Hi just wondering if purchasing ferry tickets 6 months in advance is too far ahead from Salerno to Amalfi, I want the last ferry of the day and the first return ferry back 14 days later. Is this too ambitious what is the cost saving and would I be better off buying tickets on the day of departure etc.? Your help is appreciated.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5409 posts
It's always risky relying on the last ferry of the day- and you need to build in flexibility in case of bad weather, which disrupts the ferries. Good luck!
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7645 posts
When we were going on that same ferry route, I bought the ferry tickets a few weeks ahead of time. Those were for morning ferries. I don’t have experience of the demand for the last ferry of the day.
Posted by
Washington DC
27616 posts
I know nothing about the Amalfi Coast ferries, but 14 days is a very long time. I want you to be aware that travel on the Amalfi Coast (to Ravello, Portofino, Sorrento, etc.) is reported to be very slow and frustrating due to vehicle-clogged, narrow roads. Recent visitors have reported long lines at the bus stops and inadequate bus capacity to accommodate everyone. I'd think the transportation challenges would get old very fast whether you are driving or taking buses. But perhaps you have specific plans to occupy that much time that don't involve great dependence on the roads, like a lot of hiking.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thankyou for your responses, my query is whether 6 months in advance purchase is a good idea. I am familiar with the town and have days planned which will definitely occupy our time. . I have always travelled by bus to Amalfi but this is first time using ferries. Thankyou re comment about last ferry of the day definitely will take this on board and perhaps choose the second last ferry.
Has anyone else ever purchased so far in advance and did you have any trouble doing this in terms of were there changes to your booking or cancellations or was it okay. Did it provide much of a saving?
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7645 posts
Italian train tickets are cheaper when purchased ahead, but I think the ferry price was the same whether purchased ahead of time or same day. I purchased them a few weeks early because we were staying at both Salerno & Amalfi, and I wanted the fun, carefree feeling of the ferry vs. cramped in a full bus. (My daughter & I sat at the back of the ferry and had the wind whipping our hair - in reference to the carefree feeling!)
Posted by
Gulf Coast, usa
1185 posts
Six months is a long time in advance. We have booked tickets day of, and before, because you just don't know what the weather is going to do. If it's rough seas or inclement weather, they will not run. The tickets are cheap enough, so that would be my last worry. Buy them closer to your trip - maybe ten days out - when you can better gauge the weather forecast. The run many routes a day. Check out travel schedules at Travel Mar, although several companies run out of Salerno. Be sure to use the port by the train station if you are arriving by train.