Venice to Positano to Rome

We did Venice to Naples by train and then had Aldo Limos pick us up and take us to Positano. It was a very luxurious way to get there. For a party of 4, you'd do pretty well to take a private car service like Aldo Limos. It's not much more than $120 or so...can't recall exact price.

I think Valerie's experience and recommendation is the best way. Continuing from Naples to Sorrento by Circumvesuviana train, then on to Positano by bus or ferry, then on to your lodging, with four people and baggage would be very time-consuming, a huge hassle, very tiring, and probably almost as expensive as the car service. Same story via Salerno. A car right to your lodging would get you out and enjoying Positano much sooner than cumbersome public transit.

Driving has made sense on some other recent threads for people who were already using the car to tour Tuscany, for instance. But a one-day car rental is a hassle and not necessarily cheap, especially one that comfortably fits 4 adults plus luggage.

There is absolutely no advantage to having command of your own vehicle to make that long, single-day trip. You have to decide on comfort, price, total time elapsed, and rental/return convenience. Find out how close your Positano housing is to the ONE road that goes through the town, one lane in each direction.

Personally, I would also train to Naples and hire a car service. Massive luggage might affect such a decision, due to trunk size. We took the CV from Naples to Sorrento, and decided to use a car service to return, it was so crowded and hot (in May). BTW, the bus from Sorrento to Positano is no pleasure in May.

Thank you for your replies everyone! There are a few different stations for Venice and Naples, which ones do I choose? We will be staying near the San Stae boat stop in Venice. Thanks.

Train stations: for Venice, you'll want the Santa Lucia station, and for Naples, Napoli Centrale.

Venice is Santa Lucia, Naples is Napoli Central. Then private car hire sounds best.

Take a look at flights. I'm going from Venice to Naples, and I decided the train made more sense because I'm staying near the train station in Naples for a few nights and avoiding the hassles of flying was worth the extra time on the train. Taking the limo from the airport would be about the same as from the train station, so flying may save you time. Do take into account the time it takes to get to the Venice airport and when you'd have to be there. I must admit I would have liked to fly just to see the country from the air.