Best way to get to Positano from Naples

[Travelthoman]

Will be in port and want to visit Positano. Ship will be in port from 7 to 7 so we should have enough time. Is the ferry the best way, or just take a taxi?

[euro cruiser]

"Best" implies a value judgement so it's hard to answer without knowing what is most important to you in this decision.

 

A taxi will cost €220 (round trip, full day, fixed fare) but is just transportation, the driver likely will speak little or no English.

 

Many people prefer to use one of the car services with English speaking drivers who entertain them along the ride, acting as a sort of guide as they drive.

 

Others use public transit. Options here include a ferry to Sorrento, followed by another ferry to Positano or a bus or a taxi. Alternately you can take the train to Sorrento (choose between the local train or the Campania Express seasonal service) followed by a bus, boat, or taxi to Positano.

Edited September 17, 2016 by euro cruiser

[Travelthoman]

Thanks so much for that info. We were concerned that we would not have enough time in port to take the public ferry and/or bus to make sure we got back to the ship by 7pm. We were looking for the most "efficient" but not the most costly way. Maybe Positano is better to visit when we are on a ground tour with a car. What do you think.

[euro cruiser]

You can get to Positano and back by public transit, what fouls many people up is trying to do too much. If you are happy with focusing on Positano you can do that in a twelve hour port day using public transit, or a combination of public and private.

 

Ferries are the fastest and most comfortable way to get around the bay area but the schedules are limited, making them less than perfect for the confines of a port day schedule.

 

Assuming that your port day is during the high season for the ferries (May through October) I think the most efficient routing is to take the train to Salerno and a ferry from there. On a map this may look out of the way but it's actually the fastest way to get there.

 

You should be able to make the 7:55 train from Naples Centrale station (there is a new metro station across the street from the cruise port, you can use this to get quickly to the train station), arriving to Salerno at 8:38.

 

The Salerno train station is a short two block walk from the waterfront and the Concordia ferry port. That allows plenty of time to grab a coffee before the 9:40 AM ferry, putting you in Positano just before 11 AM and giving you a nice view of the entire Amalfi Coast along the way.

 

The return is a bit tricky and this is where I think it's worth spending a little money on a cab or car service from Positano to the Sorrento ferry station.

 

Although it's only a little more than ten miles from Positano to Sorrento you need to budget at least an hour to drive there, due to the roads and the traffic. That means leaving Positano around 3 PM to be absolutely safe, which means you'd have at least four hours in town, plenty of time to wander around and enjoy a nice lunch.

 

The last ferry back to Naples departs at 4:25 PM, which gets you back to your ship nearly two hours prior to departure, a big safety net. The ferry port (Molo Beverello) is adjacent to the cruise port.

 

Trains from Naples to Salerno: http://www.trenitalia.com

 

Ferry from Salerno to Positano: http://www.travelmar.it/it/orari

 

Ferry from Sorrento to Naples: http://alilauro.it/orari-e-tariffe

Edited September 17, 2016 by euro cruiser

[euro cruiser]

Another option that would get you to Positano a little earlier would be a ferry from Naples to Capri, then another ferry from Capri to Positano.

 

You can take one of a couple of different ferries to Capri but you'd only have a few minutes there, not enough time to see anything other than the small community right at the port.

 

The first high speed boat to Capri from Molo Beverello departs at 8:05 AM and arrives just before 9 AM. The first boat from Capri to Positano departs at 9:30, so just a few minutes to wander the shops in the port area.

 

This boat gets you to Positano at 10 AM so it buys you a full hour over the train to Salerno route. Plus it avoids the need to take the metro to the train station. On the other hand you don't get the view of the Amalfi coast from the water that you do with the train option.

Edited September 17, 2016 by euro cruiser

[Hlitner]

There is another option which is to simply rent a car (have done this many times). You can then drive to the Amalfi Coast and hit all the popular cities (Positano, Amalfi and Ravello) in a port day. The major hassle is parking in Positano where many folks choose to park along the Amalfi Drive (above the city) and either hike down into town..or take the local "Orange" bus. But given the time element for port days we would generally drive right down into Positano where there are a few parking lots (very expensive) and some on the street parking (difficult to find a space). Parking in Amalfi is usually pretty easy (they have a large lot on a pier close to the main square) and parking in Ravello is never a problem. With a rental car you can tour the entire Amalfi Coast for about $25€ per person (with 4 in a car).

 

Hank

[euro cruiser]

For that matter, you could return by the same route. The more I look at the water options the more I like this alternative. It's more expensive than land travel but gets you the most time in Positano and has fewer moving parts, so to speak.

 

For the return you'd take a ferry from Positano to Capri at 3:40 PM, arriving at 4:30 PM, and connecting to either a 5:05 or 5:10 ferry back to Naples, arriving before 6 PM in either case. Again, since the cruise port and the ferry port are adjacent you'll be back in plenty of time for a 6:30 PM all aboard call.

 

The all water transit option puts you in Positano from 10 AM to 3:30 PM, a nice five and a half hour day.

[Travelthoman]

Wow, that is all great information. We have been to Naples many times on cruises so we have seen everything many times, except Positano specifically. that is why we would like to spend a few hours there. We have been to Capri many times too, so your option of the ferry both ways, sounds the best. Our only concern is always if there is a delay or a canceled ferry, we are screwed getting back. we may take an earlier ferry than 3:40 because of that, otherwise, we could check with them first and just bank on them all being on time. Sounds like you all have been there many times as well, and your information is so invaluable. thanks again so much. We are getting there on Oct 4th, our anniversary, so it should be fun.

[euro cruiser]

The next earlier departure from Positano to Capri is on Lucibello at 2 PM. I'm not positive if they still run in October, however. You could try e-mailing them to be sure: http://www.lucibello.it/web/positano-jet-capri/

 

As always, it's a good idea to have a back up plan. If the weather doesn't cooperate you can just leave Positano earlier and take the train from Sorrento back to Naples.

 

The regular train is here: http://www.eavsrl.it/web/sites/default/files/eavferro/Sorrento%20-%20Napoli_0.pdf

 

The Campania Express is a more comfortable train option from Sorrento but there are only two time options that would work for you, either rather early at just after 2 PM (arriving just after 3 PM) or later at 5 PM (arriving just after 6 PM). Campania Express info: http://www.eavsrl.it/web/it/content/campania-express-2016

 

The later express train would be a good fall back option, the only issue is getting to Sorrento. As this is just a back up plan I would rely on a taxi to fill that space, so you'd want to leave Positano in a cab at 3:30 to be extra safe.

Edited September 17, 2016 by euro cruiser

[Travelthoman]

Thanks .... you gave us a lot of options. We are still thinking to keep the moving parts to a minimum, and just do the ferry. We just wanted to visit Positano for a few hours, have lunch and come back. Probably take the earlier ferry back to Capri.....