Step by Step: How to Get to Positano in 4 Different Ways
/
Time and time again, we hear from travelers that figuring out transportation to tricky destinations throws a wrench in their trip planning. It sometimes proves such a challenge that travelers would rather remove the destination from their itinerary altogether than try to navigate transportation.
Positano is worth it. We want you to experience the stunning views and the incredible cuisine and to meet the people that call this coastal town their home. Those are all the reasons we keep going back year after year.
So we’ve come up with a solution for how to get to Positano in 4 different ways.
Traveling with us to Positano is obviously the first choice because it’s effortless in every sense of the word. You’ll fly into Naples (the closest airport) and a private driver will be waiting just for you and take you to Sorrento (no waiting at the airport for a scheduled mini-bus with multiple people!). We’ll spend a day there and then our private driver will whisk us off to Positano where we’ll visit the farms and family homes that tourists don’t even know exist. You’ll see what Positano truly offers without battling hordes of tourists, like the smell of homemade biscotti in the kitchen while eating a heaping bowl of gnocchi on Marika’s garden patio overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Magical.
Tempted? Read more details about our Heart of Italy trip. The Amalfi Coast is just the tip of the iceberg of beautiful places we visit and amazing friends we share meals with.
If traveling with us isn’t in the cards (at least for now), then we’ve come up with the next best thing to solve your challenge: explicit instructions on how to get transportation from Naples to Positano with as little stress as possible. (We chose Naples because it’s the easiest starting point.) We’ve also taken budget into consideration. Disclaimer: Budget can affect the level of stress because the cheaper you go, the more details you have to manage and juggle.
Our first recommendation is to start in Naples. Naples is the easiest entry point into the Amalfi Coast, so we highly recommend arriving there to start your journey to the coast.
Alright, let’s jump into our travel expert recommendations for how to get to Positano, Italy.
Train | $
The train will take you from Naples to Sorrento, a neighboring town of Positano, but that’s where the train track ends. In order to get from Naples to Positano by train, you need to combine it with another form of transportation. For example, take the train from Naples to Sorrento and then from there take the bus from Sorrento to Positano. You do have the option to take a taxi from Sorrento to Positano, but we don’t recommend it because they are expensive, especially during the high season.
Catch the train at the Naples Centrale Train Station, also called Plazza Garibaldi, and from there catch one of the two trains listed below:
Circumvesuviana local commuter train:
Pros: inexpensive (currently €4.90 per person per way), runs frequently (every 30 minutes at some times), runs early and late
Cons: can be very crowded, no air conditioning (hot during the summer), no luggage holds, frequented by pickpockets, stops at every station (about 1 hour 15 min total travel time)
Campania Express traveler train:
Pros: fewer stops and about 30 min less than the commuter train, seating guaranteed for all ticket holders, luggage racks, air conditioning (albeit not strong when it’s truly hot)
Cons: only 4 trains per day, does not run during low season (winter / early spring)
Important to know: You need to buy your tickets at the train station and ticket prices seem to increase year to year. Currently, they are €15 per person per way.
If you decide to take the train and bus route, make sure to read about the bus below so you know where to buy tickets and which bus to take.
Bus | $
Similarly, you can take the bus from Naples to Sorrento and then from Sorrento to Positano. It’s the L1 with EAV. Once you arrive in Sorrento, transfer to another local bus from Sorrento to Positano. It’s the 5070. Google Maps is your friend here to help you catch the correct bus. There are two main stops in Positano. Do some research about which stop is the easiest to get off at to reach your hotel or final destination.
Important to Note: Make sure you buy the tickets in advance at a “tabbachi” or the bus station. Tickets are not available to purchase on board.
Alilauro Fast Ferry | $$
The Alilauro Fast Ferry is 40 minutes from Naples to Positano and currently costs about €13.20 per person per way. You’ll have to get from your point of entry into Naples (train station, airport, etc.) to the Ferry port. There are multiple terminals for different carriers, so make sure that you’re in the right place at the right time! Also, be sure to leave some extra time for boarding, getting your luggage on, etc.
Be aware that there are only a few ferry options for reaching Positano from Sorrento. You should book tickets in advance since they do get crowded. Additionally, if the weather is bad, occasionally the ferries cannot disembark in Positano due to there not being a protected port.
Important to know: Sorrento to Positano ferry schedules change seasonally, and you should book tickets in advance in case the ferry fills up. In addition, some ferries also charge a ‘luggage fee’ for a piece of large luggage, much like an airline would. Make sure you buy a ‘ticket’ for your luggage since they will check when you are boarding the ferry.
Private Transfer | $$$ (could be more affordable if you're splitting with friends)
A private transfer is the easiest way to get from Naples to Sorrento and then from Sorrento to Positano if you can afford it. Private transfers may seem more expensive, but if you are traveling with friends or a small group of people it may end up being similar in total price to buying numerous tickets on the train or a shared shuttle.
Important to know: A private driver typically waits for your arrival with your name on a paging board at the airport or train. As such, you must book in advance so they have your arrival information.
People frequently ask about the option to rent a car and self-drive the distance from Naples to Sorrento to Positano. We have a few thoughts on that and we intentionally decided not to include it in our recommendations above.
That said, driving can be a good alternative for folks who: (1) want to get out and explore, (2) are incredibly capable and confident drivers when it comes to narrow, winding roads that do not always fit two cars across with oncoming traffic, and (3) have a parking spot predetermined or paid for with your hotel or accommodations. Otherwise, driving can be challenging in and of itself, and don’t get us started on parking.
Wondering if going to Positano is a good fit for you? Check out our blog post “Is the Amalfi Coast Worth Visiting?”
If you’re looking for an effortless experience where you never have to research transportation (and tipping!) and your driver is waiting for you with a smile on their face, check out our Heart of Italy trip. Experience every breathtaking view and mouth-watering bite that Positano has to offer without even lifting a finger.
If you’re traveling to Italy on your own and don’t know where to start or want to tap into our travel expertise to make the most of your trip, check out our customized travel coaching and optional booking service.
No matter where you travel, we always recommend purchasing travel protection to safeguard against sudden changes or cancellations. If you don’t already have a preferred vendor, you can check out ours - Travel Insured - who offers a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy.
