How to get around the Amalfi Coast is one of the first big questions to sort out once you’ve booked your trip. Bus, ferry, private driver, rental car — you have several different options, and the right one depends on the time of year, your budget, and what you actually want to do once you’re there.
We’ve been to the Amalfi Coast twice. On our first trip, in 2014, we got around entirely by public bus, and it did not go well. We experienced buses that never showed up, a scramble to find backup transportation, and a shoving match just to board the bus home. On our second trip, in October 2022, we did it differently: a private boat, a private driver, and, for one stretch, driving the entire length of Amalfi Drive.
Between both trips, we’ve now tried nearly every way to get around, so we know what each one actually feels like, not just what it looks like on paper. Here’s what we learned, and how to decide what’s right for your trip.
Quick Answer: How to Get Around the Amalfi Coast
The best way to get around the Amalfi Coast depends on your budget and the season. For flexibility without the stress of driving, hire a private driver. For the best views and zero traffic, take a ferry or private boat. On a budget, the bus is cheapest but slow and often crowded. Renting a car and driving yourself is really only worth it from mid-October through April, once summer traffic and the license plate restrictions ease up.
| Option | Best For | Pros | Cons |
| Rental Car | Freedom to explore; reaching coastal and hill towns; April to October | Full freedom on your schedule; reaches every town, including Ravello and Tramonti | Traffic jams and license plate restrictions in peak season; very limited parking |
| Private Driver | Flexibility without the stress | Same freedom as a car, no parking to deal with; reaches every town | Expensive (€100–400/day) |
| Bus | Budget travelers | Cheapest option (~€10/day); reaches every town | Frequent delays; very crowded in summer |
| Ferry | Coastal towns, avoiding traffic | Fast, scenic, skips Amalfi Drive entirely | Coastal towns only; seasonal (Apr–Oct); rough for the seasick |
| Private Boat | Small groups wanting a splurge | Access to hidden coves and beaches; fastest way between towns | Expensive (€1,000–3,000/day); coastal towns only |
| Small Group Boat Tour | Mid-range budget | Cheaper than a private boat, similar views | Fixed schedule; coastal towns only |
| Small Group Land Tour | One-day visitors | No logistics to plan; economical for a single day | Fixed itinerary; a lot of time spent in the van |
| Scooter | Experienced riders only | Easy to park, can pass traffic | Dangerous for beginners; still hits traffic jams |
Overview of the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline that runs along the Sorrentine peninsula. There are 13 towns along this coastline plus Salerno and Sorrento, which sit at either end. Some of these towns are located right on the water, like Amalfi and Positano, and others are located higher up on the hills, like Ravello and Praiano.
Amalfi Drive is the main road that travels along the Amalfi Coast. It is 50 km long and runs through most of these towns. There are a few Amalfi Coast towns that are located higher in the mountains, on side roads off of Amalfi Drive, such as Ravello and Tramonti.
At first glance, it may seem that renting a car and driving from town to town is the best way to get around the Amalfi Coast. But unfortunately, that’s not the case. From June through September, the Amalfi Coast is filled with visitors from around the world. These small towns have very limited parking, and the increase in summer traffic creates long traffic jams along Amalfi Drive. You may have better luck winning the lottery than getting a parking space in Amalfi or Positano.
There is now an alternating license plate system for the summer months. We go more into detail about that in our guide Driving the Amalfi Coast.
To get around the Amalfi Coast, you have a lot of options…car, bus, ferry, small boat tour, private boat, taxi, private driver, and tour. We dive deeper into each of these next.
Amalfi, Italy
Your Transportation Options, Explained
By Rental Car: Driving the Amalfi Coast
If you will be road tripping through Italy, it would only make sense to use your car and drive to the towns you want to visit along the Amalfi Coast. And for those who love scenic drives, you could rent a car just for your time on the Amalfi Coast and use that to get around.
But is it a good idea?
We drove the entire length of Amalfi Drive in October 2022. In our article Driving the Amalfi Coast, we write about our experience and important things to know, before committing yourself to this mode of transportation.
Advantages of Traveling by Rental Car:
- Freedom to travel on your schedule
- To drive one of the most iconic roads in the world
- To get to towns that are not accessible by boat (Ravello, Praiano, and Tramonti)
Disadvantages of Traveling by Rental Car:
- Traffic jams on Amalfi Drive
- Parking
- Alternating License Plate system
- The possibility of getting into an accident
Amalfi Coast Drive
Long sections of the roads are lined with parked cars and scooters, which makes this narrow road even narrower.
May through September
If you have plans to visit the Amalfi Coast from May through September, getting around by rental car could be a nightmare. On weekends and the entire month of August, those with rental cars can only drive Amalfi Drive on odd or even days, depending on their license plate number.
In the summer, it’s also not unusual to have backups stretching several kilometers. Parking is almost nonexistent, so once you get to where you want to be, you could spend a huge amount of time circling for a parking space. Or, you could end up parking several kilometers outside of town, and have a long walk along Amalfi Drive to get into town.
October through April
This is the low season, so if driving the Amalfi Coast is on your bucket list, this is the best time to do it. Even in mid to late October, there was still a fair amount of traffic and we had trouble finding parking. For the best experience (taking weather into account), plan your trip for late October into November or sometime in April. Learn more in our article October on the Amalfi Coast.
Towns You Can Get to By Car
All of the towns on the Amalfi Coast are accessible by car. The trick is finding a parking space once here, even in the off season.
Alternating License Plate System
In 2022, an alternating license plate system was instituted on Amalfi Drive. When it is in effect, rental cars with a plate ending in an odd number can’t drive on odd-numbered days. Cars ending in an even number can’t drive on even-numbered days.
The exact dates shift slightly each year, but the basic schedule is this: daily during Easter week and the Liberation Day/May Day holiday bridge in spring, weekends and public holidays only from June through July, and daily throughout August and September.
For more details on the license plate system, refer to our post Driving the Amalfi Coast.
By Private Driver
If you hire a private driver, you can still travel on your own schedule, but eliminate some of the hassles of a rental car, such as parking. Plus, if you plan to tour Italy by train, a private driver allows you to explore the Amalfi Coast by road, rather than renting a car for a few days.
Hiring a private driver can be expensive. Prices range from €100 to €400, depending on how long you plan to use the driver that day.
We hired a private driver for one day of our October trip. We were in Positano, planning to go wine tasting in Tramonti that afternoon, and since we had wine tasting scheduled, we preferred not to drive afterward. In the morning, our driver took us to Ravello, and having someone else handle the parking made it a completely stress-free visit. In the afternoon, we went wine tasting at Tenuta San Francesco. We booked through our hotel, with the company Positano Limo Service.
Advantages of a Private Driver:
- Freedom to travel on your schedule
- To get to towns that are not accessible by boat (Ravello, Praiano, and Tramonti)
- No need to search for a parking space (let your driver deal with that hassle)
Disadvantages of a Private Driver:
- Expensive
- Traffic jams on Amalfi Drive
Amalfi Drive
By Bus
Traveling by bus is the most economical way to get around the Amalfi Coast. For just €10 per day, you can travel up and down Amalfi Drive.
To travel by bus, you will need some patience. In the summer, lines at the bus stops can be long. And once on the bus, you will be sitting in the same backups as everyone else.
We traveled by bus in 2014 and had a terrible experience. Hopefully things have improved since then, and based on the number of buses we saw on Amalfi Drive, it looks like it has.
In 2014, we started in Sorrento and road the SITA bus to Positano. Once finished in Positano, we waited and waited at the bus stop, and scheduled bus after bus failed to arrive. Eventually, a hop-on hop-off bus arrived, and we bought a ticket, just to get to the next town on our list, Amalfi.
Once finished in Amalfi, the same scenario repeated itself. Several scheduled buses failed to show up. By the time the next bus arrived, there were so many people in line that only a small fraction made it onto the bus.
So, if you plan to travel by bus, have some patience and be prepared for delays.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: For the best views, sit on the right side of the bus when traveling from Sorrento towards Positano, Amalfi, and Salerno. Sit on the left side of the bus when traveling from Salerno towards Amalfi, Positano, and Sorrento.
For more information on how to use the bus, click here.
For the SITA bus timetable, click here.
Advantages of Traveling by Bus
- Cheap
- On a bus, you will sit higher than in a car, so your views along the drive are better, since it is easier to look out over the stone wall. I took the header photo for this guide from the bus while riding along Amalfi Drive.
- To get to towns that are not accessible by boat (Ravello, Praiano, and Tramonti)
- No need to search for a parking space
Disadvantages of Traveling by Bus
- Traffic jams on Amalfi Drive
- Buses do not usually arrive on time
- Can be hot and crowded
By Ferry
To avoid the traffic jams on Amalfi Drive and for stunning views of the Amalfi Coast, consider taking the ferry. During the summer months, we highly recommend getting around by ferry, or some sort of boat, to avoid the traffic delays on Amalfi Drive.
It is important to know that not all of the towns on the Amalfi Coast are accessible by boat. If you take the ferry, you will only be able to visit the coastal towns, which includes Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Salerno, Minori, Maiori, Cetara, and Vietri sul Mare.
There are several companies that operate ferries on the Amalfi Coast. They each have different schedules and ports. Here are the links to the companies:
You can also search for ferry routes on FerryHopper.com or TraghettiUp.com, which gives the schedules for the three companies listed above. We are big fans of FerryHopper.com, and use it frequently, not only to book ferries on the Amalfi Coast, but also in Greece and Croatia. This website is very user friendly and will list all of the available ferries for the dates you are looking at, so you don’t have to check multiple websites.
Ferries typically operate from April through October, though some routes run reduced, weekend-only service into November. If you’re traveling outside the main season, plan on the bus, hiring a driver, or renting a car.
Advantages of Traveling by Ferry
- Avoid the traffic on Amalfi Drive (and get around the Amalfi Coast faster than by bus or car)
- Beautiful views of the Amalfi Coast
- Cheapest way to get around by boat
Disadvantages of Traveling by Ferry
- Cannot get to Ravello, Tramonti, or Praiano
- Not a good option for those prone to seasickness
- Does not operate from mid-November through March
Ticket booths for the ferries in Positano.
Ferries in Positano
NLG is one of the most popular ferry companies on the Amalfi Coast.
By Private Boat
Traveling by private boat is one of the best ways to get around the Amalfi Coast. Having done everything listed above, I have to say that this is our favorite mode of transportation on the Amalfi Coast. It can be expensive, but it comes with some huge advantages that make it worth it, especially if you are traveling as a small group.
If you are going to splurge on one thing during your trip to Italy, this gets our vote. Relax on a private boat, sip on prosecco, visit small coves and caves that are inaccessible by ferry and difficult or impossible to get to by car or bus, and zip up and down the coastline faster than any car or ferry out there.
Plus, the views are simply amazing.
Atrani
By boat, you can visit places like Fiordo di Furore (the photo above) and sea caves along the coast.
We took a private 8-hour boat cruise from Positano, visiting the Smeraldo Grotto, Fiordo di Furore, Amalfi, Maiori, Minori, Atrani, and Nerano. This 8-hour boat tour with Luxury Boats Positano was one of our most memorable experiences in Italy.
Prices for a full day cruise range from €1000 to as high as €3000, depending on the boat and company you choose. If you are traveling as a group of four to six people, splitting the cost of a €1000 or €3000 boat is not as crazy as it first seems, especially given the advantages that come with having a private boat.
And if you want the private boat experience, without spending a crazy amount of money, Luxury Boats Positano and other companies have shorter tours. How about a 2-hour sunset cruise along the Amalfi Coast?
Other companies to consider are Lucibello Positano, Sorrento Dream Charter, and Mar Amar.
Advantages of Traveling by Private Boat
- Freedom to travel on your own schedule
- Can easily visit exclusive beaches, restaurants, and coves that are harder to get to by bus, car, or ferry
- For gorgeous views of the Amalfi Coast
- To avoid the traffic on Amalfi Drive (and get around the Amalfi Coast faster than by bus or car)
- To sip on prosecco or a cocktail as you travel along the coast
- For a luxury experience on the Amalfi Coast
Disadvantages of Traveling by Private Boat
- Expensive
- Cannot get to Ravello or Tramonti
- Not a good option for those prone to seasickness
By Small Group Boat Tour
By joining a small boat tour, you get to cruise along the coast without the big price tag that you get with a private boat. There is a long list of boat tours to choose from, some starting in Sorrento, some starting in Positano, and some starting in Amalfi.
When choosing your tour, pay attention to the number of people in the group, the starting point of the tour, and the price. Some group tours can cost several hundred dollars per person, and if you are a group of 4 to 6 people, it might not cost much more to hire a private boat.
Advantages of a Small Group Boat Tour
- Some boat tours include visits to swimming spots or off the beaten path beaches
- For gorgeous views of the Amalfi Coast
- To avoid the traffic on Amalfi Drive
Disadvantages of a Small Group Boat Tour
- Some small group tours can be expensive
- Cannot get to Ravello or Tramonti
- Not a good option for those prone to seasickness
Positano
By Small Group Tour (On Land)
There are also many small group tours of the Amalfi Coast, where you travel by van, car, or bus, visiting the highlights of the coast. These group tours range from just a few people to larger groups, so pay attention to group size while booking your tour.
A group tour is a good option for those who only have one day on the Amalfi Coast and don’t want the hassle of working out transportation, what to see, and where to go. Many of these tours start and end in Sorrento.
This highly rated group tour starts in either Naples or Sorrento and includes both a land tour and short boat cruise on the Amalfi Coast, where you will visit Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. It’s a great option for those with one day on the Amalfi Coast since it covers the main highlights.
It’s also possible to day trip to the Amalfi Coast from Rome, but this is a long day and we don’t recommend it (we think Pompeii and Vesuvius is a better option from Rome). But this tour gets rave reviews and is worth considering, if you really want to see the Amalfi Coast and have limited time.
Advantages of a Small Group Tour
- All transportation is arranged by your tour guide
- Can be an economical way to spend one day on the Amalfi Coast
Disadvantages of a Small Group Tour
- Traffic jams on Amalfi Drive
- Some small group tours include time at places you may not be interested in visiting
- Can be a long day with a lot of time spent in the van/bus/car
By Scooter
Scooters can zip around traffic jams, and it’s much easier to find a parking space than with a rental car. That said, we only recommend this option for experienced riders. Amalfi Drive is narrow, crowded, and chaotic even in the off season, and it’s not a good road to learn on.
Scooters are also exempt from the alternating license plate system that limits rental cars during peak season, which is a real advantage if you’re set on driving yourself in the summer months.
Advantages of Getting Around by Scooter
- Can pass slower traffic and traffic jams
- Easier to find a parking space
- Can travel on your own schedule
- Cheaper than rental cars and private drivers
- To get to towns that are not accessible by boat (Ravello, Praiano, and Tramonti)
Disadvantages of Getting Around by Scooter
- Can be dangerous
- Will still have to deal with traffic jams
Amalfi Coast
Our Recommendations
To summarize all of the information above, here are our recommendations for the best way to get around the Amalfi Coast.
For the best overall experience, hire a private boat. It is the most expensive option, but the views are unbeatable, you can explore nooks and crannies that are difficult to get to by other modes of transportation, and this is the fastest way to travel from town to town, so if you want to see and do a lot, a private boat is the way to go.
If you are traveling on a budget, the ferry is our first choice (great views and to avoid the traffic on Amalfi Drive) followed by the public bus.
During the summer months, from June through September, avoid traveling on Amalfi Drive if possible. If you want to visit Ravello or Tramonti, you will have to take the bus, drive, or hire a private driver, but to get everywhere else, take a boat of some sort (ferry, small group boat tour, or private boat).
If you really want to drive the Amalfi Coast, the best time to do it is from mid-October through April.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to get around the Amalfi Coast?
During the summer months, the best way to get around the Amalfi Coast is by boat (ferry, small boat tour, or private boat). The views are beautiful and you can avoid the traffic jams on Amalfi Drive. If you are traveling on a budget, travel by ferry or by bus. From June through September, avoid driving the Amalfi Coast if possible, since traffic jams are frequent, parking is a nightmare, and rental car traffic is limited by the new alternating license plate system.
Is it worth driving the Amalfi Coast?
If you plan to visit Italy between May and September, Amalfi Drive can be a crowded, chaotic road with long backups and major challenges finding a parking space. During this time, it is not worth driving the Amalfi Coast and it is best to get around by ferry or boat. However, if you have long dreamed of making this drive, the best time to do it is from mid-October through the end of April, which is low season on the Amalfi Coast.
How do you get around the Amalfi Coast without a car?
You have plenty of good options. The bus is cheapest, running the length of Amalfi Drive for about €10 a day, though it can be slow and crowded in summer. The ferry runs April through October and is faster and more scenic, but only reaches coastal towns like Positano, Amalfi, and Salerno, not hill towns like Ravello. For the most flexibility without driving yourself, hire a private driver, who can take you anywhere a car can go, with none of the parking hassle. And if you only have one day, a small group tour handles all the logistics for you.
How difficult is it to drive the Amalfi Coast?
It doesn’t take any special skills to drive Amalfi Drive. You need a good deal of patience and you need to stay alert, since it is a chaotic drive. If this is something you plan to do, rent a smaller vehicle, which makes it a lot easier to navigate the turns and the tight spaces as you squeeze past buses and other vehicles.
Plan Your Amalfi Coast Trip
- Still trying to decide whether or not to rent a car? → Our Driving the Amalfi Coast: Is It Worth It? guide includes our experience and whether or not we really think it is worth it.
- Traveling from Rome? → Our How to Travel from Rome to Sorrento, Capri & the Amalfi Coast guide covers train, car, and transfer options.
- Need help planning your time? → Our Amalfi Coast Itinerary covers what to do and how to organize your days.
- Planning the rest of your Italy trip? → Our Italy Travel Guide covers Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, and more.
- Renting a car for this trip? → Our Things to Know When Renting a Car in Europe guide covers insurance, license requirements, and other essentials.
If you have any questions about the best way to get around the Amalfi Coast, or if you want to share your experience, you can do so in the comment section below.
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