Travel to Positano from Rome

Sarah, a big piece of information that you may be missing is that the Civitavecchia cruise terminal is not really that close to Rome. It's a 48min-81min train ride from Roma Termini depending on the type of train you are on. Secondly, by public transportation, it's 3.5hrs-4.5hrs to get from Positano to Rome. Then, you have the additional journey to Civitavecchia. By Marozzi bus, their schedule shows a 4.5hr run to Positano from Rome Tiburtina. One bus at 7:00am according to their schedule.

Logistically, you'd be better off going directly to Positano on the day you arrive and then returning to Rome for a couple of days before your cruise. Because you'll have already had a long trip and it's your 25th anniversary, splurge on the 100 euro or so private transfer from Naples to Positano (your hotel can likely arrange it). That will give you much more flexiility for your return to Rome and your transfer to Civitavecchia on the day your cruise departs. I've twice gone from Rome airport to Sorrento on my day of arrival and it worked out well both times.

Thank you, only problem is we have arranged our accomodations in Rome for the 2 nights after arriving and cannot get a refund. That is fine, we are happy to be there. We were looking for a the best option as well as fast & economical to get to Civitavecchia by about 2pm on June 5th. We can take a train from Salerno in the morning at 9:57am that only stops in Rome and then to Civitavecchia, its just getting to Salerno in the morning of the 5th may be an issue. Also, I heard that if you are over 26 years of age you need to purchase a 1st class ticket for trains. Is that true? I just don't want to be late for our cruise.
Thanks

Sarah, if you intend to go south from Positano to Salerno, your public transportation will be the SITA bus. Expect to change buses at Amalfi. If you are over 26, you are not required to buy a 1st class ticket. I believe that that may be some kind of Eurail stuff. I see the 9:57 train from Salerno to Civitavecchia. It does require a train change at Rome (15 min). The overall journey is 3hrs. You can be at the Civitavecchia train station at 12:51. Now the challenge is to find out what times the bus runs. They seem to run early enough. But on the buses, it's 40 minutes from Positano-Sponda to Amalfi and 1hr 15min from Amalfi to Salerno. Here's a link to what I see for the bus from Amalfi to Salerno. http://www.amalficoastweb.com/orari_sita_bus_timetables.html I haven't yet found the new bus schedule from Sorrento to Amalfi but I'm betting that you will need to be on the bus somewhere around 7:00am.

Sarah, First of all, congratulations on your 25th anniversary! > For travel from Rome to Positano, I'd probably use one of these options: 1.) Freccia train from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale, Circumvesuviana from Naples to Sorrento and then either Bus, Taxi or private transfer to Positano. 2.) Freccia train from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale and then private transfer to Positano. There are reliable car services listed in the Italy Guidebook. You may also want to have a look at the informative www.positano.com/en/how-to-get-here website. Of the two options, I'd probably use #1 with Taxi from Sorrento to Positano as it provides a good balance between time and cost (IMO). > For travel from Positano to Rome and then Civitavecchia, I'd use one of these methods: 1.) Bus, Taxi or private transfer from Positano to Sorrento, then Circumvesuviana to Napoli Centrale, Freccia to Roma Termini and then local train to the port. 2.) Private transfer from Positano to Napoli Centrale and then Freccia to Roma Termini. Given the fact that you have to be back in Rome at a specific time, this is the option I'd recommend. I'd suggest having a look at the excellent www.roninrome.com/transportation/traveling-from-rome-to-civitavecchia website to get a good idea on the travel details for trains from Termini to the Port. Of course, if you had a "generous travel budget" you could also consider a private transfer by Helicopter (although I'm not sure they have a landing location in Positano). Have you booked a hotel in Positano yet? Happy travels!

Another option would be to go to Sorrento rather than Positano, where travel options to Civitavechhia will be much easier. If you do go to Positano, then an early bus to Sorrento and Circumvesuviana to Naples might be better than going to Salerno. You could take the 07:55 bus arriving in Sorrento 08:55, 09:07 Circumvesuviana arriving Napoli Centrale 10:12, and 10:38 train to Civitavecchia (same one as from Salerno). If you're uncomfortable with the bus/train connections, then arranging for a private car to Naples would be the way to go.

Whether by bus or car, the drive along the Amalfi Coast between Sorrento and Salerno is a hoot. If you haven't already, be sure to Google "amalfi coast drive youtube" for some hair raising examples. We went from Salerno to Sorrento on the bus, so we were on the inside of the road next to the mountains but we sat in seats on the sea side of the bus. When we changed buses, I made my husband sit next to the window. I don't have acrophobia, but I'd had enough. It is an experience not to be missed, though.

When we did it we hired BENVENUTO LIMO company and we had a fantastic experience. They are so knowledgeable and make the drive entertaining and educational drop you off at major sights to enjoy.

Thank you everyone for your tips and suggestions. We are in Italy now and before leaving I hired a car/driver for the trip back as I'm catching a train from Naples to Rome. This country is beautiful! Can't wait to see Amalfi Coast & celebrate our actual anniversary day there.
Thank you again!