Amalfi Coast Itinerary: 3, 5 and 7 Days, Planned by Local Drivers
In short: With 3 days, base yourself in Positano, stop at Pompeii on the way in from Naples and spend one full day on a private tour of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. With 5 days, add the Path of the Gods hike and a Capri day. With 7 days, add Herculaneum and Vesuvius. A private car from Naples costs €200 per vehicle (€320 with a Pompeii stop) and a full-day coast tour €500. Ferries run April to October; in winter you travel by road.
Last updated: November 2026
Before you plan: three things that shape every itinerary
We drive this coast every day, and most itineraries we see go wrong for the same three reasons: too many hotel changes, underestimating the road, and ignoring the season. Get these right and the rest is easy.
- Pick one base. Distances between the towns look short on a map, but the SS163 coast road is slow and winding. For 3–5 days, one hotel is better than two. Our guide on where to stay on the Amalfi Coast compares Positano, Amalfi, Praiano, Ravello and Sorrento.
- Count the arrival as a half day. Naples airport or Naples Central Station to Positano, Amalfi or Ravello takes 1.5–2 hours by private car; from Rome it is 3.5–4.5 hours.
- Check the month. According to the Positano ferry timetable, ferries between Positano, Amalfi and Salerno run from the beginning of April through October, and there is no Positano–Capri ferry in winter. From November to March you move by road.
The 3-day Amalfi Coast itinerary
Three days is enough to see the “big three” towns without rushing, as long as one day is fully dedicated to them.
Day 1: Naples → Pompeii → Positano
Land in Naples in the morning and break the drive with a stop at Pompeii. Our Naples to the Amalfi Coast transfer with a Pompeii stopover costs €320 per vehicle (up to 7 people), with 2 hours at the site plus 30 minutes free while your luggage stays locked in the car with the driver. A licensed guide is €160 for 2 hours. Entrance tickets are separate: since 12 January 2026 the basic Pompeii ticket costs €20. Arrive in Positano mid-afternoon for a swim or a sunset aperitivo.
Day 2: Positano, Amalfi and Ravello in one day
This is the day the trip is built around. On our private Amalfi Coast tour (€500 per vehicle, about 8–9 hours) your driver stops at the viewpoints you would never find a parking spot for, then gives you time in Amalfi for the cathedral and lunch, and finishes in Ravello high above the sea. In Ravello, Villa Rufolo is open daily; from 3 November 2026 hours are 09:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30) and the standard ticket is €8.
Day 3: Slow morning and departure
Walk down to Spiaggia Grande, browse the boutiques and leave after lunch. Positano to Naples is €200 per vehicle; to Rome it is €650.
The 5-day Amalfi Coast itinerary
Five days lets you add the two experiences people remember most: the hike and the island. Keep days 1 and 2 as above, then:
Day 3: Path of the Gods
The Path of the Gods starts in Bomerano (Agerola) and ends in Nocelle above Positano: about 7.8 km and roughly 3–4 hours of walking. From Nocelle there are about 1,500 steps down to Positano, or you can take the local bus. Wear real shoes and start early; the trail can close for fire or landslide risk.
Day 4: Capri
From April to October, ferries from Positano reach Capri in about 40–50 minutes, with one-way fares from roughly €27.50–€30 on the operators listed in the timetable. For a guided day on the island, our Capri private day tour is a 6-hour walking tour with an English-speaking guide for €450 (booked by email; ferries not included). Our Capri in one day guide has a full plan.
Day 5: Beach time and departure
Book a sunbed, take a boat to a nearby beach in season, then leave in the afternoon. If you fly out of Rome, a private car between Rome and Positano is €650 per vehicle.
The 7-day Amalfi Coast itinerary
A full week is the most relaxed way to see the coast. Follow the 5-day plan and add two days:
- Herculaneum and Vesuvius. Smaller and better preserved than Pompeii, Herculaneum pairs well with a walk to the crater. Our Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius tour is €500 per vehicle; a licensed guide for Pompeii and Herculaneum is €300.
- A day with nothing booked. Lunch on the water in Praiano, a lemon grove visit, or a quiet afternoon in Amalfi. If you want to move freely, a chauffeur by the hour is quoted on request by email.
With seven days you can split the stay: four nights in Positano and three in Ravello or Sorrento. Change base only once, mid-week, and do it on a free day so you do not lose a sightseeing day to check-out and check-in.
Itineraries at a glance
| Length | Best base | Highlights | Private driver cost (per vehicle, up to 7) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | Positano | Pompeii on arrival, Positano–Amalfi–Ravello tour | €320 Naples→coast via Pompeii + €500 tour + €200 back to Naples = €1,020 |
| 5 days | Positano or Praiano | 3-day plan + Path of the Gods + Capri | Same as 3 days (hike and Capri need no car); €650 if you leave to Rome instead |
| 7 days | Positano + Ravello or Sorrento | 5-day plan + Herculaneum & Vesuvius + free day | Add €500 for the Herculaneum & Vesuvius tour |
Prices are per vehicle, not per person, and include tolls, parking, fuel and VAT. Entrance tickets, ferries and guides are extra unless stated. A Mercedes Sprinter for 8–16 people costs €400 for the Pompeii stopover and €650 for the tours.
Getting around between towns
You have three options. Ferries are the most scenic and cheapest from April to October but stop in rough seas, and Positano’s pier is small. Public buses run year-round but fill up in summer and can be slow. A private driver costs more but is door to door, works in every season and avoids the plate rule. If you are weighing train plus ferry against a car for the arrival, read our private car vs train from Naples to Positano comparison.
Let a local driver handle the road
We have driven the Amalfi Coast since 1999. Fixed prices per vehicle, flight and train monitoring, 60 minutes of free waiting at the airport and free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick-up.
Amalfi Coast itinerary FAQ
How many days do you need on the Amalfi Coast?
Three days is the minimum to see Positano, Amalfi and Ravello without rushing. Five days lets you add the Path of the Gods and a day on Capri, and seven days gives time for Herculaneum, Vesuvius and slow beach days.
Which town is the best base for a short Amalfi Coast trip?
For 3 to 5 days, Positano is the most practical base because it is central for ferries in season and for the Path of the Gods. Ravello is quieter and more romantic, while Sorrento is cheaper and closer to Naples.
Can you visit Positano, Amalfi and Ravello in one day?
Yes. A private full-day tour of about 8 to 9 hours covers all three towns with photo stops and lunch. With Positano Limo Service it costs €500 per vehicle for up to 7 people, or €650 in a Sprinter for up to 16.
Do Amalfi Coast ferries run in winter?
Mostly no. Ferries between Positano, Amalfi and Salerno run from the beginning of April through October, and there is no Positano to Capri ferry in winter. Outside the season you travel by bus or private car.
How do I get from Naples airport to the Amalfi Coast?
A private car from Naples airport or Naples Central Station to Positano, Amalfi or Ravello takes 1.5 to 2 hours and costs €200 per vehicle, including tolls and parking. Buses and ferries are cheaper but need one or more changes.
Is it worth stopping in Pompeii on the way to the Amalfi Coast?
Yes, if you land in the morning. Pompeii is right on the route, and a transfer with a 2-hour stop plus 30 minutes free costs €320 per vehicle, with luggage kept locked in the car. Entrance tickets are extra and a guide is €160 for 2 hours.