VISITING THE AMALFI COAST WITHOUT A CAR: HOW TO SEE IT ALL BY FERRY, BUS, OR ON FOOT!

During the peak season, State Road 163 (the Amalfi Coast Road) becomes one of the busiest thoroughfares in Southern Italy. As a result, you can end up stuck in traffic for quite some time, and finding parking in the most popular towns—such as Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello—becomes a frustrating experience like few others. Not to mention the hit to your wallet! Coastal parking lots are, in fact, very expensive: you risk spending a lot for just a few hours of parking and putting a dent in your budget.
On the other hand, getting around by public transportation offers lots of advantages: it’ll spare you the stress of driving through tight curves and hairpin turns, you won’t have to shell out large sums for parking, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the views while traveling, and finally—an aspect that shouldn’t be underestimated these days—you’ll also be doing the environment a favor! So, consider all these options: you’ll discover a greener and less stressful way to visit the Amalfi Coast!

If there’s one way to appreciate the Amalfi Coast and its villages even more, it’s to see them from the sea! Traveling by sea offers several advantages (I’ve also talked about them here), including the chance to admire views that are unique in the world from a privileged vantage point. And that’s not all! All the coastal villages are connected by regular ferry routes, such as those operated by the Travelmar ferry company. The ports you can reach are Salerno, Amalfi, Positano, Praiano, Atrani, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, and Vietri sul Mare: basically, you can travel from one village to another by hopping aboard affordable, fast, and frequent ferries! Another factor not to be overlooked—and one that can make your vacation even better—is the tours offered by Travelmar: with a single ticket, you can visit multiple villages in one day, according to your every whim! You can find more information here, and at this other link, you can purchase tickets for the option that best suits you. One last tip! Always remember to check the notices on the website before heading to the docks: in case of adverse weather conditions, some trips may be suspended.

Some coastal villages are located in the hills, such as the magnificent Ravello. Therefore, the best way to get there is by bus. The buses operated by the Consorzio Mobilità Sostenibile are an excellent option for getting around the main towns or for reaching the Emerald Grotto: by purchasing a ticket, you’re guaranteed a seat—which is essential if you want to travel comfortably, especially during peak tourist seasons! You can check fares and schedules and purchase tickets at this link.
Sita Sud, on the other hand, is the company that operates bus routes throughout the region, including the Amalfi Coast. Bus travel is very affordable: single-ride fares start at €1.50, but for the Amalfi Coast there’s also a 24-hour pass called “CostieraSita” that allows unlimited travel between all the towns for €10. To find ticket offices, visit this link. If you’d like to buy tickets online, simply download the UnicoCampania app, select “Public Transportation,” and then choose the “SitaSud” company—a simple way to buy tickets wherever you are!

It may sound obvious, but many of the most beautiful spots on the Amalfi Coast can only be fully appreciated on foot! Of course, the historic centers of the villages are all pedestrian-only: here, you have to get around on foot—and thank goodness for that! Narrow alleys, flights of stairs, church facades, and corners straight out of a fairy tale… only by strolling about, without rushing, can you truly appreciate them. And that’s not all: there are still some ancient trails today that were used by locals even before State Route 163 was built. These trails, steeped in history and charm, offer the most authentic way to travel between the villages! For example, the Path of Lemons connects the towns of Maiori and Minori, starting from the beautiful Collegiate Church of Santa Maria a Mare and leading to the center of Minori, passing through the picturesque neighborhood of Torre. Or, the Trail of the Volpe Pescatrice (literally: a fishing fox) in Furore connects the town center to the magnificent fjord. You can find detailed descriptions of them here.
Furthermore, there are a few towns that are really close by: for example, Atrani and Amalfi, separated by a walk of about 15 minutes—if you visit one, you absolutely can’t miss the other!

In short, visiting the Amalfi Coast without a car is not only possible but is often the best way to discover this extraordinary stretch of coastline. Ferries let you admire the scenery from the sea and get around quickly, buses easily reach even the most remote villages, and hiking trails offer authentic experiences surrounded by nature. This way, you’ll not only visit all the villages you want to see, but most importantly, you won’t go over your budget… and the environment will surely thank you too!