Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport: complete guide

The Salerno Pontecagnano airport: connections, flights, and practical info

Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport: complete guide
Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport: complete guide

Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport (IATA code: QSR), also known simply as Salerno Airport, is located in Pontecagnano Faiano, about 12 miles (20 km) southeast of the center of Salerno. It's the second-largest airport in the Campania region. Long used only for private air traffic, in summer 2024 it began operating with commercial flights.

In the years to come this airport is expected to become the preferred gateway to the Amalfi Coast and surrounding areas. It offers an alternative to Naples-Capodichino airport, which has become increasingly congested by airport traffic. Both airports are managed by the Gesac company.

Book a transfer to the Amalfi Coast

Where is Costa d'Amalfi Airport located

Despite being referred to as the Salerno Airport, it's not actually located in Salerno or even along the Amalfi Coast, but rather between the towns of Bellizzi and Pontecagnano Faiano.

The center of Salerno is about 12 miles (20 km) away, while Positano is just over 50 miles (80 km) from the airport. The city of Naples is 45 miles (73 km) from the Costa d'Amalfi airport.

How to reach Positano and the Amalfi Coast

Currently there are no direct connections between the Salerno Airport and the towns of the Amalfi Coast such as Positano, Amalfi, Cetara, etc.

If you don't have a car, the fastest and most convenient way to reach the Amalfi Coast from Salerno Airport is with a private transfer service. The drive to Amalfi takes one hour, 15 minutes, while the drive to Positano is about 1.5 hours. Costs vary based on the route and the number of passengers and luggage, and can be particularly economical for families or groups.

Book a private transfer to Positano

Alternatively, you can reach Salerno and continue from there by sea or by bus with the Sita company. In this case, however, you must take into account much longer travel times and a higher possibility for delays compared to flight schedules.

Bus timetables from Salerno to the Amalfi Coast

Ferry and hydrofoil timetables from Salerno to the Amalfi Coast

How to reach Salerno and Cilento

At the moment, public transport is still a weak point for the Amalfi Coast Airport. This is expected to gradually improve over time as air traffic and passengers increase.

Here's how to reach the airport, based on your method of transport:

  • By car: The airport is easily accessible via the A3 Naples-Salerno-Reggio Calabria motorway. Take the exit "Pontecagnano Sud - Aeroporto" and continue on SS 18 towards Battipaglia. Follow the signs for "Aeroporto di Salerno" until you reach the terminal.

  • By taxi: Local authorities have set fixed rates for taxis running between the Amalfi Coast Airport and the main towns in the area. The ride from the airport to the centre of Salerno (Masuccio station or port) costs 50 euros. The fare applies to a maximum of four passengers with one bag each.

  • By train: The closest train station is Pontecagnano. You can take a taxi from the train station to the airport for 25 euros. From the Salerno and Battipaglia train stations there are buses (see below) and a fixed-rate taxi service: 50 euros to/from Salerno and 35 euros to/from Battipaglia.

  • By bus: You have several options for reaching the Salerno airport by bus, depending on your point of departure or arrival.

    The Busitalia Campania company offers the Salerno Airlink service. It's a direct service that runs on the freeway between the Salerno train station and Costa d’Amalfi Airport. The ride takes about 40 minutes and the ticket costs 5 euros per person, one way. The frequency of the trips changes often depending on the flight schedule, and can be found on the Busitalia website.

    The Ciav consortium runs several daily shuttle-bus trips to Salerno and many locations in Cilento. The ticket to and from the center of Salerno costs 5 euros. Timetables and fares are available online.

    The FlybusLink line connects the airport with the Cilento area, Vallo di Diano, and Basilicata. It makes several stops along the way, including at Battipaglia station, Eboli, Agropoli, Lagonegro, and Lauria. The ticket can be purchased on board the bus and fares vary based on the route. Prices and timetables are available on the official website of the Costa d'Amalfi Airport.

    Line 8 between Salerno and Battipaglia also stops at the Costa d'Amalfi Airport. Travel times are a little longer; it takes about 50 minutes from Salerno and 30 minutes from Battipaglia. The bus runs several times a day and timetables are available on the airport website.

Active connections and airlines

Salerno Airport serves several national destinations and a few international destinations as well. The main Italian cities connected with direct flights include Rome, Milan Malpensa, Bergamo, Turin, and Verona. The first international flights, which are already running or soon to be operational, connect the Salerno Airport with London Gatwick, Nantes, Geneva, and Malta.

The connections are operated by various low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, Volotea, and EasyJet. The airport also welcomes charter flights operated by various companies, as well as private flights.

In the coming months and years, the availability of flights to and from the Salerno Pontecagnano Costa d'Amalfi Airport are expected to progressively increase. This should make the second-largest airport in Campania a good alternative for those who want to reach not only the Amalfi Coast and Cilento, but also other important tourist areas of southern Italy, such as Basilicata and Calabria.