How to Get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast
Your Trip to the Amalfi Coast: The Complete Guide
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72 Hours on the Amalfi Coast
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Take the train from Rome or Naples, drive, or hop on a ferry
Martha Bakerjian
Martha Bakerjian is an Italian travel expert who uses her home in northern Tuscany as a base for her in-depth explorations of the country.
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The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful parts of Italy, and it is not a very long trip for travelers staying in Rome. The roads in Amalfi, however, are famously winding and narrow in places, especially the SS163, the Amalfi Coast road which connects the main coastal towns and offers iconic views along the way. This route may be difficult for a non-local to traverse easily.
There are several options to get to Amalfi from Rome if you don't want to drive yourself, and it's such a scenic trip that you may want an experienced guide to do the driving so you can enjoy the view. There are private car services that will take you from Rome or Naples to Amalfi. They're convenient and easy, but expect to spend in the neighborhood of €300 and up to be chauffeured along the coast.
You can also explore both train and ferry routes to the Amalfi Coast. Here are some of the best options available.
Trains from Rome to Naples
To get to Amalfi, you'll first need to catch a Trenitalia or Italo train from Roma Termini, Rome's main train station, to Napoli Centrale, the main station in Naples. Trains run directly between the two stations from early morning until late at night.
At Napoli Centrale, you can board a train for Vietri sul Mare, a station where you can catch local buses to Amalfi and other towns in the Salerno Province. Italo offers a direct train from Rome to Naples, then a bus to Sorrento, from where you can catch local buses down the coast.
Which Trenitalia Train To Catch
Not all cities in Italy are served by Trenitalia trains, but Rome, Naples and Vietri sul Mare are. Some trains are faster and more expensive than others, so know which one works best for your travel schedule before you buy your tickets.
The Frecciargento high-speed train is the most expensive option, but offers first- and second-class compartments, and has bar service. The Regionale are local trains on a commuter schedule. They're inexpensive and pretty reliable but will get crowded at peak times. There is not usually a first-class option on regional trains. When first-class carriages are available there are usually less crowded, if not much more deluxe.
To reach Eastern Amalfi Coast towns such as Amalfi, Positano, Praiano, and Ravello, continue on a regular train from Naples (see above) and then take a bus from Salerno. During summer season ferries run from Salerno to Amalfi, Minori, and Positano. See TravelMar for ferry schedules.
How to Get to Sorrento and Amalfi Coast by Car
You may want a car if you're staying in one of the Amalfi Coast's small villages. To drive from Rome, take the A1 Autostrada (toll road) to Naples, then the A3 Autostrada.
To get to Sorrento, exit at Castellammare di Stabia and take the SP 145. Follow Via Sorrentina along the coast. To get to Positano, follow directions toward Sorrento, then take the SS 163 (Via Nastro Azzurro) to Positano. To get to Amalfi or villages near Amalfi, stay on the A3 and exit at Vietri Sul Mare, then take the SS 163, Via Costeira, toward Amalfi.
You could also take the train to Sorrento, then pick up a rental car there. The Amalfi Coast drive between Sorrento and Salerno is undoubtedly one of the most stunning in Europe and all the world, but it does require nerves of steel. The narrow road zigzags along the coast for 80 km as it precariously clings to cliffs high above the sea, with low or non-existent guardrails between you and the rocks and sea ​below. The views are spectacular, but if you're driving, you'll have to be sure to keep your eye on the road instead of the scenery.
Ferries to the Amalfi Coast
Between April 1 and mid-September, ferries and hydrofoils run between the ports of Naples, Sorrento, Capri Island, and other Amalfi Coast towns. Note that there are no direct ferries from Naples to Amalfi, however.
Some ferries run during other seasons but they are much less frequent. Check hydrofoil times on this website (in Italian). And plan to purchase your tickets well in advance, especially if you're traveling during the peak summer tourist months.
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