Sorrento is perfectly located to serve as a base for exploring the surrounding coast and islands. Capri, Pompeii, and, of course, the Amalfi Coast are all easily reached from here, which is why so many visitors to this area choose to stay in Sorrento.
If you are using Sorrento as your base during your visit, here are some tips to help you organize a day trip to the Amalfi Coast.
Book your excursions in advance: Amalfi Coast from Sorrento
Day Trips to Positano and Amalfi from Sorrento...
Private Tours by Car
Booking a car with driver for a private tour is definitely the most comfortable option. There are a number of local companies which offer this type of driving tour, departing from Sorrento and following the famed highway SS 163 down the coast to Ravello. Along the way, you can stop in Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello to stroll the picturesque lanes of these village centers. Your driver will also stop at the most scenic overlooks along the road to give you a chance to snap pictures. You can also stop for lunch at a local restaurant during your day trip.
Average duration: 7-8 hours
Average price: from € 350 (per party, not per person)
Bus Tours
A bus tour is a less expensive option than a private driving tour, as you will be travelling with others in a group. The route is the same as that of private driving tours, but you will have less flexibility in your itinerary. There is free time for you to visit each village shere the bus stops along the route, and there is a guide to give you tips on sights and itineraries.
Average duration: 7-8 hours
Average price: from € 35 (per person)
Boat Tours
Joining a group boat tour to the Amalfi Coast is the perfect option during the summer, with tours departing directly from the Sorrento port. These tours trasport 10-12 passengers on a traditional "gozzo" fishing boat used for generations in Sorrento. There are usually beverages and a local tomato and mozzarella "panino caprese" included in the price. There are stops during the tour in some of the most beautiful coves along the coast for a swim, and the boat moors in Positano and Amalfi so passengers can take a walk through the center of town.
Average duration: 7 hours
Average price: from € 95 (per person)
Private Tours by Boat
The most unforgettable way to tour the Amalfi Coast during the hot summer months is on a private boat tour. You depart from Sorrento on a private "gozzo" boat, the traditional wooden fishing boat, or a speed boat, and sail your way along the coast. Your skipper will suggest the best places to stop for a private swim in hidden coves and a meal on the water's edge.
Average duration: 7 hours
Average price: from € 125 (per person)
Independent Trips by Public SITA Bus
It's easy to reach the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento by using the public Sita bus. Routes depart from the Circumvesuviana train station in Sorrento and stop first in Positano and then in Amalfi. To reach Ravello, you have to change routes in Amalfi.
This is a economic and comfortable solution in low season (from October to May), but during the high season months the public buses are often crowded and hot and not particularly pleasant for day trips. A better alternative in high season is to tour the coast using the public ferries or the Coast to Coast bus company tours (you'll recognize them by their bright red paint and open upper deck).
Independent Trips by Public Ferry
Public ferries run along the coast from the beginning of April through October, which leave from the port of Sorrento and stop at Positano and Amalfi. The ferry is a great way to tour the coast by sea, and enjoy the gorgeous views of the coastline while avoiding the hairpin curves of the coastal road. The ferry stops near the village centers in both Positano and Amalfi; to visit Ravello, you can catch the public Sita bus from Amalfi.