Intro

The Amalfi Coast is one of Italy’s most iconic destinations, but getting there and navigating the region can be surprisingly tricky. Lucky for you, I put together this Amalfi Coast transportation guide to help you plan ahead, minimize stress, and make the most of your time along the coast!

Here’s everything you need to know about Amalfi Coast transportation, including the best airports to fly into, how to get to the Amalfi Coast from the airport, and the best ways to get around the region once you’re there.

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Best Airports to Fly Into for an Amalfi Coast Getaway

Below are the 3 most popular airports tourists fly into when traveling to the Amalfi Coast:

Naples: Naples International Airport (NAP)

Naples International Airport is the closest airport to Positano, and the most popular option for travelers heading to the Amalfi Coast, especially from outside of Europe.

• Private transfer/car rental: ~1 hour 15 minutes (Positano), ~1.5 hours (Amalfi)
• Public transportation: ~1 hour 45 minutes (Positano), ~2 hours (Amalfi)

Salerno: Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport (QSR)

Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport is the closest airport to Amalfi town. It opened in 2024 and is the newest option for flying into the Amalfi Coast. It is the most popular airport option for European tourists.

• Private transfer/car rental: ~1.5 hours (Positano), ~1 hour (Amalfi)
• Public transportation: ~2.5 hours (Positano), ~1 hour (Amalfi)

Rome: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO)

Rome is often the cheapest option for international flights, so if you choose to fly into Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, I recommend spending a few days there before heading south. Just keep in mind that transportation to the Amalfi Coast takes longer and is much more expensive, so it may end up being more costly than flying into Naples or Salerno.

• Private transfer/car rental: ~3.5 hours (Positano & Amalfi)
• Public transportation: ~4 hours 15 minutes (Positano), ~4.5 hours (Amalfi) 

Getting to The Amalfi Coast From the Airport

No matter which airport you fly into, getting to the Amalfi Coast requires a bit of planning. The best option for you will depend on your budget, desired comfort level, and travel style:

Private Transfer

The easiest and most comfortable way to arrive on the Amalfi Coast is to book a private transfer directly to your hotel. While it’s the priciest option, it’s completely stress-free, and you won’t have to navigate busy train stations, wait for buses in the hot sun, or carry luggage on cobblestone roads and steep stairs.

This is the option I strongly recommend for the most seamless process, and I’d definitely suggest setting aside some budget for a private transfer if you plan to go directly from the airport to the Amalfi Coast.

Public Transportation

From Naples Airport, the most budget-friendly option is to take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Sorrento, then transfer to a SITA bus that runs along the coast. It’s cheap but can be overwhelming, especially during the summer months when buses are packed. If you fly into Salerno, you can take a direct bus from Salerno to Amalfi, and then transfer to a SITA bus to ride to your accommodation.

Ferry

For a scenic and more affordable option, you can take a direct ferry from Naples or Salerno to Positano or Amalfi. On a sunny day, the views are absolutely breathtaking, and you’ll avoid any traffic jams, which are super frequent on the winding coastal roads.

Rental Car

While this will definitely give you the most freedom and flexibility, driving a rental car to the Amalfi Coast can be pretty challenging. The roads are quite narrow and windy, which may be nerve-racking for some drivers. There is also very limited parking along the coast, so public parking is usually expensive, and most parking areas fill up fast. The only way I see this being a feasible option is if you are roadtripping through Italy and your Amalfi Coast accommodation has on-site parking available. 

Getting Around the Amalfi Coast

Most people visiting the Amalfi Coast want to hop between towns rather than stay in just one place. After all, there are so many incredible places to visit along the 34-mile coastline! There are several options for getting around, depending on your budget and travel style.

Public Bus (SITA)

The SITA bus is the Amalfi Coast’s primary form of public transportation and the most affordable (and popular) way to get around. You can get pretty much everywhere in the Amalfi Coast via SITA; however, buses fill up very quickly, especially during peak season. If you’re visiting between June and August, be sure to allow for extra time in case you have to wait for the next available bus. Check out the official 2026 SITA bus schedule to help plan your routes and timing. 

Ferry

Ferries are hands down one of the best ways to get around the Amalfi Coast. They connect major towns such as Positano, Amalfi, Sorrento, Capri, Salerno, and Naples, offering a scenic and more comfortable alternative to crowded buses. Just keep in mind that ferries operate from spring through fall and are weather-dependent, so it’s always a good idea to double-check the ferry schedule for any delays or cancellations.

Taxi

Taxis are readily available throughout the Amalfi Coast, but using them to get between towns can be very expensive. Expect to pay at least €50 for a short one-way trip, with routes like Positano to Amalfi averaging around €120. I recommend using taxis for hotel transfers only, so you don’t have to carry heavy luggage to and from bus stops or ferry ports.

Scooter or Vespa

Vespas scream quintessential Italy, so lots of tourists choose to rent a scooter when visiting the Amalfi Coast. While it’s one of the most convenient ways to get between towns, it’s best suited for experienced drivers. The roads are narrow and winding, with frequent traffic jams and distracted drivers, so accidents aren’t uncommon. We even witnessed a poor girl being taken away by an ambulance after crashing her Vespa, which I’m sure is NOT how she planned to spend her Amalfi Coast holiday! If you are an experienced scooter driver and you’ve navigated these types of roads in the past, this is a great option for getting around, but only do it if you feel confident and skilled enough to navigate the road conditions that you’ll encounter.

Guided Tours

If you want to see a lot of highlights along the coast without dealing with public transportation or the stress of finding parking, a guided tour is a great option! Many tours include hotel pick-up and drop-off and cover multiple stops in one day, making it an easy and efficient way to explore the coast.

Check out some of the top Amalfi Coast tours below:

Rental Car

As I previously mentioned, rental cars are a convenient way to get to the Amalfi Coast from the Airport, but getting around the region via car can be pretty challenging. If you choose to explore the Amalfi Coast via a rental car, make sure to research parking spots ahead of time and arrive early to secure a spot.

Traffic regulations have also been put in place during peak season and shoulder season, where it’s prohibited for cars with a license plate ending in an odd number to drive on odd-numbered days, or cars with a license plate ending in an even number on even-numbered days. So, even if you have a rental car, you’d only be able to use it every other day on the Amalfi Drive highway.

Walking

Walking is the best way to explore each town since they are all quite small. Most towns along the coast are not within walking distance from one another, but for neighboring towns, walking is definitely doable. For example, the walk from Amalfi to Ravello takes about 45 minutes each way (with a fair amount of hills). 

Call us crazy, but we actually walked from Praiano to Positano a couple of times during our Amalfi Coast trip, which took about 1 hour and 45 minutes each way. It was a scenic walk, and we had the energy, so it was super enjoyable for us. This was in October, and the temperature was in the early 70s (°F),  but we were still drenched in sweat by the end. The sun here is intense, so even mild days can feel quite hot!

Also Read: The Ultimate Budget Guide to The Amalfi Coast

How Different Seasons Affect Transportation on the Amalfi Coast

Transportation around the Amalfi Coast can look quite different depending on the time of year you visit, so here is a quick breakdown of what to expect throughout the year:

• Peak season (June-August): Overall, peak season is the worst time to experience transportation on the Amalfi Coast. Buses and ferries get very crowded with potentially long wait times, taxi rates are at their absolute highest, and finding parking spots can be challenging. As I mentioned earlier, strict traffic regulations are in place to manage traffic along the coast, as well. Furthermore,  temperatures can be unbearably hot for walking, especially since the Amalfi Coast is notorious for its abundance of stairs! 
• Shoulder season (April-May & September-October): Shoulder season experiences fewer crowds on buses and ferries, making them a more comfortable option. Parking can still be challenging, but it’s easier to find spots than during peak season; however, traffic regulations are still in place for foreign tourists.
• Off-season (November-March): Ferry service is extremely limited this time of year, and routes connecting the major tourist towns are suspended. While the tourist traffic regulations have lifted, road closures are now possible due to landslides. 

Conclusion

The Amalfi Coast is a dream vacation for many, but if you don’t research transportation to and around the coast ahead of time, you could wind up in a very stressful (and expensive) situation.

I hope this post has been helpful as you plan your Amalfi Coast trip! If you want more information, check out my other Amalfi Coast blog posts to help plan the most unforgettable getaway to this region!

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