Amalfi Coast: Tour or DIY?
The train gets you to Salerno, not the coast. From Salerno you need a bus (SITA) to get to Amalfi and Positano, and the buses are irregular, often full, and the coast road is slow. Without a car, the coach tour is the reliable option. Land-based tours vs boat tours is the real choice — they offer very different experiences of the same coastline.
| Option | Transport | Experience | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land-based coach tour | Coach from Rome | Amalfi town, Positano stop, Sorrento drive | €130–180 | First-time visitors, shoppers, travellers who want to walk the towns |
| Boat-based tour | Coach to port, then boat | The coast from the water — Positano views from the sea | €160–220 | Photographers, romantic couples, anyone who wants the iconic view without the crowds |
| Pompeii + Amalfi combo | Coach, two sites | Archaeological site in the morning, coastal towns in the afternoon | €145–200 | Travellers who want Rome's two most iconic day-trip categories in one day |
The coast road is not for faint-hearted drivers. If you're hiring a car, the SS163 Amalfi coast road has sections with single-lane bridges and sheer cliff drops. Coaches use the road daily, but solo drivers unfamiliar with Italian mountain roads find it stressful. The SITA bus is the budget alternative — but requires patience and a full day to navigate.
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Best Amalfi Coast Day Trips from Rome
Rome → Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast and Positano Full-Day Coach Tour
Morning stop in Amalfi town (cathedral, paper museum, main square), afternoon in Positano for shopping and the beach. The classic land-based tour — straightforward, no surprises. Coach from Rome.
Book from €135 →
Rome → Amalfi Coast by boat
Amalfi Coast Boat Day Trip from Rome
Travel by coach to the port, then spend the afternoon on a boat along the Amalfi Coast. Stop for swimming, see Positano's colourful buildings from the water. Lunch on board. Very different from the road-based tour.
Book from €175 →
Rome → Pompeii + Amalfi
Pompeii Morning + Amalfi Coast Afternoon
Pompeii with an archaeologist guide in the morning, then coach to the Amalfi Coast for the afternoon. A long day — 12+ hours — but covers the two most different things you can do from Rome in one trip.
Book from €155 →What You'll Actually See
Amalfi town is the main settlement — the cathedral (Duomo di Sant'Andrea) is the focal point, and the paper museum (Museo della Carta) is a genuine curiosity if you've never seen handmade cotton rag paper made. Positano is more scenic, more crowded, and more of a fashion destination — you can buy the lemon-themed ceramics everywhere.
Lunch is the decision point. The Amalfi Coast is tourist-priced — a mediocre restaurant on the main square will still charge €20 for a plate of pasta. Ask your guide for their recommendation away from the main tourist areas, or accept that you're paying a premium for the view. The lemons are the real thing — limoncello is made from the local lemons and is worth buying as a souvenir.