Naples to Amalfi on a Sunday & daytrips from Amalfi too

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Naples to Amalfi on a Sunday & daytrips from Amalfi too
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Hi there

My boyfriend and I are going to Naples and the Amalfi Coast for 8 days/nights in late June and early July. We have booked a hotel in Naples for 2 nights, a B&B in Amalfi itself for 5 nights and then the same hotel in Naples for one night before we fly home.

I have a few (!) questions which I would love some advice on/responses to, please:

1. Is the best way to get from Naples to Amalfi by ferry or bus? I would prefer a ferry but do these run very frequently? If we take a ferry is it advisable to book this in advance? Please note we will be travelling to Amalfi from Naples on a Sunday – will this be a problem?

2.We are looking to have quite a relaxing time while in Amalfi but would like to do a few day trips too. I was thinking Capri and Pompeii and have been told many good things about Ravello also. Are there any must-see places? Is Positano worth seeing – have heard mixed things? And again, can we do these by ferry (hydrofoil, is it?) or bus (obviously Capri would be by some kind of a boat, I realise, being an island and all)?

Many thanks,

Amy

Norwich, United...
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11. Re: Naples to Amalfi on a Sunday & daytrips from Amalfi too
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Shall we make that....

Might NOT be an bad idea - if possible - to swap the 2nd Naples night, from the start to the end of your holiday?

P

London, United...
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12. Re: Naples to Amalfi on a Sunday & daytrips from Amalfi too
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Hi Peter,

Thanks for your help and the timetables.

Apprecaite the suggestion about changing days (and had I known there would be problems I would have booked accordingly, just never thought!) but that might be a bit difficult given I have got all the accomodation booked and would mean I have to change both reservations....

If we DO have to go on a Sunday can we just get the train to Sorrento/Salerno and then get the ferry - or will we have issues with them on a Sunday too?

I will have a look into changing our reservations but if you coudl let me know what our options for travel on Sunday are, that woudl be great. I am almost thinking we coudl just get a ferry from Naples to Capri and then a ferry from Capri to Amlfi - would that work?

Also, with those timetables you sent, is Saturday counted as a working day?

I'm not sure if the bus will be the best option for us comign back from Amalfi anyway if they only go at either 5.45am or 6.20am!

Thanks SO MUCH for your help!

Kind regards,

Amy

Hagerstown, Maryland
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13. Re: Naples to Amalfi on a Sunday & daytrips from Amalfi too
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Just take a train to Salerno, walk two blocks to the port, and hop on a ferry for Amalfi. It couldn't be easier, and riding the ferry is much more enjoyable than the bus (for me anyway, which makes my stomach turn over on that winding coastal road). The ferry runs several times daily. Have a look at this website (click the "ferries lines"" at the top of the page:

http://www.coopsantandrea.com/index_en.asp

The views along the way are spectacular...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/triptorome2006/2438976713/in/set-72157604712458728

http://www.flickr.com/photos/triptorome2006/2438976713/in/set-72157604712458728

To answer some of your other questions - yes, Positano is definitely worth seeing at least once in your life. The town is very touristy and so it's not a place I care to spend a lot of time in, but it is a visually magnificent place given that it sits on a steep hillside over the sea.

Ravello is a must as well. It's only a 20 minute bus ride up from Amalfi.

Also, in case you don't know it there is a lot of fun and not-too-difficult hiking to be done in the hills between Amalfi and Ravello. There is a waterfall, and ruins of several old paper mills. I also recommend hiking up to the tower ruins you'll see sitting high up above Amalfi...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/triptorome2006/461543411/in/set-72157600082798914

http://www.flickr.com/photos/triptorome2006/461543359/in/set-72157600082798914

http://www.flickr.com/photos/triptorome2006/461608644/in/set-72157600082798914

http://www.flickr.com/photos/triptorome2006/461630500/in/set-72157600082798914

Hope this helps. Have fun!

London, United...
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14. Re: Naples to Amalfi on a Sunday & daytrips from Amalfi too
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awesome! thanks for the advice - i'd heard positano was super touristy, hence me wondering if it was worth it but my thining is along the same as yours - see it once in your life. great photos too - that waterfall looks like itwould be great to cool off in on a hike btw. thanks jjkdc / jeff - and everyone else! tripadvisor is just the most amazing website, i love it.

Norwich, United...
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15. Re: Naples to Amalfi on a Sunday & daytrips from Amalfi too
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No real need to change as it's not hugely difficult to get to Amalfi on a Sunday.... only that some of the simpler and cheaper options aren't available!

Here's how our area looks...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/132567370

... and, on any day of the week in summer, there's no reason why you shouldn't do the following - which I'd pick over going Naples / Capri / Amalfi, because it shouldn't anywhere near as busy!

Start by taking the Alilauro line hydrofoil, from the Beverello quay in Naples harbour to Sorrento - first one leaves at 09:00, about 40 minutes to cross the Bay, tickets €11 plus €2 for large cases etc:

http://www.alilauro.it/oraridal15Giugnoal15Settembre.pdf

Then, once there buy tickets at the GESCAB kiosk near the harbour (no outlet in Naples as far as I know!) for the Alicost line's departure at 10:30... which stops in at Positano at around 11, to get you to Amalfi around 11:30 - tickets €15.40, but no luggage charge...

http://www.alicost.it/content/?id=6

Or, if you'd like to have a few extra hours in Naples, take the 13:00 Alilauro to Sorrento, and then the 15:00 Alicost - which makes a stop at Capri, then Positano for 16:00, and Amalfi by 16:25.

That must have been a few minutes late today - usually it's caught on the 4PM image of the webcam on one of the Positano hotels:

http://www.campaniameteo.it/immaginiOrarie.php?id=20

Particularly with bags in tow, I'd go by sea for ease, rather than haring down to Salerno?

But whilst you're in the area, do try to see that historic city - much more interesting than people generally realise...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/salerno33

.... and the 'gateway', by either train or bus, to glorious Paestum:

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/paestum

Peter

PS: Yes, here - including for students and schoolkids during term time - Saturday is indeed a normal working day!

Edited: 8 years ago
Norwich, United...
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16. Re: Naples to Amalfi on a Sunday & daytrips from Amalfi too
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Quite agree with you on the early start with the buses back to Naples - but they're put on for those without the option!

What time were you thinking of setting off?

Peter

London, United...
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17. Re: Naples to Amalfi on a Sunday & daytrips from Amalfi too
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hi peter,

wow, thanks so much for all that information. you can really tell how much you love the area by how you post and how helpful you are with everyone.

i think we'll probably go with your suggestions of the boat via sorrento, even if it does mean changing. probably more likely to take the 1pm option too but will see how we go (any need to book these in advance btw?). and thanks for the link on salerno.

in terms of coming back from amalfi, we will be doing so on a friday and will probably be some time around midday or later - check out of our b&b and make our way back to naples - no rush. i presume we would be able to go back the same way we came?

thanks again,

amy

Norwich, United...
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18. Re: Naples to Amalfi on a Sunday & daytrips from Amalfi too
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With time to spare in the middle of the day, any of the routes mentioned above are open to you... including finishing the circuit by going by bus or sea to Salerno and then training to Naples? Or, for economy, a bus to Sorrento and then the Circumvesuviana train...

But the all-sea route should again be the most pleasant!

Peter

Sheffield, United...
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19. Re: Naples to Amalfi on a Sunday & daytrips from Amalfi too
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Just a quick note, the coastal road from Sorrento to Amalfi is often blocked and you have to go over the mountains. This isn't a nice journey on a bus taking a couple of hours if you dont travel well but the views are quite impressive. Don't bank on getting the timetabled bus either because they often fill up with only limited seats on board.

Norwich, United...
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20. Re: Naples to Amalfi on a Sunday & daytrips from Amalfi too
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Bungleboy, your definition of often may be different to mine - but, from what I've seen in nine years here, that road's blocked perhaps once or twice annually by such events...

Even then it rarely happens outside of the rainiest periods, and I don't recall any incidents in summer?

Peter

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