How to get from Naples airport to Positano

The closest international airport to Positano is Naples International Airport so once you land in Naples you are going to want to know how to get from Naples to Positano.

We would always recommend planning in advance your journey as it saves stress and alleviates pressure at a time when you really want to enjoy your arrival in this beautiful part of Italy.

It’s always a good idea to have a Plan B should anything happen to blow your original plans out of the water.

Below are all the options to how to get from Naples to Positano. 

Option 1: Private car transfer from Naples airport to Positano.

We would always advise against catching a taxi outside the airport to take you to Positano as the airport taxis are always much more expensive.

A much better option is to pre-book a private car transfer from Naples airport to Positano.

A private transfer can also be a taxi but the difference is that you will have pre-booked the taxi in advance so you know there is a car waiting for you on arrival at Naples airport.

Depending on the size of your group and the amount of luggage you’re coming with then you could also arrange for a small mini bus to pick you up from the airport and take you to Positano.  

There are many more options available to you to customise the transfer to your own personal requirements rather than having to pick a vehicle from the taxi rank outside the airport.

Another advantage of booking your transfer in advance is you know that someone will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall.

Always make sure that you have agreed a price before your arrival and it’s also a good idea to have the phone number of your driver with you just in case you cannot find each other at the airport.   

How much is a private transfer from Naples airport to Positano?

A medium sized car e.g. Mercedes E Class will cost approximately € 150 for a journey from Naples to Positano. If there are more of you then a mini bus will cost around € 170 for the same journey. A standard van/minibus can accommodate 6-8 passengers as well as upto 12 pieces of luggage.

How long does it take from Naples airport to Positano?

As always, journey times from Naples airport depends very much on traffic conditions but without any major delays then typical journey times from Naples to Positano beach would be about 1 hr and 30 minutes.

journey times differ depending on the time of day as rush hour traffic can have a knock on effect. Arriving at Naples and then making your way to Positano is less stressful as you’re already there. Traffic times become much more important on the return leg i.e. when you have a plane to catch. It’s always better in these circumstances to rely on the advice of the transfer company as they have experience of traffic conditions on a day to day basis.

Some shuttle companies will allow you to make stops en route to Positano for an extra charge, for example, they will stop at Pompeii for a couple of hours.

Pro’s

A private car transfer is THE most comfortable and stress free way to get to Positano from Naples.

Some companies allow you to make stops at places of interest along the way.

Driver is usually waiting for you at the arrivals hall of Naples airport so no stress.

Con’s 

Probably the most expensive option to get to Positano.

Traffic can be a major factor in how long it might take you to take to Positano and on the return leg any traffic delays can be incredibly stressful if you have a plane to catch.

Option 2: Take the train and then bus from Naples airport to Positano

There is no direct train from Naples to Positano so if you don’t want to pay for a private car transfer then a train from Naples to Sorrento and then a bus from Sorrento to Positano is your next best option.

You would need to take the free shuttle bus (or a taxi) to get you from Naples airport to Naples railway station called, Napoli Centrale Garibaldi.

From there you would need to catch the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento. Full details of how to catch this train are available on our How To Get From Naples To Sorrento page.

Once you arrive at Sorrento train station you would need to catch the SITA bus to Positano. Journey times from Sorrento to Positano by bus are approximately 50 mins to 1 hour.

How much is the train from Naples to Sorrento?

A single journey for one passenger costs around € 4 for one way. 

How much is the bus from Sorrento to Positano?

A single journey for one passenger costs around € 2.40 for one way 

How long does it take from Naples airport to Positano?

As there are two legs to this journey, Naples to Sorrento and then from Sorrento to Positano, then you need to include both transit times into your planning.

The train from Naples to Sorrento takes around 1 hr. The bus journey from Sorrento to Positano takes around 1hr 20 to 1hr 30 depending on which part of Positano you want to disembark.

Your total time “on the move” from Naples airport to Positano would be around 2h 30. This is “on the move”. You also need to add time waiting for your train in Naples and waiting for the next bus to arrive in Sorrento which goes to Positano. We would suggest it would take 3 hrs minimum. 

Pro’s

Much cheaper than a private transfer! Probably looking at saving over € 140 or more! 

For some travel hardened travellers there’s an element of adventure throwing yourself at the mercy of public transport in a foreign land.

Con’s 

The more connections you have the more chance that something may go wrong.

The train from Naples to Sorrento is often busy, over crowded even and with nowhere to store your luggage. 

Option 3: Catch the ferry from Naples to Positano.

There is now, thankfully, a direct ferry option from Naples Beverello port to Positano.

Until recently, you would have had to catch the ferry from Naples to Sorrento and then take the ferry from Sorrento to Positano OR catch a bus in Sorrento to take you to Positano.

The direct ferry service only operates during the season, May through to October. You really need to reserve your seats otherwise you run the risk of the ferry being fully booked.

How much is the ferry from Naples airport to Positano?

You will need to find a way from Naples airport to Beverello port in Naples to catch your ferry.

A one way ticket for the ferry from Naples Beverello port DIRECT to Positano will cost either € 27.50 or € 32 

How long does it take by ferry from Naples airport to Positano?

Thanks to the direct ferries that now run from Naples to Positano then journey times can be pretty quick.

The slowest journey time is around 2 hr 30 whilst the fastest ferry trip is only 1 hr 10-that’s faster than a private car transfer!! You still need to add in the time it takes you to get from Naples airport to Naples port at Beverello but that wouldn’t add much time to your journey. 

Where do you arrive in Positano?

The Naples to Positano ferry lands at Spiaggia Grande (the main beach of Positano). Be aware that once you disembark you have to carry your luggage from the beach to your hotel although many people will try to arrange a taxi………Positano has a LOT of steps!

Pro’s

Quite possibly the BEST way to arrive in Positano by sailing along the Amalfi coastline and approaching the cascading houses of Positano by boat.

Avoiding motorways and congested roads knocks time off your journey and you’re pretty much guaranteed there will be no delays en route.

Journey times are surprisingly fast especially on the faster Jet ferries. 1 hr 10 is a remarkably quick journey from Naples to Positano. 

Con’s

The weather can spoil your plans. Although it’s unlikely in high season but bad weather can disrupt or even cancel ferry trips on the sea.

Savings may not really come into effect if you are travelling with a large group. Private car/minibus transfer generally charge per vehicle whilst on a ferry you obviously need to buy tickets per person.

Accessibility is not really a strong point at Positano’s main beach (which is where you disembark). You will undoubtedly have luggage with you and there’s a good chance that your hotel or accommodation will not be right next to the beach so you are going to either carry the luggae yourself (Positano has a LOT of steps) or catch a taxi to your hotel OR procure the services of one of the luggage porters at the beach who will take your luggage to your chosen hotel for a charge. 

Option 4: Catch the bus from Naples airport to Positano.

Unfortunately, there is NO direct bus link from Naples airport to Positano.

There are two connecting routes that will get you from Naples to Positano. The first one is getting a bus from Naples to Salerno and from Salerno making your way to Positano. The second option is to get a bus from Naples to Sorrento and from Sorrento get the bus to Positano.

We believe your best option is to go to Sorrento first and then take another bus to Positano. If you go to Salerno then it’s further away than Sorrento and you still have to come back on yourself to reach Positano.

The Naples to Sorrento bus route is a popular service and is well documented on our guide on how to to get from Naples airport to Sorrento-we strongly recommend you read our guide as it gives you upto date information on getting to Sorrento from Naples.

To catch the Sorrento to Positano bus you will need to buy tickets BEFORE boarding the bus, you cannot buy tickets on the bus. Tickets are available to buy at Sorrento’s train station and cost approximately € 3 one way . The bus to Positano can be found outside the train station.

Journey times are typically around 50 mins to get to Chiesa Nuevo in Positano although there are some express buses which only take 25 minutes.

Another option is to catch the train from Naples to Sorrento which you can read more about here. 

How much is the bus from Naples airport to Positano?

Our guide on how to catch the bus from Naples to Sorrento explains in detail what you need to do but expect to pay € 10 for a reserved seat on the Curreri Viaggi bus. Then in Sorrento, you will need to catch another bus which goes to Positano with ticket prices approximately € 3. 

How long does the bus take from Naples airport to Positano?

The first part of your journey, Naples airport to Sorrento, takes about 1 hr 15m. The second part of your journey, Sorrento to Positano takes between 25 – 50 mins. 

Pro’s

A very cheap way of getting from Naples airport to Positano.

The Curreri Viaggi bus is an easy option to take as the bus is minutes away from the arrivals hall at Naples airport.  

Con’s

Using any type of road vehicle puts you at the mercy of traffic conditions so delays en route are possible.

It’s not the fastest option to get to Positano.

Option 5: Catch a shared shuttle bus from Naples airport to Positano.

This can be a much cheaper and faster option than booking a private car transfer. As the name implies, you will need to share the shuttle bus with other passengers but as you’ll be going in the same direction anyway then it shouldn’t really matter.

Although there is no direct bus link from Naples airport to Positano a private, shared shuttle bus will take you directly to Positano.

The meeting point is either outside the airport or someone will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with your name on a card and then escort you to the bus.

How much is a shared shuttle bus from Naples airport to Positano?

Expect to pay around € 42 per person for a seat which makes it almost half the price of a private car transfer. 

How long does it take by shared shuttle bus from Naples airport to Positano?

The journey by shuttle bus from Naples to Positano only takes about 1 hr 30 dependant upon traffic conditions. 

Pro’s

A private mini bus which takes the direct route to Positano.

Still cheaper than a private car transfer unless you’re in a large travelling group.  

Con’s

Can work out more expensive if there’s more than 4 of you travelling in the group.

You have to share the minibus with other passengers (if that bothers you).

You might still be subjected to road delays due to traffic conditions.

Option 6: Taking a helicopter from Naples airport to Positano

We know. We know but there ARE some people who might consider using a helicopter as a transfer option.

Arriving at your destination by helicopter is a very exclusive and unique way of arriving and it will stay in your memory for a lifetime.

It is possible to charter a private helicopter that will take you from Naples to Positano although the helicopter would have to land outside of Positano, about a 15 min drive away.

Pro’s

What better way to arrive at one of the most exclusive destinations in the world than by your own helicopter?!

It is exceptionally quick with flight times being approx 20 minutes!

No traffic and sea conditions not being relevant ensures there is little scope for delays.

Con’s

Very expensive. If you have to ask how much does it cost then you probably can’t afford it 🙂

The helicopter cannot land on Positano beach (imagine if it could!) Instead, it has to land a 15 min drive away meaning that you end up arriving in Positano by car or boat.