Rome to Amalfi Coast: Train, Ferry, Bus, Car or Transfer Compared (2026)

The trip from Rome to Amalfi Coast towns starts with a fast train to Naples or Salerno. Then a ferry, a bus or a car covers the last stretch. There is no train to Positano or Amalfi, so the real decision is which gateway city to use. Below, we compare every realistic option with official times and fares, and match each one to your base.

Last updated: September 27, 2026

Rome to Amalfi Coast at a glance: every option compared

In short, the train does most of the work on every public option. So read our Rome to Naples train guide for stations and fares. Also see our guide to trains in Italy for tickets.

First, choose your base on the Amalfi Coast

Your base decides your route, so pick it first. Above all, the coast is small on a map but slow on the ground. As a result, a wrong gateway can add hours to your travel day.

• Positano. Steep and photogenic, with the most ferry links. From Salerno, the Travelmar ferry runs all year; from Naples, the NLG ferry runs in season.
• Amalfi and Atrani. The transport hub of the coast. Ferries and buses meet here, so it suits travelers without a car.
• Ravello. Quiet and high above the sea. You reach it by bus or taxi from Amalfi, so, in short, Salerno is the natural gateway.
• Maiori and Minori. Flatter towns with longer beaches. They sit closest to Salerno and have ferry stops.
• Sorrento. Not on the Amalfi Coast itself, but a practical base with a train link to Naples. See our guide to things to do in Sorrento.

For a deeper look at each town, start with our Amalfi Coast travel guide.

Step 1: the train from Rome to Naples or Salerno

In practice, every public route from Rome to the Amalfi Coast starts at Roma Termini. From there, Frecciarossa trains by Trenitalia and trains by Italo run south on the high-speed line.

Rome to Naples

According to Italo’s Rome to Naples page (checked September 2026), the company runs more than 30 trains a day. Its fares start around €14.90. Meanwhile, FS Italiane gives 1 hour 10 minutes from Rome Termini to Napoli Centrale (checked September 2026). Some trains stop only at Napoli Afragola, however, so check your ticket.

Rome to Salerno

For most of the coast, however, Salerno is the better gateway. Italo’s Rome to Salerno page lists 10 trains a day each way and about 1 hour 39 minutes (checked September 2026). Fares also start around €14.90. Frecciarossa trains also continue from Naples to Salerno. In fact, the Salerno ferry pier sits right by the station, so the transfer is short.

Step 2: ferries to Positano, Amalfi and Sorrento

In fact, the ferry is the most scenic last leg from Rome to the Amalfi Coast. It also skips the traffic on the coast road. Here are the two main links; our Amalfi Coast ferries guide covers every operator in detail.

From Salerno: Travelmar, all year

First, Travelmar sails from Piazza della Concordia, next to Salerno station. Its official site says the service runs all year and includes one carry-on bag (checked September 2026). The timetable from September 7 shows about 35 minutes to Amalfi and 70 minutes to Positano. Also, the 2026 fare sheet lists €12 to Amalfi, €17 to Positano and €3 per extra bag (checked September 2026).

From Naples: NLG, in season

Meanwhile, NLG sails from Molo Beverello in Naples. According to its Naples to Positano page, the route runs from April 1 to November 3, 2026 (checked September 2026). In addition, it lists an adult one-way fare of about €32 and €5 per bag. Also, some departures change ship at Capri, so read the timetable line carefully. By contrast, the Naples to Sorrento route runs all year, at about €18.50 one-way (checked September 2026).

The budget route: Circumvesuviana and SITA buses

The cheapest way to reach the coast from Naples is the Circumvesuviana, a local commuter railway to Sorrento. Then, SITA buses run from Sorrento along the coast road to Positano and Amalfi. However, this is also the slowest and least comfortable option.

• No express train this fall. The operator EAV says its Campania Express tourist train is suspended from October 1, 2026, until further notice (checked September 2026).
• New timetable from October 17. EAV announced 68 daily Naples to Sorrento runs with departures every 30 minutes from that date (checked September 2026).
• Bus pass. The SITA ticket page lists the COSTIERASITA pass at €10, valid 24 hours from first validation across 20 coastal towns (checked September 2026).

So choose this route if you travel light and have time. Otherwise, with suitcases, pay for the ferry.

Private transfer from Rome to the Amalfi Coast

A private transfer is a car with a driver that picks you up in Rome and drops you at your hotel door. As a result, it is the easiest option from Rome to the Amalfi Coast with children or heavy bags. However, it is also the most expensive, and prices vary widely, so we do not quote them.

• First, ask for the total price in writing, including tolls and luggage.
• Also check whether the driver can reach your hotel, because some Positano lanes are pedestrian only.
• Consider a stop at Pompeii on the way. However, the site allows only small bags, up to 30 x 30 x 15 cm, according to the Pompeii visitor rules (checked September 2026). So leave suitcases in the locked car.

For the full comparison of Pompeii routes, read Pompeii from Rome or Naples.

Driving from Rome to the Amalfi Coast

Driving makes sense only if you also plan inland stops, such as Paestum. First, the A1 motorway runs south from Rome toward Naples. Then the coast road, the SS163, winds from Vietri sul Mare to Positano. As a result, it is narrow, busy and short on parking.

Also note the odd-even plate rule. According to the Amalfi Coast tourist district, it applies on the SS163 between Vietri sul Mare and Positano from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (checked September 2026). In 2026 it runs daily in August and September, then only on weekends and holidays in October. However, hotel guests are exempt on check-in and check-out days. For rules on tolls and limited traffic zones, see driving in Italy and car rental in Italy.

Day trip from Rome to the Amalfi Coast: is it worth it?

A day trip from Rome to the Amalfi Coast is possible. However, it means many hours on the road for a few hours on the coast. Still, it can work if Rome is your only base and you want one look at Positano. In that case, a guided day removes the logistics, because the tour handles the transfers.

For example, see our page on an Amalfi Coast day trip from Rome. Alternatively, if you have two nights, base yourself in Naples and take a Pompeii and Amalfi Coast day trip from Naples instead. Our list of day trips from Rome shows closer options.

Which Rome to Amalfi Coast option suits you

A sample plan: Rome to the Amalfi Coast in four days

1. Day 1, travel day: take a morning train from Rome to Salerno, then the ferry to Amalfi. Walk the town and the cathedral steps before dinner.
2. Day 2, the water: join an Amalfi Coast boat tour to see the cliffs and coves from the sea. Then spend the evening in Atrani.
3. Day 3, Ravello and cooking: go up to Ravello in the morning for the gardens. In the afternoon, book an Amalfi Coast cooking class.
4. Day 4, onward or back: take the ferry to Positano for a few hours. Finally, ride the Travelmar ferry back to Salerno and a train to Rome.

If you want an island day, add a Capri boat tour to the Blue Grotto and see our Capri tours guide. For a longer trip, fit these days into our southern Italy itinerary.

Seasonal notes for the trip

• Fall (September to November). Warm sea and fewer crowds. However, Naples ferries to Positano and Amalfi end on November 3, 2026, and the Campania Express is suspended from October 1. See Italy in fall.
• Winter (December to March). Many hotels close. So rely on the train to Salerno and Travelmar, and check sailings the day before.
• Spring (April to May). The seasonal ferries restart on April 1. Meanwhile, the hills are green.
• Summer (June to August). The busiest months. Book trains and ferries ahead, and expect the plate rule on the coast road.

What to book ahead

• Trains and ferries: high-speed fares rise as seats sell, and summer ferries can sell out, so buy online early.
• Hotels, transfers and tours: confirm pickup points in writing, and ask how to reach the door with luggage.

Amalfi Coast experiences to add to the trip

Once you arrive, these experience pages on our site help fill the days. Each one lists prices and ratings read on Viator:

• Amalfi Coast day trip from Rome: the guided option if you stay in Rome.
• Amalfi Coast boat tour: the coast from the water.
• Amalfi Coast cooking class: a hands-on class on the coast.
• Sorrento cooking class: a good fit for a Sorrento base.
• Capri boat tour and Blue Grotto: an island day by sea.
• Paestum tour comparison: two Paestum tours compared, south of Salerno.

For more formats, see our guide to Amalfi Coast tours or browse the experience finder.

Once you arrive, our Amalfi Coast itinerary plans five, seven or ten days on the coast, day by day.

Rome charges up to €10 a night in city tax; see our Italy tourist tax guide before you budget the trip.

Already in Naples? Our guide from Naples to Positano covers the last leg in detail, from Molo Beverello to the SITA bus.

Rome to Amalfi Coast: frequently asked questions

Is there a direct train from Rome to the Amalfi Coast?

No. Trains from Rome go to Naples or Salerno, and the last leg is by ferry, bus or car. Salerno is the closer gateway for Amalfi, Ravello, Maiori and Minori.

What is the fastest way from Rome to the Amalfi Coast?

For Amalfi, a high-speed train to Salerno plus the Travelmar ferry is usually quickest. Italo lists about 1 hour 39 minutes to Salerno, and Travelmar about 35 minutes on to Amalfi.

How do I get from Rome to Positano?

Take the train to Salerno and the Travelmar ferry, which runs all year. From April 1 to November 3, 2026, the NLG ferry from Naples is another option.

Should I rent a car for the Amalfi Coast?

Only if you plan inland stops. The coast road is narrow and parking is scarce, and an odd-even plate rule applies on busy days.

Can I do Rome to the Amalfi Coast as a day trip?

Yes, but it is a long day with little time on the coast. A guided day trip handles the transfers if Rome is your only base.