How to get from Naples to Positano
Why visit Positano?
Positano is a scenic beach town in Italy, home to some of the most panoramic views on the Amalfi Coast. What many don’t know is its long history as a holiday resort from as far back as the Roman Empire. Experience its age-old charm in the quiet neighbourhood of Montepertuso, the highest hamlet of Nocelle, and the jaw-dropping Path of the Gods.
The best time to visit Positano is from late April to September, when the weather is sunny and the waters are warm. Sunbathe at Positano’s beaches — like Spiaggia Grande and Fornillo. And take a walking tour to Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta and its majolica-tiled dome, which houses a Byzantine Black Madonna and Child from the 13th century.
What are the 4 ways to travel from Naples to Positano?
There are 4 ways to travel the 30 kilometre (19 miles) distance from Naples to Positano. You can choose between the direct minivan, private transfer, train and ferry. The journey takes 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes and the quickest way is by private transfer. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by train with tickets starting at €5.60 ($6.50).
Naples to Positano by Train
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to travel from Naples to Positano, you can take an indirect train to Sorrento and continue by bus. While buses are also available for the first leg, there are only 2 departures a day.
Including the transfer time, expect this journey to take up to 3 hours.
Step 1: Naples to Sorrento by Train
There are multiple train departures from Naples to Sorrento daily. Trains are available every 30 minutes from 05:54 to 21:06, so you can leave Naples basically anytime from morning to night!
You can take a Direct or Express Circumvesuviana train that takes 50-70 minutes or a 45-minute Campania Express train. Train prices start from €3.60 ($4.20).
All trains depart from the lower level of Naples Centrale Train Station and you will be dropped off at the Sorrento Train Station in the city centre.
Online booking is not available for the Circumvesuviana trains, and you can only buy tickets at the train station. To view the full schedule, you can visit the Sorrento Insider page.
For more details, check out our page on Naples to Sorrento.
Step 2: Sorrento to Positano by Bus
Buses bound for Positano depart from the bus stop just outside the train station in Sorrento.
For this route, your only choice is the SITA Bus. They offer several trips from Sorrento to Positano every day from 06:30 to 19:00. Tickets cost only €2 ($2.30).
Note that the buses on this route are often overcrowded, so you’ll likely have to wait more than an hour for a bus that can still accommodate passengers. You might even have to stand during the entire 1-hour bus ride to Sponda Bus Stop, located 250m to the east of the main beach in Positano.
If you’re not keen on riding the bus for this last leg, you can replace it with a ferry ride or a private transfer!
Naples to Positano by Ferry
Ferries are a great way to get around Italy’s Campania Region, where both Naples and Positano are located.
Although there are direct ferries from Naples to Positano, you have the option to divide your journey with a short ferry stop in Sorrento.
When taking the ferry at 09:00 from Naples, you can arrive in Positano by 11:35 at the earliest. Including the transfer, this total journey will last about 2.5 hours. If you wish to explore Sorrento, you can also take a later ferry departing late afternoon or in the evening from Sorrento to Positano.
Direct ferry schedule from Naples to Positano
If you’re thinking of stopping in Sorrento before heading to Positano, you can take an indirect ferry instead. Below is a step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Naples to Sorrento by Ferry
Alilauro and NLG (Navigazione Libera Del Golfo) operate a few ferry trips from Naples to Sorrento daily and all year round.
Ticket prices start from €18 ($21). Travel time can take 35-45m, depending on the ferry.
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Ferries depart from Porto di Napoli and arrive at the Port of Sorrento, both of which are within the city centres.
Step 2: Sorrento to Positano by Ferry
With the ferry schedules from Naples to Sorrento and Sorrento to Positano, you’ll either transfer in 25 minutes to the next ferry or wait a few hours for the next ferry bound for Positano.
The ferries to Positano are conveniently departing from the same harbour as where the ferries from Naples arrive.
The fastest ferry that can take you to Positano is Positano Jet with just a 40-minute travel time, while the high-speed ferry of Seremar takes about 1.5 hours. Fares start from €17.20 ($20).
Since there’s not much difference in the ferry fares, we suggest taking the Positano Jet with a shorter travel time. You will be arriving at Positano Ferry Terminal within the city centre.
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You’ll want to book your tickets online via BookAway for guaranteed slots, especially when travelling on weekends or during the busy season.
Alternative option to travel from Sorrento to Positano
Other ways to complete the 2nd leg of this journey are via a 1-hour bus or a private transfer. Visit our page for Sorrento to Positano for more details.
You’ll want to book your tickets online via BookAway for guaranteed slots, especially when travelling on weekends or during the busy season.
Naples to Positano by Direct Minivan
While more expensive than public transportation, the direct minivan from Naples to Positano is a fast option.
The ride takes around 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes and will get you there directly without the need to transfer. Tickets cost €39 ($45.50).
There are two minivan companies you can choose from: Enjoy Travelling and DTS Travel Group. For this option, you’ll have to book online beforehand so they’ll know where to pick you up.
Departure and arrival station
Enjoy Travelling minivans depart from Naples Ferry Terminal (Beverello), but you can ask to be picked up from the airport or the train station. Meanwhile, Sorrento Shuttle Express vans depart directly from the airport with an additional pick-up from the train station.
Both vans will drop you off at your hotel in Positano.
Minivan schedules from Naples to Positano
When taking the direct minivan, make sure that you’re at the agreed meeting point at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. You can check the full schedule on BookAway.
Naples to Positano by Private Transfer
Another convenient option is a private transfer, which takes around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, including hotel pick-up and drop-off in Naples and Positano. However, this option is the most expensive.
With a private transfer, there’s no need to worry about schedules, terminals, and transfers. If you’re travelling in a group, a private ride may even be cheaper than the minivan when you split the cost.
Although Uber is available in Naples, rates are more or less around the same as the local taxi rates which are €130 ($150) for normal sedan cars.
Much better, book one online with BookAways for rates starting from €135 ($160) for 3 passengers. For a bigger group, you can also book a private minivan from Naples to Positano that can seat 6-8 people.
Private Transport options from Naples to Positano
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Naples to Positano. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions about Naples to Positano
What is the distance from Naples to Positano?
The distance from Naples to Positano is 30 kilometre (19 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Naples to Positano?
The fastest way to get from Naples to Positano is by private transfer and takes 1 hour 15 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Naples to Positano?
The cheapest way to get from Naples to Positano is by train with ticket costs starting from €5.60 ($6.50).
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
