Four ways to get from Naples onto the water
All-in boat day
Minibus or hydrofoil to a coastal port, then a shared or small-group boat to Positano and Amalfi. Longest day, least planning. 10–12 hours.
Train to Salerno + boat
35 minutes by high-speed train, then a coastal boat or ferry from Salerno's Molo Manfredi. The fastest independent route and usually the cheapest.
Hydrofoil to Sorrento or Positano
Seasonal fast ferries from Molo Beverello. Book a local half-day boat at the other end and skip the coast road entirely.
Coach tour with a short cruise
Amalfi, Positano and Ravello by road with a 60–90 minute coastal cruise attached. More villages, much less water.
The coast road (SS163) is the bottleneck, not the distance. In July and August, a Naples–Positano transfer can take two and a half hours each way. Anything that replaces road with rail or sea buys you back an hour.
Is the day trip worth it?
| Option | Total day | On the water | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-in boat day from Naples | 10–12 h | 4–5 h | €130–€220 pp |
| Train to Salerno + local boat | 9–10 h | 4–6 h | €90–€160 pp + €10–€15 rail |
| Hydrofoil + half-day boat | 9–10 h | 3–4 h | €100–€180 pp + ferry |
| Coach tour with short cruise | 11–12 h | 1–1.5 h | €90–€150 pp |
| Private day with driver + boat | 10 h | 5–6 h | €900–€1,600 per group |
Verdict: worth it for one day if Naples is your base and you accept an early start. If you have two nights free, move to Sorrento, Amalfi or Salerno and book a local boat instead — you will spend the same money on twice as much sea.
A realistic timeline for the all-in day
- 106:45–07:30 pick-upHotel or central meeting point. Bring breakfast; nothing is open.
- 209:00–09:30 arrival at the portSorrento, Amalfi or Salerno depending on the operator.
- 309:30–12:00 coastal legCruising plus the first swim stop in the calmest water of the day.
- 412:00–14:00 PositanoBeach, lunch, one street. Do not attempt the shopping.
- 514:30–16:00 AmalfiDuomo steps, a granita, the paper museum if you are quick.
- 616:00–18:00 return legSecond swim stop, then back to port.
- 719:30–20:30 back in NaplesLater on summer Fridays and Saturdays.
How to make the day work
- Choose a tour that starts at a coastal port rather than one that drives you along the whole coast twice.
- If you get seasick, take the train to Salerno and a short boat: less open water, no minibus switchbacks.
- Sit on the right-hand side of the minibus heading south for the coast views, left on the way back.
- Check whether Ravello is included. It is a hill town — an hour there is an hour off the boat.
- Do not plan a flight or train out of Naples the same evening. Returns slip by an hour routinely.
- Carry cash for the town stops and for the Emerald Grotto entry if your route includes Conca dei Marini.
Naples day trips with a coastal cruise
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Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Naples to the Amalfi Coast?
By road, 90 minutes to Sorrento and two to two and a half hours to Positano in summer traffic. By high-speed train to Salerno, 35 minutes, then a boat along the coast.
Is a day trip from Naples to the Amalfi Coast worth it?
Yes for one day, if you start early and pick a tour that puts you on a boat rather than in a coach. For two or more days, base yourself on the coast instead.
What is the cheapest way from Naples to the Amalfi Coast?
Regional train or bus to Salerno, then the ferry or a local boat tour. Combined, this is usually the lowest total cost and avoids the coast road.
Do Naples boat tours include Positano and Amalfi?
Most full-day tours stop in both, typically 90 minutes each. Coach tours add Ravello but cut boat time to about an hour.
Is there a ferry from Naples to Amalfi?
Seasonal fast ferries run from Molo Beverello to Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi, roughly April to October, with reduced service in shoulder months. Confirm current sailings on the operator's official timetable.
Can I visit Capri and the Amalfi Coast in one day from Naples?
Not sensibly. Both are full days from Naples. Choose one, and if you only have a single day, the coast gives you more variety per hour.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-01 · We link to GetYourGuide. If you book through our links we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.