I will be staying in Positano from Sept. 18-30 and would prefer to take the ferry to visit as many of the neighboring towns/ cities that can be reached by ferry. Can someone tell me where the ferries dock in Positano? Does one have to go to the beach to catch a ferry? if so, how far is it from the town center? Many steps, a steep walk? Or, do the ferries dock at the edge of town, as they do in Lake Como?
Also, are the buses at that time of year as crowded and hot as I have read? As many posters present it, travel by bus sounds very unpleasant. I am grateful for any information!
Posted by
Atlanta
97 posts
The ferry docks at the bottom of town next to the beach. Positano is extremely steep, the town is built on a steep hill. You can walk uphill or take the bus to the top of town, which is where the regular road is that connects Positano to the other towns in the area. It is not like Lake Como, much steeper. My memory of the bus was that it was crowded, but not unpleasant. It was actually kind of fun to bounce around on the steep little road. I suggest using Google maps to get a feel for the layout of the town. It won't show you elevation (it is a big change from top to bottom of town) but it will help get a feel for the distance, which is short.
Posted by
OP
Middletown, New jersey, Usa
22 posts
Thanks, Mike.....this helps considerably.
Posted by
Portland, OR
282 posts
Allyson, as you are standing at the main beach in Positano, the ferry will dock at the cement pier to the right. Leading up to where the ferry docks there are a few wooden "huts" and you buy the ferry ticket at one of the huts (the other huts sell private boat tours, etc.). You really can't miss it. Positano is small - about a 15 minute walk down to the beach from the main bus stop. There are many stairs, but there is also a pedestrian walk-way through the center of town. We visited Amalfi/Ravello and Salerno/Vietri using the ferry and loved it. Amazing views of the entire coast from the sea and I didn't have to deal with crowded buses and car sickness.
Posted by
OP
Middletown, New jersey, Usa
22 posts
Many thanks, EKC. Wonderful information to know.
Posted by
OP
Middletown, New jersey, Usa
22 posts
P.S. I forgot to mention a critical piece of information: I have bad osteoarthritis of the right knee, hence the concern about many steps. I can walk easily for 4+ hours, can walk up mild grades ( hill towns and villages in Tuscany and Umbria were not a problem), but after 100+ steps my knees hurt and walking the next day is very uncomfortable.My objective is to avoid steps unless it's absolutely necessary.
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
The "ferries" are small open boats. They dock at a pier just at the right end of the Positano beach. No stair issues for getting onto a ferry boat but getting around the rest of Positano can be steep. Amalfi by ferry isn't steep. Easy to walk around the main part of town.
Posted by
OP
Middletown, New jersey, Usa
22 posts
Thank you, Doug. Does the hydrofoil service different towns than the ferries?
Does one take it from the same area?