The Amalfi Coast is famous for its beauty — and infamous for its roads. The SS163 coast road is a narrow, cliff-hugging two-lane highway with blind corners, aggressive bus drivers, and scooters overtaking on both sides. Getting around here is a genuine logistical challenge, and one of the most common questions visitors ask is: should I book a private transfer, or can I manage with public transport?
The Short Answer
For airport arrivals and departures, a private transfer is almost always worth it. For day-to-day travel between Amalfi Coast towns, it depends on your budget, group size, and tolerance for crowded buses.
Private Transfer: Pros and Cons
What you get: A professional driver in an air-conditioned car or minivan picks you up at a specified time and takes you directly to your destination. No waiting, no crowds, no navigation. Luggage stays in the boot. The driver knows every shortcut and can navigate the narrow lanes that lead to many Amalfi Coast villas and B&Bs.
Cost: EUR 90 to EUR 170 per vehicle depending on the route. Typical prices:
- Sorrento → Positano: from EUR 70
- Sorrento → Amalfi: from EUR 90
- Naples Airport → Sorrento: from EUR 90
- Naples Airport → Positano: from EUR 130
- Naples Airport → Ravello: from EUR 150
Best for: Airport transfers, families with children, groups of 3 or more (cost per person drops sharply), travellers with heavy luggage, evening travel when buses stop running, and anyone who values a stress-free arrival.
Less ideal for: Solo budget travellers making short hops between adjacent towns.
SITA Public Bus: Pros and Cons
What you get: A EUR 2.40 ticket on the SITA bus that runs along the coast road between Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello (via Amalfi).
Cost: EUR 2.40 per person per ride.
The experience: In spring and autumn, the bus is a perfectly acceptable way to travel. The views are spectacular, the service is regular (every 30 to 60 minutes), and it is cheap. In July and August, however, the experience changes dramatically. Buses are packed to standing-room capacity. Queues at Sorrento station can be 30 to 50 people long. There is no guarantee you will get on the next bus — or the one after that. There is no luggage hold; you clutch your bags in the aisle. The journey from Sorrento to Positano, which takes 45 minutes by car, can take 90 minutes or more.
Best for: Solo travellers and couples in the shoulder season (April, May, September, October), short hops between adjacent towns, and anyone who enjoys the adventure.
Avoid in: July and August with luggage, with children, or on a tight schedule.
Taxi: Pros and Cons
What you get: A metered or fixed-rate ride in an official white taxi.
Cost: 10 to 30 percent more than a private transfer for the same route. Sorrento to Positano is typically EUR 80 to EUR 100 by taxi versus EUR 70 by private transfer.
The catch: Taxis on the Amalfi Coast are limited in number. In summer, you may wait 20 to 40 minutes at a taxi rank, or find that none are available at all. Your hotel can call one, but there is no guarantee of arrival time. Prices are sometimes negotiable, but not always in your favour. Some taxis do not accept cards.
Best for: Spontaneous, short trips when a taxi happens to be available.
Rental Car: Pros and Cons
What you get: Maximum flexibility and independence.
Cost: EUR 40 to EUR 80 per day for the car, plus EUR 3 to EUR 5 per hour for parking (when you can find it).
The reality: Driving the Amalfi Coast is not like driving a motorway. The road is barely wide enough for two cars. Buses take up more than their lane. Scooters appear from nowhere. Parking in Positano is almost non-existent (the main car park charges EUR 8 per hour in summer). Many hotels and villas are down narrow lanes where only a local driver would venture. If you are not an experienced European driver, this is not the place to start.
Best for: Experienced drivers who want to explore the countryside and inland villages, or who are staying in a rural villa with parking.
The Verdict: When Is a Private Transfer Worth It?
Always worth it:
- Airport to accommodation (and back) — the savings in time, stress, and luggage handling pay for themselves
- Travelling with children — car seats, space, and no bus queues
- Groups of 3+ — the per-person cost drops below the bus when you factor in time saved
- Evening or night travel — buses stop running by 22:00 on most routes
- Special occasions — arriving at your honeymoon villa in a private car versus a sweaty bus is a different experience entirely
Save your money:
- Solo travellers hopping between Amalfi and Ravello (20 minutes by bus, EUR 2.40)
- Shoulder season day trips when buses are comfortable and regular
- If you genuinely enjoy public transport and are not in a rush
Check Transfer Prices
BlueKeys offers private transfers across the Amalfi Coast with fixed prices, meet-and-greet, and local drivers. Compare routes and book securely online.
