How to get from rome to amalfi coast — clear routes, times & no-stress tips
You’re searching how to get from Rome to Amalfi Coast because you want the simplest route that actually works on the ground. The quickest, most reliable plan for most travelers is: high-speed train from Roma Termini to either Naples or Salerno, then local transport into Amalfi Coast towns (Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello). In practice, you’ll choose between two main gateways:
- Via Naples (Napoli Centrale → Sorrento → buses/ferries to Positano/Amalfi): great if you’re staying in Sorrento or want Pompeii on the way. Fast trains Rome↔Naples run in just over 1 hour from city center to city center. See Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa page for the official high-speed network that connects Rome–Naples–Salerno.
- Via Salerno (Salerno → ferry to Amalfi/Positano): ideal if your base is Amalfi or Positano and you want a scenic boat arrival in season. Check the Travelmar timetable for regular Salerno–Amalfi–Positano ferries (seasonal; weather-dependent).
If you’re comparing door-to-door time, Salerno + ferry often beats zig-zagging buses on summer roads; Naples + Sorrento wins when ferries are off-season or seas are rough.
Pick your best route by where you’ll sleep
Choosing how to get from Rome to Amalfi Coast gets easy once you decide your base. If you’re staying in Sorrento, come through Naples and finish on the regional train (Circumvesuviana or the tourist Campania Express) and then bus/ferry onward. If you’re booked in Amalfi or Positano, the Salerno → ferry path is usually smoother and prettier. When you only have one full day, prioritize train speed plus one simple transfer—less time juggling buses, more time on the water.
Route 1: Rome → Naples → Sorrento → Amalfi Coast (flexible year-round)
From Roma Termini, hop a Frecciarossa or other high-speed service to Napoli Centrale. The city-center to city-center time is just over an hour, and there are many daily connections. From Napoli Garibaldi (the lower level next to Centrale), you can ride the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento—cheap, frequent, and no reservation. If you prefer fewer stops, Campania Express runs seasonally with reserved seats and space for luggage.
Once in Sorrento, finish with a SITA bus or ferry to Positano or Amalfi. Ferries are faster and scenic when seas are calm; buses are year-round and link well to hill towns like Ravello (via Amalfi’s bus hub). This route is also perfect if you want to stop at Pompeii between Naples and Sorrento—just plan museum time carefully so you still reach the coast with daylight to spare. For the high-speed backbone and center-to-center convenience, see Trenitalia – Frecciarossa.
Route 2: Rome → Salerno → ferry to Amalfi / Positano (fast + scenic in season)
If your hotel is in Amalfi town or Positano, this is the elegant choice. Ride a high-speed train from Roma Termini directly to Salerno (many services continue past Naples). From Salerno station it’s a short walk or taxi to Molo Concordia or Molo Manfredi. In season, board a Travelmar ferry for a straight shot to Amalfi or Positano. The views are outrageous, and you skip the hairpins on the Amalfi Drive.
Ferries are weather-sensitive and most frequent spring–autumn; in winter, they may pause or run a reduced timetable. Always check the Travelmar timetable for same-day sailings before you commit to a connection.
Which is faster today—Naples or Salerno?
Speed depends on your final town and the season. If ferries are humming and you’re sleeping in Amalfi/Positano, Salerno + ferry is usually the quickest and most relaxing. If seas are rough or it’s off-season, Naples + Sorrento + bus becomes the reliable default. For Ravello, both routes funnel you through Amalfi, where you change to the short uphill bus or a pre-arranged transfer.
Private driver or transfer: when it’s worth it
A private driver from Naples or Salerno straight to your hotel is the no-stress option when you carry big luggage, arrive late, travel with kids, or your villa sits above the main road. From Rome, a full private transfer is comfortable but expensive; it also can’t beat trains during summer traffic on the A3/SS163. A smart hybrid is train to Salerno or Naples, then private transfer for the last scenic leg.
Self-drive: the truth about the Amalfi Drive
Renting a car for how to get from Rome to Amalfi Coast sounds romantic, but the SS163 is narrow, busy, and full of hairpins. Parking in Positano or Amalfi is limited and pricey, and ZTL rules in Italian towns are strict. If you love road trips, consider a different approach: train to Salerno, rent a car inland for exploring the Cilento or Irpinia, then return the car before you dip into the coast itself. You’ll keep the driving fun and avoid the worst bottlenecks.
Can you do a day trip from Rome to the Amalfi Coast?
Yes—if you keep it simple. The most realistic day trip looks like early high-speed train → Salerno → ferry to Amalfi (and back), or early train → Naples → Sorrento → fast ferry to Positano in peak months. You’ll have time for a leisurely lunch, a waterfront stroll, and a late train back. If you try to cram Pompeii + Positano + Amalfi into one day from Rome, you’ll spend more time changing transport than enjoying the views.
Tickets and timing without stress
For the backbone leg of how to get from Rome to Amalfi Coast, buy high-speed train tickets in advance for lower fares and guaranteed seats. You can book directly with the operator; Trenitalia’s site shows the Frecciarossa network linking Rome–Naples–Salerno and advertises center-to-center times just over one hour for Rome↔Naples with frequent daily connections.
For boats, don’t assume constant service. Timetables change by month, weekday, and sea conditions. Before you travel, confirm today’s sailings on the Travelmar timetable (Salerno–Amalfi–Positano services). If weather stops the boats, swap to buses or a driver from Salerno.
When to choose Sorrento as your base
If this is your first time in Italy, or you want easy trains and many hotel options, Sorrento is a forgiving base. It has frequent links to Pompeii, Naples, Capri, and Positano. For shoulder-season trips (spring or late autumn), Sorrento keeps more services running than smaller coast towns. You can still make day trips into Amalfi and Ravello, then return to plentiful dining near Sorrento train station.
When Amalfi or Positano are better bases
If your dream is sunset on the Duomo steps in Amalfi or a Positano beach morning, sleep there. For how to get from Rome to Amalfi Coast in this case, the Salerno + ferry lane simplifies your last miles and saves energy for arrival day. In summer, boats can be busy; book early departures and keep a Plan B (bus/driver) for late returns.
A simple, real-world plan you can copy
Let’s say you land in Rome and want your first coast night in Amalfi. Book a morning Frecciarossa to Salerno, then walk or taxi to Concordia pier for the next ferry to Amalfi. You’ll be on the water by late morning, sipping espresso on the promenade by lunchtime. On the way back to Rome, pick an afternoon ferry back to Salerno and an early-evening high-speed train to Roma Termini. Two big moves, one spectacular day.
Story: the smoothest first day
Ana and Karim wanted to know how to get from Rome to Amalfi Coast without wasting energy. They chose Salerno for the gateway, booked a late-morning Frecciarossa, and checked Travelmar for a ferry about 40 minutes after arrival. By 13:30 they were walking through Amalfi’s alleys with gelato, luggage delivered later by their B&B. On departure day, rain canceled ferries, so they used a 20-minute taxi back to Salerno. The fallback kept the train plan intact—and they still made their Rome dinner reservation.
Practical tips that make everything easier
Keep luggage compact so you can move quickly through stations and onto boats. If you’re sensitive to motion, sit outside and aft on ferries. In summer, heat and queues can slow buses on the Amalfi Drive; leaving earlier helps. Always validate regional train or bus tickets where required, and keep small euro coins for quick purchases. Most crucial of all, match your plan to the season: ferries in summer, Sorrento + bus/driver in winter, and early trains year-round.
FAQs
What’s the best way to get from Rome to Amalfi Coast if I have big luggage?
Take a high-speed train to Salerno or Naples, then a private transfer for the last leg. It’s pricier but saves time and stairs.
Can I see Pompeii on the way?
Yes. If you route via Naples/Sorrento, stop at Pompei Scavi on the Circumvesuviana or Campania Express. Store luggage at station lockers or your driver’s vehicle.
Is a private driver from Rome worth it?
Only if convenience outweighs cost and traffic. Time-wise, train + local transfer is usually faster in summer.
Which station do I use in Rome?
Roma Termini is the main hub with the most high-speed departures, plus some services from Roma Tiburtina.
What if ferries are canceled?
Switch to SITA buses or a driver from Salerno or Sorrento. Build a small buffer on travel days.
Wrap-up
How to get from Rome to Amalfi Coast? Take a high-speed train from Roma Termini to Naples or Salerno. From Naples, continue via Sorrento then bus/ferry to Positano/Amalfi. From Salerno, ride a Travelmar ferry straight to Amalfi/Positano in season. Book trains on Trenitalia; check boat timetables before you go.
