Rome and Positano

Chris, to get the best answers, you need to post a little more information:

Has your group ever been to Europe before?
How many in your group? Ages?
What is your home city or area?
What budget category is the trip?
Have you bought any air tickets yet? Does your airport serve Naples at all?
Is sightseeing (broadly categorized) or leisure more important?
Did you pick Positano for climate or history/artistic resources?
What is the total length of the trip, in nights on the ground in Europe?
What else do you hope to do from Positano? This is important because Positano is poorly connected for daytripping in high season.

My thought was to fly into Rome stay for 3 days then head to Positano
for 6 nights.

Hi Chris -
Welcome to the forums. A few questions to help us help you?
First off, who is "we" (how many of you and your ages)?
Have you ever travel abroad before?
Any mobility or other challenges we should know about?
Where are you flying home from?
Why have you chosen Positano for a 6-night stay? What are you interested in doing/seeing on this trip?

Here's why I'm asking: Positano is pretty, no doubt, but it's not very big and doesn't offer very much to do. It's also not the easiest location for a base if intending to make a lot of day trips, and much of the terrain is uphill so it's not the easiest for getting about on foot. It also isn't on a rail line, and is the one village whose ferry services are most at risk of being cancelled in foul or very windy weather (although it always has bus service). So while some folks really like it, it's not necessarily the best choice for others.

Some of the more popular day trips, such as Pompeii, are more easily accomplished by rail from other locations, such as Sorrento or Salerno. Same for trips to Herculaneum or Naples. Ferry service may also be more frequent from other locations.

If flying home from Rome, you don't want to spend your last night on the Amalfi/Sorrentine Coasts; it's just far enough away that any sort of transport snag can cause an issue. You might want to consider going directly to the coast upon arrival, and ending your trip in Rome? 3 nights is also very little for this one. There's a lot of ground to cover there, and it takes some time to get one's head around; I'd consider adding another night so you'd have 4 nights, 3.5 days to work with.

Editing to add: I see that Tim and I had some similar questions. :O)

Rome stay for 3 days then head to Positano for 6 nights

I'm a little confused by your question.

We really do need to understand your situation as the previous posters have said.

I have a question about a different bit of the original question:-

You give 3 days for Rome and 6 nights for Positano.

It is a bit apples and oranges.

How far will you be travelling to get to Rome? Is this part of a longer trip and you are just popping in to Rome from, say, Florence or Zurich, or are you arriving in Rome off an international or intercontinental multi timezone flight?

And those 3 days. How are you defining that? Let's say you are flying from somewhere in the USA and arriving nominally at 7:30 in the morning. Are you counting the day you board the flight as day zero, fly overnight and arrive on day 1? Then get into Rome, find the hotel, leave your stuff because you can't check in until the afternoon, get an early lunch. check in, get yourself oriented and get bus tickets, and then start exploring? So that hazy jetlagged half day or a bit less counts all as day one?

Then sleep in Rome, first night.

Next day is day 2 for sightseeing, and night two.

Next day you do a bit more sightseeing, check out, then travel down to Positano, check in and the day is gone? That's day 3.

If you plan that way you get one full day in Rome and 2 short partial days.

Or do you plan 3 nights in Rome with 2 full days exploring and 1 partial (the first) and leave for Positano in the morning?

Does that moving day count for Positano? With 6 nights, the first day is gone, and as asked above, what are you doing after Positano? Flight home from Rome? If so, you need to trade that last Positano night for one in Rome or at the Rome airport depending on when your flight is.

So you see, in order to really help you, we need your help to put some meat on the question.

Thanks in advance....

Depending on your interests Rome in 3 days may be hard to accomplish. If you are just looking to experience Rome I'd suggest spending time in the center just walking around and enjoying the open air/free sites. There are plenty of amazing churches, piazzas and fountains to enjoy. Take in the area bordered by the Piazza del Poppolo ton the north, Piazza Spangna on the east, Piazza Venezia to the south and Piazza Navona to the west. I love walking around this area. If you like art and museums the list is endless but be advised that reservations are necessary for some of the more popular ones (Borghese Gallery & Vatican Museums). Positano, for me, is all about the views. If you are into hiking there is a nice trail above the town (Trail of the Gods maybe, can't recall the exact name) that offers views as grand as the Blue Trail of the Cinque Terre. I have only stayed the night there once. I found Sorrento a better fit for me as it opened up Naples as an option for a day trip. Good luck and I hope you enjoy Italy. I too am returning for the week of Memorial Day and I cannot wait.

Unlike others I'm not going to question your choice of destinations. I love the Amalfi Coast anyway, so it is perfectly reasonable that someone would want to spend most of the time there on their first trip to Italy.
My only recommendation is to go to Positano first, maybe on the same day you arrive, if you arrive in the morning, and spend your days in Rome at the end of your trip, before flying back home. It is always best to leave the city of departure as your last destination in your list.
I would also suggest to spend 4 nights in Rome. That should give you sufficient time to visit at least several of the major sights.
From Rome to Positano by train use the www.trenitalia.com website
Select your departure station (FIUMICINO AEROPORTO if going directly from the airport upon arrival, or ROMA TERMINI, if going the next day).
Then select your arrival station (NAPOLI CENTRALE)
Once in Napoli Centrale (Naples), walk to the P.zza Garibaldi Station (next to Centrale, basically underground), purchase the tickets to the CIRCUMVESUVIANA train, and take the train to SORRENTO. Once in Sorrento, take a bus to Positano.
A less convoluted way would be to take a private car service from NAPOLI CENTRALE to Positano. It will cost you more (over 100euro) but it's more convenient, and if it's more than one person traveling it's not a bad deal.
There are plenty of hotels in or near Positano, but you need to specify your budget requirements.
From Positano you can take excursions to Amalfi (via bus), Capri (via boat), Sorrento (via bus), Pompeii (via bus+circumvesuviana train), and more.

another option is train from ROMA to SALERNO then ferry (or bus- but ferry ride is really lovely) to Positano
lots of info here:
https://www.positano.com

and i agree- go to Amalfi area first, end in Rome-- unless you can fly home from Naples- in to Rome, out of Naples

if your flight arrives too late to get you all the way to Positano you could spend first nite in either Naples or Salerno- both are worthwhile--
if you get to Salerno, do consider visiting the amazing temples at Paestum

once you settle on order of trip and which town to base in Amalfi then decide which day trips interest you
A good guide book will help you narrow it down -RS does have a pocket version for the area if you don't want/need the full Italy guide

Visiting Italy for the first time does require that you list your interests and prioritze. There is way more to see & do than your time allows. We spent a month in fall 2019 for our second visit to Italy. Still didn't do it all - maybe next trips. We stayed 2 nights each in Sorrento, Positano & Amalfi. In hind sight it would have been better to stay 3 nights (or more) in Sorrento and Amalfi with day trip to Positano (1 night maybe). Positano was a neat town that we enjoyed exploring, but we enjoyed Sorrento, Amalfi and Ravello much more. Concur with staying at least one night in town of airplane departure. Travel from Positano to or from Rome will take most of a day if all goes well.

and daily excursions in Positano would be a great help

Positano covers an area of 3.3 sq miles, with a permanent population of ~4000.

Would not expect there are 'daily excursions in Positano'. One would taken some sort of excursion from Positano.

If your trip is 9 nights in Italy and you are flying home from Rome, it would be better, from a logistics perspective, to do Rome last.

A minimum of four nights is needed for Rome / Vatican City. From there take a direct train from the Termini station to Salerno (2h 15m) and then a direct ferry to Positano (1h).

Hi everybody thanks for the responses, to answer a few questions my wife and I (both mid 40s) are traveling to Italy for the first time for our honeymoon. We are leaving from Philadelphia and would like to spend 10 -11 days. We do not have anything solidified yet, so we can tailor our trip based on your suggestions. We would like to se as much as we can in 3 or 4 days in Rome and the other 6-7days in Positano. We can go to Positano first as suggested then Rome. We would like to do more of a relaxation vacation then run around daily. Obviously we want to see what we can for a few days but be more laid back. We didnt want to bounce around city to city every other day. I've heard Sorrento is a good base but we want to stay in Positano overlooking that beautiful coast. All your feedback is greatly appreciated Thank you in advance.
Chris

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/sorrento-vs-positano-as-a-home-base

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/amalfi-coast-for-7-nights-itinerary-help

Thanks for sharing more details.

I won’t try to talk you out of Positano completely but will try to convince you that 6-7 days in Positano is probably too long.
Honestly- it is tiny, crowed with tourists/day trippers and full of high end shops/overpriced cafes. We spent a few hours there and actually found the view OF the town from the water to be much nicer than the view FROM the town.
Transportation options will be an issue. Buses in June will be packed to the gills.
Do read all the info in the posts that Tim linked before you commit to staying so long in Positano. I can see 3-4 nights as lovely and relaxing.
consider splitting your “amalfi “ time between Positano and Sorrento- assuming you will want to visit Pompeii

Coming from Philly you do have the option of flying in/out of EWR-Newark and I believe there are direct flights from NAPLES to Newark (but not Philly)

here is a suggestion for 11 NIGHTS(count your trip in NIGHTS on the ground in Italy)
Fly to ROME- 4 nights
Train to Salerno then ferry to POSITANO 4 nights- visit Capri by ferry from here, Ravello by bus, Amalfi by ferry
Driver or ferry to SORRENTO- 3 nights- visit Pompeii from here and Naples if you wish
FLY home from Naples- you should be able to stay in Sorrento night before departure

If you can’t fly out of Naples then do this:
Fly to ROME
Train to Naples- then to Sorrento- 3 nights- this will be a nice place to get over jet lag
visit Pompeii from here and Naples if you wish
Driver or ferry to POSITANO 4 nights- visit Capri by ferry from here, Ravello by bus, Amalfi by ferry
Ferry to Salerno, train to Rome- 4 nights
it will take most of the day to get to Rome so this gives you 3 full days in Rome
FLY home from Rome

I agree with the train from Rome to Salerno then the ferry to Positano. It is a beautiful ride along the coast. We were so excited to go to Positano, and it was a must-do for us. Honestly, after a couple of days, we were ready to move on. Perhaps visit another Amalfi town or spend more time in Rome? If you do Amalfi first, then go to Rome you have more options for day trips and will make you last night much easier. You will find plenty to do, and you can do a day trip to Orvieto, or other areas as well. 6 nights in Positano is a lot. $$$$ to us, three would be more than enough. We stayed at https://www.casabuonocore.com/ and it was beautiful, but a LOT of steps to climb in Positano. We stayed in the Middle Eastern room, and it was amazing. The terrace/patio was HUGE, and provided awesome views of the town and sea. Go to booking.com and look at the pictures for the superior double room with a terrace. We would do take out and eat our dinner under the moonlight on the terrace. The views from the terrace were amazing. The beaches are stones, not sand so don't expect sandy beaches.

BE sure to be prepared to pay the porters at the dock to take your luggage for you to your hotel. We had two bags and it was 20 Euro. You will be thankful for that service. Trying to schlep bags up all those steps throughout the town would be exhausting. Every time we went out, we dreaded all those steps just to get to the beach!

I agree with Christine, and also about taking the Ferry from Salerno. It’s awesome seeing the coast from the sea. However, I was there once and can’t wait to go back. But 6 nights is too much. There’s really not much to do in Positano and 3 nights was plenty. It’s gorgeous. I agree splitting it up with Sorrento. I would do Rome - Positano - Sorrento - back to Rome or open jaw leave from Naples.

Can you be convinced to change from Positano to Sorrento? Sorrento would give you much easier access to Capri, Naples, Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast. It's also easier to get to than Positano: Freccia train from Rome to Naples then either a boat across the bay or the Circumvesuviana train around the bay. That said, 6 nights would be wonderful but that means you'd be cutting short your time in Rome. How about this? Fly into Rome (easy from Philly - I do it every year) and immediately head to Sorrento. It isn't a difficult trip. The train is very comfortable. I like taking the ferry across the Bay of Naples - relaxing and makes me feel like my vacation has already begun. I personally like 5 nights in Sorrento. I always stay at il Nido (ilniddo.it) which is above the town and has a killer view, breakfast and dinner menu. Then head to Rome to complete this first of many trips to Italy. Rome is amazing. It's been around for centuries so if you get tired of one all you have to do is turn the corner. I'd suggest staying in the Piazza Navona area for easy access (on foot, bus or taxi) to every century and culture. Sorry, I can't recommend a hotel since I always rent an apartment for my 2 weeks stay. It's very easy to get to the airport on your last morning. On the plane ride home you can start planning your next visit! Remember: you two deserve this!!!

I noticed that two factual anecdotes aren't immediately evident in the two links I posted:

When we stayed in Sorrento (Last week of MAY, pre-Covid), we either used or went by the Circumvesuviana station each morning. Every time, there was a line for the SITA bus to Positano that was fifty people or more. That means that not everyone got onto the next, half-hourly bus. Of course, half of the seated customers were on the side of the bus with no view.

Some editions of Rick's guide have mentioned that if you are sleeping in Sorrento and want to visit Positano and Amalfi on the same day, you should see Positano first, and Amalfi second. That's because in the afternoon, many SITA busses back to Sorrento will omit their stop in Positano, because they were completely full when they left Amalfi.

If your budget anticipates using car services, these observations are less important.

Tim has some good ideas. I might add that taking the boat from Sorrento to Positano and then on to Amalfi Town will give you some spectacular views. And Tim is right - take the bus back from Amalfi Town. Sit on the driver's side for the views. BTW, if you stay at my suggested il Nido the bus stops right in front of the hotel.

Another reason to stay in Sorrento: great shopping town. Inlaid wood, linen shirts, lemon products, pottery, leather and wonderful food!

Hi everyone thanks for all the information. I put together an itinerary that id like your feed back on. So Philly to Rome stay 3 nights then take train from Rome to Salerno ferry to Positano stay 3 nights. Car service to Sorrento stay 3 nights. Train back to Rome stay 2 nights fly back to Philly from Rome. Also any suggestions on hotels in Sorrento much appreciated.
Thanks

Do all your nights in Rome at the end. Saves a hotel change.

You might as well go on to Salerno on arrival as that day will not be a productive 'tourist' day if you stay in Rome.

Looks good-nice job!

Grand Hotel de la Ville

https://www.delavillesorrento.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAoNWOBhCwARIsAAiHnEjj3h-_2UDkab2tlAFpX9B4FmLuMxAZDzkpQSsfJZHqSCnNAUgnJ3caAvV4EALw_wcB

Fantastic views, great location, excellent breakfast, beautifully appointed rooms

You don’t indicate budget but it’s your honeymoon so splurge a bit if you can
We spent 4 nights there for our 40th, totally worth it

Second choice would be Antiche Mura
https://www.hotelantichemura.com/

We used this company for transfers
https://www.topexcursionsorrento.com/?portal_referer_id=46

Check Mondo Guides for day trips from Sorrento
Www.sharedtours.com

We did Pompeii and Capri with them
Both were great, the Capri day was super fun

Having done the Amalfi Coast a few times I'd suggest that you really look into what you will be doing day by day in Positano. I really enjoyed staying in Positano (we did 7 days there) but I got a little stir crazy during day 4. It was a little difficult to venture out with that as our home base so the next time we stayed in Sorrento. It is very beautiful there and it has easy access (private taxi, tour bus, boats) to the Amalfi Coast. Being in Sorrento also gives you convenient access to Pompeii, Naples and Capri if you're looking to take a day trip. Getting to Sorrento or Positano from the USA makes for quite a long travel day too. Upon landing at FCO we took a prearranged private taxi (suntransfer.com) to Roma Termini and caught a high speed train to Napoli Centrale. A quick change (one floor down and a few minutes walk) to Napoli Garibaldi and we caught the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento. From our hotel in Sorento (next day) we arranged for Monetti Taxi to take us to the Amalfi Coast. However you decide to do the trip I am sure you will have a great time. I too will be back in Italy at the end of May-early June and I am very excited. Good luck!

I'm also suggesting you go to Positano upon landing. Since you come from Philly your flight is likely a morning arrival.
Train Rome-Salerno then ferry to Positano is probably less tiring than via Naples then Sorrento (fewer changes of transportation).
I don't know if I would bother to change hotels and splitting the stay between Positano and Sorrento, Sorrento is logistically better (because of the Circumvesuviana train) but Positano it's definitely romantic. The two are too close to each other in the same area, I wouldn't waste time in a change of hotels. I would choose one and stay there the whole time in the Peninsula Sorrentina.
If you prefer Positano as your base, you can take a boat trip to Capri for a full day visit there, another day you can spend visiting the Amalfi town and the entire coast, with some beach time to relax. You can also visit Pompeii from Positano. Just take the bus to Meta di Sorrento, then the train to Pompeii for a full morning visit of the excavations, than the rest of the afternoon can be spent in Sorrento before heading back to Positano by bus. So my itinerary alone can keep you busy in Positano for at least 4 nights, or even 5 nights if you want to use Positano to visit Naples for a day excursion (bus to Meta or Sorrento, then train to Naples). Instead of splitting your stay between Positano and Sorrento, since 7 nights in Positano may be too long, I would add those nights to Rome. Rome really needs 4-5 nights at the very minimum.

Chris, I've planned Amalfi/Rome trips many times and I'd agree with the consensus to leave Rome for the end, as you can fly non-stop to PHL from there. That said, I've often coordinated the Amalfi with a different wrinkle. It may not be the least expensive option, but it's been quite popular.

On your day of arrival, we often fly folks into Naples, rather than Rome. There, working through hotels, we coordinate "transport" to Capri! Thus, on day one, you arrive in Naples, a car/driver meets you and drives you to the public ferry, the driver assists you with boarding the ferry, and then you're met at the Capri Marina by a hotel staff member who has your transport coordinated to their hotel. Capri is a wonderful place to get over that first night of jetlag and most folks then also spend a second night on the island. And Capri at night is... magical! Once the day-trippers leave (about 6 PM), Capri totally changes and becomes a wonderful destination. So that 2nd night is so special. Many hotels offer this type of "transfer service."

Then, on Day 3, take the ferry to Positano and spend 3 nights there. I'd depart early on Day 7 with a stopover at Pompeii on the way to the train station in Naples. (best done with car/driver if your budget allows - Driver stays with the car and your bags!). After Pompeii, drive to Naples and take the train to Rome. Do 3-4 days in Rome (I agree that 4-5 would be better!!!), and then fly home. (We often set up Pompeii on the way to or from Positano because getting in and out of Positano can be a challenge - it's a great destination location... but as mentioned, it's not as convenient as Sorrento for a base).

Again, this is not the least expensive way, but it's been a successful formula for many trips! Ending your trip at your departure point (Rome) is the way to go. Good luck!!!

Congratulations, Chris, on your upcoming wedding.

I'm sure this won't be your last trip to Italy so like everyone is saying really think about what you want to do while you are there. We loved Positano and stayed their 4 nights with my daughter and son in law. We could have easily stayed a few more. For those who don't spend the night but only a few hours, they miss the real Positano. It's magical at night and early mornings. We found lots to do---excursions to Amalfi and Ravella, A hike on the Path of Gods(look up Zialucy--she's a great guide) was a highlight. She also offers other tours. You can easily do a day excursion to Capri(weather was not good for us). Depending on your budget you may want to book a car and driver for excursions but it is pricey.

Definitely go to Positano or wherever you choose first and end in Rome. It will be a long travel day but then you will be ready to start exploring the next day.

Hello all just wanted your opinions on the best way to go from Capri to Rome. Is it best to ferry over to Naples then take train to Rome or is ferry to Sorrento then train to Rome better. We are not looking to make any stops along the way.
Thanks
Chris

Chris, where is Capri falling on your itinerary? Will you be staying there? And you're still planning on staying n Rome for a few days before flying home?

Capri is our 3rd stop and we are staying there. We are staying in Rome for 2 days before flying home

Ah, gotcha. Personally? I'd ferry to Naples, take a taxi from the port to Centrale, and a"fast" train (Trenitalia or Italo) to Rome. It'll get you from Naples to Roma Termini in 70 minutes or so.

If you took a ferry to Sorrento, you'd take a cab or bus from the port in Sorrento to the Circumvesuviana station, take that train to Naples Garibaldi, and then change to a "fast" train at adjoining Centrale. As a fair amount of posters find journeys on the battered Circumvesuviana commuter to not be their cuppa tea, at least not with luggage, the first option would take the thing out of the equation.

There are no direct trains from Sorrento to Rome; the only rail service from Sorrento is the Circumvesuviana or Campania Express. Both involve changing trains in Naples. The latter is a bit nicer, more comfortable train but operates only during high season, and only 4 times daily so you can end up kicking heels at Centrale for awhile if there's a biggish gap before catching your train to Rome.

https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/campania-express-train-schedule?route=sorrento_napoli#section-schedule-result

Lots of great suggestions. We loved Positano, but 3 nights was plenty. Don’t forget to take beach shoes. The pebble beach hurts bare feet. There’s not much to do there and I really got tired of walking up all the time.

I’d stay 3 nights, then Sorrento 3-4 nights. You can do a couple day trips from each one.

Great itinerary. I disagree to do all of Rome last. You will be walking a lot, doing a lot! It was nice going Positano after and relaxing on the beach. Don’t forget to take beach shoes. The pebbly beach will hurt your feet. I remember my husband saying “you saved us”. It’s quite the view from the beach, too! So European…yachts out in the sea, waiters bringing you drinks. Don’t forget to go to Franco’s every night for an Apertif, small and chic. But get there at opening, (5 or so), as there are just a few seats. The ionic Positano Photo Op.

Hi Chris!
I am planning to spend 7 nights in Positano followed by 4 nights in Ravello, followed by 4 nights on Ischia this July. Most people would probably call that overkill, but I know what I LOVE! If you want to spend an amazing week relaxing in one of the most glorious places on earth, then YOU are RIGHT to spend 6 nights in Positano! The views, the ambiance, the food is TO DIE FOR! Do go to Ravello and check out one of the gardens and have lunch or dinner over looking the Mediteranean from HIGH ABOVE. I like the gardens at Villa Ruffalo, but the gardens of Villa Ciambrone are even more spectacular. I'm going to revisit both. You might enjoy watching a youtube who goes by Nicki Positano. She is an English woman married to a man who has lived in Positano since birth. They live 800 steps up from the beach in Positano. There is no road to their home. The nearest road is 500 steps UP. They have lots of terraced gardens and grow beautiful fruit and veg. They share videos of their life in Positano. I've been watching it for months! It will certainly give you an idea what to do in Positano and around the Amalfi Coast. I also LOVE Rome! The antiquity and ambiance is incredible. I spent my honeymoon in Italy in 1996. You'll just love it and don't let anyone tell you that you need to see or do more while in Italy. Savoring one location is better than rushing thru 3 or 4 or 5, IMO.