Amalfi Coast itineraries

How to see the best of the Amalfi Coast in 1, 2, or 3 days

Budget a day—at least 5–8 hours—to see the coast. though I would highly recommend at least two days.

How long does it take to tour the Amalfi Coast?

Here is the minimum amount of time in which you can see the Amalfi Coast itself—if you you don't stop or get out anywhere:

• By car: 3 hours
• By bus: TK hours (including the bus change in Amalfi)
• By ferry: TK hours
• By coastal cruise: 6–9 hours (stops included)

Keep in mind, however, those are all just for the time spent on the coast itself, from Sorrento to Salerno. Add roughly two hours to those totals to cover the time it takes to get to Sorrento (50–70 min. from Naples), and—unless you're continuing on south (to nearby Paestum or points beyond)—to get back to Naples (40–50 min. by inland train from Salerno).

Some people do pack the drive into one long day, never getting off the bus except for the required bus change in Amalfi—perhaps building in enough time there for a quick look at the cathedral.

If that's the way you want to go, it might be best to just book this as a tour; these full-day tours come with an English-speaking driver, can pick you up at your hotel, the train station, airport, or cruise terminal, visit Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, and only cost from $40—or $90–$100 if, along with the driver, you want a private tour guide as well:

• From Sorrento, group tours start from $40, private drivers from $60, and private tours from $90. » book
• From Naples, group tours start from $97, private drivers from $55, and private tours from $85. » book

Otherwise, it makes far more sense to spend at least one night on the coast.

If, however, your schedule doesn't have that much leisure time, might I suggest riding the first leg—from Sorrento to Positano to Amalfi—taking a quick spin around Amalfi town, then catch a ferry either back up the coast or over to Capri (or just back to Sorrento if Capri's not on your vacation menu).

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