There are few moments on the Amalfi Coast when choosing the ferry feels like a complicated decision.
On one side is the road: beautiful, narrow, frequently congested and capable of turning a short distance on a map into a surprisingly large part of your afternoon.
On the other is a boat.
For many journeys between Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, the boat wins.
The complication comes later. There is no single ferry network running neatly from Naples to Salerno. Several companies operate overlapping routes. Some services are seasonal. Some journeys are direct; others involve a change. Capri sits in the middle of many useful connections. And towns such as Ravello and Pompeii are important to travellers but have no ferry port at all.
So the useful question is not simply whether ferries exist.
It is where you can actually go by sea, which routes are worth taking, where to buy tickets and what to do when the timetable does not cooperate.
Last verified: September 2026
Amalfi Coast ferries: what you need to know first
Where can you actually go by ferry?
From the Amalfi Coast, ferries can connect you not only with other coastal towns, but also with Naples, Capri, Sorrento and Salerno.
Along the coast itself, the main ferry stops include Positano, Amalfi, Minori, Maiori, Cetara and Vietri sul Mare. Some routes continue farther west to Sorrento, north across the Bay of Naples to Naples, or out to Capri.
The important thing to understand is that there is no single ferry line connecting every destination. Different companies operate different routes, and some connections are direct while others may require a change.
The busiest ports — especially Amalfi, Positano and Salerno — generally give you the widest choice of destinations. Smaller ports such as Minori, Maiori and Cetara have fewer departures.
Routes also change by season, so always check the timetable for your exact travel date.
Naples
Naples is part of the ferry network, particularly through Molo Beverello.
In 2026, NLG lists seasonal Naples–Positano services from April into early November, with several departures per day during the main season. One of its listed Naples departures even requires a boat change at Capri — a useful reminder to read the actual itinerary rather than just the destination printed at the top of the booking page. Check NLG’s official Naples–Positano timetable
Naples also has a useful sea connection with Sorrento. Alilauro operates the Naples Beverello ↔ Sorrento route; its 2026 timetable shows multiple departures in both directions, with frequency varying by season. Check Alilauro’s official Naples–Sorrento timetable
That does not mean ferry is always better than train. It means Naples should be treated as part of the sea network rather than something outside it.
Sorrento
Sorrento is the most useful western ferry base.
From Marina Piccola, boats head towards Positano, Capri and other destinations.
NLG’s 2026 Sorrento–Positano timetable runs several times daily during the main April–November season. Alilauro also publishes multiple daily Sorrento–Positano departures during the warmer months. See NLG’s Sorrento–Positano timetable See Alilauro’s Sorrento–Positano timetable
For travellers combining Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri and the Amalfi Coast, this makes Sorrento much more than simply another town to visit. It is a genuine transport hub.
Positano and Amalfi
This is the part of the ferry network where the decision becomes easiest.
Positano ↔ Amalfi is one of the best ferry journeys to use on the coast.
Travelmar’s published 2026 fare is €10 one way, and its seasonal timetable contains numerous departures during the day. See Travelmar’s official 2026 fares Check Travelmar’s current timetable
The road between the two towns is spectacular.
It is also precisely the road you do not need to sit on when a ferry happens to be leaving.
Minori, Maiori, Cetara and Vietri sul Mare
These smaller ports are one of the reasons the eastern side of the coast is easier to use than many first-time itineraries suggest.
Travelmar’s 2026 network links Salerno with Vietri, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Amalfi and Positano. Its published fares include €10 from Salerno to Minori or Maiori, €7.50 to Cetara and €6 to Vietri. Open Travelmar’s official 2026 fare sheet
If you stay in Maiori or Minori, the ferry turns Amalfi from an outing involving road traffic into a short trip across the water.
Salerno
Salerno is perhaps the most useful ferry gateway for anyone arriving by train.
Travelmar’s tourist port at Piazza Concordia sits very close to Salerno railway station, with daily connections to several Amalfi Coast towns. See Travelmar’s Salerno ferry information
That makes this combination unusually clean:
Naples or Rome → Salerno by train → ferry to Amalfi Coast
No bus across the peninsula. No rental car. No elaborate transfer.
Just train, short walk, boat.
Pompeii and Ravello
Both belong in this guide because both appear constantly in real Amalfi Coast itineraries. Neither has a ferry port.
Pompeii: use the train. From there, continue towards Sorrento or Salerno depending on the rest of the trip.
Ravello: take the ferry to Amalfi, then continue uphill by SITA bus or taxi.
Trying to understand the ferry network without understanding where it stops being useful is half the problem.
Amalfi Coast ferry routes worth knowing
| Journey | What I would do |
|---|---|
|
Naples → Sorrento
|
Ferry if Beverello is convenient; train is an easy alternative. |
|
Naples → Positano
|
Good ferry option in season. |
|
Naples → Amalfi
|
Ferry when it suits; Salerno + ferry is more flexible. |
|
Sorrento → Positano
|
Ferry is an excellent choice. |
|
Sorrento → Amalfi
|
Ferry when the seasonal schedule works. |
|
Positano → Amalfi
|
Ferry almost every time. |
|
Amalfi → Minori / Maiori
|
Quick and very useful ferry hop. |
|
Amalfi → Cetara / Vietri
|
Useful direct coastal connection. |
|
Salerno → Amalfi
|
One of the best train-to-ferry combinations. |
|
Salerno → Positano
|
Excellent if arriving in Salerno by train. |
|
Naples / Sorrento → Capri
|
Ferry. Easy and frequent. |
|
Positano / Amalfi → Capri
|
Ferry. Seasonal — book the return ahead. |
Travelmar’s current 2026 fares put Salerno → Amalfi at €12, Salerno → Positano at €17 and Amalfi → Positano at €10. Those are useful planning numbers, but not numbers I would print out six months before travelling and assume will never move. Check the official Travelmar fares before travelling
How to buy Amalfi Coast ferry tickets
There is no universal ticket covering every operator.
Depending on the route, you may travel with Travelmar, NLG, Alilauro, Alicost, Positano Jet, Caremar, SNAV or one of the smaller coastal operators. You generally buy either online from the company operating your sailing, or at its ticket office at the port.
Travelmar allows tickets to be booked online in advance or bought at the pier on departure day. Its tickets are for specific legs: a Salerno–Positano ticket does not allow you to stop in Amalfi for a few hours and continue later without buying another ticket. Read Travelmar’s official ticket FAQ
For Alilauro and Alicost, online tickets can generally be shown electronically, and Alilauro recommends arriving at least 30 minutes before departure. Read Alilauro’s booking and boarding information
NLG works slightly differently. At Naples, Sorrento, Capri, Positano and Amalfi, online passengers can check in directly at boarding. At other ports, NLG may require you to visit the ticket office at least 20 minutes before departure to collect a boarding pass. Read NLG’s official online ticket rules
With Positano Jet, an online e-ticket lets you go directly to boarding without visiting the ticket office. The company requires passengers to be there at least 15 minutes before departure. Read Positano Jet’s official FAQ
The practical lesson is simple: do not assume every ferry company works the same way. Check the operator named on your sailing and follow its boarding instructions.
I would book ahead when:
→ travelling in July or August
→ travelling to Capri
→ taking a route with only a few convenient departures
→ a train, flight, tour or hotel transfer depends on that particular boat
For a flexible Amalfi–Positano trip on an ordinary day, there is much less reason to turn the ticket into a military operation.
Keep the useful ferry routes on your phone.
One simple page with Naples, Sorrento, Capri and Amalfi Coast routes, ticket guidance and land backups.
Which ferry company should you use?
There is no single “best” ferry company. Choose the sailing first, not the operator. Several companies often serve the same route, but at different times and with different seasonal schedules.
As a practical rule:
→ Travelmar is usually the most useful for Salerno and short trips along the Amalfi Coast, including Vietri, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Amalfi and Positano.
→ NLG and Positano Jet are particularly useful when travelling from Naples to Positano or Amalfi, and for several connections involving Sorrento and Capri.
→ Alilauro is especially useful between Naples and Sorrento, while Alicost and Coast Lines cover several connections between Sorrento, Salerno and the Amalfi Coast.
→ Caremar and SNAV are particularly relevant when travelling between Naples, Sorrento and Capri. Caremar also operates conventional ferries as well as faster services.
You may also see operators such as Grassi Junior and Coop. Sant’Andrea, especially on seasonal Capri–Amalfi Coast routes.
The important part is not the logo on the boat. Search your exact route and date, compare the departure times, and take the sailing that fits your day best.
Amalfi Coast ferry timetables 2026
Last checked: 3 September 2026
There is no single Amalfi Coast ferry timetable. Different companies operate different parts of the network, and several routes overlap.
Below are the current published 2026 departures for the routes most travellers actually use. Times can still change because of weather or operational conditions, so check your chosen sailing again before travelling.
Travelmar — Salerno and the Amalfi Coast
Travelmar has the densest network for moving between Salerno, Vietri sul Mare, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Amalfi and Positano.
Salerno → Amalfi
08:40 · 09:40 · 10:40 · 11:10 · 11:40 · 13:10 · 14:10 · 15:30 · 17:10 · 18:10
Salerno → Positano
08:40 · 09:40 · 10:40 · 11:10 · 11:40 · 13:10 · 14:10 · 15:30 · 17:10 · 18:10
Amalfi → Positano
08:25 · 08:54 · 09:20 · 09:30 · 10:30 · 11:30 · 12:00 · 12:30 · 14:00 · 15:00 · 16:20 · 18:00 · 19:05
Positano → Amalfi
09:55 · 11:30 · 12:00 · 13:30 · 15:30 · 17:00 · 18:30
Travelmar also runs frequent boats from Amalfi to Minori, Maiori, Cetara and Vietri sul Mare. Its published timetable was updated from 1 July; late-night departures shown for July and August have been excluded here.
NLG — Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast and Capri
NLG is one of the most useful operators if your trip begins in Naples.
Naples Beverello → Positano
08:35 · 10:00 · 10:40 · 14:40 · 15:35
Positano → Naples Beverello
09:15 · 10:55 · 16:24 · 16:35
Naples Beverello → Amalfi
08:35 · 10:00 · 10:40 · 14:40 · 15:35
Amalfi → Naples Beverello
08:54 · 10:30 · 15:45 · 17:00
Sorrento → Positano
09:00 · 09:30 · 11:00 · 12:25 · 15:15 · 16:10
Positano → Sorrento
09:15 · 10:33 · 14:10 · 16:24 · 17:45
Some Naples departures involve a change of vessel at Capri, so check the details of the exact sailing rather than assuming every service is direct. NLG’s main seasonal timetable runs until 3 November 2026.
NLG — Capri
Positano → Capri
09:15 · 10:55 · 16:35
Capri → Positano
09:45 · 15:45 · 17:15
Amalfi → Capri
08:54 · 10:30 · 17:00
Capri → Amalfi
09:45 · 15:45 · 17:15
These services currently run through 3 November 2026.
Alilauro — Naples to Sorrento
Until 15 September 2026:
Naples Beverello → Sorrento
09:00 · 11:00 · 13:00 · 15:05 · 17:15
+ 19:30 on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays
Sorrento → Naples Beverello
08:15 · 10:00 · 12:00 · 14:00 · 16:25
+ 18:45 on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays
From 16 September to 3 November, the five regular daytime departures remain but the additional evening services disappear.
Alicost — Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast
Salerno → Sorrento
10:00
Sorrento → Salerno
17:10
Amalfi → Sorrento
10:45 · 15:40
Sorrento → Amalfi
13:00 · 17:10
Positano → Sorrento
11:35 · 16:10
Sorrento → Positano
13:00 · 17:10
Alicost also serves Maiori on this corridor.
Positano Jet — September 2026
Positano Jet publishes a dedicated September timetable.
Naples → Positano
10:45 · 14:05
+ 17:50 Tuesday–Thursday
Positano → Naples
08:30 · 12:30
+ 15:40 Tuesday–Thursday
Positano → Capri
10:20 · 14:00 · 17:00
Capri → Positano
11:15 · 15:10 · 18:00
Positano → Amalfi
09:00 · 12:20 · 14:05 · 15:55 · 18:45
Amalfi → Positano
09:40 · 12:05 · 13:20 · 14:55 · 16:25 · 19:00
The current timetable is valid from 1 September to 31 October 2026.
SNAV — Naples, Sorrento and Capri
Naples → Capri
07:00 · 08:05 · 09:10 · 10:15 · 11:10 · 14:00 · 16:00 · 18:10 · 20:00
Capri → Naples
06:50 · 08:05 · 09:05 · 10:10 · 12:10 · 14:50 · 17:10 · 18:10 · 19:10
Sorrento → Capri
08:20 · 10:35 · 14:05 · 16:35
Capri → Sorrento
07:35 · 09:15 · 12:05 · 15:55 · 17:40
Caremar — Naples and Sorrento to Capri
Caremar is particularly useful because it also operates conventional and fast ferries and provides important Capri connections.
Naples → Capri
05:35 · 07:55 · 12:00 · 12:40 · 17:25 · 19:10
+ 21:35 from June through September
Sorrento → Capri
07:45 · 09:25 · 14:40 · 19:25
Caremar’s Naples–Capri timetable changes after 3 November, while its published Sorrento–Capri services run throughout the year.
Other operators you may see
Grassi Junior runs seasonal services between Salerno, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Amalfi, Positano and Capri, with its current summer season published through 5 November. Coast Lines also operates the Sorrento–Positano–Amalfi–Maiori–Salerno corridor.
The important thing is that these are seasonal timetables, not permanent promises.
Use this page to plan your route, then check the operator again the evening before travelling — especially if wind or rough sea is forecast.
Amalfi Coast ferry luggage rules and fees
Yes, you can take luggage on Amalfi Coast ferries. The important question is whether your bag is included in the ticket price or charged separately — and that depends on the ferry company.
With NLG, small bags and backpacks weighing up to 5 kg are free. Suitcases, travel bags and larger luggage are charged separately. On the current Positano–Capri route, NLG charges €5 per piece of luggage. The separate Capri landing contribution is also added when travelling to the island. Check NLG’s official luggage rules and fares
Travelmar allows one bag up to 45 × 35 × 20 cm per passenger; luggage exceeding that allowance is charged. Its official 2026 tariff lists luggage at €3. Check Travelmar’s official conditions and 2026 fares
Other operators have their own luggage limits and fees, so do not assume that a suitcase included with one ferry company will be free with another.
Capri by ferry
Capri is one of the easiest places to reach by ferry — and one of the routes where planning the return matters most.
You can sail to Capri from Naples, Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Salerno, with additional seasonal connections from some smaller Amalfi Coast ports depending on the operator.
From Naples and Sorrento, departures are frequent. From Positano and Amalfi, service is more seasonal and the number of useful return sailings is more limited. NLG, for example, currently operates multiple daily Sorrento–Capri and Positano–Capri departures during the 2026 season. See NLG’s Sorrento–Capri timetable See Positano–Capri times and prices
My rule for a Capri day trip is simple: Choose your return ferry before you choose your outbound ferry.
How to Get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast: Ferry, Train or Bus?
Ferry, train or bus from Naples?
If you land in Naples, the best way to reach the Amalfi Coast depends mostly on where you are staying.
For Sorrento: take the Circumvesuviana train if you are already near Napoli Centrale/Garibaldi. The Naples–Sorrento railway operates throughout 2026 and avoids road traffic. Ferry is the better choice if you are near Molo Beverello, travelling with a view in mind, or simply prefer arriving by sea.
For Positano or Amalfi: in ferry season, I would usually choose the ferry from Naples when the departure time works. It avoids the coastal road, gives you a direct arrival in the centre of town and is considerably more pleasant with luggage than changing buses.
For Amalfi, Maiori, Minori, Cetara or Vietri: one of the most reliable combinations is Naples → Salerno by train, then Salerno → Amalfi Coast by ferry. Naples and Salerno have frequent rail connections, while Travelmar serves the eastern and central Amalfi Coast from Salerno.
The bus from Naples is the option I would use least often. Direct SITA services to Amalfi exist, but they are much more exposed to traffic and take roughly two hours even before delays. They can make sense when the departure happens to suit your plans, but I would not build a flight or important connection around one.
My shortcut:
→ Sorrento: train or ferry
→ Positano: ferry in season
→ Amalfi: ferry, or train to Salerno + ferry
→ Maiori / Minori / Cetara / Vietri: train to Salerno + ferry
→ Bus: useful when the timetable fits, rarely my first choice
The exception is bad weather. Ferries can be cancelled when sea conditions deteriorate, particularly at exposed stops such as Positano. In that case, train and bus routes become the fallback.
Ferry or bus on the Amalfi Coast?
These are not competing transport systems.
They work better together.
Positano ↔ Amalfi: ferry.
Amalfi ↔ Minori / Maiori: ferry when the timetable works.
Salerno ↔ Amalfi: ferry.
Amalfi → Ravello: bus.
Coast → inland village: usually bus.
Late evening: often bus.
Rough sea: definitely bus.
You might take the ferry from Sorrento to Positano, another ferry to Amalfi and a bus up to Ravello.
That is not a messy itinerary.
That is simply how the geography works.
What happens when Amalfi Coast ferries are cancelled?
Ferries on the Amalfi Coast can be cancelled because of strong wind, rough sea or technical problems. When that happens, the first question is not whether another ferry company has a boat 20 minutes later — the same sea conditions may affect several operators.
In most cases, you have two options:
– Take a later sailing if the operator can rebook you.
– Request a refund and continue by land instead.
Travelmar allows passengers affected by a cancelled or substantially changed service to move to another available departure or request a refund. Read Travelmar’s conditions of transport
NLG states that when a sailing is cancelled because of technical problems or marine weather conditions, the passenger can request a full refund of the affected ticket.
Alilauro also allows passengers to request another available sailing after a suspended service, or a refund if no suitable alternative exists.
If you bought through an intermediary rather than directly from the ferry company, the refund may need to be requested through the company or website that sold you the ticket.
What I would do if my ferry was cancelled
Naples ↔ Sorrento: take the train instead.
Sorrento → Positano / Amalfi: take the SITA bus, or a taxi/private transfer if timing matters.
Naples → Amalfi Coast: take a train to Salerno, then continue by bus, taxi or ferry if other services are still operating.
Salerno → Amalfi / Positano: switch to the SITA bus. If timing matters, use a taxi or private transfer.
Between Amalfi Coast towns: use the bus or taxi. Short routes such as Amalfi–Minori–Maiori are relatively easy to recover from.
Capri: there is no land backup. If ferries are suspended because of sea conditions, you may have to postpone the trip.
If you have a flight, train or expensive reservation afterwards, do not plan a tight connection around the last ferry of the day.
Stop reopening ferry websites at every stop.
Save the useful part: which routes work, where to board, what you’ll roughly pay and what to take when the ferry disappears from the timetable.
What I would actually do
For a trip covering the whole Naples–Sorrento–Amalfi Coast–Salerno region, I would mix trains, ferries and buses rather than trying to make one type of transport do everything.
Naples → Pompeii: train. Simple, frequent and there is little reason to complicate it.
Pompeii → Sorrento: train. Stay on the Circumvesuviana line and continue south.
Naples → Sorrento: train if you are near Centrale/Garibaldi; ferry if Molo Beverello is more convenient or you simply want the better journey.
Naples → Positano / Amalfi: direct ferry in season when the departure fits. Otherwise, train to Salerno + ferry is an excellent fallback. NLG currently runs multiple daily Naples–Positano and Naples–Amalfi services during its 2026 season.
Sorrento → Positano / Amalfi: ferry in season. This is exactly the kind of journey where travelling by sea makes more sense than sitting on the coastal road.
Positano → Amalfi: ferry. Fast, scenic and served by several departures in season.
Amalfi → Ravello: bus. Ravello has no port, so the ferry network ends for this leg.
Amalfi → Minori / Maiori: ferry. These are short, easy coastal hops.
Amalfi → Cetara / Vietri: ferry when the timetable works. Travelmar connects these eastern Amalfi Coast towns directly.
Amalfi → Salerno: ferry. It is one of the easiest ways to leave the coast, especially if you are continuing elsewhere in Italy by train.
Salerno → Naples: train. Once you reach Salerno, there is little reason to continue north by sea unless you specifically want the ferry experience.
Capri: ferry from whichever port fits your route — Naples, Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi or Salerno — but choose the return sailing before the outbound one.
The bigger lesson is that there is no single “best way to get around the Amalfi Coast.” Use trains for the flat mainland connections, ferries for the coast, and buses for places the sea cannot reach.
Find the route you need.
Frequently asked questions
Do Amalfi Coast ferries run all year?
Not as one complete network.
Some routes operate for most or all of the year — particularly Naples–Sorrento and Sorrento–Capri — but most Amalfi Coast services become much more extensive from spring to autumn. NLG’s main 2026 Positano services, for example, run from 1 April to 3 November.
Always check your exact route and travel date.
Can I take a ferry from Naples to the Amalfi Coast?
Yes. In the 2026 season, ferries connect Naples Beverello with Positano and Amalfi.
NLG currently runs several Naples–Positano departures each day from April to early November. Some Naples–Amalfi Coast journeys involve a change at Capri, so check the exact sailing before booking.
Is there a ferry from Naples to Sorrento?
Yes.
Both Alilauro and NLG operate Naples Beverello–Sorrento services. Frequency changes by season, but this is one of the more established ferry connections in the region.
Is there a ferry from Sorrento to Positano?
Yes.
NLG and Alilauro both operate Sorrento–Positano services during the main season. NLG currently lists multiple daily departures from 1 April to 3 November 2026, while Alilauro publishes services from 1 April to 31 October.
Can I take a ferry to Pompeii?
No. Pompeii is inland and has no ferry port.
From Naples or Sorrento, use the train. From the Amalfi Coast, you will need a combination of bus, taxi or train depending on where you start.
Can I take a ferry to Ravello?
No. Ravello is high above the coast and has no port.
Take the ferry to Amalfi, then continue uphill by SITA bus or taxi.
How much is the ferry from Amalfi to Positano?
Travelmar’s published 2026 adult fare is €10 one way for Amalfi–Positano. Luggage is charged separately when applicable.
How much is the ferry from Salerno to Amalfi?
Travelmar’s published 2026 adult fare is €12 one way from Salerno to Amalfi. The municipal surcharge on departures from Salerno is already included in the published fare.
Should I book Amalfi Coast ferries in advance?
Not always.
I would book ahead for July and August, Capri, Naples–Amalfi Coast routes, and any sailing connected to a flight, train, tour or hotel transfer.
For short, flexible trips such as Amalfi–Positano or Amalfi–Minori, buying on the day is often perfectly reasonable when boats are not full.
Can Amalfi Coast ferries be cancelled?
Yes. Strong wind, rough seas and operational problems can delay or cancel ferries.
On the mainland, you can usually switch to a bus, train, taxi or private transfer. Capri is different: if sea conditions stop ferries, there is no land alternative.
If an important connection depends on a ferry, avoid relying on the last useful sailing of the day.
The practical takeaway
The ferry network feels much simpler once you stop trying to understand it as one perfect system.
It is really a collection of useful sea connections that fit into a bigger trip through Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri and the Amalfi Coast.
Take the train when the train makes sense. Take the ferry when it saves you from traffic or gives you the better journey. Use buses for places higher in the hills. And if one perfectly timed boat is sold out, another sensible option is often close behind.
You do not need to master every ferry company or memorise every timetable.
You just need a practical way to keep moving — with less waiting, less stress and more time for the places you actually came to see.
