How to get from Rome to Naples to the Amalfi Coast (2024 Guide)
Ah, the Amalfi Coast! Undeniably, it is one of the most beautiful places in Italy, where mountains meet the sea in an explosion of colorful houses. In just a few hours, you can go from the hustle-and-bustle of Rome or Naples to Positano or one of the other UNESCO-listed villages that dot the Amalfi Coast. It's one of the highlights of any tour of Southern Italy!
Once you've decided on where to stay on the Amalfi Coast, the next step is figuring out how to get there. We’ll take you through your options.
Rome to Naples
Naples has a history dating back nearly 3,000 years photo by Grafi Jeremiah
The first leg of any trip from Rome to the Amalfi Coast is traveling from Rome to Naples. Some people might want to take some time to see some of Naples’ majestic churches, so we’ll first get you to the City of Domes.
Your cheapest option is to take advantage of Italy’s relatively inexpensive rail system. You’ll need to head from Rome’s main train station, Roma Termini, to Naples’ central station, Napoli Centrale. Trenitalia has trains running from early morning until late at night, usually direct, and with a few options. You can opt for the more expensive Frecciargento high-speed train, which has first and second-class compartments and bar service, or you can take the Regionale - local commuter trains, which are inexpensive but can get packed at peak times.
If you are planning to explore the surrounding area, you could always rent a car and drive to Naples, but you first have to make sure your driver’s license is valid in Italy, and then you have to worry about finding parking in the city, and the traffic if you’re not used to urban driving. Fortunately, the drive itself is quite simple: take the A1 Autostrada, which is a toll road, down to Naples. That’s it!
When it comes to convenience, nothing beats a car service like Daytrip. You can just sit back and relax as you’re brought door-to-door. On top of that, Daytrip offers the option to take sightseeing side-trips, so you can swing by the Royal Palace of Caserta or several other sites while traveling from Rome to Naples.
Rome to the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is known for its dramatic cliffs, vibrant villages, and historic lemon groves through the lens of Silvia Trigo
After you’ve reached Naples, things start to get a little more complicated. Because the Amalfi Coast is fairly long, there are actually two routes you can take, depending on your destination.
Again, the most economical option is to take public transport, but this can get quite crowded during rush hour or holidays, and there aren’t any direct routes from Naples to the Amalfi Coast, meaning you’ll need to transfer and lug your luggage around with you.
If you’re heading to Positano or towns on the western side, it’s best to take the train from Naples to Sorrento, which, unfortunately, can only be booked in person. From Sorrento, you can take a bus to Positano (again, no online booking) or one of the nearby towns. Fortunately, Sorrento itself is beautiful, so you can fill any delays with stunning ocean views and fresh seafood to get a taste of the Amalfi Coast.
If you want to go to Amalfi, or one of the more eastern towns, take the train from Naples to Salerno, and then take a bus. During the summer, it’s also possible to take a ferry from Salerno to Amalfi, Minori, and Positano, but these can be weather-dependent.
Book a train from Naples to Salerno with ItaliaRail
Check the ferry schedule with TravelMar
If you’ve decided to drive from Rome or are renting a car in Naples, this next leg is where things can get tricky since you’ll be navigating the Amalfi Coast’s narrow, winding roads and then weaving through village streets. And as usual, parking can be a problem.
To drive from Naples to the Amalfi Coast, get on the A3 and then take the route below to your destination:
To Sorrento, exit at Castellammare di Stabia and take the SP 145. Then simply follow the aptly named Via Sorrentina along the coast.
To Positano, head toward Sorrento, and then take the SS 163 (Via Nastro Azzurro).
To Amalfi or other nearby villages, take the A3 down to Vietri Sul Mare and then take the SS 163, Via Costeira, toward Amalfi.
As of 2022, the local government has introduced an alternating number plate system limiting the number of rental cars that can access the towns on the Amalfi Coast. During peak hours in peak season, only vehicles with number plates ending in an odd number can use the road on odd-numbered dates, while those with plates ending in an even number can drive it on even-numbered dates. These rules apply between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from April 24 to May 2, weekends from June 15 to September 30, every day in August, and Holy Week around Easter.
These new rules mean the already crowded and somewhat complicated public transit options are going to get even more crowded and add another layer of logistics to renting a car - you'll need to not only get plates that line up with your arrival date but you can't stay for an odd number of days. If you arrive on an even date, you can only leave on an even date! This makes the next option even more convenient than it was before!
If you’re after convenience, a car service like Daytrip is always your best bet. Taxis and hired drivers are exempt from the new number plate system. You can bypass Naples completely and let the local drivers navigate the narrow roads, plus you won’t have to worry about parking. If you ever wanted to see the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum or Mount Vesuvius, we’re happy to take you on a detour!
Naples to the Amalfi Coast
The town of Amalfi snapped by Christopher Pap de Pestény
The Amalfi Coast is part of a large nature reserve, so the route you take from Naples depends on your final destination.
Your cheapest option is still going to be public transport, but there aren’t any direct routes from Naples to the Amalfi Coast, so you need to transfer. Also, during rush hour, holidays, or the high tourist season, things can get quite crowded. If you’re heading to Amalfi or one of the more eastern towns, take the train from Naples to Salerno and then take a bus. During the summer, it’s also possible to take a ferry from Salerno to Amalfi, Minori, and Positano, but these can be weather-dependent.
Book a train from Naples to Salerno
Check the ferry schedule with TravelMar
For villages to the west, you need to get from Naples to Sorrento. Remember that you can only buy train tickets in person at the train station. Once in Sorrento, you hop a bus to your fishing village of choice. Don’t fret if you need to kill some time waiting for the bus - Sorrento is essentially an Amalfi Coast city and offers stupendous views, quite a few landmarks, and exceptional food.
If you’re heading to one of the smaller villages or want to do some exploring, you can drive from Naples to the Amalfi Coast. Be aware of the narrow roads and lack of parking.
From Naples, you first get on the A3. After that, your route depends on your destination:
To Sorrento, exit at Castellammare di Stabia and take the SP 145. Then simply follow the aptly named Via Sorrentina along the coast.
To Positano, head toward Sorrento, and then take the SS 163 (Via Nastro Azzurro).
To Amalfi or other nearby villages, take the A3 down to Vietri Sul Mare and then take the SS 163, Via Costeira, toward Amalfi.
As of 2022, the local government has introduced an alternating number plate system limiting the number of rental cars that can access the towns on the Amalfi Coast.
During peak hours in peak season, only vehicles with number plates ending in an odd number can use the road on odd-numbered dates, while those with plates ending in an even number can drive it on even-numbered dates. These rules apply between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from April 24 to May 2, weekends from June 15 to September 30, every day in August, and Holy Week around Easter.
These new rules mean the already crowded and somewhat complicated public transit options are going to get even more crowded and add another layer of logistics to renting a car - you'll need to not only get plates that line up with your arrival date, but you can't stay for an odd number of days. If you arrive on an even date, you can only leave on an even date! This makes the next option even more convenient than it was before!
If you’d like to sit back and let a local driver navigate Amalfi’s narrow roads and bring you right to your accommodation, you want a car service like Daytrip. Taxis and hired drivers are exempt from the new number plate system, so you don't have to worry about planning your visit around that, and you'll avoid the even more crowded public transit system. Plus you can do some extra sightseeing on the way!
Naples to Positano
Positano's distinctive pastel-colored houses cascading down the cliffside taken by Rafael Hoyos Weht
Check our complete guide on How to Get from Naples to Positano
There isn’t a direct route from Naples to Positano on public transport, and what’s worse is that you can’t book tickets in advance for the public transport options. But if you feel like risking a crowded or sold-out train, it’s at least pretty straightforward. Take the train from Naples to Sorrento, and then hop on a bus to Positano.
If you’re confident in your driving abilities and have rented a car, get on the A3 from Naples and take the Castellammare di Stabia exit. Continue on SS145 until you reach the SS 163, Via Nastro Azzurro, and follow this to Positano. But with the new number plate system, you are limited to what days you can enter and leave!
With no direct train route and precipitous roads, many people prefer a car service like Daytrip to get them from Naples to Positano. You’ll be picked up at the Naples train station or in front of your accommodation and brought right to the front door of where you’re staying in Positano. Daytrip is exempt from the new number plate system, so you can plan your visit according to your own schedule. And of course, with Daytrip’s sightseeing option you can experience even more of Italy!
Daytrip also offers frequent shared shuttles from Naples to Positano, as well as from Positano to Naples.
If you're still unsure which town you'd like to visit, read our guide on Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast!
