Can you visit the Amalfi Coast in one day? Stephanie and I build our 24-hour trip around Sorrento and Positano, starting at Naples Airport and traveling by bus, train, and ferry.
We use the Sorrento area as our overnight base, head to Positano for the beach and cliffside views, and return for dinner at Da Peppino. There’s also a grocery run, a stop at Blue Bar Positano, and a storm that gives us another reason to pay attention to the ferry schedule.
If you’re planning a short visit, this Amalfi Coast itinerary gives you a manageable route to follow without trying to squeeze every coastal town into the same afternoon.
Is One Day on the Amalfi Coast Enough?
One day gives us time for a taste of the coast, with Positano as the main excursion and Sorrento as our base. It doesn’t give us time to see the entire region.
That distinction matters when planning your own trip. Adding more towns means more transfers and less time to enjoy the places you came to see. For this visit, we keep the route focused on getting to Positano, exploring on foot, and making it back for dinner.
The ferry ride is part of the experience, too. Seeing the cliffs and buildings from the water makes the journey worth including in the day.
Our 24-Hour Itinerary
• Arrive at Naples Airport.
• Take the Alibus to Napoli Centrale.
• Catch the Circumvesuviana toward Sorrento.
• Check in at Central Plaza Sorrento Coast.
• Pick up groceries.
• Head to Marina Piccola, Sorrento’s ferry port.
• Take the ferry to Positano.
• Stop at Blue Bar Positano.
• Explore the beach and narrow lanes.
• Return by ferry to Sorrento.
• Have dinner at Da Peppino.
• Take the train back toward Naples the following morning.
Getting From Naples Airport to Sorrento
Our route starts at Naples Airport, also known as Capodichino Airport. The Alibus connects the airport with the Napoli Centrale station area.
For the next leg, follow signs to the connected Napoli Piazza Garibaldi station for the Circumvesuviana toward Sorrento. Check which stop makes sense for your accommodation before boarding.
When planning this journey, leave time between each connection. The bus ride, the train ride, waiting for departures, and getting to your accommodation are separate parts of the trip. A flight arrival time is not the same thing as the time you’ll be ready to board a ferry.
Naples Airport
https://www.aeroportodinapoli.it/en
Alibus Airport Bus Information
https://www.aeroportodinapoli.it/en/by-bus
Circumvesuviana Train Schedules
https://www.eavsrl.it/orari-linee-ferroviarie/
Taking the Ferry From Sorrento to Positano
We head to Marina Piccola for the ferry to Positano. The ride gives us views of the coastline before we arrive at the beach.
Check both directions when planning your day. Your return sailing determines how much time you have to explore, eat, and get back to the boarding area. Services vary by season and operator, and weather can affect crossings.
A storm rolls in during our visit, so the return trip becomes something we need to keep an eye on rather than leave until later.
Use the operators’ websites to check routes, departure times, and tickets for your travel date.
Alilauro Gruson
https://www.alilaurogruson.it/
Positano Jet
https://www.positanojet.it/
Alicost
https://www.alicost.it/
Exploring Positano
Our time in Positano centers on the beach, the lanes, and the views of buildings stacked above the waterfront. We stop at Blue Bar Positano before continuing to explore.
For a short visit, leave yourself time to wander instead of filling every minute with another destination. The stairs and uphill walks also make comfortable shoes a better choice than anything selected exclusively for the photos.
Blue Bar Positano
https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Blue+Bar+Positano
Spiaggia Grande, Positano
https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Spiaggia+Grande+Positano
Where We Stay
We stay at Central Plaza Sorrento Coast for this trip.
Before booking accommodation for a similar itinerary, check its location against the train station and ferry port. Staying in the Sorrento area still means accounting for the journey between your room, the waterfront, and dinner.
Central Plaza Sorrento Coast
https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/central-plaza-sorrento-coast.en-gb.html
Dinner at Da Peppino
After returning from Positano, we head to Da Peppino Ristorante Pizzeria in Sant’Agnello for dinner.
We also make a grocery stop during the trip. Mixing groceries with restaurant meals gives us some flexibility instead of making every drink or snack another sit-down purchase.
Da Peppino Ristorante Pizzeria
https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Da+Peppino+Ristorante+Pizzeria+Sant+Agnello
Tips for Following Our Route
• Check your return ferry before heading to Positano.
• Allow time for airport, bus, train, and ferry connections.
• Check your accommodation’s location before choosing a train stop.
• Wear comfortable shoes for hills and stairs.
• Bring water and some cash.
• Use grocery stores when you want to keep food costs down.
• Keep the itinerary focused rather than adding more towns.
• Check transport updates if the weather changes.
Marina Piccola, Sorrento Ferry Port
https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Marina+Piccola+Porto+di+Sorrento
More Italy Travel Planning
Naples vs. Capri vs. Ischia: Which One Should You Choose for One Day?
Compare nearby destinations when deciding how to spend a short visit.
https://maxwellskitchenpodcast.com/blog/one-day-naples-capri-or-ischia
One Day in Capri, Italy
Another island itinerary to consider when planning time around Naples.
https://maxwellskitchenpodcast.com/maxwells-kitchen-podcast/one-day-capri-italy
One Day in Ischia, Italy
Explore another option for a short island visit.
https://maxwellskitchenpodcast.com/maxwells-kitchen-podcast/one-day-ischia-italy-guide
About This Episode
This episode follows Cody Maxwell and Stephanie through a 24-hour visit to Sorrento and Positano as part of the Maxwell’s Kitchen Euro Trip series.
Watch the episode above for our journey from Naples Airport, the ferry ride to Positano, our food stops, and the return to Sorrento.
