Planning a Trip

Getting There

The bus is an easy option, with SITA (tel. 081-5522176; www.sitabus.it) offering frequent service from Naples, Sorrento, Positano, Vietri, and Salerno (for more information on fares, see "The Unico Travel Pass). For the best views, remember to sit on the right side of the bus when traveling from Sorrento and the left side from Vietri and Salerno. Amalfi is the largest harbor in the area after Salerno and is well served by ferries and hydrofoils: Metrò del Mare (tel. 199-446644; www.metrodelmare.com) offers regular service from Naples, Sorrento, Positano, Salerno, and other harbors along the coast. Fares vary depending on the distance, from 9€ from Positano to 18€ from Pozzuoli. Amalfi-based Cooperativa Sant'Andrea (tel. 089-873190; www.coopsantandrea.it) offers regular service from Capri, Minori, Positano, Salerno, and Sorrento, as well as special cruises and excursions; fares vary with the distance, from 6€ to about 16€.

LMP (tel. 081-5513236; www.consorziolmp.it) maintains aliscafo (hydrofoil) and motonave (ferry) service between Amalfi and Capri. Travelmar (tel. 081-7041911; www.travelmar.it) makes runs between Salerno, Amalfi, Minori, Maiori, and Positano during the summer. Fares are 10€ to 18€ for both companies.

From the Naples Capodichino Airport, taxis offer a flat rate of 130€ to Amalfi. Car services also offer transfers from Naples's airport or train station. Alternatively, private company Curreri Viaggi (tel. 081-8015420; www.curreriviaggi.it) offers a shuttle service from the airport for 150€ for one to three passengers and 12€ for each additional passenger.

By train (tel. 892021 in Italy; www.trenitalia.it), the closest station is Vietri sul Mare, on the local line between Naples (where you'll change trains, if you are coming from the north) and Salerno (if you are coming from the south). Faster, though, is to get off in Salerno and take a SITA bus or a taxi directly to Amalfi.

By car, take the autostrada A3 toward NAPOLI-SALERNO to the exit for VIETRI SUL MARE, then follow the signs for VIETRI, AMALFI; they will lead you to the famed SS 163 that hugs the Amalfi Coast. You can also reach SS 163 from Castellammare di Stabia, Piana di Sorrento, Vico Equense, and Sorrento, heading east and following signs for POSITANO and AMALFI -- scenic but longer. Note: Because of the solid traffic here in summer, local authorities occasionally limit car access to SS 163; check with the tourist office and your hotel before making plans.

Getting Around

The boat companies mentioned above offer transfers to nearby harbors. The SITA terminal on Piazza Flavio Gioia (tel. 089-871009) is the hub for all the local bus lines. Adjacent to the terminal is the taxi stand (tel. 089-872239).

Visitor Information

The tourist office (tel. 089-871107; www.amalfitouristoffice.it) is in Palazzo di Città, Corso delle Repubbliche Marinare 19, 84011 Amalfi. In winter, it is open Monday to Friday 8am to 1:30pm and Saturday 8am to noon; in summer, it's also open Monday to Friday 3 to 5pm.

Fast Facts

You'll find a pharmacy at Piazza dei Dogi (tel. 089-871063) and another at Via L. d'Amalfi (tel. 089-871045). The closest hospital is in Salerno; for an ambulance, dial tel. 118. The police can be reached at tel. 113 or 112. The post office (tel. 089-872996) is at Via delle Repubbliche Marinare, next to the tourist office, and is open Monday to Saturday 8am to 2pm. Next door, you will find a Deutsche Bank ATM. Amalfi Servizi Express, Piazza dei Dogi 8 (tel. 089-873447; www.amalfiservizi.it), has Internet access.

Special Events

On the first Sunday of June, the Historic Regatta of the Maritime Republics is held, with turns being taken by each of the four historical towns -- Genova, Pisa, Venice, and Amalfi. Amalfi's turn was in 2009 and will come again in 2013. Civic pride and thousand-year-old rivalries are at stake, and the boat races are run with pomp, athleticism, and great seriousness. The spectacular, colorful event is accompanied by parades and musical performances.