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Naples to Positano: Ferry, Train, Bus or Transfer, With Fall Schedules (2026)
Every way from Naples to Positano: the seasonal ferry from Molo Beverello, the Circumvesuviana and SITA bus, the airport bus, transfers, and 2026 fall changes.
Getting from Naples to Positano takes a little planning, because no train reaches the village. Instead, you combine a boat, a train, a bus or a car, and the best mix depends on where you start and when you travel. This guide covers every realistic route from the airport, Napoli Centrale and the Molo Beverello port, with fall schedules in mind.
The short answer: from April to early November, the direct NLG ferry from Molo Beverello is the simplest way from Naples to Positano. It is seasonal, however, and the 2026 season ends on November 3. The rest of the year, take the Circumvesuviana train or the Curreri airport bus to Sorrento, then the SITA bus along the coast. With heavy bags, kids or a late flight, a private transfer is worth the cost. Book it ahead and agree the price in writing.
Last updated: September 27, 2026
Naples to Positano at a glance
| Option | Route | Time and fare (checked September 2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct ferry | Molo Beverello to Positano, NLG | Adult one-way about €32, luggage €5 per piece; April 1 to November 3, 2026 | Light packers in season who want the view |
| Ferry plus ferry | Molo Beverello to Sorrento, then Sorrento to Positano, NLG | About €18.50 plus about €21.50 | Days when the direct sailings do not fit |
| Train plus bus | Circumvesuviana to Sorrento, then SITA line 5070 | Bus about 40 minutes to Positano Chiesa Nuova | Budget travelers, year-round |
| Airport bus plus bus | Curreri to Sorrento, then SITA line 5070 | Curreri about €13, about 75 minutes to Sorrento | Arriving by plane on a budget |
| Train plus ferry via Salerno | Train to Salerno, then Travelmar | Travelmar about €17, about 70 minutes | Late fall, winter and spring |
| Private transfer or taxi | Door to door | Set by the driver, so agree it in writing | Families, heavy bags, late flights |
In short, the ferry wins in season and the bus wins in winter. Coming from Rome instead? Then read our guide to getting from Rome to the Amalfi Coast, which covers the Salerno gateway in more depth.
Which route from Naples to Positano suits you
| If you are… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Traveling light between April and early November | Direct NLG ferry | No changes, and you arrive at the beach |
| Landing at Capodichino airport | Curreri bus, then SITA bus, or a transfer | The bus leaves from the airport itself |
| Arriving at Napoli Centrale by train | Circumvesuviana, then SITA bus | The train leaves from the same station complex |
| Traveling with kids or big suitcases | Private transfer | Buses and ferries charge for, or limit, luggage |
| Traveling after November 3 | Train plus bus, or train plus Travelmar via Salerno | The direct ferry has stopped for the season |
Above all, think about your luggage before you choose. For example, the SITA bus can be crowded in the warmer months, and the road is narrow and winding. So if you carry two big cases, the bus is the hardest option for you, while a transfer is the easiest.
By ferry from Naples to Positano (April to early November)
The direct boat leaves from Molo Beverello, the main passenger pier in central Naples. According to the NLG route page (checked September 2026), the 2026 season runs from April 1 to November 3. Listed departures from Naples are at 8:35, 10:00, 10:40, 14:40 and 15:35. In addition, the adult one-way fare is about €32, or about €30 on the 10:40. Luggage costs about €5 per piece.
However, not every sailing is direct. For instance, NLG marks the 10:40 departure with a change of ship at Capri, where an Alilauro boat continues to Positano. Also, sea conditions can cancel boats at short notice, especially in October. As a result, keep a bus plan in your pocket. For every operator, pier and fare on the coast, see our Amalfi Coast ferries guide.
Getting from the airport or Centrale to Molo Beverello
From Capodichino airport, the Alibus shuttle runs to Piazza Garibaldi (Napoli Centrale) and then to the port. According to ANM, the Naples transit company (checked September 2026), the ride to the port takes about 35 minutes. A single ticket costs about €5, and buses run at least every 15 minutes. From Napoli Centrale, the port is about 20 minutes away on the same bus.
Naples to Positano by two ferries via Sorrento
If no direct sailing fits, change boats in Sorrento. First, NLG sails from Molo Beverello to Sorrento all year. The NLG Sorrento page lists 10:00 and 18:25 departures until November 3, 2026, at about €18.50 (checked September 2026). Then, the Sorrento to Positano sailings leave at 9:00, 9:30, 11:00, 12:25 and 15:15 in season, for about €21.50. So the morning boat from Naples does not connect well with them, and you may prefer the bus for the second leg.
By train and bus: Circumvesuviana plus SITA
This is the year-round budget route. First, take the Circumvesuviana, the regional railway run by EAV, from Napoli Porta Nolana or Piazza Garibaldi to Sorrento, at the end of the line. Then, change to the blue SITA bus to Positano, which stops near Sorrento station.
What changes on the Circumvesuviana this fall
- Campania Express suspended. The faster tourist train with reserved seats stops on October 1, 2026, until further notice, according to EAV (checked September 2026).
- New timetable from October 17. EAV announced 68 daily runs between Naples and Sorrento, with departures every 30 minutes, in a notice dated September 16, 2026.
- Standing room. The regular trains are busy commuter trains. So keep your bags close, especially at rush hour.
The SITA bus from Sorrento to Positano
Line 5070 links Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi. On the SITA timetable valid from September 14, 2026, the first bus leaves Sorrento at 6:30 and reaches Positano Chiesa Nuova at 7:10 (checked September 2026). That puts the ride at about 40 minutes to the first Positano stop, with Sponda, the stop nearest the beach, about ten minutes later.
Positano has two stops on the main road, Chiesa Nuova at the top and Sponda lower down. From either one, it is a steep walk down to the beach. Also, a 24-hour COSTIERASITA pass costs about €10 and covers unlimited SITA rides in 20 coastal towns, according to the SITA ticket page (checked September 2026). Sit on the left side of the bus for sea views toward Positano.
From Naples airport to Positano by bus
Curreri runs a shuttle from Capodichino airport to Sorrento station. Along the way it stops at Pompeii, Castellammare, Vico Equense, Meta, Piano di Sorrento and Sant’Agnello. According to Curreri (checked September 2026), the fare is about €13. Departures run roughly every hour from 9:00 to 19:30, and the 9:00 bus is timed to arrive at 10:15.
Also, Curreri takes online bookings up to four hours before each departure, and it warns that times are approximate in high season. After that, walk to the SITA stop at Sorrento station and continue to Positano. Therefore, this is the best budget route for anyone flying into Naples, as long as the flight lands before the evening.
Naples to Positano by private transfer or taxi
A private transfer is the most comfortable way from Naples to Positano. The driver meets you at the airport, the station or your hotel and drops you as close to your door as the lanes allow. Since there is no official fixed fare for this trip, agree the total price, the pickup point and the luggage allowance in writing before you book.
Driving yourself is possible, but parking in Positano is scarce. In addition, the coastal road is narrow and slow in summer. So if you rent a car for the wider region, read our guide to driving in Italy first, and consider returning it before you reach the coast.
Late fall and winter: the Salerno alternative
Once the Naples ferries stop, Travelmar still sails to Positano all year, according to its official site (checked September 2026). Its boats leave from Piazza Concordia, next to Salerno station. The 2026 fare sheet lists Salerno to Positano at about €17, and luggage at about €3. One carry-on bag of up to 45 x 35 x 20 cm is included, and the crossing takes about 70 minutes on the timetable updated September 7, 2026.
As a result, a winter trip from Naples to Positano by sea means a train to Salerno first. However, winter seas are rough more often, so the bus via Sorrento remains the steadier choice. For the season overall, see our guide to Italy in fall.
Luggage tips for the trip
- Pack small. Positano is a village of stairs, and many hotels sit far above the road.
- Pay for bags on ferries. NLG charges per piece, while Travelmar includes one carry-on and charges for extra bags.
- Skip Pompeii with suitcases. The site admits bags up to 30 x 30 x 15 cm, according to its visitor rules. So drop your luggage first, or see our guide to Pompeii tickets and plan a separate day.
- Ask your hotel about porters. Some can arrange help from the bus stop or the pier.
A two-day plan: Naples to Positano with a stop in Sorrento
Day 1: Naples
Spend your arrival day in Naples. For example, eat your way through the old center on a Naples street food tour, or head out to the ruins with our Herculaneum tour comparison. Our Naples travel guide has more ideas.
Day 2: Sorrento, then on to Positano
Next, take a morning train or boat to Sorrento and stay for lunch, or join a Sorrento cooking class. Then catch an afternoon SITA bus to Positano. Once you are settled, a day at sea on an Amalfi Coast boat tour or a Capri boat tour to the Blue Grotto makes a fine next step. For a longer plan, see our Amalfi Coast itinerary.
Tours and experiences between Naples and Positano
Would you rather not handle the logistics? Then the experience pages on our site below fit this trip, each with prices and ratings read on Viator:
- Pompeii and Amalfi Coast day trip from Naples: the ruins and the coast in one guided day.
- Amalfi Coast boat tour: Positano and the coast seen from the water.
- Capri boat tour and Blue Grotto: a day around the island.
- Amalfi Coast cooking class: local dishes, hands on.
- Sorrento cooking class: a good stop on the way.
- Pompeii and Capri day trip from Naples: for a base in the city.
For more choices, compare our Amalfi Coast tours and our list of day trips from Naples.
Staying in Naples first? See our guide to Naples airport to city center.
Naples to Positano: frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way from Naples to Positano?
Between April 1 and November 3, 2026, the direct NLG ferry from Molo Beverello is the easiest option for light packers. With heavy luggage, a private transfer is easier.
Is there a ferry from Naples to Positano in winter?
No direct NLG ferry runs after November 3, 2026. In winter, take the train and SITA bus via Sorrento, or a train to Salerno and the year-round Travelmar boat.
How long is the bus from Sorrento to Positano?
On the SITA timetable valid from September 14, 2026, the first morning bus takes about 40 minutes from Sorrento to Positano Chiesa Nuova.
Can I get from Naples airport to Positano by public transport?
Yes. Take the Curreri shuttle from the airport to Sorrento station, then the SITA bus to Positano. Alternatively, take the Alibus to Molo Beverello and a ferry in season.
Is the Campania Express running from Naples to Sorrento?
No. EAV suspended the Campania Express from October 1, 2026, until further notice. Regular Circumvesuviana trains still run to Sorrento.
Plan your days on the coast
Compare day trips from Naples to the Amalfi Coast
Compare a guided Pompeii and Amalfi Coast day with a boat tour along the coast, with prices and ratings read on Viator.
Book it: experiences for this trip
Matched to this article by place and interest, then ordered by Viator rating and number of reviews (checked September 2026). Prices and availability are shown live on Viator.
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