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A ferry stops at Positano on the Amalfi Coast.
There's nothing like seeing a coastal region from the water—or like arriving in posh Positano by boat.
The best Amalfi Coast trips combine the local buses and a ferry ride or two. It's the best way to see the best of the coast from both angles.
If you are traveling west to east (Sorrento to Sorrento), take the bus.
Once you are on the return trip from east to west (toward Sorrento)—or are arriving at the Amalfi Coast from the south and therefore starting in Sorrento—I'd say take the ferry... at least part of the way.
Since the ride back along the coast —whether you turn around in Amalfi or come from Sorrento—hugs the cliff and not the drop-dead views, a fast ferry makes more sense—especially if you find you can't stomach the twisting bus ride.
Ferry frequency varies with the season, but in summer there are roughly a half dozen daily boats connecting the major towns.
Most ferries operate at least April through Septmeber. Between October and March, thre are precious few boats along the coast.
The only confusing part is that the boats are operated by a half-dozen different companies with often overlapping routes connecting Amalfi Coast towns (and betwen the Amalfi Coast and Capri).
On some trips you will have only one choice, but on others there will be options, sometimes even including the option of taking a faster aliscafo (hydrofoil) over the slower traghetto (ferry).
When in doubt, just book a ticket on the next boat leaving, regardless of who runs it.
Planning your time: Budget at least a day for the Amalfi Coast. Simply to drive the coast without getting out (except to change buses in Amalfi) takes at least five hours—that's three hours touring the coast from Sorrento to Salerno, plus another hour on each end to get to and from those gateway towns.
If you do want to pack it all into a single day—and actually stop and get out in a few towns—it might be best to just book a tour that picks you up at your hotel, gives you time in each of the main Amalfi Coast towns, and returns you to your hotel 6–9 hours later:
Otherwise, it makes far more sense to spend at least one night on the coast.
If, however, your schedule doesn't have that much leisure time, might I suggest riding the first leg—from Sorrento to Positano to Amalfi—taking a quick spin around Amalfi town, then catching a ferry either back up the coast to Sorrento or over to Capri.
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This article was written by Reid Bramblett and was last updated in May 2015.
All information was accurate at the time.
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