minutes, the next boat after that in 3+ hours.

Posted by gerri

lexington, il

07/15/16 11:36 PM

4105 posts

For the places you wish to see you're going to need 4 nights.

Looks like you'll be there early spring, so the Sita bus day pass would be a better value.

The HOHO bus is usually less crowded, but more expensive.

Here are the bus and ferry timetables. For the area.

http://www.positano.com

To get to Paestum , take the bus or ferry (weather permitting) to Salerno. Train station is by the port. Purchase a R/T ticket to Paestum. Be sure to check the schedule for return times.

For Capri ferry from Sorrento.
This is an all day affair.

Pompeii, take the Circumvesuvian to the Pompeii Scavi stop. Allow at least 3-4 hours.

Use the ferry to Amalfi and the bus on the return trip. (Busses run later than the ferry).
Have a great time planning.

Posted by Carla

Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years

07/15/16 11:38 PM

1175 posts

Yes, you can see Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi in one day. It will just be a quick visit, but it's definitely doable.

Many people use a taxi service like Monetti Taxi to drive them around the region - this is nice because you will get stops when possible for photos.

We have just used the Sita bus - we loved the crazy ride on the hairpin turns ! Note that you must get off the bus in Amalfi and get on another bus - literally across the street - there is a sign - to ride up to the town of Ravello.

Posted by Nicole P

Truro, NS, Canada

07/16/16 05:17 PM

3943 posts

We did 3 nights back in '14, which gave us 2 days and an evening (we stopped at Pompeii before heading there). Our first full day we did a private tour with Sorrento Silver Stay (we were staying in Atrani, so we explored Amalfi on our own) which took us to Ravello, Sorrento and Positano - with about 90-120 min in each. The next day we went back Ravello (my fav) and walked back down a trail to Atrani. When we were there it was quite hot (early Sept), so we weren't as active as we would have been in cooler weather (we needed siestas in the afternoon).

I would say at least 4-5 nights for what you want to do if you don't want to be rushed. It's on my return list some year and I'll be planning at least 5 nights.