Positano is positioned well for day trips along the Amalfi Coast and across the Bay of Naples: Amalfi is 20 minutes by ferry, Capri is 50 minutes, and Pompeii is reachable in under two hours. The challenge is transport logistics - the SS163 coast road is beautiful but slow, and in summer the buses can be crowded. Ferries are almost always faster and more comfortable than road transport for the coastal destinations.
Top Day Trip Tours at a Glance
| Tour | Duration | Price (from) | Group Size | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capri Boat Day Trip from Positano | Full day | from €65 | Small group | Blue Grotto, Faraglioni, Marina Piccola — direct ferry |
| Amalfi and Ravello Day Trip from Positano | Full day | from €45 | Up to 20 | Morning ferry, Duomo, Villa Cimbrone gardens |
| Pompeii Day Trip from Positano | Full day | from €55 | Small group | Bus to Sorrento, Circumvesuviana, skip-the-line entry |
| Sentiero degli Dei Guided Hike | Full day | from €39 | Up to 12 | Path of the Gods, coastal panoramas, Nocelle village |
| Amalfi Coast Private Boat Charter from Positano | Full day | from €95 | Private | Customisable itinerary, swimming stops, grottos |
Browse all Positano day trips → GetYourGuide
Amalfi and Ravello (by ferry)
The ferry from Positano to Amalfi takes approximately 20 minutes and costs approximately €8–10 as of 2026. It is the most natural day trip from Positano - another Amalfi Coast town, but with a completely different character. Amalfi was a maritime republic that rivalled Venice and Genoa in the 9th and 10th centuries; the scale of the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea (free entry, crypt approximately €3) and the Arab-Norman cloister (Chiostro del Paradiso, approximately €5) reflect that history. The Piazza del Duomo, the market streets behind it, and the Arsenale (medieval shipyard, free) make for a good half-day.
From Amalfi, the local SITA bus climbs to Ravello (approximately 20 minutes, approximately €2 as of 2026) - a small hill town above the coast, famous for its gardens and views. Villa Cimbrone (entry approximately €8 as of 2026) contains the most dramatic viewpoint on the entire coast: the Belvedere of Infinity, a stone terrace with classical statues looking out over the sea from 300 metres up. Villa Rufolo (entry approximately €7) has a rose garden and Arabic courtyard used for the Ravello Festival concerts each summer. The combination of Amalfi and Ravello makes a very full and satisfying day.
Capri (by direct ferry)
From April to October, a seasonal ferry runs directly from Positano to Capri, taking approximately 50 minutes and costing approximately €20–26 per person as of 2026. Buy tickets from the ferry booth at Marina di Positano or online (NLG and SNAV operate the route). In summer, book in advance - these boats sell out.
A day on Capri from Positano works well: take the morning ferry (typically around 9:30am or 10:30am), spend the day visiting the Blue Grotto (approximately €32–34 total as of 2026), walking to the Faraglioni viewpoint at Punta Tragara, or taking the Anacapri chairlift to Monte Solaro, and return on the late afternoon ferry. The key is time management - the Blue Grotto by itself takes 2–3 hours including the queue. Doing it and the Faraglioni walk is achievable; adding Anacapri makes for a rushed day.
For a day trip to Capri from Positano with a guide and boat, organised tours departing from the Amalfi Coast include transport and skip the worst queuing.
Pompeii (by bus and train)
Pompeii is reachable from Positano by SITA bus to Sorrento (approximately 1 hour, approximately €1.30 as of 2026) followed by the Circumvesuviana railway to Pompei Scavi station (approximately 35 minutes from Sorrento, approximately €2.80 as of 2026). The station is directly opposite the site entrance. Total transit time approximately 1.5–2 hours each way.
Pompeii Archaeological Park is one of the best-preserved Roman sites in the world - 44 hectares of streets, houses, temples, and public buildings frozen under volcanic ash in AD 79. Entry costs approximately €16 as of 2026 (book online to avoid queues). Allow 3–4 hours minimum; a guide or audio guide (approximately €8–10 as of 2026) significantly improves the experience.
Key sites: the Forum (the civic heart of the city), the House of the Faun (with the Alexander Mosaic copy), the Lupanar (the brothel, the most visited site in Pompeii), and the Garden of the Fugitives (where plaster casts of victims are displayed). Get there when gates open at 9am - the site fills rapidly in summer.
The Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods)
The most celebrated hiking trail on the Amalfi Coast starts above Positano and can be organised as a day trip with a guide. The standard route begins at Agerola (reached by bus from Amalfi town, approximately 1 hour, approximately €2 as of 2026) and descends to Nocelle above Positano via approximately 7.5km of ridge-top path, with views across the full sweep of the coast.
The descent from Nocelle to Positano takes approximately 45 minutes down a long staircase (approximately 1,800 steps). Total hiking time 3.5–5 hours depending on pace. Start early - the trail becomes very hot after 10am in July and August. Proper hiking footwear is essential. Guided Sentiero degli Dei walks from Positano with transport to Agerola arranged can be booked through local operators, typically approximately €35–50 per person as of 2026.
Sorrento and Naples (by ferry)
Ferries run from Positano to Sorrento (approximately 35 minutes, approximately €15–18 as of 2026) and to Naples Beverello port (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, approximately €20–25) in season. Sorrento makes for an easy half-day - the clifftop town, the lemon grove gardens, and the good lunch options are all close together. It is also the hub for onward transport to Pompeii, Capri, and Herculaneum.
Naples requires more planning: it is a large, intense city and a quick day trip barely scratches the surface. The National Archaeological Museum (entry approximately €20 as of 2026) houses the most important collection of Roman artefacts in existence, including the Farnese collection and the finds from Pompeii and Herculaneum - worth the whole journey on its own. The historic centre (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the pizza at Di Matteo or Sorbillo on Via dei Tribunali justify the crossing for food and urban energy.
How to Book Positano Day Trips
Ferry tickets: For Capri from Positano, the main operators are NLG (Navigazione Libera del Golfo) and SNAV — both sell tickets at the ferry booth on Marina di Positano or online. Book the Capri ferry at least 2–3 days ahead in July and August, as direct boats sell out. Arrive at Marina di Positano 20–30 minutes before departure with bags already packed for the day.
For Amalfi and Ravello: The ALICOST and Travelmar ferry companies operate Positano–Amalfi routes from approximately April to October. Tickets cost approximately €8–10 one-way and can usually be bought at the port on the day — though in August, arriving 20 minutes early is wise. From Amalfi, the SITA bus to Ravello departs from Piazza Flavio Gioia approximately every 30–45 minutes (approximately €2, tickets from tabacchi on the square). Alternatively, a shared taxi from Amalfi to Ravello costs approximately €8–10 per person and takes 15 minutes.
For Pompeii: No pre-booking needed for the SITA bus or Circumvesuviana train — just buy tickets on arrival. Pre-book Pompeii entry at pompeiiparks.it to skip the ticket queue, which in peak season can run 45 minutes. Guided day-trip packages from Positano include skip-the-line entry and transport, which simplifies the logistics significantly. Browse Pompeii day trip tours from the Amalfi Coast.
For the Sentiero degli Dei: Arrange the Agerola bus independently (SITA from Amalfi via Bomerano, or a taxi from Positano to Agerola, approximately €35–40 for the car) or book a guided walk that includes transport. Start no later than 8:30–9:00am in summer — the ridge trail has almost no shade and becomes punishing after 10:30am. Bring 1.5 litres of water minimum and proper closed-toe shoes. The 1,800-step descent from Nocelle to Positano at the end is steep but manageable.
Lead times: Guided tours from Positano can typically be booked 24–72 hours ahead outside peak season. In July and August, allow 5–7 days — particularly for private boat charters, which are very popular with multi-day Amalfi visitors.
Book Positano Day Trip Tours on GetYourGuide
| Day Trip | Duration | From price | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sentiero degli Dei guided hike from Positano | Full day | From €55 | Path of the Gods, Nocelle ridge, panoramic Amalfi views |
| Capri boat tour from Positano | Full day | From €79 | Blue Grotto, Faraglioni rocks, swimming stops |
| Pompeii day trip from Positano | Full day | From €65 | Skip-the-line entry, expert guide, Roman ruins |