Salerno or Sorrento?

Yes, Sorrento books up at least six months in advance. The search box top left will tell you more about the area than you can learn from just your own question's thread!

https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Salerno+vs+Sorrento

https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=2y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=amalfi+coast+transportation

Welcome
There are dozens of threads here discussing Salerno vs Sorrento

Here are some about Salerno
https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=1y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Salerno+

No matter which you choose you will want to book lodging asap and have your transportation to/from figured out

Where will you go after this stop ?

I’ll always maintain that if you want to see the Amalfi Coast then you need to stay on the Amalfi Coast. Especially if you’re not considering Pompeii or Naples, your accommodations should focus there versus Sorrento. Salerno is an underrated, handy alternative but you’ll still be in a position where you’re daytripping in and out of the Coast. This is less than ideal, because you’ll be visiting at the most crowded times and dealing with gridlocked traffic and other tourists.

It’s a little late in the game for accommodations, so open up your search to include the smaller towns on the AC like Atrani, Maiori, Priano, etc. I think these will yield better, more special experiences. Pick something asap.

I think a good argument can be made to stay ON the Amalfi Coast. My choice would be Amalfi town. That said, we really liked Salerno. They have a beautiful cathedral and there's bus service to the AC towns. If you can't find anything elsewhere, look at Hotel Plaza in Salerno. The hotel is quite nice with a wonderful included breakfast and right on the main pedestrian street. It is also across the street from the train/bus station which would be super handy for you.

EDITED TO ADD:

We really enjoyed Ravello. I'm told that bus can be really crowded. By staying in Amalfi, you can beat most people to the first bus of the day.

I would also recommend Amalfi town. Looking at your dates on booking.com, it looks like there are plenty of properties available. Amalfi is the transportation hub of the Amalfi Coast, so staying there makes it easier to get around than staying in other towns.

The reason you were asked about your other plans is that staying in Amalfi (or Sorento, and usually, Salerno) means that you cannot wake up there and fly out of anyplace except, maybe, Naples. And from Amalfi, Naples is not a slam-dunk even then. One of the reasons I offered some search results is that you have a vast amount of research to do, beyond getting a base and a hotel there. The Amalfi Coast is not an easy (or, often, cheap) transportation location.

Hi, we stayed two nights in Salerno and three in the town of Amalfi. We took the direct train from Florence to Salerno. Our second day in Salerno we took a short train over to Paestum for the amazing Greek ruins - highly recommend. We took the ferry to stay in Amalfi. It was very busy in 2022 & sounds like it is even busier now. We took a day trip to Positano by ferry & the ferry lines were nuts and also very crowded walking up I in Positano but nice once we reached higher areas. Ravello is very special! We took the first bus up from Amalfi.

Not surprised lodging inventory is getting low for a popular region. I’d book reservations tonight.

(HI Kate!) I've stayed in both and I'm a Salerno guy. But...for a full day of exploring the Amalfi Coast, unless it's January or February (the only 'low' season left) you'll need a guide, or at the very least a driver that will cart you around all day. And truth be told, when you're staying in Sorrento and want to see the A.C on the other side of the Sorrentine peninsula, you'll need a driver anyway. Again, unless it's January or February, in which case you'd wait in a queue for the SITA bus.

Check this out the Hotel Plaza in Salerno, like today. Best deal in the area, probably will cost you $150/night per room for a couple clean rooms in a quaint hotel right across from the Salerno train station. Chill & quiet & a great value!

Cuisine-wise, I'd probably pick Sorrento by a nose over Salerno, which is still very good. I've dined at an English pub in Sorrento and a sushi bar in Salerno. Maybe Salerno a little grittier outside the pedestrian area. BUT...hard to beat the locals in Salerno doing the passeggiata, the early evening walk by families and friends, just strolling by the shops. An Italian tradition.

But book something right now once you decide where.

Thank you all! We are coming from Florence and then after, heading to Rome. I know it is hard to do all of the AC without a car but appreciate the perspectives. If only we could do it all!!!
Will do a bit more research but time is not on our side. I probably should have planned this leg first...

I agree with Jay's comments. However, we toured AC and Salerno without a driver. That was part of the beauty of the Hotel Plaza being across the street from the bus station.

I think it would be harder to do with a car. You have Salerno and all of the Amalfi Villages to choose from. I recommend anything on the Travelmar ferry line, or Atrani, which is a short walk from Amalfi. I would never stay in Sorrento to focus on the Amalfi coast.