How to get from Rome to Amalfi Coast: 3 best ways
Learn the 3 best ways to get from Rome to Amalfi coast: how to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast by car, train or ferry.
Rome and the Amalfi Coast are two of the most popular destinations in Italy, often visited together due to the relatively short distance between the two.
Indeed, getting to the Amalfi coast from Rome is easy enough; however, it is not quite as straightforward as catching a train down and, often, planning transport to this part of Italy from Rome feels overwhelming.
Visitors looking at going to the Amalfi Coast are always surprised to discover how long it actually takes to get there from Rome and how different transport options are deepening on where on the Amalfi coast you are going to be.
I love the Amalfi coast, I feel it is a place that deserves its fame and I always encourage people to visit.
Today, as well as encouragement, I want to give you the practical info you need to plan your transport and get to the Amalfi Coast from Rome in the easiest and best way for your specific circumstances.
To help you plan this part of your trip, in this guide, I share:
- How far the Amalfi coast from Rome is (so you are not surprised by the prices of private transport providers!)
- How to get from Rome to Amalfi Coast in the good season
- how to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast in winter
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How far is Amalfi Coast from Rome
The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coast a little over 250Km / 155 miles south of Rome.
The coast develops along the Southern part of a promontory that starts from Salerno (260 km south of Rome) and stretched into the Mediterranean.
The coast itself is about 40 km long so the exact distance between Rome and Amalfi Coats depends on where on the coast you are going to be and the exact route you take.
>>> The distance between Rome and Amalfi town is 278km/173 miles
>>> The distance between Rome and Positano is 276Km/171 miles
>>> The distance between Rome and Ravello is 273Km/170 miles
The three best ways to get from Rome to Amalfi Coast
There are 3 ways to get to Amalfi Coast from Rome:
- by car,
2. by a combination of train and car
3. by a combination of train and ferry.
Which one of these ways is best for you depends on where on the Amalfi Coast you need to go and the season.
Need to know: Ferries are a wonderful way to reach the Amalfi Coast and the best way to explore it while there. however, they only run regularly in the good season. At present, the season starts at the beginning of April and ends at the end of October. As this is affected by sea conditions, always check ferry schedules and availability for your exact dates before committing to this means of transport!
How to get from Rome to Amalfi Coast by car
One of the easiest ways to get from Rome to Amalfi Coast is by car, either your own or one with a private driver.
The overall distance between Rome and towns on the Amalfi Coast is between 250 / 20 km and you can expect the trip to take between 3 and 4 hours in normal traffic conditions.
The drive between Rome and Amalfi Coast is freeway/motorway up to Naples and Salerno and then on local roads: since the Coast is high and winding, expect local roads to be narrow, scenic and full of curves.
Read here >> all you need to know to drive on Italian toll roads
Having your own car comes with advantages, including the ability to plan your own schedule. however, in this area it also comes with disadvantages you need to consider when deciding on your transport type:
In the busy season, the Amalfi Coast road is incredibly trafficked, often with bumper to bumper cars along its length. This makes explirting by car frustrating and time-consuming.
On top of this, in the busy season there are some limitations to road access: last year, they implemented a system based o number plates so that even numbers / odd numbers had access on different days.
This was done to help the traffic congestion but can, of course, create issues if you have the ‘wrong’ plate or are not aware of the system.
Top Tip: If going by your own car, ask your host for rules and access on the exact dates of your visit as this changes often and can only be confirmed safely by a local.
The local roads are bendy and narrow: caution is necessary at all times and especially after dark.
Local roads are often a problem for people with motion sickness.
Parking is an issue in the busy season: make sure you have accommodation with free parking.
Many of these problems can be sorted by hiring a driver, however, even do consider the following:
A car transfer from Rome to Amalfi Coast is an expensive option. The distance to be covered is big, petrol is very expensive and you often have to cover the fact that the driver will have to then return to Rome. This easily pushes the cost into the hundreds of euro: it can be worth it, but only consider it if budget is not an issue.
Good to know: if you are considering hiring a driver, it can be worth getting someone who can stop in Pompeii on your way down to Amalfi. The cost is often only marginally higher and can save you the cost of a separate trip to Pompeii. Have a look at Welcome Pickups* or companies that have an official NCC license (this is the license required by law to offer drivers’ services in Italy. NCC means ‘Noleggio Con Conducente’, meaning: Rental with driver.
A more budget-friendly option is to get closer to Amalfi Coast by train and then get a local driver to your town of choice.
How to get from Rome to Amalfi Coast by train and car (recommended)
Another great way to get to Amalfi Coast from Rome is by catching a fast train to Sorrento and then a local cr transfer to your destination of choice.
This option is great as it is comfortable, green, often significantly cheaper than a car transfer from Rome and often easier on the stomach if you suffer from motion sickness.
The closest train station to the Amalfi Coast is Salerno, and you can get there by high-speed train from Rome in about 2 hours direct.
You can lead here >>> how to use trains in Italy.
Depending on where oj the Amalfi coast you are staying, it is also possible to arrive in Naples and get a driver from there.
Naples is further from the coast but depending on where your accommodation is, it can make sense to get quite from both cities and compare.
A combination of train + car is the best way to get from Rome to Amalfi Coast:
- In winter, when ferries do not run
- After hours, after the ferries have stopped running
- If you are staying in Ravello, Praiano or other localities not served by a ferry
How to get to Amalfi Coast from Rome by train and ferry (recommended April to October)
My favorite way to reach the Amalfi Coast from Rome is by combining train to Salerno and ferry to my final destination.
The Amalfi Coast is stunning from the water and you cannot beat the impression of that magical view as you get a first get a glimpse of it from the water!
Also, the ferries are cheap and reliable so you can get to your destination in a budget-friendly way!
Ferries connect Salerno to several locations on the Amalfi coast: the ferry port is close to Salerno/train station and you can walk between the station and some of the piers in a matter of minutes.
As ferry lines vary depending on your destination, make sure you take note of the exact departure pier and schedule before getting to Salerno.
It is usually possible;le to get tickets on the day, or you can book it direct with the company travelmar.it which serves this route.
How to get from Rome airport to Amalfi Coast
The closest airport to Amalfi Coast is Naples. however, it is also possible to reach the Amalfi coast from Rome’s Fiumicino airport.
There are three ways to get to the Amalfi Coast from Fiumicino:
Car – see above for pros and cons. The distance, in this case, is about 300km/ 186 miles
Train – there is no direct train between Rome’s airport and the Amalfi Coast.
The best option, in this case, is taking the Leonardo Express train shuttle into Rome and then the train to Salerno from there. Then you can follow the directions above to get to your destination.
You can read here >>> how to make your way from Rome Fiumicino to the main train station in Rome.
The other option is to get the once-a-day- train to Naples and then make your way to the Amalfi Coast by car.
The best way to get from Rome to Amalfi Coast with kids
The best way to reach the Amalfi coast from Rome with kids in town is by a combination of train + car or train +ferry depending on season and exact destination.
This is the best way to avoid long boring hours in a car and can help with motion sickness. Trains and ferries have special prices for kids, meaning this also a great option for people visiting the Amalfi Coast with kids on a budget.
How to get to Amalfi Coast from Rome – pin this
Marta Correale
Marta Correale is an Italian mama of two. Born and raised in Rome, Marta has a passion for travel and especially enjoys showing off Italy to her kids, who are growing up to love it as much as she does! A classics graduate from the University of Rome, Marta channeled her passion for culture and travel into the creation of family travel websites that inspire, support and help curious visitors to make the most of a trip to Italy and learn about Italian culture on the way. Marta also manages the thriving online community of parents 'Italy with kids' who turn to her for expert advice and competent Italy travel planning support. She is the author of the travel guides 'Best of Rome with kids' and 'Best of Florence with kids' available on Amazon and of an array of kids printables (scavenger hunts, info booklets etc) available on her Etsy shop 'Mama Loves To Print'
