Positano vs Praiano

This is a highly popular area so transport is not as simple as it sounds--buses will be very crowded in June. I would stay in Praiano if I wanted to chill/hike and enjoy the immediate surroundings, with maybe one big day trip. If I had plans for multiple day trips, I would choose one of the towns on the ferry line (Google Travelmar).
Ideal to me is to stay somewhere like Naples-Sorrento-Salerno for a couple days for intensive sightseeing and then a couple days in a small village, but I realize others prefer to unpack once.

What are your travel dates? Some times of the year are very crowded, especially on the buses which get full. I personally would never stay in Positano, rather up in Ravello. Praia no is not ideal due to being bus dependent.

Hi Monica -
Personal preference, probably, but if I was planning to explore multiple locations on the coast, I'd want to choose a location which offers ferry service...which Praiano does not have. I'd say this would especially be important if traveling during high season, which you will be. The reports from other travelers regarding gridlock/very slow road travel this summer would cause me to want to consider ferry travel FIRST before relying too heavily on the buses.

That said, I'm not a fan of Positano either due to cost, how over-visited it has become, and how little to do of interest there, not that lack of activities might be a factor for you. Would you consider splitting your 5 days into 2 nights in one location, and 3 in another? Pricewise, I'd look at Salerno for exploring Amalfi, Positano, Ravello and Salerno itself. For Capri, consider Sorrento or even Naples, if you'd be traveling through there enroute to the coast or departing through there. There is frequent ferry service from Naples (and Sorrento) to the island, and two nights in Naples would give you time to explore what wouldn't be included in your guided tour. A note about that tour? IMHO, Pompeii, Herculaneum and Naples is too much to try and cram into a day, especially if wishing to visit the excellent archeological museum in Naples where many of the treasures from both excavations are housed.

Also, this:

I am there Sunday through Saturday with those two days being travel
days, so 5 full days in the Amalfi Coast.

Where will you be coming from, and where will you be going after the A.C.? Most of us caution against being on the coast the same day as a flight out of Rome, or even a morning/midday flight out of Naples.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/getting-around-the-amalfi-and-sorrento-coast-without-a-car

A recent extended discussion here above. The area is very, very crowded. If the ferries are canceled due to weather in Positano, you are stuck. Where did you read the SITA buses are reliable? Those buses are jammed, and often don't stop to pick up more passengers if they have no room. You can stand in line waiting for an hour plus. The transportation infrastructure in the area is underdeveloped. There is no quick, efficient mode to get anywhere. The area is a victim of its own success- overexposure.
Good luck!

Thanks for all the responses! I am one of those people who likes to unpack once and not move given that I am there for a limited amount of time. Will definitely look into a location with access to the ferry. My days are June 2 - June 8.

If I were to rank in order of "what I really want to do"
1. Pompei and Herculaneum
2. Food Tour w/ Cooking Class -- finding several options and leaning towards this https://www.rosatoprivatetour.com/sorrento-family-food-tour-from-amalfi-coast/
3. Amalfi Coast Towns - wander at a leisurely pace and just relax. Have Positano here and maybe other little towns recommended.
4. Capri

And I am flying home from Naples; will hire a private transfer for this.

I recognize the Food Tour is pricey, but this is "me time" trip to celebrate a belated 50th birthday and finally being at happy place 3 years post divorce.

Good news is early June should not be terribly hot. If you don't mind a slightly longer walk (15 minutes from Trenitalia station), and the extra leg of transport to Vietri for the train, any of the mainland end villages on the Travelmar line can put you in reach of Pompeii.
How are you arriving--could you stop at Herculaneum on the way in?
You can visit Capri from Salerno, just a longer ferry ride.

I am coming from France after spending 9 days there, flying into Naples. I will have a private transfer scheduled, so I could perhaps visit Pompei and Herculaneum that day. The flight I am looking at from Paris arrives at 11:30 AM.

Unfortunately I can't do them in reverse order to come to Italy late May as I want to catch the first couple of rounds of the French Open the last week of May.

Monica, congrats on taking a "me" trip, and on your evolution post-divorce. You've most likely had a long journey to this point, so I wish you a wonderful journey to Europe. Safe travels!

Oh, we used Aldolimos for private drivers on our recent May trip, and highly recommend them.

The flight I am looking at from Paris arrives at 11:30 AM... will have
a private transfer scheduled, so I could perhaps visit Pompei and
Herculaneum that day.

With only a half day to work with, I wouldn't try to do both of these enroute to whichever base you choose, especially as you've ranked both top of your must-see list. Pompeii is VAST, and takes considerable time for visitors with more than just passing interest in the place to cover ground. As well, as you've ranked both excavations top of list, I'd encourage a visit to the Naples archeological museum (closed Tuesdays).

https://mann-napoli.it/en/home-english/

I really think Salerno would work for just about everything on your list except Capri: it's a 2-hour ferry haul, one-way, between those two so 4 hours total. It's only 20 minutes, one-way, from Sorrento, or an hour from Naples.

As well from Salerno would be a day trip to Paestrum. That one has seen umpty mentions from prior posters, and is reported to be an easy trip by train from that particular city. Given your interest in Pompeii/Herculaneum, you might enjoy this one too?

https://museopaestum.cultura.gov.it/?lang=en

Thanks Kathy! I think Pompei and Herculaneum are about all I want to see as far anything history focused.. though the entire area is historical! I think I rather redirect my time to a cooking experience/something food related. I was a Personal Chef for four years and did a lot of Italian cuisine.

I was a Personal Chef for four years and did a lot of Italian cuisine

Goodness, that's an interesting detail about you! Of course you should play with some food!!! 🍽

Just don’t let anyone hear you call the Mediterranean SEA, an “ocean” - my daughter made that mistake and a local person jumped all over her.

I can get behind that! Just like me eye rolling people who call the shores of Lake Michigan a beach. I grew up in Puerto Rico and expect a beach to be salted water.

Look at Villa Pietra Santa in Positano. When I was struggling with the high prices for lodging in Positano, I stumbled upon this sweet, family owned hotel. Every room has a magnificent ocean view with a wonderful large balcony and private jacuzzi. I spent one day just reading my book on the chaise lounge because I didn't want to leave it. Another added bonus is that it is right above the Airenzo Beach Club and has private access to it (splurge and make a reservation for the beach club, you will not regret it). Ask for room 11.
We found it better to split our time between Sorrento and Positano because transportation is such an challenge on the Amalfi Coast. In Sorrento we hired Gaetano Manfredi for an all day tour of Pompeii and Herculeum. He picked us up at our hotel and we had sufficient time at both locations. From Sorrento we caught an organized boat tour of Capri at the small harbor through MBS Blu Charter. It was a great experience.
We hired Aldo Limos to private transfer us from Naples Airport and to do an all day tour of Amalfi, Ravello and the countryside. We had plenty of time to tour each spot. We have no problem taking public transportation but after seeing the very long lines for the busses and how crowded they were, were were very glad we hired Aldo Limos. Plus a storm knocked out the ferry pier in Positano so that mode of transportation was not possible. We still got to experience the beautiful scenery of Positano from the water because the Airenzo Beach Club has a small boat that ferries you from the club to the main part of Positano.
P.S. Have a great time at the French Open
I went last year and loved it. Just be sure to pre-book your lunch. It makes things easier.

Beach: a shore of a body of water covered by sand, gravel, or larger rock fragments

A beach does not require salt water to be a 'beach'

https://www.merriam-webster.com/

ITSV - thanks for all the details here ! For now I have a place in Praiano via AirBnB; but will check out the place you recommend since I can always cancel the AirBnB booking.

I went to the French in 2019 and loved it.. going back because (1) love tennis, (2) clay is my favorite surface to play on, (3) LOVE Nadal and he is retiring next year! Will look into prebooking the lunch. Didn't have any issues in 2019 but it feels like we ate a late lunch in both days, so maybe that's why.