How to Get from Rome to Positano and Sorrento
In short: There is no direct train from Rome to Positano or Sorrento. The options are: a private car door to door (about 3.5–4.5 hours to Positano, 3–4 hours to Sorrento; €650 per vehicle with Positano Limo Service); the high-speed train to Naples (about 1 hour 10 minutes) followed by a private transfer (€200 per vehicle) or by local train, ferry or bus; or a seasonal direct coach. With luggage or in a group, the private car is the simplest; travelling light and alone, train and public transport are the cheapest.
Last updated: October 2026
It is the question we answer most often by email: we land in Rome, how do we get to Positano? Positano and Sorrento lie about 270 km south of Rome, beyond Naples, and neither is on a direct rail line from Rome. Here are all the realistic options, with honest times and the pros and cons of each.
The four ways compared
| Option | Route | Travel time | Changes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private car, door to door | Rome hotel or airport → your hotel | About 3.5–4.5 h to Positano, 3–4 h to Sorrento | None | €650 per vehicle, up to 7 |
| Train + private transfer | Rome → Napoli Centrale by high-speed train, then car | About 1 h 10 by train + 1.5–2 h by car | One | Train tickets + €200 per vehicle |
| Train + local train or ferry | Rome → Naples → Circumvesuviana or ferry | About 3.5–4.5 h to Sorrento, more to Positano | Two or more | Cheapest per person |
| Seasonal bus | Direct coaches in summer to Sorrento and Positano | Long, depends on traffic | None, fixed timetable | Low per person |
Times are indicative and depend on traffic, connections and season. Train and bus fares vary by date and booking time.
1. Private car from Rome, door to door
Your driver meets you at Fiumicino arrivals, at Ciampino or at your hotel in Rome and drives you to the door of your hotel in Positano or Sorrento. The motorway runs south past Naples; the last stretch follows the Sorrento peninsula and, for Positano, the first bends of the Amalfi Drive. There is time for a coffee stop on the way, and no luggage to carry between trains, ferries and buses.
The price is fixed per vehicle: Rome to Positano and Rome to Sorrento cost €650 for up to 7 passengers, tolls and parking included. For four people, that is about €160 each.
2. High-speed train to Naples, then a private transfer
Frecciarossa and Italo trains link Rome and Napoli Centrale in about 1 hour 10 minutes. From the station, a driver waiting with a name sign takes you to Positano or Sorrento for €200 per vehicle. A good balance of cost and comfort, especially for couples. Check whether your train arrives at Napoli Centrale or at Napoli Afragola.
3. Train to Naples, then local train, ferry or bus
The cheapest route, with the most changes. For Sorrento, the Circumvesuviana local train leaves from Napoli Garibaldi, under the main station, and takes about an hour; it is often crowded, with little room for luggage. Ferries and hydrofoils also run from the Naples port to Sorrento. For Positano, ferries from Naples run only in season; otherwise you continue from Sorrento by SITA bus along the coast road. Our full comparison: private car vs train and ferry to Positano.
4. Seasonal direct bus
In summer some coach companies run direct buses from Rome to Sorrento and Positano. They are inexpensive but slow, with fixed timetables and limited luggage space; check current schedules with the operator.
Book your ride from Rome
Fixed price per vehicle, flight tracking, free cancellation up to 48 hours before.
Rome to Positano and Sorrento: frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to get from Rome to Positano?
A private car with driver, door to door from your Rome hotel or Fiumicino airport to your hotel in Positano, in about 3.5 to 4.5 hours with one stop. With Positano Limo Service it costs €650 per vehicle for up to 7 passengers.
Is there a direct train from Rome to Positano or Sorrento?
No. Trains from Rome stop in Naples. From Naples you continue to Sorrento by the Circumvesuviana local train or by ferry, and to Positano by ferry (in season), bus or car.
How long does it take from Rome to Sorrento?
About 3 to 4 hours by private car. By public transport, count around 3.5 to 4.5 hours including the high-speed train to Naples, the change and the local train or ferry.
What is the cheapest way from Rome to Positano?
Train to Naples plus bus or ferry is the cheapest per person, but it means at least two changes with luggage. For families and groups, a private car often costs less per person and saves several hours.
Can I combine the train and a private transfer?
Yes. Many travellers take the high-speed train from Rome to Napoli Centrale and book a private transfer from the station: €200 per vehicle to Positano or Sorrento, with the driver waiting with a name sign.
Can I visit Positano as a day trip from Rome?
Yes, with a private day tour: pick-up at your Rome hotel, about 6 hours on the Amalfi Coast and return to Rome in the evening, for €1,400 per vehicle.