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Naples to Amalfi (Minori) vis Salerno - bus or ferry?

We will be traveling from Naples to Amalfi Coast (Minori), and I am trying to plan to best possible way to get from there.
Some options I am considering:

  1. Naples to Minori by direct bus (is such option available).
    Pros: direct trip, no transfers
    Cons: I am a bit worried about getting motion sick for such a long trip in a bus, especially considering the wavy coast road. But I am not super prone to become motion-sick, although it depends on many things (driver, a particular type of bus, road, how I am feeling that day in general).
    Other cons??

  2. Naples to Salerno (train), Salerno to Minori (bus).
    Pros: The bus station to Minori is in the same area as the Salerno train station.
    Cons: Same concerns becoming motion sick in the bus ride.
    Other cons???

  3. Naples to Salerno (train), Salerno to Minori (ferry).
    Pros: No (or much less) concerns about becoming motion sick.
    Cons: Need to get to Port of Salerno from the Salerno train station (catching a bus, which may be overcrowded, buying a bus ticket somewhere, figuring out other logistics, etc.)
    Other cons??

Of course, there is also a schedule factor, but that's separate consideration.

Thanks for any suggestions and advice!

Posted by
795 posts

I would always go with 3 unless it was a hurricane :)

The "Port of Salerno" is about a 10 minute walk towards the water directly out from the train station (unless it is from the main commercial port, and that will be easily reached by taxi). And most of it is on a jetty/breakwater type thing with a wall. It's a pleasant walk unless you have too much luggage. If you can get a ferry directly to Minori, there is NO bus involved.

Posted by
338 posts

I don’t know if option 1 is available but even if it is I would go with option 3. The ferry rides are very scenic, they will be one of the top highlights of your trip. Unless you have a history of motion sickness, I wouldn’t worry about it at all. In the 8 days I was in the area I never saw anyone get sick.

Posted by
16622 posts

Another vote for option 3.
If you suffer from any sort of motion sickness, your chances of having an issue are smaller on a train + ferry journey than in a vehicle on AC roads.

If the port you're departing Salerno from is Piazza Concordia, you can easily walk to it from the train station unless overloaded with luggage. Est. time is about 6-7 minutes; no need for a bus.

Posted by
5107 posts

Just confirming--you are coming from Naples city center and not the airport, right? There are direct airport buses to Salerno, which is why I ask. It's all city driving.
The drive from Salerno to Minori is short enough that I would not worry about motion sickness if the schedule works better, but if course the ferry is better all day long.

Posted by
314 posts

You didn't say when you are traveling as some ferries do not run year round. I am travelling in November 2024 staying in Sorrento and doing the Amalfi coast so have done some checking on the ferry schedule.

Posted by
90 posts

As mentioned, time of year matters, ferries dont travel in winter

I dont think option one exisits.

We did Salerno to Positano on the bus in January. At this time of year, it is not crowded, so easy. The trip is out of this world, and could cause some travel sickness. We had heaps of lemon lollies and were happy.

The bus ride is nuts, we came accross a bus passing another bus, next to a working donkey and cart. I have no idea how the physics worked on that one.

Also a lot of tooting, and I mean a lot...

So, yes, ferry is the best choice, Bus is an adventure.

Posted by
65 posts

Thank you for all your responses, much appreciated!!

Option 3 it is then (likely)! Although, I am wondering now if I should get a bus (Flix Bus) from Naples to Salerno and then ferry to Minori? Bus ride from Naples to Salerno may be more scenic than the train and not too windy to get motion-sick... And it's even cheaper than train in some cases... Anyway, something to think more about.

We will be staying in Naples for a couple of days before heading to AC. We will be travelling in early July, so ferries should be available (weather permitting). The only thing with ferries is that, I believe, it actually is departing from a different port - Rione Porto, - which Google Maps showing is about 30 min walk or 10 min ride from the train station.

Posted by
65 posts

Christine, I am looking at Direct Ferries (TravelMar), and unfortunately I cannot see from where the ferry is departing: I went through the entire booking process (but not paid yet) and nowhere can such information be seen.
When I look at Google maps, it only shows TravelMar ferries and it shows that the ferry departs from Stazione Marittima di Salerno (which is in Rione Porto).

I looked at the website Positano com (thank you for the link!!) and it redirects to TravelMar website (not sure why I haven't looked at this website directly!), and there it does show the ferries departing from Salerno Concordia. So, I will go ahead and book directly from Travel Mar!

Thank you!