When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But when life doesn’t give you lemons? Go to the Amalfi Coast and get them yourself!
Don’t let a little bus ride prevent you from visiting the Amalfi Coast while on your vacation in Rome. A quick transfer after a smooth train ride takes you to one of the most amazing coastlines in all of Italy. Here’s what you need to know about taking a day trip from Rome to the Amalfi Coast by train.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Andrea Pucci. Image Location: Vietri sul Mare, Campania, Italy
At a glance: Rome to the Amalfi Coast
- Rome’s station: Roma Termini
- Amalfi Coast’s station: Vietri sul Mare-Amalfi
- How far is Rome to Amalfi Coast by train: 144 miles
- Fastest duration for high-speed trains: 1h 37m
- Average duration for general trains: 2h 30m
- Number of trains per day: 44
- Ticket prices: As low as $11.44 when you book in advance
- Earliest departure: 00:03 AM
- Latest departure: 20:35 PM
Is a day trip to Amalfi from Rome worth it?
Yes, a day trip to Amalfi from Rome is worth it for those who want to explore the medieval shipyard, Paper Museum, and Duomo di Amalfi. We’d recommend you manage your expectations and itinerary, as there are 13 towns on the Amalfi Coast with no train running between them. You can easily lose sightseeing time in transit and feel like you’ve traded an opportunity to relax in Amalfi for a rushed run of the Amalfi Coast.
See also: Best day trips from Rome, including Venice, Millan, Pompeii and Tuscany.
How far is the Amalfi Coast from Rome by train?
The Amalfi Coast is 144-miles from Rome by train. That’s roughly the same distance between Florence and Rome; the only difference is that the train journey from Rome to the Amalfi Coast may take a little longer.
How long is the journey from Rome to the Amalfi Coast by train?
You can get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast by train in 2 to 3 hours depending on which train you catch. Keep in mind — that’s if you ride the rails to Vietri sul Mare-Amalfi. The journey from Rome to the Amalfi Coast from the western side takes longer because the train stops in Sorrento and a bus is required to get the rest of the way.
Image Credit: Getty Images, tanialerro. Image Location: St. John's Cathedral, Vietri Sul Mare-Amalfi, Italy
How often is the train from Rome to the Amalfi Coast?
Trains to Vietri sul Mare-Amalfi run 44 times each day from Rome. Do you need 44 chances to catch the train? Not really, but it’s good to have options. You may want to catch the train before sunrise so your tan doesn’t miss a single ray. On the other (pale) hand, a later departure lets you explore Rome’s sites before the tourist crowd awakens, then book it out of there in time for a liquid lunch of limoncellos.
How much is a train ticket from Rome to Amalfi?
Way cheaper than that vacation bathing suit you splurged on. We’ve seen tickets close to $10.00 one-way from Rome to Amalfi when purchased in advance. Don’t wait for a sale like you did your two-piece; download the Trainline app and book your tickets for the lowest price available long before your skin sees the Italian sun.
What is the best train station to get to the Amalfi Coast?
Rome Termini is the main station in Rome and the best station to use to get to the Amalfi Coast. Not only does it get you to Vietri sul Mare-Amalfi typically in less than 3 hours, but it does so with a single change in Salerno for 11 minutes. Don’t fret if you need to hop on a train from Roma Ostiense; it has a stop at Napoli Centrale that takes less than an hour.
Is there a direct high-speed train from Rome to the Amalfi Coast?
No; sadly, there is not a direct high-speed train from Rome to the Amalfi Coast. The closest direct train you’ll find is one to Naples or Salerno, both of which involve transfers to other train stations. Save your tears, though; this is hardly an inconvenience, and you’ll still live out your Amalfi Coast dream once you do a small locomotive leap.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Marco Bottigelli. Image Location: Positano, Italy
What is the train schedule from Rome to Amalfi?
Trains run from Rome to Amalfi’s closest station, Vietri sul Mare-Amalfi, seven days a week. The earliest you can depart is just after midnight. The latest you can leave on is around 10:30 PM – and why not bring your wine on the train with you?
How many days do you need in the Amalfi Coast?
You will forever want one more day in Italy — especially if you’re in the Amalfi Coast. Three days here is just enough to feel relaxed yet still see a handful of towns, hit the beach, and tackle a museum or two without rushing. A week is a generous amount of time if you’re staying in one place, but just the right amount if you want to hit every town along the Amalfi Coast.
Why is the Amalfi Coast famous?
Look at a postcard of the Amalfi Coast and you’ll see why it’s famous. Sure, it’s known for its limoncello drinks, a cool medieval paper mill, and being a UNESCO World Heritage Site — but in these days of social media mania, the gorgeous shoreline of the Amalfi Coast does all the major marketing.
How expensive is the Amalfi Coast?
The Amalfi Coast is expensive to visit, gets more expensive when you hit the high-star hotels, then gets even more expensive when you realize that getting around by bus, boat, and taxi adds up fast. Can you plan ahead and make the Amalfi Coast affordable for your trip? Absolutely. Will you risk digging for Euros if you don’t? Don’t say we didn’t warn you…
Image Credit: Getty Images, © Marco Bottigelli. Image Location: Amalfi, Italy
What's better Positano or Amalfi?
Positano is always going to get the limelight no matter how many times a cheeky travel vlog tries to call it overrated. That said, don’t count Amalfi out so quickly. Every town on the Amalfi Coast has more than one reason to visit. If you want to avoid the masses yet still get great views, awesome food, and enough attractions to fill a day’s itinerary, Amalfi may be the better choice for you. However, if you want the experience you see on social media, Positano may be the better choice.
What is there to see between Rome and the Amalfi Coast?
You can essentially get to the Amalfi Coast from Rome in two ways: either via Sorrento or via Salerno. Between Rome and the Amalfi Coast on the coastal (Sorrento) side is Naples and Pompeii. On the interior (Salerno) side, we’d recommend finding your way to Cassino if you’re a WWII buff, or Caserta (near Naples), which has a palace that’ll knock the socks off Versailles.
What is the prettiest part of the Amalfi Coast?
You could stand beside a graffiti-covered guard rail on the Amalfi Coast and believe that it’s the perfect place to propose. The Amalfi Coast is a stunner from end to end, but if you want that classic IG pic, go to the “Pyramid”: a photo taken from Spiaggia Grande, the main beach of Positano, positions the village in a triangular shape in the background — making you the star of the photoshoot.
Is Sorrento better than Amalfi?
Listen, Stanley Tucci doesn’t pit Amalfi and Sorrento against each other in a beauty contest, so why should we? Neither has a reason to envy the other and they’re both great day trips from Rome. We recommend Amalfi for those who want to explore the Amalfi Coast. If you’re looking to visit Naples and Pompeii and want to sip on limoncellos but don’t want to go all the way to the terrace at Il Tridente in Positano to do so, then it’s more practical to take the train from Rome to Naples to Pompeii to Sorrento.
Book your Amalfi Coast scenic journey today with the Trainline App.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, © Marco Bottigelli. Image Location: Positano, Italy
