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There are many reasons why you should visit Italy and have Naples and Positano as your go-to destinations. Both places are located in Campania, a beautiful region in Italy where modern life and historical aura blend perfectly. And traveling from Naples to Positano can be a unique experience if you plan it right.
Why should you visit Naples and Positano?
Naples is the capital of the Campania region and it’s the 3rd largest Italian city, Rome is the first, and Milan (read our Milan Guide here) is the second. Naples itself is an incredible travel destination and has many tourist attractions.
Naples has museums, stunning architecture, parks, theaters, medieval castles, and nature sites. And we can’t forget the food. Naples Pizza is world-famous and one of the main attractions in the city.
Naples is also a good base for exploring the region. From there, you can visit archeological sites like Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, and Bourbon Tunnel, among others. If you are unsure what to add to your itinerary, here is an article that can help you decide if Pompeii is worth visiting.
One place in particular that you must visit while in Naples is the coastal town of Positano. It’s one of the 13 beautiful cliffside villages situated along the Amalfi Coast, known for its wonderful views, narrow streets, turquoise sea water, luxury hotels, and mouth-watering restaurants. Read our Amalfi Coast Itinerary Guide here!
Positano is one of the unmissable places to visit in Italy, not only because of its natural beauty but also historical sites.
How to get from Naples to Positano
There is no direct way of traveling to Positano from Naples using public transportation. Most means of getting to Positano will need a change somewhere.
What is the distance from Naples to Positano?
Positano is about 61 kilometers from Naples. The easiest and fastest way to get to Positano from Naples is by car, but you can also get there by bus, ferry, or train. Any time of the year, you can book your transport from Naples to Positano online. You can get discounts if you book in advance of your travel date.
Driving from Naples to Positano
Driving to Positano from Naples takes about 90 minutes or less, depending on your driving speed. You will enjoy stunning ocean and coastal landscape views as you cruise to Positano.
You can rent a car or hire a transfer from Naples to Positano, and If you are lucky enough to find a knowledgeable driver, you will learn a lot about this region during your one-and-a-half-hour drive trip.
Driving is the easiest and the fastest way to get to Positano since you will not have to make stopovers and connect with other cars. Cars provide the best option for a Naples – Positano day trip, as you can visit the town and head back even at night. Getting a local guide would enhance your experience, but if you choose to drive, the road is well-marked, allowing you to use your GPS easily.
There are fantastic sites you can stop and tour if you will be driving. This route takes you via Vesuvius National Park, Pompeii, and the beautiful town of Vico Equense. You can leave Naples early enough to get enough time to enjoy these stops before you get to Positano.
You must carry your International Driving License and travel documents just in case authorities within this region require to see and confirm them.
Trains from Naples to Positano
Sadly, there isn’t any direct train from Naples to Positano. If you want to use public transportation, you can take a train from Naples to Salerno, then take a ferry to Positano. This train from Naples has 40 departures every day, from early morning to 10:45 pm, the latest departure.
You have an option between local and modern high-speed trains. The high-speed trains are faster than the local ones, taking about 10 minutes less to travel from Naples to Salerno than the local locomotives. They also have much more comfortable seats, Wi-Fi and are air-conditioned but are three times more expensive than the local trains. The train takes about 35 minutes to get from Naples to Salerno, where you board a ferry to Positano.
Local trains run out during summer, and you cannot make a reservation. You have to go to the station to catch one. As for the high-speed trains, you can make a reservation to travel at your convenience.
Once you get to Salerno, you can take some time to explore the beautiful coastal city or go straight to the pier and catch your ferry to Positano. There are two ferry companies operating between Salerno and Positano, the NLG service and Travelmar.
NLG service runs once daily and takes about 35 minutes to get to Positano. You have to book early and be there on time to catch it. Travelmar has several trips per day but is slower. It takes about 80 minutes to traverse the same distance. If you are not in a hurry, you can use the latter and enjoy the beautiful views as you slowly cruise to your destination.
Ferry from Naples to Positano (only ferry)
If you were wondering how to get from Naples to Positano by ferry, I’m happy to tell you that it’s possible and relatively easy.
Book your ferry in advance here!
There is an option of traveling the entire journey to Positano from Naples on the water. You still have to connect two ferries, but you will have a fantastic cruise experience. The journey takes longer than the first two but with added comfort in the ferries.
First, you take a ferry from Naples to Sorrento, then connect with a smaller one to Positano. The entire journey takes about 90 to 100 minutes. You can catch the smaller ferry at Sorrento without booking, but if you need any special assistance, or have luggage, make a point of booking early to get the needed help. However, remember that the smaller ferry to Positano from Sorrento is not available during winter.
Naples to Positano bus trip
If you want to avoid the ferries and use public road transport, you can take a bus from Naples to Positano, again, there will be a stop and change buses on the way.
This journey will take about 60 to 90 minutes, and you will have to connect between two buses. First, you will get a bus from Naples to Sorrento, then a bus from Sorrento to Positano.
Book your bus ticket in advance and avoid queues!
You can take a local SITA bus that is less luxurious but cheaper or shuttle service from Capodichino Airport to the bus station at Sorrento. These shuttles are air-conditioned, have comfy seats, and ample space if you have luggage. You can catch these buses throughout the day with the first leaving at 6.30 am and the last at 7.30 pm. You will enjoy striking coastal views as you go up and down past old towns and ocean cliffs. It is an incredible way to enjoy the coastal city above the sea.
Things you should know before traveling to Naples and Positano
Before you embark on your journey to Positano from Naples, there are a few things that you must know to have a smooth and enjoyable experience. So here are a few important travel tips about documents, weather, accommodation and the cost of traveling.
Accommodation in Positano
Book your hotel in Positano well in advance to guarantee a good rate and a good place. The city is packed during the summer months, so the earlier you book, the better. Here it goes some hotel suggestions in Positano:
Weather and costs
You can travel to Naples and Positano any time of the year, but the best time is during summer, between June and September. Southern Italy, and especially Naples, has a different kind of weather. It enjoys relatively mild winters that rarely go below 6ºC and long, sunny, warm summers. Temperatures during the summer range from 20ºC to 30ºC.
As expected, traveling to Naples and Positano during winter is cheaper as there is less demand, but summer is a fantastic time thanks to the warm weather. If you want to avoid the crowds and get better deals, the shoulder seasons – Spring and Autumn, can be an option.
Travel Advice:
Don’t forget your Travel Insurance! You don’t want anything to ruin your trip, right? So don’t take the risk! Reliable travel insurance can help you in case of travel issues, from accidents to health problems, travel delays, and lost luggage.
There are many insurances in the market, our picks are HeyMondo and SafetyWing. We used both and always had a good experience. Click on the insurance names to get a quote.
Travel Documents
If you live within the European Union (EU) and are a citizen, you do not need a passport or an identity card to travel from one EU country to another. Please carry them both as some customs officials could ask to see them for confirmation.
As a traveler outside the EU, you might need a Schengen visa to traverse continental Europe. Some countries have visas on arrival, others will need to apply in advance, so check this information carefully and way before your travel dates. If you need to apply for a visa, you do it from the embassy of the Schengen country you intend to visit. You may also need to show proof of residence, return tickets and travel insurance.
You can find more information about all the necessary documents to enter the European Union here. And we also wrote an article with the 10 essential travel documents you must have for an international trip, read it here.
Touring Italy’s Amalfi Coast is an unforgettable experience thanks to the amazing sites, monuments and experiences. And getting around Naples, Positano, and other cities is easy due to the many options of transportation.
You can easily move from one city to another and get to the most remote areas of the country using trains or buses. Traveling by land or sea is truly a unique experience as you can see the country and region from a different perspective.
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