Hey everyone, my wife and I are planning on travelling to the Amalfi Coast in Italy this fall for our first anniversary/honeymoon seeing as the economy was dead this year. Wanted to know in your experience if there are typically more deals to fly into Naples or to Rome and then train it down to Naples? Also where would you recommend to stay, such as in Positano or Sorrento? Would like to make a trip to Capri at some point during the trip as well. Thanks for any advice/feedback you have to offer.

Nick
Thank you everyone for the info. Needless to say we are beyond excited for this trip and can't wait.

We were thinking early to mid September actually. Sorry forgot to add the dates

Never mind that then

Depends when in the fall you are thinking. The storms and weather in the fall can be very intense and many businesses actually close up shop. We were just in Italy for the end of October and the month of November and it was recommended by friends and an agent who specializes in southern Italy trips to go earlier or change our plans. We only went as far south as Naples when we went to Pompeii and Vesuvius and the weather was not a all good for travel. We had a break the day we did Vesuvius and Pompeii but the weather for a week before and after was dismal. Couldn't see anything.

We stayed in Vico Esquence. Its just north of Sorrento. Kinda off the tourist route, very nice town with less tourist traffic. Excellent places to eat, sleep and great sea views. Id stay there again. Check out the Mary Hotel. Pizza is amazing...sold by the metre. Its a 10 minute train to Sorrento half hour to Naples. Took a bus to Amalfi coast.

Love love love it there! We were there for 3 weeks in July. Flew into Naples, then very easily caught a bus to Sorrento & stayed there few days. Definitely recommend spending time in Sorrento. We did a day trip from there to Capri (with viator tours) & felt that was enough time there. After Sorrento, we used the ferry system to explore Amalfi coast (we had our 6 your old daughter in tow who is prone to motion sickness on busses... but did great on the ferries)... and found it very easy and efficient. Not sure if that would be the same in September though?? We stayed in Maiori & loved it!! It was a great base to explore the other towns, do some hiking in the area and it even has a little beach. Don't miss Ravello! We took a short bus ride there and walked back to Maiori... stunning:)) We booked all of our accommodations with airbnb and had great experiences. Let me know if there's anything I might be able to help with! Enjoy, it's incredible!!

After Amalfi coast we took the train to Florence, Cinque Terre and Venice. If you haven't visited the Cinque Terre I'd recommend it for your Italy travels if you have time to get up that way!!!

Loved loved the Almafi coast. Fly into Rome, see that. Fly to Venice-have to see that magical place. Then rent a car-see Pisa, Pompei. Almafi coast is the jewel of Italy. We did a home base about midway in a vacation rental in schizziano and did day trips to sorrento, Positano. rented a boat to spend a day on the water in Capri.
Best 10 days of my life.
They have boats in between the coastal towns too.
Naples is a big crazy city like NYC- avoid that as that's not the Italy you want to experience.

I agree. Rome and Venice are must sees while you are in Italy. We did a Mediterranean cruise which was an awesome way to see a lot in a short period of time since you are cruising while you sleep and wake up to a new destination each day. Only did a day trip into Naples and it was for sure not a highlight of Italy. Sorrento on the other had was gorgeous! Unfortunately the weather prevented us from going to Capri that day. But I would definitely skip Naples. There are better places to see. It's an enormous, busy and dirty city - at least the parts that we saw while driving thru to vesuvius and sorrento.
Would love to have gone to Positano but it was not on our itinerary. Next time for sure!!

Agreed... Naples has a beauty about it....but as tourist it can be tough to find....better to fall in love with Italy first then get into the nitty gritty when you are more comfortable. Sorrento works....land in Rome...spend a few days there if you can? ....if you want to see pompeii and herculaneum (ercolano) just check out the circum vesuvius train line (sorrento is on it) the train that is privatly owned and operated around vesuvius. The archaeology museum in Naples, on the metro line is worth it....if you are into the two sites.....lots of info about the naples port and hydrofoils to get you out to islands online. Florence and Venice are amazing But a very different flavour and worthy of their own trips. Positano....postcard worthy!

If you want to save money then yes Rome is going to be cheaper to flY into but my view is the hassle of an additional train trip is not ideal. However, if you have the ability to stay in Rome for a few days and would enjoy those sights it's worth it. I loved the coast and southern italy but honestly i loved italy.

Can't say much. But I can say the train from Rome down to Naples wasn't an issue, pretty quick and wasn't expensive. So if you do find a better flight to Rome, I wouldn't worry about the train ride. Plus it gives you a chance to see more of the country.

Was just there in July, I would stay in Sorrento, do a boat tour of the Amalfi coast and of Capri. Make sure to go to the Blue Grotto in Capri. Our trip was planned for us through a private guide Lovetotravel.ca

Getting from Rome to Naples is quite easy. I stayed in Sorrento and Ravello when I was there and visited Positano. It all depends on what you want to do, I think Sorento is a bigger hub for getting to different places and doing more touristy stuff. Positano is more in the middle of the Almalfi coast, I think its more of a place to just stay put and marvel at the scenery. Positano did seem more expensive hotel wise. The only thing I would warn against is the SITA buses, which are the public buses that go through town to town. Its how we planned our transportation for the Amalfi coast and it really ruined our time there as the buses never seemed o be on any schedule, we would wait like half a day for a bus to come which was so frustrating.

Southern Italy buses are dismal....they strike at a moments notice....try to avoid them....the trains are a little better....but check media the day before to make sure public system is not planning a one day strike.

Stayed 6 days in Rome and almost 3 weeks in Sorrento. We took the Amalfi Coast trip by boat going to different places and then dropped off at Capri for 5 hours then boat picked us up to bring back to Sorrento. There is a travel agency on the main floor of Hotel Nice where we booked this trip through Right in the midst of ' downtown" and try Lemonchello which is available everywhere!

Sorrento was incredible, we went on our honeymoon in September and it a was gorgeous. Stayed atB&B l'arcobelano - best place. They made us the most gigantic breakfast every day, and drove us down the hill and picked us up every evening. She Took us a different way back every evening to show is the stunning view of the whole coastline. Perfect midpoint between Pompeii/Vesuvius and Positano. We flew into Rome and did that first, then trained to sorrento and then back up to Florence/Venice/Milan. The only thing i recommend is skip Milan. It's nothing special, just an Italian 'edmonton'

Wondering if you have a link to this B&B as we are going next July

Agree, see Pompeii and mount Vesuvius ( not sure if I spelled that right. We stayed in Sorrento and Amalfi. Recommend both. Wonderful cafes!

We flew into Naples from Turkey and then took the bus / ferry all around the Amalfi Coast. It may be worth it to look into flying into a different city in Europe if there is a seat sale and then flying into Naples... this could be the cheapest option and then you'll get to visit another city / country as well. We stayed in Sorrento and this was perfect for getting everywhere (Capri, Pompeii, etc.). It's touristy, but still beautiful scenery and a cute place where you can walk everywhere. We stayed in an airbnb, which was amazing. Best location with private rooftop terrace over looking the town and ocean. SITA buses were not an issue for us, but we weren't there in peak tourist season (September should be okay too).

What is the name of the airbnb?

https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/2142586 small place, but the location is the best in Sorrento and views are incredible.
AIRBNB.CA
Il Geranio,Corso Italia 145 in Sorrento

Blue Grotto now closed. You will also find many restaurants and hotels are closed for the off season. Tours are also shut down for the most part. Go to Hercelium and Mt Vesuvius

We actually completely changed our itinerary and did Rome, Florence, Pisa and Venice instead of southern Italy.

Went to Naples three times during our recent stay in Italy

We came back from all these places just a few weeks ago. Things were closing down then to reopen in April/ May 2017

That's great info. I had no idea.

We stayed in Sorrento. Catch bus for Amalfi Coast 8 Euros each for the whole day. Bus starts from the train station Also from same train station you can catch train to Pompeii Naples etc. Very very easy

Such a beautiful area! Loved it and Pompeii!!

I was there in SEptember -SITA killed us.

I would agree with Emil's comments about the SITA BUSES.

Following

Following