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Positano is the Amalfi Coast's postcard town, all pastel houses stacked above a pebble beach. The cheapest way to get from Sorrento to Positano is the bus at $2.30 (€2.00), and the ride takes 1 hour. The ferry costs more and does the run in 40m - 1h 25m. A private transfer costs more again, if you'd rather skip the queue.
Distance from Sorrento to Positano
Sorrento and Positano are about 9 km (6 miles) apart, and the overland-and-sea journey covers around 17 km. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 35m and 8h.
4 ways to travel from Sorrento to Positano
There are four ways to travel from Sorrento to Positano. You can choose between the bus, ferry, day trip, and private transport. The journey takes 35m–8h and the quickest way is by private transport. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $1.80 (€1.50).
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Sorrento to Positano by Bus
If you’re on a tight budget, you can take a bus instead. Several SITA buses cover the Sorrento-Positano route daily. There are departures almost every hour from 06:30 to 19:00.
A bus ticket only costs around $2.30 (€2.00). You can definitely save a lot of money by taking the bus, but you are likely to lose a lot of time and patience.
SITA buses on this route are always full or overcrowded. The waiting time can be as quick as 15 minutes during off-peak season but as long as 1.5 hours during peak season (June to August), especially on weekends. That’s usually in the scorching heat.
Also, remember that getting a bus doesn’t mean getting a seat. There’s a chance you’ll have to stand the entire 1 hour from Sorrento to Positano.
IMPORTANT: You can only buy your ticket at the ticket counter and you can’t get on the bus without a ticket. Some people have made the mistake of queueing for the bus for over an hour, only to find out that the line for tickets is just as long.
Departure and arrival station
Buses depart from Sita Bus Terminal next to Sorrento’s train station in the centre of the city.
The bus ride to Positano (Sponda) Bus Stop takes around 1 hour. This bus stop is about 1 km away or a 20-minute walk to the tourist centre.
Sorrento to Positano by Ferry
The ferry is a fast and scenic way to travel to Positano from Sorrento. We recommend this option if you’re looking for a convenient ride that doesn’t cost much. The best part? You can see the Amalfi coastline and its beautiful villages perched on the cliffs from the sea.
There are four ferry companies operating on the Sorrento to Positano route. Seremar, Alilauro and NLG (Navigazione Libera Del Golfo) offer high-speed ferries that take 1-1.5 hours. Positano Jet uses speedboats and offers the fastest journey taking only 40 minutes.
Ticket prices start from $20 (€18). There’s not much difference between the ferries’ prices so we suggest taking the Positano Jet with a shorter travel time — if you’re not prone to motion sickness.
Departure and arrival port
All ferries depart from Sorrento Port in the city centre. It is close to many hotels in the city, so you can just walk to the port of Sorrento.
Ferry schedule from Sorrento to Positano
Ferry tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
Sorrento to Positano by Day Trip
You can choose from a good number of day tours from Sorrento to Positano.
We’ve handpicked some of the best day trip packages for this route. All of the choices below include round-trip transfers, some also offer hotel pickup and dropoff.
Day tour by boat
If you want a day on the water, there’s a Sorrento-Positano Boat Tour that you can book for $67 (€59). This trip by boat includes stops in Positano and Amalfi. You will have some free time to explore on your own and go snorkelling in the pristine waters.
Bonus: on the way to Positano by boat, you will get the chance to see the mythical Li Galli Island, an archipelago of three islets between Capri and the Sorrentine Peninsula.
Day tour by combined bus and speedboat
The great thing about this option is that you can enjoy views of the beautiful Amalfi Coast — a world heritage site — by boat and land. Your itinerary for this Amalfi Coast Full-Day Trip starts with a bus ride from Sorrento to Positano and then a speedboat ride to Amalfi and Ravello.
Rates per person start from $120 (€105).
Day tour by shared bus
Not in the mood for a boat trip? You can take a day trip to Positano from Sorrento completely overland with the Amalfi Coast Scenic Drive Tour with GetYourGuide.
With this tour, you’ll hop on a shared air-conditioned minivan and ride along the coast with stops in Amalfi and Positano. The tour continues to Ravello before your group heads back to Sorrento.
Expect to pay $86 (€75) for this shared bus day trip.
Day tour by private car
Do you want to create your own timetable for this Sorrento to Positano day tour? You can do so with GetYourGuide’s Whole Day Private Tour Along the Amalfi Coast.
Enjoy free time exploring coastal villages and taking in sea views for 8 hours — that’s because you’ll get to decide where to go and how much time you want to spend at each stop. You can even visit lesser-known towns like Nerano along the way!
Rates start from $695 (€610) for a group of 3.
Sorrento to Positano by Private Transfer
If you’re travelling with family or friends, a private transfer is your best and most convenient option. The journey can take around 35m - 1h.
With a private transfer, you won’t need to stress about ferry or bus schedules because you can leave anytime. You will also be picked up from your hotel in Sorrento and dropped off at your hotel in Positano.
Although Uber is available in some places in Italy, they don’t operate in Sorrento. A local taxi will cost between $91 (€80) to $115 (€100), but we recommend reserving one online. This way you will always have a trusted driver and a fixed rate.
You can book a 3-passenger car for around $83 (€72) on BookAway. But if you’re travelling in a larger group of 8, you can book a van.
Private Transport options from Sorrento to Positano
Private Transfer tickets are available on Bookaway.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Positano?
Positano is a scenic beach town in Italy, home to some of the most panoramic views on the Amalfi Coast. What many don’t know is its long history as a holiday resort from as far back as the Roman Empire. Experience its age-old charm in the quiet neighbourhood of Montepertuso, the highest hamlet of Nocelle, and the jaw-dropping Path of the Gods.
The best time to visit Positano is from late April to September, when the weather is sunny and the waters are warm. Sunbathe at Positano's beaches — like Spiaggia Grande and Fornillo. And take a walking tour to Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta and its majolica-tiled dome, which houses a Byzantine Black Madonna and Child from the 13th century.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Sorrento to Positano, roughly 9 kilometres (6 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $2.30 (€2.00). The quickest trip takes 35m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Sorrento to Positano?
The distance from Sorrento to Positano is 9 kilometres (6 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Sorrento to Positano?
Journey times from Sorrento to Positano overlap: bus 1 hour, ferry 40m - 1h 25m, day trip 8 hours, private transfer 35m - 1h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from Sorrento to Positano?
The cheapest way to get from Sorrento to Positano is by bus with ticket costs starting from €2.00.
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
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Ferry Schedule Notice
Ferry schedules can change due to weather, sea conditions, or seasonal adjustments. We recommend confirming departure times directly with the operator, especially during monsoon season.
