So you’ve already visited Rome, have been on a longer itinerary through Southern Italy, or maybe you are just landing here because it is more convenient but your final destination is the Amalfi Coast? You’ve come to the right place because here is where you will find out everything you need to know about how to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast. 

From all the different means of transportation to the fastest, the cheapest, or the most scenic road linking Rome to the Amalfi Coast. 

And after all, is the Amalfi Coast really worth visiting?

From over 10 years of visiting Italy, here is my comprehensive guide!

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How to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast – a complete guide!

Can you do a day trip to Amalfi Coast from Rome?

Sure, especially when you wake up extremely early, and stretch the trip until later in the evening. 

However, you will have an extremely full day, and you will spend a lot of time moving from one train to the other, to the bus, or on the boat. 

All this being said I would encourage you to spend at least one night on the Amalfi Coast: you will have more time to enjoy this beautiful area, and won’t have to be on the run. 

How to Travel from Rome to the Amalfi Coast?

Traveling by train

I’m sorry to say that traveling by train all the way from Rome to Sorrento or Positano is not really an option. If you want to get there, you will have to travel from Rome to Naples and get the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento.

From Sorrento, you will have to choose between taking the bus or the boat all the way to Positano. 

If that sounds complicated, the easiest way to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast by train is to take the high-speed train from Rome to Salerno.

There are plenty of trains linking the two destinations, and the train ride will be anywhere between 1h and 30 minutes to 2 hours. 

It is worth knowing that in Italy trains are run by 2 different companies:

• the state-owned company – Trenitalia
• the private company – Italo

Prices are relatively similar and I encourage you to book your tickets in advance so that you can take advantage of better prices. The closer you will get to the date you want to travel, the higher the prices will be. 

Also, keep an eye open when booking the tickets because some of the options have one or even two transfers. That means you will have to change the train, and you won’t always have much time to find the platform and the correct train. 

Always choose the direct option, look for the correct train station (Roma Termini for Rome, and Salerno), and book in advance.  

I always use Bookaway for train tickets in Italy – it is an aggregator that will show you all the options (both Italo and Trenitalia), offering the chance to filter only by direct rides. Configure your trip here!

From Salerno, you will take the bus or the boat to Positano or Amalfi. Either one of these options will get you there in roughly one hour. 

You can buy bus tickets from any tabaccheria, and you can use Bookaway to book your ferry ticket as well!

Traveling by car

Many people might tell you to avoid driving on the Amalfi Coast as much as possible.

Indeed, the narrow winding roads tucked on the edge of the cliff are challenging. Additionally, finding a parking space in peak season can prove to be impossible, especially in the most popular towns on the Italian Riviera. 

That being said if I could drive on the Amalfi Coast, so can anyone else. 

Is it safe to drive?

I would say it is safe, but it also is a relatively long road. There are 275 kilometers between Rome and Positano, and once you leave Naples behind, the roads will twist and turn. 

Via E45 is the shortest option, but you must expect tolls.

Here are a few tips and things to have in mind when driving in Italy:

• you can drive with any EU-issued license, and if you are coming from the US you will need to obtain an International Driving Permit before you leave home. 
• expect a manual car – especially when you will want to rent a car on a budget, you should expect a manual car.
• have your parking skills challenged – parking in Italy is an experience in itself, especially in places like Rome, Naples, or even Milan. Italians park their cars very close to each other, and sometimes cars even touch each other!
• choose a small car – the smaller the better, especially when you will want to explore hidden countryside villages. Roads are narrow and paved with cobblestone. 
• ZTL – especially in Northern Italy, make sure to be aware of the “Zona Traffico Limitato” – Limited Traffic Areas. Basically, these are areas where you cannot go with a car in a certain timeframe, and if you do, you will get fined. 
• don’t leave your valuables inside the car, and make sure to always book insurance.

If you have decided that renting a car is the way forward for part of your itinerary, my go-to destination for the best prices is DiscoverCars. 

It is a great aggregator that will help you find and book the best option for renting a car during your trip, helping you save up to 70% on your car rental. They have a pretty good cancellation policy that would give you options in case your flight or travel plans change.

 Get your best offers here!

Traveling by bus

I’m afraid this might be the least good option for traveling from Rome to the Amalfi Coast. 

Even though there are a few bus rides operated by Flixbus, the travel time lasts anywhere between 4 and 6 hours, which is a bit long in my opinion. 

That’s why I wouldn’t suggest traveling by bus between Rome and the Amalfi Coast. 

Booking a private tour

We always book a guided tour whenever we don’t have much time to explore a place, we don’t want to go through the hassle of renting a car, or simply want to trust a specialist. 

By going on a guided tour day trip from Rome to the Amalfi Coast, you will have all the transfers included, you won’t have to worry about finding your way, finding a parking space, or even looking for attractions and things to do and see. 

Moreover, you will have your local guide with you to explain everything there is to know about the beautiful Italian coast and its colorful villages.

If that’s something you look for, Viator has a great variety of tours you should look into. Check out all the day trip options here!

Is it worth taking an Amalfi Coast day tour?

I think it is worth it when you don’t have much time to spare, and you want to tick the Amalfi Coast off your bucket list. 

Traveling by plane

Yes, it is possible to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast by plane, but I wouldn’t recommend it, since there are other much better options available. 

There are Alitalia flights from Rome Fiumicino to Naples Airport or Salerno Airport.

The flight lasts for less than 1 hour, but it costs many times more than a train, and you still have to get to Fiumicino and be at the airport a few hours in advance. 

Taking the boat

While you won’t be able to reach the Amalfi Coast by boat directly from Rome, there are great options from Naples, Salerno, or Sorrento. 

Jump on the high-speed train from Rome Termini to Naples or Salerno, and get the boat from there, all the way to Amalfi or Positano. 

The port with the most connections available is Salerno, and there are also plenty of high-speed trains from Rome Termini to Salerno Centrale. 

Traveling by boat along the Italian coastline might be the most scenic way of getting from Rome to the Amalfi Coast, and there are plenty of options to choose from. 

If you are not seasick, this could be also a nice way to travel around and skip the traffic, and avoid the winding roads. 

Sure, renting a luxury boat would be also the most expensive option, but this would be totally worth it, especially if you are traveling to the Amalfi Coast for your honeymoon or another special occasion. Check out the full-day private boat tour here!

This is another great option for a semi-private boat tour from Naples to Positano and Amalfi, which includes also the round-trip train transfer, but also drinks and snacks onboard. See the tour here!

If you’re looking only to book a ferry, no matter the starting point of your trip, Omio can help you see all the best available options. Make sure to book ahead of time, as prices might rise as your trip approaches. 

See the ferry schedule and prices here!

What Is the Fastest Way to Get From Rome to the Amalfi Coast?

I would say that the high-speed train is by far the fastest way to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast. Prices might vary between 30 to 70 USD and might change depending on how close to the trip you book.

Here is a simulation I did for a date two weeks from now:

As you reach Salerno, hop on the bus and head to the port of Cetara. From here, you will be 1 h 45min away by boat from Positano. 

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From Rome to the Amalfi Coast?

When you want to optimize the costs of your trip, and you are not pressured by time, here is the cheapest way to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast.

Take the regional or intercity train from Rome to Salerno. I’ve noticed that the trains departing earlier, are also cheaper. You can find direct trains, but most of them have 1 or 2 transfers.

From Salerno, buy a ticket for public transportation (SITA Sud bus) and hop on the bus that will take you to your final destination on the Amalfi Coast. 

The bus ticket costs 2 EUR for one ride and can be bought at any newspaper stand or tabaccheria. 

Read also: Amalfi Coast cheap hotels for your dream vacation

What’s the Most Scenic Route to the Amalfi Coast?

The most scenic route from Rome to the Amalfi Coast would be the itinerary you create yourself when you choose to rent a car.

It is worth knowing that the best part of the road is once you leave Naples behind, and pass through Sorrento, all the way to Positano. 

Another thing to have in mind is the month you are planning your trip for. In the peak season, it is particularly difficult to find a parking space on the Amalfi Coast. 

To mitigate this risk, either book accommodation with a parking space, or on a day trip make sure you get there before 10 AM.

When Is the Best Time to Travel to the Amalfi Coast?

As mentioned, I don’t encourage you to travel during the peak season, particularly during July and August. 

Another thing worth knowing is that during winter many restaurants and hotels will be closed, especially in Positano. Additionally, ferries have less frequent rides, and the buses run on a low-season schedule. 

With that said, I would choose the shoulder season as the perfect time to travel to the Amalfi Coast. Anywhere from April to early June, and from September to early November should work great. 

What to visit on the Amalfi Coast?

Depending on the time you have available for visiting the region, there are so many things worth seeing. 

The picturesque town of Positano with the yellow cupola of the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, the narrow streets climbing to the top of the hill, colorful houses, chic restaurants, and hotels. 

The Amalfi Cathedral and the small beach where you can sit back and relax, or Ravello with the luxurious villas and one of the most breathtaking views of the dramatic coastline. 

Go on a boat trip to Capri Island, explore the lemon groves, and learn how to bake a lemon cake at a lemon farm on a lemon tour on the Amalfi Coast, eat some fresh fish in Atrani – a small and authentic seaside town minutes away from Positano, do a Pompeii day trip and get to see the well preserved ancient ruins, and hike Mount Vesuvius. 

Don’t forget to go on a scenic drive along the famous coastline, or hike the Path of Gods.

For the complete list of things to do on the Amalfi Coast and ready-made itineraries, read my 

• 5 days on the Amalfi Coast itinerary
• 7 days on the Amalfi Coast itinerary
• Amalfi Coast on a budget itinerary

How many days do you need to see Amalfi Coast?

While I think I could spend months exploring the dramatic coastline without getting bored, I also think that one or two weeks would be enough time for a vacation. 

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