When planning your vacation to the Amalfi Coast, it’s important to consider the logistics of how to get there, including which Amalfi Coast airport is the best for you.
Whether your final destination is Positano, Praiano, Amalfi, Minori, Maiori, Cetara, or Vietri Sul Mare, the closest major connection points for catching transportation like buses, shuttles, or taxis are Salerno and Sorrento is Naples.
In this comprehensive article, I cover every way to get to the Amalfi coast from Rome and Naples airports, and onwards also from Sorrento and Salerno/Vietri Sul Mare-Amalfi.
What is the nearest international Italian airport to the Amalfi Coast?
The nearest airport to the Amalfi Coast is the Capodichino Airport, also known as Naples International Airport, Naples Capodichino Airport, or just Naples Airport. The second-closest airport is Roma Fiumicino International Airport in Rome.
Transport from Naples to the Amalfi Coast generally takes a few hours depending on whether you choose to travel by train, ferry, bus, taxi, or rental car, whereas traveling from Rome can take upwards of four hours.
Some travelers choose to stay overnight in Rome upon arrival, rather than packing all those hours of travel into one day. If that’s the case for your next trip, you might want to consider the next section on where to stay in Rome.
Where to Stay in Rome
Even if you are only planning on staying one night in Rome before heading south towards the Amalfi Coast, it may be worth your while to select a hotel close to either the blue or the orange subway line.
Both of these lines stop at Roma Termini railway station, which is where you need to go to continue your journey towards Amalfi.
The blue line also connects travelers to the Colosseum, which looks beautiful both day and night. (If you aren’t feeling too jetlagged, and are feeling up to visiting the Colosseum, check out this evening underground tour for a unique look at this astonishing structure.)
Notable stops on the orange line include those nearest the Trevi Fountain, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. You can purchase subway tickets at every metro station, or at newspaper stands and corner shops. Train ticket prices range from 75 minutes of validity for €1,50 to a day pass for €6, and up to a week-long pass for €16,50.
If you’ve flown into Rome and need an airport hotel, there are two hotels connected to the airport as well as a group of less expensive hotels about 2 and a half kilometers away with frequent shuttle buses to and from the airport. Check out Rome airport hotels here.
Hotels Near Roma Termini
Baglioni Hotel Regina
A Leading Hotels of the World property with grand art deco guest rooms 1200 meters from Roma Termini and a 5-minute walk from Villa Borghese.
The sumptuous marble lobby, Murano chandeliers in the bedrooms and terraces, a gym, and a wellness center are only a small number of the facilities and 5-star details of this special hotel.
The Fifteen Keys Hotel
Rated as ‘exceptional’ (9.5/10), this 4-star hotel is only 600 meters from Roma Termini and has an airport shuttle.
Modern, bright, and light with sophisticated decor, this comfortable hotel has won many awards. Wonderful for couples and solo travelers, this is an affordable luxury in the heart of Rome.
Argentina Residenza Style Hotel
With over 1300 excellent reviews, this hotel is excellent value only 2.2 km from Roma Termini.
The hotel occupies the first floor of a 17th-century building. With fragments of frescoes inside and ancient ruins outside the door, this is an atmospheric Roman hotel!
From Rome to Naples
By Plane
The nearest airport to the Amalfi Coast is Naples Airport. Flights leave from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport. The flight time between Rome Fiumicino and Naples Airport can take only 50 minutes and are direct flights.
Although this is a very fast option, it is most often used by travelers who are transiting in Rome and have landed in Rome and are going onwards to the Amalfi Coast. It makes good sense to book a connecting flight from Rome Fiumicino through to Naples.
By Private Jet Charter or Helicopter
It is possible to fly directly to the Amalfi Coast by private jet charter to Salerno-Pontecagnano Airport (LIRI/QSR).
There are also several luxury hotels in the Amalfi Coast towns that have their own helipads, such as Hotel Villa Cimbrone in Ravello. For a comprehensive and up-to-date curated list of hotel recommendations for the Amalfi Coast including its best luxury hotels, read Where to Stay in the Amalfi Coast.
By Train
If you are heading straight from Rome to the Amalfi Coast by train, rather than staying overnight within the city, it’s simple and economical to take public transport from Fiumicino International Airport (as well as other nearby airports) to the main Roma Termini railway station.
The shuttle train from the airport is called Leonardo Express and the ticket price is about €16 if purchased at the station, and a little more if purchased as a mobile ticket online with free cancellation up to 24 hours before travel.
The Express departs every half hour or so, and they take around half an hour to get to the Roma Termini. Online tickets can be purchased here.
If you are traveling from Roma Ciampino Airport, you will similarly need to take a bus or shuttle to Roma Termini in order to catch a train towards the Amalfi Coast.
One such Airport shuttle service is run by Terravision, and it stops both at the city center as well as at Rome Termini. Bus rides cost €6 and last about 40 minutes. Tickets can be purchased online here;
Terravision buses meet at the Arrivals Terminal at bus stop N1 and come roughly every hour. For a timetable, click here.
I have to admit that I prefer to get a taxi from my hotel to Roma Termini. A trip to or from the Amalfi Coast is a full day and extra time spent shuffling luggage between trains and buses is not what I want to do if I have a full schedule.
Map of Nearest Airports to Amalfi Coast
Traveling From Roma Termini to Amalfi Coast
Roma to Amalfi is 275 kilometers. It can be driven in just under three hours. A fast train can get you to the closest train stations to Amalfi in one hour (Napoli Centrale in Napoli P. Garibaldi Piazza) in one hour, or to Salerno in two hours.
From the main train station in Rome, you must decide if you will take the train to Salerno (or nearby Vietri Sul Mare-Amalfi), from where you can catch a bus or taxi to your final destination on the coast, or to Naples, where you can catch another train and then a bus (or a taxi). Alternatively, I like to catch the train to Salerno and then a ferry onwards.
Look at the map above and see if your hotel is closer to the northern or southern edge of the Amalfi Coastline. For example, if your destination is closer to Sorrento than Salerno, you may want to take the train to Naples rather than Salerno or Vietri Sul Mare-Amalfi.
In either case, it’s not a large distance and it may depend upon being able to get an express train (as opposed to a regional train) to either destination. It’s also possible to base yourself in Naples in order to visit the great Italian landmarks of Herculaneum, Pompeii, and the popular destinations of the Amalfi Coast.
If you are visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sights of Herculaneum or Pompeii, Naples is the closest airport, train, and ferry port or terminal to these sites.
From Rome to Salerno or Vietri Sul Mare-Amalfi
Two main kinds of trains connect Rome to Salerno or Vietri Sul Mare- Amalfi. The fastest, most comfortable option is the Eurostar Freccia Rossa (TAV), but this is also the most expensive way to go.
Trains leave from Rome every hour and take a total of two hours to arrive in Salerno. Tickets are around €40.
Tip: Economy seats on the Italian fast trains are not substantially different from the first-class seats. For an extra couple of Euros, you have the option of choosing your own seat in Economy. You can choose to be next to the baggage area, and you can also choose the carriage closest to first class as it is usually closer to the terminal exit.
If you can’t find a direct train at a time that suits you, the other option is to take the intercity train that will get you there in about three hours for around €20.
Reserving a ticket in advance often gets you a better rate, and secures you a seat, so look at Italia Rail for your tickets. Omio is another excellent booking service that is simpler to navigate than Italia Rail.
Salerno and Vietri Su Mare-Amalfi are 4 kilometers apart.
From Rome to Naples
If you are heading to Naples, there are slower, economy trains that can get you to Naples in between three and four hours for as little as €15. This is a great option if you are trying to save money and aren’t in a rush.
The Eurostar Freccia Rossa trains also travel to Naples and can get you there in just over an hour, but again, these trains are more expensive, costing closer to €50.
Once you arrive at the main train station in Naples, you need to head to the lower level to the regional Circumvesuviana train.
This train has stops at Herculaneum, Pompeii, and more on its route to Sorrento. The ride takes approximately one hour and costs less than €4. The views from this train ride are one of a kind!
Taxis/ Uber and Private transfers from Rome
A number of limousine and tour companies offer private transfers from your hotel in Rome to your hotel on the Amalfi Coast. These aren’t cheap. A Black Uber from Rome (for example, from Roma Termini) to the Amalfi Coast (for example, Amalfi) would cost approximately € 378.
Here are the best private transfers from Rome. These can be booked online and canceled for free up to 24 hours before travel:
Other transfer options are available from the reputable GetTransfer.
How to get from Naples Airport to the Amalfi Coast
The distance from Naples airport – Naples Capodichino Airport – to Amalfi is 64 kilometers and can be driven in less than 90 minutes.
From Naples you can:
1. Take a taxi or Uber to the Amalfi Coast
2. Take a private transfer to the Amalfi Coast. (I have used a private transfer from Ravello to Pompeii. It was €95 and was a welcome relief after weeks of dragging luggage on and off trains and buses!)
3. Rent a car from Naples airport and drive to the Amalfi Coast. This requires a certain amount of fortitude – the Amalfi Coast is famous for its narrow roads, and traffic jams in summer. Traffic conditions vary between the seasons. I just don’t think anyone should drive this road unless you’re Italian – it only takes one bus trip along this coastline to never want to drive it!
4. Catch a bus directly outside Terminal 1 (a Curreri Bus) to Sorrento (and then taxi, uber, bus, or private transfer onwards).
5. Take a bus outside Terminal 1 (Alibus), or a taxi or uber, to Napoli Centrale in Piazza Garibaldi. From there you can get a train to Sorrento or Salerno and then a bus, taxi, uber, or private transfer onwards.
Taxis, ubers, and private transfers from Naples
A simple and less stressful mode of transport than public transportation is to have your own private transfer booked to meet you at the airport and have a professional driver take you directly to your Amalfi Coast hotel, no matter where it is located on the Amalfi stretch of coast.
Here are the best three private transfers to book online from Naples to the Amalfi Coast. They have free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure:
Catching the SITA Bus
Bus tickets are sold at “tabaccherie” (tobacco shops), bars, cafes, newspaper stands, or any shop displaying a SITA SUD logo in the window. There is also a ticket booth at the Circumvesuviana train station in Sorrento.
It is important to note that tickets cannot be purchased from the driver of the bus at the time of departure.
From Sorrento, you can purchase tickets for the SITA Public Bus Service which will take you from Sorrento, through Positano, and to Amalfi. If your final destination is further south, you will need to change SITA buses in Amalfi for the Amalfi-Salerno bus line.
Likewise, if you take the train to Salerno rather than Naples, you will need to catch the Salerno-Amalfi SITA bus to travel north.
Tickets for SITA buses cost between €10 and €12, depending on the duration of their validity. Keep in mind that if you plan to travel along the coast by bus during peak tourism season, the buses fill up fast—so arrive at the SITA bus stop well ahead of schedule to ensure you have a spot.
SITA buses can be booked online in advance easily through Omio.
Buses begin service as early as 5:50 a.m. and typically come every half hour or so. For a more complete schedule, check out the official timetable here.
Marozzi Bus Line From Rome to Sorrento
As an alternative to departing from Rome at Roma Termini via a train to either Naples or Salerno, there is a limited-service bus line spanning from Rome’s Piazza Tiburtina to Sorrento with stops in Positano, Praiano, and Amalfi.
Piazza Tiburtina is around a 40-minute walk from Roma Termini. You can also catch a bus from Rebibbia M li Corsia Termini. The 12-minute bus ride will deliver you to Piazza Tiburtina.
Marozzi buses leave promptly at 7:00 am and 3:00 pm and the route takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes to get to Sorrento and it’s a good idea to book in advance if you have accommodation booked in the Amalfi Coast. Purchase tickets online here.
If your final destination on the Amalfi Coast is further south than Amalfi, you will have to catch a SITA bus towards Salerno for the remainder of your voyage.
Getting to the Amalfi Coast by Sea
Most people want to take a ferry from Naples or on day trips along the Amalfi Coast, between two towns.
From Naples, ferries leave to many points on the Amalfi Coast. In summer, you have many more ferry options, than in the colder months. Sorrento is the closest point for direct ferry connections to the Amalfi Peninsula. Ferries run frequently throughout the day, but be sure to check ferry schedules that change according to the season.
Sorrento is the second largest city on the Amalfi coast. Ferries leave from here to Positano, Amalfi, Minori, and Maiori.
The Positano ferry port is the main port for the Amalfi Coast and is often referred to as the gateway to the Amalfi. A ferry ticket from Sorrento to Amalfi may include a stop in Positano and a quick change of ferries.
Ferries depart from this port to Amalfi, Maiori, Ravello, Minori, and other coastal towns. You should plan to be in Positano before noon to secure a seat on the next available boat back to Naples. T
o check all ferry routes and up-to-the-minute ferry schedules, check Ferryhopper here, where you can book single, return, and multi-destination trips online.
Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast
For a comprehensive, up-to-date, curated list of the best places to stay for your trip to the Amalfi Coast, read Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast
Frequently Asked Questions about Travel to the Amalfi Coast
Which airport do you fly into for Positano, Italy?
You can fly by private charter jet into Salerno-Pontecagnano Airport (LIRI/QSR), or else by commercial plane to Naples Airport.
Where do you fly into for Amalfi Coast?
You can fly by private charter jet into Salerno-Pontecagnano Airport (LIRI/QSR), or else by commercial plane to Naples Airport.
How do I get to the Amalfi Coast by plane?
You get to the Amalfi Coast by plane by flying into Naples Airport and going onwards from there by public transportation, rental car, or private transfer to your accommodation on the Amalfi Coast.
How far is Amalfi Coast from airport?
Amalfi Coast covers many towns and fishing villages. The average distance is 62 kilometers from Naples Airport to the Amalfi Coast.
How do I get from Naples to Amalfi Coast?
There are five ways to get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast: by train to Sorrento or Salerno / Vietri Sul Mare-Amalfi and then a bus to the charming town of your final destination, by bus, taxi or private transfer, and by ferry.
Is there a train from Naples to Amalfi Coast?
There is not a train directly to the Amalfi Coast, but there are trains from Naples to the nearby towns of Sorrento and Salerno / Vietri Sul Mare-Amalfi.
How much is a taxi from Naples Airport to Amalfi Coast?
Taxi fare from Naples airport to Amalfi Coast is generally in the range of US $100 – US$130.
Can I get a rental car in Naples airport?
You can rent a car in Naples Airport from more than a dozen rental car companies, including international brands such as Hertz.
Can I get a private driver to see the Amalfi Coast and how much do they cost?
It is possible to hire a private driver from many different limousines and tour companies based in Naples, Sorrento, Salerno, and the towns of the Amalfi Coast. The cost varies according to the number of passengers and the length of the tour booked.
In addition to limousine services, there are also many private tours of the Amalfi Coast from reputable tour companies.
Keep Planning Your Trip to the Amalfi Coast
- Where to Stay in the Amalfi Coast (including Capri)
- 17 Best Things to Do in Ravello Italy in 2024
- 1 Day in Positano Itinerary 2024
- Visiting Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius: tickets, travel tips, tours, highlights [2024]
- Amalfi Coast Wedding – How To Plan Your Dreamy Destination Wedding
- Forum at Pompeii: Don’t miss these 6 sites!
- Herculaneum Ruins: How and Why to Visit in 2024
- Pompeii vs Herculaneum: Pros, Cons, How to Visit
- 45 Best Landmarks in Italy to Visit in 2024
