Train from Florence to Positano in May

There is no train from Florence to Positano. Instead, take a direct train from the Firenze (Florence) S.M. Novella station to Salerno (4h): https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html. In Salerno, take a ferry to Positano (1h 15m): https://www.directferries.com/global/index.html.

It is already late to book Positano for May, so do not delay. This is not a simple choice, because of the hundreds of stairs that separate various levels of Positano. It tends to be expensive. It is time consuming to get to and from Positano. Are you planning any daytrips, or staying there for the week?

MaryPat said it. We've done this trip a couple of times. The ferry is the way to go, but keep in mind in inclement weather or rough seas the ferry will not run. You can do this same route back to Rome - Positano to Salerno via ferry, then train to Rome.

A week in Positano seems like a long time. Other than shopping, there isn't a ton to do. It is beautiful though. Beware of all those steps. If you are up the hill, get the valets at the port to haul your luggage up - $10 a bag. You will be glad you did. It's a long hike up. You didn't mention a budget for hotels but expect to pay $$$.

https://hotelscheck-in.com/casabuonocore/en/

The superior double room with a private terrace (the Middle East Room) is beyond awesome. It has a huge private terrace, and I mean huge which is lovely at night with the views of the water and boats and the hills. We did a take-out dinner one night and ate outside on the terrace with the table and chairs they had on the terrace. It was lovely. There is also a day bed in the room, but I am not sure what your sleeping arrangements are. Tim is correct, book now and be sure and book a refundable or cancellable room and look in to that AC.

Hi and welcome to the forums, Dawn -
As above, no rail service to Positano or anywhere else on the AC except Salerno; you can only get there via ferry, bus or private driver. Yes, you can take a train to Salerno and ferry from there. Other folks take a train to Naples and hire a private driver. Ferries along the AC are seasonal and do not operate in the dark so full schedules aren't up for the 2024 spring/summer season yet.

As also stated, ferry service to/from Positano may not be available during periods of very foul weather/rough seas.

See the "Getting here" section of Positano's website for options:
https://www.positano.com

Whichever method you choose, it'll be at least a "2-seat" journey versus direct/no changes.

I'll agree with JR that a week is a really long time for Positano. There really is very little to do at that one - a half day was enough for us - and it can be sort of a pain to day-trip from there to places like Pompeii or Naples. Sorrento, while right on the doorstep of the AC versus IN it, can be a better choice if planning on visiting either or both of those places - which you absolutely should if you have a week to work with!!! - Vesuvius, Herculaneum or Capri. Salerno has seen a lot of love too, the only drawback to that one being the ferry time to Capri: practically all are 2 hours each way versus 20 minutes or so from Sorrento. Whatever the case, it's nice to have some form of rail service, even if Sorrento's is limited to a rather battered, no-frills commuter train. Think the "L" in Chicago?

The ferries can be nice but they're not particularly inexpensive when you add up fares for 3: it wouldn't be unusual to spend 40€ - 50€ or more p.p. for a day of point-to-point around the coast, or roundtrip to Capri. Still, they're personally a more favorable method of transport than the SITA buses, which can be difficult to get a seat on during the very busy high season, depending on route. LOL, no way my weak stomach could handle the twisty coastal roads, either! 🤢

I would suggest you to take a private transfer either from Florence or Naples in order to get to Positano, taking 2 trains plus bus or taxi from Sorrento. I can recommend you a reliable limo company we used in the past: www.shoreexcursionsinitaly.net

I would suggest you to take a private transfer either from Florence or
Naples in order to get to Positano

Our budgets are all different but yikes, a private transfer from Florence to Positano would be prohibitively expensive for us. MyDayTrip is giving me a cost of €1,058 for 3 adults + 3 suitcases. Ouch. I wouldn't book a driver from further away than Naples; no need to, and a "fast" train is likely to get you close to Positano (if you still think that's where you want to be) more quickly anyway. If choosing a fast train to Salerno, the distance from its train station to ferry port is walkable; abt. 10 minutes.

Of course if you are looking for a cheaper alternative can be train to Salerno and then ferry to Positano!

Thank you all so much for the feedback and info! JR and Kathy you have me rethinking Positano and maybe opting for Sorrento. Seems like Sorrento will have more to do and be more centrally located. Our idea was to stay on AC for 7 days. See Pompeii, go to Capri, Path of Gods, see some of the other towns, beach, shop and relax a bit. Thinking we should stay 5 days and opt for 2 additional in Rome instead.

Our agenda fly into Venice from Boston spend 3 days then onto Florence spend 6 days. Take a tour of Tuscany one of those days and of course see all the sites of Florence. Travel to Amalfi Coast spend 5 days then on to Rome for 5 days where we fly back home. We have not made any flight, tour or lodging reservations so I am open for any and all suggestions. Felling the pressure to get this going!

Any feed back on the ease of navigating the Venice airport?

Our agenda fly into Venice from Boston spend 3 days then onto Florence
spend 6 days. Take a tour of Tuscany one of those days and of course
see all the sites of Florence. Travel to Amalfi Coast spend 5 days
then on to Rome for 5 days where we fly back home.

I like that plan! There is SO much to see in Rome that giving yourself some extra time there is a great idea!
Five days will be plenty for Sorrento/AC.

We stayed in Sorrento for 11 days in April and didn't regret it. For us, the Amalfi Coast was our least favourite part of our visit, but for us, rest and relaxation were not priorities. Transportation from Sorrento will also be easier to manage.

When are you going? Hotels can fill up fast for April through September.

In case you're interested, here's a link to my Trip Report. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-2-weeks-of-day-trips-from-sorrento

Thank you so much Kathy and Allen. I will check out the travel blog for sure.

I would just make the observation that Sorrento is better for daytrip transit than it is for "things to do." It is a purpose-built, postwar, reinforced-concrete resort town, with nightly street closures for the Passeggiata. We slept there five nights, and it was perfect for our trips. Note that Sorrento is not technically on the AC. Every day in the last week of May, there were more people in line (in Sorrento) for the half-hourly bus to Positano/Amalfi than would fit on the next 55-passenger bus. This is not like visiting Rome or Boston or NYC.

I’m not sure what you mean by tour Tuscany for a day, it’s a mighty big place. I personally wouldn’t want to get shuffled in and out of a bus just to move on and tick off another town. Maybe do that, but also take a full day to take the train down to Siena. Wander the streets, climb to the roof of the cathedral (beauty like no other), look down on the rooftops and out to the panorama of the countryside, have a leisurely meal on the campo, climb the tower. This medieval city is a gem and worth absorbing slowly. Learn some of its history before going, pick a clear day, and if you’re lucky enough you can linger through the early evening as lights go on. My two cents.
Cathedral roof tickets are called Gate of Heaven or Porta Del Cielo. We got them right on location in the month of April, but you can book ahead.

Thank you Tim and bap, really helpful information!