Amalfi Coast Day Trips from Rome

The Amalfi Coast is an entire stretch of coastline that encompasses a series of villages alongside stunning cliffs and dazzling magic.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

9 min read

Amalfi Coast Day Trips from Rome

Amalfi Coast | ©John Morton

With a great tourist attraction, unbeatable beaches and extraordinary views, the Amalfi Coast and all its municipalities were declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1997.

Here are the best excursions to do on the Amalfi Coast from Rome and I take this opportunity to invite you to read the post what to see and do in Rome, to design the best plans for your trip.

1. Discover the Amalfi Coast from Rome by cruise ship

Cruise along the Amalfi Coast| ©Ben & Gab
Cruise along the Amalfi Coast| ©Ben & Gab

The town of Amalfi is located in the south of Italy, more precisely in the province of Salerno. This small and picturesque town gave its name to the famous Amalfi Coast, which I propose you to discover with this Amalfi Coast tour from Rome.

On this double trip combining the experience of a high-speed train journey from Rome with a small group coastal cruise, you can marvel at the paradisiacal beaches of southern Italy. You'll travel from Rome in the comfort of a train and then cruise the waters of the Mediterranean as you explore Amalfi and Positano.

This is one of the best excursions from Rome, which will also give you the opportunity to taste a tasting of limoncello, the liqueur made from the lemons produced in these lands, visiting an orchard in the area.

In addition, an expert guide will tell you the history of these beautiful villages on a route of about 13 hours. You will get to know not only the beautiful coastline, but also the history, culture and gastronomy of Amalfi and Positano.

Interesting details

  • Price: From 180 €
  • Duration: About 13 hours
  • Means of transport: Train from Rome to get there and boat to go along the Amalfi coast. All included in the price.
  • Advantages of this option: With this excursion you forget about finding your way to the area and you will enjoy the best views of the coast. And of course don't forget your limoncello tasting, a very tasty extra!
  • Disadvantages of this option: For those who may have problems with seasickness on board a boat, it may not be the most advisable option.

2. Tour Positano and Amalfi in a comfortable minibus

Positano by minibus.| ©Mykola Swarnyk
Positano by minibus.| ©Mykola Swarnyk

Amalfi is undeniably one of the most stunning places to visit on the Italian coast. Its deep blue, crystal-clear waters will not leave you indifferent, nor will its narrow, picturesque streets. Neither will Positano, another postcard village. That's why I propose this double excursion to Amalfi and Positano by minibus.

Again, this tour will depart from Rome by train and continue through Positano and Amalfi by minivan in a group of maximum 15 people to enjoy spectacular views along the way. The driver-guide will leave you plenty of time to immortalise the moment with photos. Of course, the sight you will see there will be unforgettable!

The comfort of travelling in a minivan with driver will allow you to explore the area without the hassle of finding parking or looking for other means of transport. It's a perfectly planned trip so you can just enjoy the sights.

Details of interest

  • Price: From 200 €
  • Duration: About 13 hours
  • Means of transport: Train to get to the coast and then minibus to explore the two villages with a maximum of 15 people.
  • Advantages of this option: After a comfortable high-speed train ride included in the price, you can comfortably enjoy the spectacular views of the Amalfi coast from your minibus.
  • Disadvantages of this option: It has the same cost as the previous excursion and this one does not include the limoncello tasting.

Book an excursion to Positano and Amalfi

3. Take advantage of an excursion to the coast and visit the spectacular Pompeii

Ruins of Pompeii| ©Hellotickets
Ruins of Pompeii| ©Hellotickets

Departing from Positano you can take a tour to the city of Pompeii which is world renowned for its archaeological value.

In 79 B.C. the city was devoured by the volcano Vesuvius and was completely ruined under the volcanic ash. It used to be a city with great development and growth potential.

If you're short on time in Rome but don't want to miss the wonders of Italy's southern coast, make the most of your trip to the Amalfi Coast by taking a trip to Pompeii, along with Amalfi and Positano. You'll have skip-the-line access to the extinct city of the Roman Empire.

A private bus will take you to see the highlights of the three locations while an expert guide will tell you the stories of Pompeii's archaeological remains. Of course, you'll have time to enjoy the views of the coastline.

A great advantage of this tour is that if you travel to Rome in winter most of the shops and restaurants in Positano are closed, so you can switch to the town of Amalfi. If, on the other hand, you visit Rome in summer, so that the traffic in the town that gives its name to the southern coast is not a problem, the tour allows you to substitute Sorrento for Positano.

Details of interest

  • Price: From 243 €
  • Duration: About 10 hours
  • Means of transport: Bus with a maximum of 24 passengers
  • Advantages of this option: During a full day excursion you will get to know three essential sites of Rome and its surroundings. Pompeii will not leave you indifferent!
  • Disadvantages of this option: As Pompeii is included in this day trip, and there is so much to tell about its archaeological ruins, you may find that the time spent in the different locations is too short.

Book a tour to Pompeii, Positano and Amalfi

4. Recreate in Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast in small groups

Amalfi Coast| ©Joe Ross
Amalfi Coast| ©Joe Ross

If you have already seen some images of the spectacular sights of the villages along the Mediterranean Sea and you want to include it in your excursions from Rome, but a walk through each of these villages is not enough, I recommend another option to enjoy each of them at your leisure.

The excursion to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast in small groups is undoubtedly the most complete option, as it includes pick-up and drop-off at the hotel and a tour with an expert guide through Pompeii, Amalfi and Positano, so you won't miss any of the wonderful scenery!

Being able to go in small groups of maximum 8 people will allow you to enjoy an unforgettable experience with all the details. You will be able to relax and enjoy the stunning coastline and you will have enough time to get to know in depth the remains of the buried Pompeii.

The tour includes a visit to the most important sites of Pompeii such as the thermal baths, the Forum, the Basilica, the residential houses of the period and many other sites of great interest. However, for more information about the historic city, be sure to read this post about the best excursions to Pompeii from Rome.

Details of interest

  • Price: From 242 €
  • Duration: About 14 hours
  • Means of transport: Car
  • Advantages of this option: Forget about finding your way to the train station or any other meeting point with your guide; on this tour you will be picked up at the door of your hotel. Plus, the length of the tour allows you to visit all three locations at your leisure.
  • Disadvantages of this option: The price increases to include three guided tours and transfers.

Book a tour to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast

Which towns belong to the Amalfi Coast?

In Positano| ©Dorothea
In Positano| ©Dorothea
  • Amalfi
  • Positano
  • Ravello
  • Conca dei Marini
  • Praiano
  • Scala
  • Tramonti
  • Vietri sul Mare

There are even more municipalities that belong to the Amalfi Coast, but Amalfi, Positano and Ravello are the ones that get all the attention and tourist attractions.

Sorrento, although located just off the coast, is a must-see town with a wide range of hotels (often at very reasonable prices), plenty of bars and restaurants, and public transport that will get you where you want to go in a matter of minutes.

Book a trip to Pompeii, Capri and Sorrento

A bit of history

Amalfi| ©Francisco Anzola
Amalfi| ©Francisco Anzola

The history of the Amalfi Coast seems to date back to the 1st century AD, although the first written mentions date back to the 6th century. The region prospered thanks to its maritime power, particularly through trade in grain, salt and slaves where much trade took place with the East, especially with the Byzantine Empire.

The famous doors of the cathedral of Amalfi were cast in Constantinople, and oriental architecture is visible in the town from the cathedral, through the cloister and many other buildings that are reminiscent of that origin.

Despite its modest size, it was one of Europe' s major ports between the 9th and 12th centuries. From Roman times the coast was taken as an ideal place for holidaying and bathing in the Tyrrhenian sun.

Nowadays the entire Amalfi Coast is a meeting point for locals who wish to spend a few days away from the chaos of the city and enjoy the Tyrrhenian coastline, as well as thousands of international tourists who come from all over the world to be captivated by the beauty of the area.

How to reach the Amalfi Coast from Rome via Salerno

Train| ©Mattia Deambrogio
Train| ©Mattia Deambrogio

If you decide to go on your own or the excursions you have booked do not include a trip to the coast, read on and I will tell you how to manage your travel to and from the region, read on and I will tell you the best ways to get there.

Departing by train from Roma Termini train station, you can catch a train to Salerno. The company providing this service isTrenitalia and the journey takes two hours.

Prices can change and can range from 30 euros to 70 euros, depending on the time of booking.

Once in Salerno, getting to the Amalfi Coast is easy. From Piazza Concordia in Salerno, you can find boats that will take you to Amalfi in 35 minutes for about 8 euros. There is usually an hourly departure, but the schedule can change,

. You can also opt to go from Salerno to the Amalfi coast by bus.

From Rome To Amalfi Coast By Car

By Car| ©Dan Gold
By Car| ©Dan Gold

Another option is to rent a car from Rome and drive directly to the Amalfi coast.

Car prices vary a lot depending on the model of car, size, etc. Generally, the further in advance you rent a car, the cheaper it will be.

The drive is direct, well signposted and takes just over three hours to reach the coast.

Traveller Tip

As the roads along the Amalfi Coast are quite small and narrow, parking can be a hassle. Choose in advance where you will be able to park without wasting time driving around.

Best time to visit the Amalfi Coast

Sunset in Amalfi| ©Giuseppe Milo
Sunset in Amalfi| ©Giuseppe Milo

Although you will find many different opinions on the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast, it is impossible to find the right answer.

As I've told you, every town on the Amalfi Coast is a treasure waiting to be discovered, with beautiful views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, delicious food and picture-postcard facades. In other words, you won't regret visiting the coast at any time of the year that you can.

In the Italian summer, which runs from June to August, you can enjoy the beach, the sun and great sunsets at your favourite cocktail bar.

There are also events in the different towns, street performers and a lively and fun atmosphere. The only thing you should bear in mind is that these months are also the busiest and most crowded with tourists, both local and international, so it's advisable to book early and get used to the hustle and bustle of the crowds.

In the two Italian mid-seasons ( April to May and September to October). Spring and autumn respectively, the weather is still very warm and pleasant, with quieter vibes and less crowds of tourists.

The Amalfi Coast always has something to delight its visitors, with the possible exception of winter (around November to March), when it is often cold, wet and lacking its usual atmosphere but still worth a fleeting visit for the great sights.

September and October are ideal months to see the coast as the heat is still optimal but not extreme (making it more suitable for outdoor activities such as hiking), and the towns are still lively but with much lower prices.