Plan your trip to Positano: Online Resources

I love being my own travel agent and doing the research to plan a trip. Even though I enjoy it, planning a trip on your own is VERY time consuming, so I thought I’d share some helpful resources that I found while planning my trip.

My posts about Positano:

Transportation:

READ FIRST: How to get to Positano (comparison of cost & time for private transfer, train + bus, or ferry).

Be prepared to take multiple modes of transportation, as Positano does not have a train station.

If arriving from the north, you can take Trenitalia or Italo from Rome to Naples.

From Naples, you can either hire a private transfer (arrange in advance) or take the Circumvesuviana (Naples regional train) to Sorrento.

From Sorrento, you could hire a private transfer to arrive by car, or take the bus to Positano.

Links for transportation schedules:

Napoli International Airport (the closest major airport)
Trenitalia (Service from Rome to Naples only) You can buy tickets online, but I have always found it easier to purchase tickets from the machine at the train station.
Italo (Service from Rome to Naples only)
Circumvesuviana schedule (Service from Naples to Sorrento) In Italian only. You can view the schedule online, but you must buy your tickets at the train station in Naples (underneath the main station). Also check out this helpful TripAdvisor article about taking the train from Naples to Sorrento or this article by Napoli Unplugged.
Bus schedule (Service from Sorrento to Positano)
Ferry schedule (Service from Rome or Naples to Positano)
Private transfer from Rome to Positano or Naples to Positano

Accommodations:

Airbnb (Get $35 towards your first booking using my link, which also gives me credit. Win-win!)
Le Sirenuse (I haven’t actually stayed here, but it’s my dream hotel. Hello honeymoon?)
Hotel Eden Roc (We didn’t stay here either, but our apartment, “Casetta Arienzo” was administrated by them. The staff was very friendly and helpful! It also looked like a lovely place to stay and is located on the strada statale main road just above Positano’s main beach, Marina Grande.)
Casetta Arienzo (Where we stayed – located right above my favorite beach & restaurant in Positano, Bagni d’Arienzo)
Splurge or Save recommendations from Italian Fix – great options for every budget.

Plan your Positano Itinerary:

Ask Questions & Get Answers:

Videos of Positano (Get inspired!):

Mimi & Alex Ikonn: Italian Adventures in Positano, Positano Travel Diary, Follow Me Around Positano
Rick Steves: Italy’s Amalfi Coast
Follow “Nikinpos” on Snapchat or Instagram for daily life in Positano or her YouTube channel

Tips for Positano (based on my experience):

Book your room 6+ months in advance to get the best availability during the high season.
For convenience, stay near Marina Grande, Positano’s main beach (Nearby Nocelle, for example, is less expensive, but it’s around a 2 hour walk and 1700 steps from Nocelle to Positano. The bus is also an option, but not very convenient if you want a Positano beach experience).
Be prepared to walk up lots of stairs! Positano is literally built vertically up a cliff.
May – September is the best weather for swimming (but a little hot for hiking in the middle of the day), and is also the high season (which means super crowded with tourists).
A lot of businesses are closed during the winter (but visiting Positano then may still be worth it, according to some visitors!)
Learn a little Italian to ask for directions if you plan on taking the bus, and just to have a better overall experience. The bus stops are not super obvious and the schedule was confusing to interpret (at least for me).
Arienzo Beach (Bagni d’Arienzo) was my absolute favorite and I highly recommend it, especially if you prefer a more secluded and relaxing beach than Marina Grande, Positano’s main beach! There is a free part of the beach, or you can rent one of the orange chairs with an umbrella for 10 Euros. There is also a restaurant where we had our most memorable meal in Italy, both for the views and fresh, delicious food.
Rick Steves recommends Sorrento as a base to discover the Amalfi Coast because you can actually arrive by train (unlike Positano – you can only get there by bus, ferry, or private transfer). We didn’t visit Sorrento, but we passed it on our taxi ride into Positano. It is much bigger and has more transportation options, but I love the secluded feel of Positano; I don’t think I’d want to stay anywhere else on the Amalfi Coast….but I do think Sorrento would be worth looking into as a place to stay, depending on your agenda for the Amalfi Coast).