In this article, you’ll learn about all the different ways to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast in 2022. Whether you take a train, drive a rental car, ride the bus, hop on board the ferry, or spring for a helicopter ride from Rome to the Amalfi Coast, we’ve got you covered. 

Just imagine you’re on the trip of a lifetime, visiting the beautiful country of Italy. You’ve just spent some time exploring the incredible city of Rome and want some respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. What better way to get some much-needed relaxation than to visit the picturesque Amalfi Coast? But what’s the best way to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast?

Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about getting from Rome to the Amalfi Coast in 2022.

Distance From Rome to Amalfi Coast

Boats and colorful houses at the Amalfi Coast, Italy

The distance from Rome to the Amalfi Coast will depend on your transportation method to make the trip. Road distances will differ from the distance a train needs to travel. Taking a ferry will be a different distance than riding the train. And flying straight there in a helicopter will be different than the water distance of the ferry.

Here’s a summary table of the transportation options for you to get to the Amalfi Coast from Rome:

Travel OptionDurationAvg. CostProsCons
Train2.5 – 3 hours$18 – $120Fast, convenient, direct routesPricier for high-speed trains
Bus4 – 5 hours$20 – $40Budget-friendlyLonger travel time
Rental Car3 – 4 hours$30 – $80 per day + gasFlexible schedule, sightseeing stopsDriving challenges on Amalfi roads
Private Transfer3 – 3.5 hours$200 – $400Door-to-door service, avoid crowdsMost expensive option

Key Considerations:

  • Train is often the fastest and most convenient option from Rome
  • Bus is cheapest but takes longest travel time
  • Car allows flexibility but Amalfi Coast roads are narrow and winding
  • Private transfers offer door-to-door luxury at a premium cost

Let’s look at the main ways of travel to see how far Rome is from the Amalfi Coast. The road distance from Rome to the Amalfi Coast is about 165 miles (266 km), as measured from Rome to Salerno. The road distance will be higher if your final destination is further west along the coast than Salerno.

But this is the most direct route from Rome to any major city on the coast. This distance is applicable whether you are driving yourself in a rental car or you’re using public transportation like a bus.

There is a set of train tracks that goes from Rome, through Naples, and straight to Salerno in a nearly straight line. The straight line distance from Rome to Naples is about 115 miles, and Naples to Salerno is another 55 miles. So you’ll be on board for about 170 miles in total.

Amalfi Coast Colorful Atrani Town

This ends up slightly farther than following the roadway due to the slight detour through Naples. If you’re staying on the west end of the coast, your second train trip will be shorter than going to Salerno on the east side. Even more of a straight line distance from Rome to the Amalfi Coast would be through the air. Without having to follow the roadway or stay on the train tracks through Naples, a helicopter could fly straight there.

Via flight, the distance from Rome to the Amalfi Coast is only about 140 miles in total. This is the shortest distance between the two cities and the fastest method of transportation available. Regardless of what you’ll end up doing, make sure you book a great accommodation to complement your trip.

For a true taste of Italy, we recommend renting an Amalfi Coast villa. Let’s take a more in-depth look at all the main ways you can get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast in 2022.

Train From Rome to Amalfi Coast

Train waiting for passengers at a train station

Without a doubt, the most common mode of transportation to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast is via train. A popular method of transportation in all of Europe, the train is a quick and efficient way to traverse Italy. So it should come as no surprise that it’s easy to take a train from Rome to the Amalfi Coast. 

As alluded to before, getting from Rome to the Amalfi Coast via train is not as straightforward as just going straight there. The train will detour slightly and make a stop in Naples, from which you’ll be able to travel to your final destination along the Amalfi Coast. 

From Rome, you’ll be departing from Roma Termini. The train from Rome to Naples leaves every 20 minutes during hours of operation, so getting there should be no problem. The ride from Rome to Naples is on a high-speed rail, so it’s a relatively short train ride. After about an hour and 15 minutes, you’ll arrive in Naples at the central station. This leg of the trip is fairly quick and easy and will run you about $10. 

Train in Rome Station

Once you’re in Naples, you can board a train to the Amalfi Coast, depending on your location. The easiest place to go to from Naples is the town of Salerno, as it’s a straight shot there from Naples and a new train departs every 15 minutes. The second leg of your trip will take less than an hour, and you’ll only need to spend an additional $6 to make the trip. 

Once you’re in Salerno, you can get to any place you want along the coast. You can also take slower trains from Naples to specific destinations on the Amalfi Coast, but that will differ for each final destination.

Taking a train from Rome to the Amalfi Coast will cost you just $16 and will take about two and a half hours, including swapping trains in Naples. 

Driving From Rome to Amalfi Coast

Cars in the street
Claudio Bottoni / Shutterstock.com

Driving yourself is another common way to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast. The beauty of having your car there — or more likely, a rental car — is that you can go anywhere you want. You don’t have to rely on stops that public transportation makes, nor are you limited in your travels by where train tracks have been built.

Getting from Rome to the Amalfi Coast is a straightforward drive. It’s also one that can be enjoyable for those who like to take in the views while driving and appreciate the beauty around them. Similar to taking a train, the most direct route from Rome to the Amalfi Coast will leave you landing in Salerno on the eastern end of the coast. 

From Rome, head east from the city center via A24. This can be easily accessed from Via Cernaia, Viale del Policlinico, Via dei Marrucini, Via dei Sardi, and Viale dello Scalo S. Lorenzo. No matter where you are in Rome, it’s easy to get on A24 and start heading east. You’ll be on A24 for just about 3 miles. 

Yellow Rome Vintage Car

From A24, you’ll hop on E45 and stay on that highway for most of your trip. This impressive roadway runs through much of southern Italy and is a gorgeous drive through the country. You’ll be on E45 for 160 miles, pretty much to Salerno. 

As you’re coming up on the coast, take the exit towards Salerno and get on SR88. Once on SR88, you’re about 1 to 2 miles from the city center of Salerno, and from there, you’ll be able to drive anywhere on the coast you want. 

The total drive time is about 2 hours and 45 minutes, and there is no additional cost if you’ve already rented the car. If you need to rent a car, the price for a compact car rental in Italy can be as little as $10 per day or less. 

Bus From Rome to Amalfi Coast

A red bus on the road
Massimo Todaro / Shutterstock.com

If you don’t want to rent a car or just prefer to relax on your trip from Rome to the Amalfi Coast, consider taking a bus. The second most common form of public transportation behind the train, you’ll be in good company if you decide to take a bus from Rome to the coast. For consistency, we’ll again take a look at the trip from Rome to Salerno, which can be adjusted from there.

To take a bus from Rome, you’ll want to go to Roma Tiburtina, the second largest railway station in Rome behind the Roma above Termini. From there, you can purchase your bus ticket to Salerno and be on your way. Expect to spend about $19 or more on your ticket, depending on the time and day and the buses available.

Roe Bus Terminal
Richard Villalon – stock.adobe.com

Once you’re on the bus, the route will be the same one you would take if you were driving yourself. From Rome to A24 for a few miles. From A24 to E45 for most of the trip (about 160 miles). And then from E45 to SR88 for a mile or two before arriving in Salerno. 

Once you’re in Salerno, you’ll be able to stay there or hop on a bus to whatever your final destination ends up being. But the bus ride from Rome to Salerno will get you to the coast, and it will take about 3 hours and 5 minutes, a little longer than driving yourself. 

Ferry From Rome to Amalfi Coast

Ferry in Rome
ArtMediaFactory / Shutterstock.com

Taking a ferry from Rome to the Amalfi Coast is not an option, at least not directly. This is due in large part — or likely entirely — because Rome is not a port city. Located about 20 miles inland, Rome does not offer ferry access to any of the other cities in Italy, and certainly not all the way from Rome to the Amalfi coast over 100 miles away.

But if you want to take a ferry to the Amalfi Coast to enjoy the cool sea breeze and catch amazing coast views, don’t let that stop you. Your trip from Rome to the Amalfi Coast will involve three steps: a train ride from Rome to Naples just as before, a short bus ride to the port, and then a ferry ride from Naples to the Amalfi Coast. 

For this trip, ending up in Sorrento rather than Salerno makes the most sense. From there, you can go anywhere else on the coast. So just as before, grab your $10 train ticket from Roma Termini and head to Naples. After about an hour and 15 minutes on the train, you’ll arrive at Naples’s central train station. 

Cruise in Rome

From the train station, you’ll need to board the Alibus bus route and head to Molo Beverello Port. This bus ride will only take about 15 minutes and will set you back at less than $4. Once you reach the port, you can finally take the ferry to Sorrento.

The high-speed ferry from Naples to Sorrento is open year-round and only takes about 40 minutes. This leg of the trip will cost you another $15, but it’s worth every penny. Although this might be the method of getting to the Amalfi Coast with the most hoops to jump through, it’s also the most relaxing and beautiful. It’ll take you about 2 hours and 45 minutes, including jumping between modes of transportation, and will set you back about $29.

Helicopter From Rome to Amalfi Coast

Colorful houses, speed boats at Sorrento Peninsula

If you want to travel in style and have an unforgettable vacation to the Amalfi Coast, consider opting for a helicopter ride to make the journey. Imagine flying over the Italian countryside below and out over the endless blue waters. It would be a surreal experience with you for the rest of your life.

If you want to spring for this adventure, head to either Rome Urbe or Ciampino Airport to charter your private flight. The easiest way to travel to the Amalfi Coast via helicopter is to fly from Rome to the island of Capri. Once on Capri, you can enjoy your vacation there or take a quick ferry ride to Sorrento on the coast. 

The helicopter ride from Rome to Capri will only take about an hour and 15 minutes total, providing you with some of the most breathtaking views of your life. Before you look at the price, remember that this type of service is typically only used by those wealthy enough for it not to matter. Expect to pay over $5,000 for this VIP private helicopter trip. But it would certainly be an experience you would never forget.

Getting From Rome to Amalfi Coast Compared
MethodTotal TimeTotal Cost
Train2 hours and 30 minutes$16 and up
Driving2 hours and 45 minutes$10 or less (plus gas)
Bus3 hours and 5 minutes$19 and up
Ferry2 hours and 45 minutes$29 and up
Helicopter1 hour and 15 minutes$5,000 and up

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