Naples to Amalfi Coast

Do you have Rick Steves’ guidebook? He covers such practicalities and alternatives from budget to $$$ in his book. I think he does a great job on Naples and the Amalfi Coast.

A taxi transfer from NAP Airport to the Amalfi Coast for four passengers with four pieces of luggage runs about $150.

www.welcomepickups.com is the site of one company offering transfers. Another, similarly priced, can be booked at www.transfeero.com
A rideshare company-- similar to Uber and Lyft-- called BlaBlaCar also does the NAP Airport to Amalfi Coast run for a fraction of the taxi cost. The website is www.blablacar.co.uk
The seasonally operating ferries also take passengers from Naples to Amalfi Town beginning in June, which precludes that being an option for your trip during May.
Sita Sud and Pintour both run buses directly from NAP Airport to Amalfi Town. The cost for the Sita bus runs about $28 for four passengers. Sita tickets can be bought online or on board the bus. For details, contact [email protected]. Pintour
can be contacted at [email protected]

Where on the coast are you headed?
Could take direct train to Salerno then ferry or bus to your location.

Not sure you'd want to do this with jetlag, but we took the ferry from Naples to Amalfi Town. It's a BEAUTIFUL ferry ride. On the way back, we hired a car to take us to Pompei, (don't recall where we stored the luggage). And if you're staying in Naples a few nights the Archaeological Museum of Naples is fabulous.

We took a train to Sorrento (and slept there). We picked up a rental car one morning and drove (via the long tunnel on the autostrada) south past Salerno to visit the Greek ruins at Paestum. We drove back to Sorrento via the Amalfi coast (stopping if we found parking) along the way. Driving in this direction, you are on the hill side of the road rather than the cliff side. Also watch for oncoming buses when approaching many of the sharp turns as they require all the lanes. Not too difficult in October, but cannot vouch for May.
Agree that the Archeology Museum in Naples is great and worth some time.. Besides, you can get a REAL pizza while in Naples.

In April 2022, we used both of these companies for transportation in the Amalfi Coast. I would recommend either one if you decide to use a car service.

https://mydaytrip.com/

https://www.topexcursionsorrento.com/

If you post again, please name your actual destination. This link below is about Sorrento, which is not on the Amalfi Coast, but you may find it useful in thinking about your needs.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/naples-to-sorrento-train-or-private-driver

The main hubs are Naples in the north, and Salerno in the south. There is a large peninsula sticking out in-between - with Sorrento and Pompeii on the north, and Positano/Amalfi/Ravello on the other side. All of these can be connected with (somewhat slow) ferries and buses. There is a slow train from Naples to Sorrento (1 hour with 20+ stops). There is a high speed train to Salerno, then a short ferry to Amalfi/Positano. There is also a bus from Sorrento to Positano - but I made that trip standing room only, and my back was thrown out by the violent turns. You might find Sorrento to be half the price of Positano.

Besides Rick's & Lonely Planet books that outline options, I found this as well. I'm going in the fall of 2023 & staying in Sorrento, so this bus seems the most straight forward to me.

https://www.curreriviaggi.it/en/naples-airport-shuttle
Rick's book states the Circumvesuviana can be very crowded with lots of pick pockets. Here's a link to the 2022 Circumvesuviana schedule - this too ends in Sorrento.
https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/naples-to-sorrento-train-schedule

Last May, we were on the Amalfi Coast. My feeling is that there is no easy way to get from one place to another. This year in May, it was crowded and it was hot. During our days there, we took a lot of different kinds of transportation. Our first ferry from Salerno to Amalfi was really good. The ferry started there and from the train station, was easy to get a ticket, locate and find a seat. Subsequent ferries from Amalfi were a zoo with hoards packing the landing to get on. The buses along the coast were beyond jam-packed and an exercise in keeping your balance and breakfast. Doing any of these with a group and much luggage, gives me the shivers. Leaving Amalfi, we hired a car which took us to Pompeii and later to the Naples train station. We booked these guys through their website. http://www.benvenutodriver.com/ The driver didn't have much English but it was all good. Not cheap but civilized and comfortable. I think they have vans.

We were also a party of 4 adults and we used https://www.topexcursionsorrento.com/. Giovanni was excellent and we used his service 3 different days. First, for a transfer from Rome to Positano(My husband is elderly and we did not want to bother with changing trains or ferries). The 2nd time we hired him for an all day trip exploring the coast---Ravello and Amalfi. And the 3rd was our transfer from Positano to Naples to catch our train to Florence.

He speaks great English and is from Sorrento.

We used Top Excursions on May 2019 and we’re very happy

Along with the Circumvesuviana there is the “tourist” version Campania Express that runs same tracks, less frequently and slightly more $$
https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/campania-express-train-schedule

If OP could share exactly where they are headed on the coast we could give more specific advice on best options