My niece and I are planning a trip to Rome and the Amalfi Coast over Thanksgiving. I'd like to stay in Positano, but only if we can use bus/ferry/trains to get around. Ideally, we would like to hike the path of the gods, ride the coast road, visit Capri island see Amalfi town.
Does anyone know how plentiful ferries and buses are that late in the year? Not renting a car.
Ferry transport will depend on how the seas are doing. I was in Salerno in early May and the ferries were not running because of rough seas. It only lasted a day. We took a public bus which turned into its own adventure. Hey, that’s what traveling is all about. Enjoy - you will be there at a good time of year without the crowds.
The ferries on the AC dont usually run after the end of October, although the ferries between Sorrento and Naples and the islands will run as weather and seas permit. Only Salerno has a regular train station. Sorrento is on the Circumvesuviana line. For places actually on the AC you would need a bus, taxi or car that time of year.
Also be aware that after October some businesses on the AC will close for the season. And while it won't be cold, it is the rainiest month, so hiking may be problematic.
Just backing up CJean here....
Ferries don't run the Amalfi Coast in the winter (late November is considered winter) so you won't have that option if staying in Positano. As well, there is no rail service to Positano at any time of year, only to Salerno or Sorrento. Hiking will be dependent on weather.
Ferries do run from Naples to Capri, Naples to Sorrento, and Sorrento to Capri, although a fair amount of restaurants, shops and whatnot on the island will be closed in late November.
https://www.capri.com/en/e/bite-size-guide-to-the-island-in-winter
Thanks! Any insight into bus service? Will that continue to be fairly regular that time of year?
All year, Positano is a poor choice for daytripping, unless you hire a car and driver every day. Sorrento is less "lovely", but has excellent public transportation. I worry about seasonal retail closures (no personal experience in winter) making Positano really dull. I suggest you spend one day visiting both Positano and Amalfi from Sorrento.
Try to download an off-season SITA bus schedule for that area or province.
Super helpful! Thank you!
Tammy, this isn't from the SITA site but is easier to read, and I assume they'll update schedules as this year and 2023 progress, Contains schedules for multiple routes around the coast.
https://www.ravello.com/sita-bus-schedule/
Expanded SITA schedules for Campania (this is the SITA site, in Italian only):
https://www.sitasudtrasporti.it/orari
Here is the bus schedule for Sorrento to Amalfi.
https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/sorrento-to-positano-bus-schedule
For other locations use the square button.
For Capri, you could do that as a day trip from either Naples or Sorrento by ferry.
I like Positano better than Sorrento, however at the time of the year when you are going, you are better off staying in Sorrento and visit Positano (and Amalfi) on a day trip by bus. In winter there are no ferries from Positano to Capri, and buses are on a reduced schedule. Also Positano might be kind of dead, especially if the weather is iffy. Therefore it is more efficient to use Sorrento as a base to visit Capri, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, Herculaneum, and even Naples.
Thanks for the bus schedule, Gerri. It's helpful to get an idea of what's possible. Any idea if this is still valid in November? I didn't see dates.
Tammy, the published schedule on the SITA site is valid as of 9/27/2022. They do not say when it will update again but I don't expect it will change much. Look at the "Autolinea- Amalfi - Positano - Sorrento (via Meta - via Massa Lubrense - via Nastro Verde)" schedule.
As Kathy stated, the bus timetable will change for the winter season. You can pick up one from the bus company, or your lodging may have one.
Here are some walks/hikes from the Sorrento area.
