Sorrento Red bus to Almafi coast towns/ Path of the Gods hike

Posted by marie (west Chester, PA) on 07/30/25 01:06 PM

Good morning everyone

We are going back to Sorrento and the last time we were there, we used the SITA public buses which did not work out well. My husband and I both got physically ill due to no air (the windows didn’t open and no a/c). I got sick on the bus, he got sick when he got off due to the roads and lack of air. He had to sit in the stairwell it was so crowded.

We wanted to use the Red (sightseeing) buses instead but it looks like they are no longer in use.

Does anyone know of a replacement for the red buses instead? We will be based in Sorrento, and wanted to just visit Ravello, Almafi and a quick stop in Positano. I also want to hike the Path of the Gods if weather permits and need to get to that starting point.

If anyone can guide me, I appreciate all responses!

Posted by Tim

Wyckoff, NJ, USA

07/30/25 01:38 PM

8429 posts

Month of year?
Is your budget very low?

Posted by Kate

Minnesota 🎒

07/30/25 01:43 PM

17423 posts

Marie, unfortunately there is no replacement for the previous red buses. Options for getting around the region are:
SITA bus (you have already experienced those)
Ferry: these run seasonally to some locations around the region, and to a few (such as Capri) all year long.
Private driver (expensive)
Taxi (also expensive)
Large or small group tours by road or sea

If you are prone to motion sickness even without lack of fresh air/air conditioning, then ferry or other sea-traveling craft are the way to go, IMHO. You would, of course, need to get to Ravello by land (SITA or taxi) but it wouldn't involve being in a vehicle ALL day.

But if you think you can manage in a smaller, comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, you might look at a RS-endorsed shared small-group tour from Sorrento that stops in Positano, Amalfi and Ravello? It's the "Amalfi Coast-Full Day From Sorrento" tour on this page:

https://www.sharedtours.com

Posted by marie OP

west Chester, PA

07/30/25 01:44 PM

383 posts

Yes, of course. We will be there in late April and really don’t have a budget set for transportation, just don’t want to use the public buses there (we have and will use public transit the rest of the trip extensively) and not interested in a private driver. Out neice, who went with us to Sorrento the previous time, used the red buses and she said it went a different route than the public buses.

Thanks!

Posted by valadelphia

07/30/25 01:45 PM

6019 posts

What month? (Ferries to Amalfi and Positano April-October.) You'd still have to take a bus to Ravello, or cab.
Or, arrange a tour or private driver (I would inquire w/ hotel about a driver for your hike transport--it will be worth the money).
https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/ferry-schedule

Posted by marie OP

west Chester, PA

07/30/25 01:45 PM

383 posts

Thanks Kate! I wasn’t sure if anyone had used these and wanted to hear their feedback.

Posted by marie OP

west Chester, PA

07/30/25 01:47 PM

383 posts

Thank you@ valadelphia!

Posted by Kate

Minnesota 🎒

07/30/25 01:51 PM

17423 posts

Marie, here's a review from someone who took it last year:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/amalfi-coast-car-tour-vs-ferry

To add: poster Sara in this thread also took that tour and had good things to say:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/amalfi-coast-974e95f1-0cb1-46f1-b582-0fc75d2474ab

And Allan, in this thread, took it too and said they enjoyed it although it did involve some road time. That does make sense at it's a bit of ground to cover:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/help-for-a-first-timer

Posted by Katherine

Atlanta, GA, USA

07/30/25 02:11 PM

901 posts

I know that it works from Salerno and I SEE that the website has the option from any town on the coast, but TravelMar, the ferry company says they have a ferry-bus link to Bomerano to start the hike! https://www.travelmar.it/en/how-to-reach-path-of-gods I think a dedicated shuttle to the start of the hike MIGHT be a little less overwhelming than the normal SITA bus. Who knows though.....