At Lonely Plan-It, we can show you how to make your travel journey fun and exciting, even if it’s complicated. Eva Sandoval is going to tell us her own story of planning a trip around the Amalfi Coast with only public transport.
The Amalfi Coast offers amazing scenery – blue seas, lemon groves and rows of colorful buildings along the rugged coast. It’s isn’t an illusion – we are in Italy!
Now all you need to worry about is the amazing places you can visit. Do you love driving in different countries? Or maybe like Jennifer Coolidge in The White Lotus, do you have a dream of riding around on a Vespa scooter, with your Peppa Pig–pink scarf blowing in the breeze?
The Amalfi Coast can be a challenge to drive around due to its bumpy roads, many tight turns and steep edges that lead down to the ocean. You will get stuck in lots of traffic while driving there too, plus parking can be really expensive – if you’re even able to find it. A scooter could make it easier but only if you already know how to ride one.
In the region, there are lots of ways to get around. You just need to plan carefully and you can get almost anywhere. While public transport options might not always be reliable, it’s still better than trying to drive on a very narrow road during busy times.
The train system doesn’t reach the Amalfi Coast, which is a very mountainous area in Italy. But you don’t have to worry! There are lots of buses and ferries that travel easily between cities, including Naples. In five easy steps, you can learn how best to explore this beautiful place – just grab a ticket and your biggest smile. Wearing a flowy pink scarf is optional but definitely encouraged!
Using public transport means you don’t have to worry about navigating around the super narrow, winding and busy roads in the Amalfi Coast.
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Maximize Your Time
When you are exploring a new area and don’t have much time to do so, it is best to plan what you want to do very carefully. Choose just a few places which can be visited easily on public transport. These are some of the most popular places you should consider for your itinerary, starting with those that are easiest to access by public transport.
Beat the Ferry Line Rush
To get to the towns between Amalfi and Salerno, you can hop on either a ferry or a SITA bus (5570). Keep in mind that the last ferry from Positano only sails late in the afternoon during peak times, but it won’t be available as much during off-season. You better plan to take the SITA bus.
Take the SITA Bus to Hilltop Ravello
If you want to go to Hilltop Ravello, which is located a little bit away from Amalfi, the easiest way to get there is by taking bus number 5110 (called SITA). However, if you are staying somewhere else, you may need to transfer at some point during your trip.
Journey Along the Cliffs of Amalfi Coast
Take the 5080 bus from Amalfi to Agerola (Bomerano). This is the starting point of an amazing hike along a clifftop. When you finish hiking, treat yourself to an ice-cold slushie at Nocelle and then walk down 1700 steps to Positano! Lastly, take the bus or ferry back to your base.
Explore the Natural Beauty of Italy’s Coast
The SITA bus (number 5570) will take you to three wonderful places – the Fiordo di Furore Beach, Conca dei Marini Beach and the Grotta dello Smeraldo (a cave with glowing-green waters). However, it can be tricky to go to all three in one day because they’re only a few kilometers apart. If I had to pick just one, I’d recommend the Fiordo di Furore beach. It’s quite secluded and has an amazing bridge that’ll make your experience even more memorable! Trust me, it’s worth all the steps it takes to get there!
Take the bus to Nerano and then go for a walk towards Baia di Ieranto beach. It’s really beautiful!
Three Itineraries for Exploring Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast!
If you’re visiting Sorrento, Vico Equense, or Castellammare located on the west side of the peninsula, take a ride on the Circumvesuviana train. To get to special places such as Nerano and Punta Campanella (where hiking trails are located) and Marina del Cantone beach, you’ll need to use SITA Nord or EAV buses.
The tricky part is that Nerano’s main square is the first stop to do Baia di Ieranto hike, it takes 35 minutes of climbing up to Termini where Punta Campanella hike starts and 20 minutes walking down to Marina del Cantone. You may want to do all these activities in one day, but I suggest doing them separately over different days, otherwise it can take its toll on your health.
Itinerary 1: Take a bus to Nerano, and bring a sandwich made with tomatoes and cheese. Then, hike to Baia di Ieranto – it’s a beautiful beach with views of Capri Island.
Itinerary 2: Catch the bus to Nerano then take another one up to Termini. Hike at Punta Campanella, this is the furthest point you can get in Sorrento Peninsula. After that, treat yourself with some cheesy pasta at Ristorante Eughenes in Termini.
Itinerary 3: After taking the Bus to Nerano, you can head down to Marina del Cantone. You’d get the chance to enjoy the sight of beautiful sailboats there! For lunch, you can either be at Mary’s Beach or Ostello le Sirene which is known for its mermaid decorations (or are they art?). To explore more places around in Sorrentine peninsula and Amalfi Coast better, why not try driving?
“Explore the Beauty of Amalfi Coast
Think carefully and stick to what you can afford.
If you don’t drive and want to stay in a town that can take you to most places on the coast and Sorrento Peninsula, Amalfi is your best option. Sorrento and Salerno are other great choices as they have lots of buses, trains and ferries. If you want somewhere cheaper then why not try Sant’Agnello which is close to Sorrento, Atrani which is a 6-minute walk away from Amalfi or Maiori, a village between Amalfi and Vietri sul Mare with good ferry links.
If you want to experience the beauty of Amalfi Coast, simply create a plan and use public transportation! It is an easy way to enjoy all that this place has to offer.
Planning Ahead
When you go to the Amalfi Coast, you need to understand that no matter if you visit during the busy (Easter to August) or quiet (off or shoulder season) times of the year, travelling can be tricky. During busy times it can be hard to get a space on public transport like buses and ferries, but during quieter times some buses or ferries may not operate at all. So it’s important to check when these services run before you travel.
In the busy summer months, it’s important to plan ahead for delays due to heavy traffic. Always bring a water bottle and keep your phone charged so you can check for bus updates or call a taxi if needed.
Making Public Transportation Easier
Apps make using public transportation easy.
To make getting around easier, download the free Unico Campania app. It’ll show real-time bus and train information plus let you buy tickets if you have a European credit card. There are also sites like ferryhopper.it or traghettilines.it that’ll help you to find out about ferries and their times for when you want to ride them. But if the ticket purchasing options don’t work for you, then just head over to any newsagents or tobacconists – look for their giant T sign – and get your bus tickets there instead. If it’s a ferry ride that you wanted, go straight to the port where you can grab tickets there too!
Boats called ferries sail from town to town along the Amalfi Coast and take you on a journey with amazing sights. You can take amazing pictures in this journey!
“Take a Ride on the Wild Side–Experience the SITA Bus and a Ferry Trip!”
Want to stay on land or explore the sea? You can take a SITA bus late at night, which will bring you to mountain villages and the coast’s beautiful sights. Riding the SITA bus is an exciting experience! There’s lots of traffic on the road, with cars and scooters driving by quickly and honking their horns loudly. It’ll be an adventure that you won’t forget!
If you’re traveling down the coast, take a ferry instead of other transportation! Ferries are less crowded, so you can get to your destination faster. Plus, the view of the coastline is absolutely stunning when you’re out at sea!
Slow Down and Soak up the Beauty of the Bay of Naples
I’ve been wanting to learn how to ride a Vespa! Just joking (Or am I?).
My number one piece of advice is to not fit too much in one day while you are in the Nerano Area. Take it slow – choose one spot, grab a refreshing spritz and appreciate the gorgeous pink sunset that sets on the Bay of Naples. After all, isn’t that why you’re here?