From Amalfi to Positano by Boat, Instead of by Road

Why the boat

Between Amalfi and Positano the SS163 road is narrow, with tight bends and summer traffic jams, and parking in either town is expensive and difficult. The boat takes about 25 minutes, with no bends, and from the water you see the towns head-on, which is how you understand them: houses stacked vertically on the rock, churches with ceramic domes and the coast cut off sheer.

The shipping company that links the coast's ports all year round is Travelmar. All its lines call at Amalfi, which works as a central station: from there they go on to Positano to the west and to Minori, Maiori, Cetara, Vietri and Salerno to the east.

Price

According to Travelmar's 2026 fares, the Amalfi–Positano crossing, in either direction, costs:

• €10 the standard fare.
• €8 the child fare and the adult group fare.
• €3 per suitcase and €5 per pet.

One piece of hand luggage up to 45 × 35 × 20 cm is included. For comparison, Amalfi–Minori or Amalfi–Maiori costs €5, and Salerno–Positano, €17. If you keep your ticket, you get a discount at Amalfi's Museo della Carta.

Timetable

Travelmar runs all year, every day, public holidays included, but with far fewer departures in winter. As an example, in the first half of November 2026 there were five boats from Amalfi to Positano (9:20, 10:30, 12:00, 14:00 and 15:00) and four coming back (9:55, 12:00, 13:30 and 15:30). In high season there are more. Timetables change by period: check the current PDF on Travelmar's website or its upcoming departures page, which shows the day's boats.

In rough seas the boats may be cancelled. If the day is rough, ask at the ticket office before organising the rest of your day.

Tickets

You buy the ticket on Travelmar's website or at the ticket office on the quay on the same day, up to 30 minutes before departure. Each leg has its own ticket: if you go from Salerno to Positano and want to stop in Amalfi, you need two, Salerno–Amalfi and Amalfi–Positano. Groups of 20 people or more have a reduced fare.

Where to board

In Amalfi, the boat leaves from the harbour, a short walk from Piazza Flavio Gioia, at the entrance to the town. In Positano, it leaves from the Spiaggia Grande jetty, at the foot of the town. Arrive a few minutes early: in summer there is a queue to board and the boats leave on time.

With children and luggage

It is the most comfortable way of getting around with small children: no bends to make them sick on the bus. With a pushchair, bear in mind that in Positano the quay is at the bottom and the town climbs up in steps. If you have big suitcases, pay the supplement and ask your accommodation whether they can help you from the harbour.

What to do at each end

From Positano, the private boat to Capri leaves from the same beach. From Amalfi you have the Grotta dello Smeraldo, the boat to Santa Croce beach in summer and the valley's lemon groves. If you do the Sentiero degli Dei, Travelmar says shuttle buses leave from Amalfi for Agerola, where it starts; you finish above Positano and go back to Amalfi by boat.