On September 12th, 5 of us will be setting out from Naples and heading down the Amalfi Coast with end destination likely Salerno or wherever we find to stay down that way. One of our party is a toddler so we cannot wait in long lines to get our transportation. Are there tour buses or trains where we can reserve in advance and would we get a good view by driving along the coast near Amalfi and Positano? We would like to get a look at that area but it looks challenging to spend much time in those cities at such a busy time of year. Or should we stop and spend the night in that area before proceeding south and if so where?
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12021 posts
No trains along the Amalfi coast- buses or cars.
Here is one car service I have seen mentioned here (no personal experience) http://www.sorrentocarservice.com/
Posted by
Atlanta
189 posts
A car service would be great for a party of 5 including a toddler. We used topexcursionsorrento.com for 3 different trips during our stay in Amalfi. We were a party of 4 and the van was top notch. The owner, Giovanni, was excellent as well as another driver we had for one of the days.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8007 posts
Posted by
OP
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
20 posts
Thanks for all of these suggestions. It looks like having our own driver would be good although from another post that is 125 pounds a day! Is there any bus tour company that goes along the coast that can be booked in advance- we can't handle lineups with our toddler? This might not require such a big investment.
Posted by
5204 posts
Please share your entire itinerary and how much time you have to work with. If coming from Naples (airport or train station?), I would probably take the train to Salerno, then make the short walk to the ferry (Travelmar) and go to the village of your choosing by boat. It beats sitting in traffic any day.
Posted by
OP
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
20 posts
We will fly into Naples on September 11th and then want to head south shortly to get a feel for the Amalfi area and south. (we have 9 days) We are just trying to confirm a fairly simple itinerary. With a 1.5 year old, we will need to spend a fair amount of time at our hotel, possibly in a pool or shorter excursions before nap time. Although my husband and I (grandparents) will head out on our own some days. I am not sure if there is one city such as Sorrento, Salerno or Amalfi where we should locate and then do our excursions out from there? At that time we might want to book a driver or get out to ferry or bus at a time where the crowds are less. Thoughts?
Posted by
5204 posts
Much depends on which day trips you wish to do, but if you will just be relaxing along the Amalfi Coast, then I think it is best to be in a village with ferry service: https://www.travelmar.it/en/. Maiori has a nice wide sandy beach.
I think the strategy to take turns with the grandparents is a good one--hang out in the morning, then when it's nap time, the two who are out for the afternoon should take off, whether by ferry or private driver (but the drivers have to sit in traffic too, so focus on the ferry).