You’re standing in the middle of a Roman street, looking at 2,000-year-old chariot ruts, and your brain is already thinking about that first sip of limoncello in Positano. I get it. The transition from Pompeii to Amalfi Coast is the highlight of almost every Southern Italy itinerary. But honestly? Most people mess up the logistics because they underestimate the Lattari Mountains. They assume it's a quick hop. It isn't.
If you don't plan the transit right, you'll spend four hours sweating on a crowded train or trapped in a bus with a driver who treats hairpins like a Formula 1 track. It’s beautiful, sure. But it's also chaotic.
The Reality of the Pompeii to Amalfi Coast Transit
Geography is a stubborn thing in Campania. Pompeii sits in the shadow of Vesuvius on a flat coastal plain. The Amalfi Coast, however, is a vertical world. There is no direct "fast train" from the ruins to the seaside towns. You have to navigate the Sorrento peninsula, which acts as a massive limestone wall between the two.
Most people take the Circumvesuviana. That’s the gritty, local commuter train. It’s loud. It’s rarely on time. There’s no AC. But it’s the cheapest way to get from the Pompeii Scavi station toward Sorrento, which is the gateway to the coast. You’ll see locals carrying groceries and tourists clutching backpacks. It’s the "real" Italy, for better or worse.
Private Drivers vs. Public Chaos
If you have the budget, a private transfer is the only way to keep your sanity. A driver picks you up at the Porta Marina entrance and drops you at your hotel door in Amalfi or Ravello. You’re looking at roughly €120 to €180. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? When you see the bus lines in Sorrento, you’ll think it was a bargain.
Walking out of the ruins after three hours of trekking over ancient stones is exhausting. Your legs will ache. The last thing you want is to stand on a packed SITA bus for 90 minutes while the driver maneuvers around mirrors on the "Road of a Thousand Bends."
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Understanding the Logistics Hubs
To get from Pompeii to Amalfi Coast, you basically have three "hubs" to choose from.
- Sorrento: This is the most common path. You take the train from Pompeii to the end of the line. From there, you hop on the SITA bus or a ferry.
- Salerno: This is the "back door" approach. It’s actually smarter if you’re staying in the town of Amalfi itself or Minori/Maiori. You take a Trenitalia train from the Pompeii "city" station (not the ruins one) to Salerno, then a ferry.
- The Mountain Pass: Taking a taxi or a bus through Agerola. It’s shorter in distance but can be nauseating due to the elevation changes.
The ferry from Salerno is a game changer. Why? Because the view of the coast from the water is the one you actually see on postcards. You see the colorful houses stacked like Tetris blocks. When you’re in a bus on the road, you’re often just looking at a stone wall or the bumper of the car in front of you.
Timing is Everything
Don't try to "do" Pompeii and the entire Amalfi Coast in one day. People try. They fail. They end up seeing nothing but the inside of a vehicle.
Give Pompeii at least four hours. If you leave the ruins at 2:00 PM, you won't reach a hotel in Positano until 4:30 PM at the earliest. That’s assuming the traffic at the "Chieca" tunnel isn't backed up. Traffic in the summer is a living entity. It breathes. It stalls. It frustrates even the most patient travelers.
The "Secret" Agerola Route
There is a way to go from Pompeii to Amalfi Coast that bypasses Sorrento entirely. It involves heading over the mountains toward Agerola, the "Switzerland of Campania." This is where the famous Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) begins.
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If you hire a local driver, ask them to take the "Valico di Chiunzi" pass. The view from the top of the pass looking down toward the Gulf of Salerno is staggering. You can see the entire coastline stretching toward the south. It’s less crowded than the Sorrento road, though just as windy.
Agerola is also famous for its fior di latte mozzarella. A real expert tip? Stop at a small salumeria in Agerola on your way down to the coast. Buy some bread and cheese. It’ll be the best €5 you spend in Italy.
Common Myths About the Journey
People think the "Amalfi Coast" is one place. It’s not. It’s a collection of 13 towns.
If you tell a taxi driver you want to go to the "Amalfi Coast" from Pompeii, they’ll ask "Where?" Positano is on the west side. Vietri sul Mare is on the east. The travel time between those two towns alone can be an hour.
- Myth: The train goes to Positano. Fact: The train ends at Sorrento or Salerno.
- Myth: Buses run all night. Fact: The last SITA buses usually leave around 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM depending on the season.
- Myth: It’s a short walk from the Pompeii train station to the ruins. Fact: There are two different train lines. The "Pompeii Scavi-Villa dei Misteri" station is right at the entrance. The "Pompei" (Trenitalia) station is a 15-minute walk away in the modern town.
Seasonal Warnings
In the peak of July or August, the road from Sorrento to Positano is restricted. There’s an "alternating plate" system. On even-numbered days, cars with plates ending in even numbers can’t drive certain directions. This applies to rental cars.
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Honestly, don’t rent a car for the Pompeii to Amalfi Coast leg. Just don't. Parking in Positano can cost €10 per hour. Yes, you read that right. And the roads are narrow. If you aren't used to mirrors passing within two inches of your window, you’ll be a nervous wreck.
Practical Next Steps for Your Trip
To make this journey work without losing your mind, follow this specific sequence.
First, decide on your luggage strategy. If you are doing Pompeii as a "stopover" between Naples and the coast, use the luggage storage (deposito bagagli) at the Pompeii Scavi station. It’s secure and much easier than dragging suitcases through the ruins.
Second, check the ferry schedules. Use sites like Travelmar or Alilauro. Ferries are more expensive than buses, but they are never stuck in traffic. A ferry from Salerno to Amalfi takes about 35 minutes. A bus on a bad Saturday could take two hours.
Third, book your Pompeii tickets in advance for the 9:00 AM slot. This allows you to finish by 1:00 PM, grab a quick panino, and start your journey to the coast before the "afternoon rush" of day-trippers heading back to their hotels.
Finally, if you're taking the SITA bus from Sorrento, buy your ticket at the "Tabacchi" shop or the booth at the station before you get in line. You cannot buy tickets on the bus. Nothing is more heartbreaking than waiting 40 minutes for a bus only to be told you can't board because you don't have a paper ticket.
The transition from the scorched, ancient streets of Pompeii to the cool, salty breeze of the Amalfi Coast is one of the world's great travel experiences. It just requires a bit of logistical respect. Pack water, wear linen, and keep your eyes on the horizon.