Amalfi is the heart of this magnificent Italian coastline and a must-see town on your Amalfi Coast adventure.
By ship
The ferry season opens from Easter weekend and runs until mid to late October with connections from Amalfi to Positano, Salerno, Capri, Naples and Sorrento. Headquartered in Naples, the Metro del Mare is an extension of urban public transport -- by sea. Operating since 2002, it connects the northern ports of Bacoli and Pozzuoli to Naples and from there goes to Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi. The service runs from Easter through to October, with several boats a day between Naples and Positano. Check the local papers Il Mattino or La Repubblica for timetables or with Metro del Mare not available in 2011, probably available again in 2012 (http://www.metrodelmare.net).
Headquartered in Amalfi, ferries are operated by Coop Sant'Andrea a consorzio which includes Travelmar, Alicost and Linee Marittime Partenopee. Coop Sant'Andrea run the ferry service from Salerno to Amalfi, Amalfi to Salerno, Amalfi to Positano, Positano to Amalfi, Positano to Salerno, Salerno to Positano and connections in summer between Amalfi-Minori-Maiori. Schedule 2009 online (http://www.coopsantandrea...) can be purchased at the ticket booth located on the main pier in Amalfi called Molo Pennello or at Divina Costiera, an information point in Amalfi opposite the SITA bus terminal.
There are also private boat charters offered at the ticket kiosks on the Molo Pennello pier.
Boat and Ferry Information:
Travelmar 089/871483.
Alicost Ph: 089/871483.
Alilauro Ph: 081/8073024.
Alilauro-Gruson Ph: 081/8071430.
Caremar Ph: 081/8073077.
Linee Maritime Salernitane Ph: 089/873301 in Amalfi; 089/811164 in Postiano; 081/8073024 in Sorrento. Positano ferry and hydrofoil ticket office Via del Brigantino, Italy. PHONE: 089/811986.
Travelmar Ph: 089/872950.
For ferry and bus timetables in English you can also refer to Amalficoast-Web (http://www.amalficoastweb.com)
By train
The two main train stations serving the Amalfi Coast are Salerno which has direct Eurostar and inter-regional trains (http://www.ferroviedellos...) connections to Naples and Rome and the local Circumvesuviana over in Sorrento which is the main train line which connects Sorrento to Naples and importantly, Sorrento to Pompeii ruins. Conveniently, both stations are also hubs for cheap, efficient bus and ferry services radiating toward the major tourist destinations along the Amalfi Coast and inland.
By bus
The SITA local bus network travels all over the Amalfi Coast. To and from Sorrento via Positano and Praiano and onwards to Furore Fjord, Conca and its Emerald Grotto. Buses also travel to and from Salerno from Amalfi via Minori, Minori, Cetara and Vietri. Local buses also link Amalfi to Ravello and the upper reaches of Furore, Pogerola, Agerola and Napoli.
Positano is approx. 40 minutes from Amalfi depending on traffic. The trip to Amalfi from Sorrento is approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes depending on traffic otherwise this can blow out to two hours. July and August are prime months for people-moving so the buses can become very crowded so make sure you are at the front of the pushy crowd when the bus pulls up otherwise it is a long wait for the next one...
It is a comfortable way to travel along the Amalfi Coast and Sorrentine Peninsula on the bus, however if you are prone to motion sickness the hairpins on these roads will certainly induce symptoms very quickly! SITA (http://www.sitabus.it) offers a very efficient public transportation service in the area, with expert drivers who breeze along the winding roads like they were driving on a highway you will be happy to know that they are experienced. Here is something that you might need to know to know before you board your bus.
1. You have to buy your tickets in advance, before you get on the bus. Tickets can be bought at caffe bars, some have a black and white sign 'Tabacchi' hanging out the front while some stores selling lotto tickets also sell bus tickets so look out for these too. Shops also which display the SITA logo as well as at the SITA ticket office at the Salerno train stations. If a bar does not sell SITA tickets, you can always ask where you can find them as they are generally helpful.
2. As you get on the bus you have to clip your ticket in the yellow/orange machine that you will see in front of you as you climb the steps. If you are not able to get the machine to clip your ticket, ask the driver to do it for you. Do not forget to clip the ticket: during your trip an agent will board the bus and ask to check the ticket. If the ticket is not clipped you will have to pay a fine
By car
It is simple to hire a car for your stay - but driving in southern Italy is not for the faint-hearted! The Amalfi Coast roads are very narrow and cliff-hanging, and will either provide a challenging drive. But there are many spots to stop along the coastal roads and small towns that are only easily accessible if you have your own car.
For those who are truly adventurous, scooters can be a practical form of transport, however precision driving is key.
The ferry and bus services on the Amalfi Coast offer excellent connections between towns and the price of parking could also put you off hiring a car.
Amalfi is 270 km from Rome, 70 km from Naples, 60 km from Avellino and 85 km from Caserta.