Rome To Amalfi Coast Day Trip

Overview

Many travelers to Italy first choose to head to the capital city of Rome, and it’s easy to see why. Rome is the home of the Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica, the Trevi Fountain, Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel, and so much more. It’s an amazing city to explore, but Italy has a lot more to offer beyond the boundaries of Rome, and you can actually do some super day trips out of Rome to other Italian destinations.

One of the best places to visit from Rome is the Amalfi Coast. This stunning stretch of coastline runs through the Province of Salerno in southern Italy and looks out over the Tyrrhenian Sea. It's one of the most popular touristic spots in the country, home to some of Italy's best beaches and ranked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The Amalfi Coast is over 170 miles away from Rome by car, but it's still possible to do a day trip here.

Getting To The Amalfi Coast From Rome

If you're planning a day trip to the Amalfi Coast from Rome, you've got a few different options available to you. Many people simply choose to make the trip by car, but you can also choose to travel to the Amalfi Coast by train or even by ferry. Here's how to do it.

Getting To The Amalfi Coast From Rome By Car

Driving around Italy is relatively easy due to the country's excellent road layout and transport links. This means that driving to the Amalfi Coast from Rome is perfectly possible, and the whole journey can be completed in three to four hours by following the A1 and E45. You will need to pay some tolls along the way, and traffic is always unpredictable, especially around the big cities like Rome and Naples, so it's wise to set out early to be sure of arriving in good time.

Once you actually get to Amalfi, the roads suddenly become quite narrow and winding, so driving around this area isn't the easiest thing in the world. Those who aren't familiar with driving in Italy or uncomfortable with the idea might want to choose a different option or hire a private car service to drive them there instead.

Getting To The Amalfi Coast From Rome By Train

The train is a popular choice for transport all around Italy, and you can get good train connections between Rome and the Amalfi Coast as well. First of all, you'll need to catch either an Italo or a Trenitalia train from Roma Termini direct to Napoli Centrale, which is the main central station of Naples. These trains run all through the day until late into the evening, so you shouldn't have any problem getting a ticket and seat.

Once you arrive at Naples, you can get on another train to Vietri sul Mare, and from there you'll be able to hop on a local bus service to the Amalfi Coast. Depending on where exactly you'd like to go along the Amalfi Coast, you'll want to take different trains and buses.

Getting To The Amalfi Coast From Rome By Ferry

During the tourist season, ferries also operate between Naples, Sorrento, Capri Island, and various towns along the Amalfi Coast. These ferries mostly operate from the start of April through to September, although you might be able to find some ferry services at other times of year as well.

Driving or taking the train to Naples and then catching the ferry is a good option for people wishing to explore the Amalfi Coast and enjoy some amazing scenic views along the way. Just remember to book your tickets well in advance as these ferry services are highly popular with tourists.

Things To Do At The Amalfi Coast

- Positano - When you usually see photos of the Amalfi Coast, you're often looking at photos of Positano. An astounding cliffside village, Posiano stands out for its many colorful houses dotted up and down the cliff, surrounded by lush vegetation and looking right out over the sea. You'll find plenty of great shopping and dining opportunities here.

- Cetara - A small town with a big heart, Cetara is another popular stopping point on the Amalfi Coast. It enjoys outstanding sea views and its beaches are quite small but some of the best in the area. Luckily, most of the tourists tend to overlook Cetara too, so it stays quite quiet for large parts of the year and gives you a glimpse of what the Amalfi Coast was like before it became such a popular vacation destination.

- Amalfi - No trip to the Amalfi Coast can be complete without stopping off at Amalfi itself. A town with history dating back over a thousand years, as demonstrated by the awe-inspiring Arab-Norman Sant'Andrea cathedral, located right in the center of the town. Like most other locations around the Amalfi Coast, Amalfi is filled with colorful homes, beautiful views, and super restaurants.