Positano to Amalfi: bus or ferry?
Overview
From Brikette, the SITA 5070 bus starts near Chiesa Nuova, while a ferry starts downhill at Spiaggia Grande. Choose using the actual departures, total cost, bags and return approach, rather than assuming the ferry is always faster or the bus always reliable.
Both options reach Amalfi's waterfront area, but their tickets, boarding requirements and disruption risks differ. Check a usable return before setting off; this comparison links the detailed guides for each direction.
On this page
Bus or ferry from Brikette?
Compare the whole journey from your starting point, not just scheduled time onboard. An earlier departure can create margin but does not guarantee a seat or a connection.
| Decision | SITA bus | Ferry |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Chiesa Nuova near Bar Internazionale: entrance stairs plus about 120 m along the main road | Spiaggia Grande at beach level: include the downhill approach and boarding formalities |
| Journey time | Read the selected 5070 journey and allow for road traffic and queues | Read the selected sailing and add the pier approach, ticket requirements and queues |
| Tickets | Correct SITA fare or applicable pass, with required validation or check-in | Separate fare for the selected operator, date and sailing |
| With bags | Check baggage tickets and suitable space on the actual bus | Check that operator's allowance and handling rules, plus the uphill return |
| Back at Positano | A service reaching Chiesa Nuova has the short main-road approach and entrance stairs | Beach-level arrival needs the climb or a confirmed local connection, plus remaining walking and stairs |
| If disrupted | Check the next usable service or a licensed road transfer | Check the whole road alternative; cancellation does not reserve bus space |
Take a dated SITA 5070 journey to Amalfi
Use the detailed Positano-to-Amalfi bus guide for the hostel approach and stop. SITA Chiesa Nuova is near Bar Internazionale on Via Guglielmo Marconi; it is different from the local Interno stop beside Tabacchi Cafiero on Viale Pasitea. Confirm the current Amalfi-bound boarding position before queuing.
Open SITA's official 5070 route page and select the timetable applicable to your date. Follow Positano (Chiesa Nuova) to Amalfi in one suitable journey column, using that table's day legend, gaps and notes. Also check service notices; a route page can link more than one timetable version.
In Amalfi, confirm the actual arrival point and follow current signs around the waterfront/Piazza Flavio Gioia area. Do not assume one fixed bay for the return or onward services. Views and seats depend on the vehicle and availability.
Choose a confirmed sailing, not a generic season label
Use the operator's current timetable and sales channel for the date and direction Positano → Amalfi. Travelmar's October PDF includes this route, so a blanket summer-only label is misleading; that does not guarantee any particular future or winter sailing.
Follow the detailed ferry guide and the numbered walk from Brikette to the dock. Include entrance stairs, the downhill approach, any required ticket collection and the deadline on your ticket. At Spiaggia Grande, use your company's signs and staff to find the assigned boarding point.
The sea leg avoids the coastal road, but weather, boarding and stops still affect the trip. Check the booked arrival and vessel-specific assistance if needed. Do not assume calm seas, a particular deck or a guaranteed view.
Compare the complete cost and ticket requirements
Buy the correct bus product through an authorised seller or supported digital channel, then follow SITA's validation and check-in instructions. Do not rely on buying from the driver. Use the SITA ticket guide to compare the journeys you actually need.
An applicable COSTIERASITA pass is personal and runs for 24 hours from first validation under its conditions. Compare it with your separate bus tickets; it does not include the ferry or automatically cover local Interno. Do not assume a pass always pays for itself after a fixed number of rides.
Buy a ferry ticket through the selected company's sales channel or an authorised seller. Check baggage, collection or exchange steps and your own boarding deadline. Travelmar's conditions and FAQ give different arrival guidance, so confirm which requirement applies rather than using one universal 20–30-minute rule.
Include passenger fares, chargeable bags, the Positano local connection or agreed porter service, and any quoted backup. A cheaper fare alone may not make the full journey cheaper.
Check bags and assistance before committing
Under SITA's published conditions, non-obstructing hand baggage up to 50 × 30 × 25 cm is free; other bags need a baggage ticket. Larger bags depend on suitable luggage-bay space. Handle your own bags and keep aisles and exits clear.
Travelmar's published conditions allow one bag up to 45 × 35 × 20 cm before extra-baggage charges apply and leave handling and custody to the passenger. Check your selected operator's rules rather than applying this allowance to every ferry.
If you need porter help, agree the provider, full quote, collection and delivery points, timing, payment and stair handling before handing over bags. A porter, bus or car does not automatically remove all walking or the hostel's entrance stairs. Confirm actual vehicle and boarding assistance with the operator if mobility needs affect your choice.
Choose the return before spending the day in Amalfi
For land travel, use Amalfi to Positano by bus and confirm a journey reaching Chiesa Nuova. The final approach to Brikette includes about 120 m along the main road toward number 358 plus the entrance stairs.
For sea travel, check Amalfi to Positano by ferry for your actual date and follow the dock-to-hostel arrival guide. You return at beach level. If using local Interno, its Chiesa Nuova-area stop is beside Tabacchi Cafiero, not outside Bar Internazionale; there is still walking and the hostel stairs.
Check both directions separately, with time to reach the correct stop or boarding point and meet that ticket's requirements. Keep another usable return in mind rather than relying only on the last possible departure.
A day trip does not extend free luggage storage
To leave bags after checkout, enrol through the hostel's guest app. The hostel must have received your agreement to the terms, and storage is subject to availability. It is free until 15:00. If you have not returned by 15:00, bags are automatically transferred to the porters, who charge for storage. Read the full luggage-storage conditions and plan collection accordingly.
Checkout is 10:00. If this is your arrival day, room check-in is 15:00–22:00; an Amalfi day trip or later ferry does not extend the check-in window. Contact the hostel promptly if a delay could affect arrival.
Recheck the complete alternative if services change
If a ferry changes or cancels, follow the ferry-cancellation guide and check a usable dated bus or licensed road transfer. A cancelled sailing does not guarantee bus capacity, an immediate connection or a private boat in unsuitable sea conditions.
Keep your ticket and cancellation evidence and follow your seller's applicable refund or rebooking process. If a bus is full or changed, check the next actual departure or obtain a suitable transfer quote; recheck the whole return and any luggage deadline before continuing.
FAQs
How long is the Positano–Amalfi trip?
Read the scheduled departure and arrival for the bus or sailing you can actually use. Add the hostel-to-stop or pier approach, queues and ticket requirements. No fixed onboard duration guarantees the full journey or a connection.
Do I need to reserve seats?
Arrange the correct SITA ticket before boarding; it does not reserve a seat. Ferry advance purchase is possible through the chosen operator, subject to availability and its conditions. Neither arriving early nor booking a fixed number of days ahead guarantees a particular seat.
Which is faster from Brikette, bus or ferry?
Compare the full timed journey. The bus starts near Chiesa Nuova after the entrance stairs and short main-road walk; the ferry requires the downhill trip to Spiaggia Grande and boarding. Actual departures, stops, traffic and sea conditions determine what fits your day.
Do ferries only run in summer?
Check the actual date. Travelmar's October timetable includes Positano–Amalfi, so summer-only is not a universal rule. That PDF does not establish a particular future or winter service; use the operator's current availability and notices.
Which option is better with a suitcase?
Check the bag's size, required baggage ticket, available space and your ability to handle it. The bus has a different hostel approach from the ferry's beach-level arrival. Neither full journey is automatically step-free; confirm assistance and any separate porter arrangement before purchase.
Where do I get off when returning to Brikette?
A suitable SITA bus reaches Chiesa Nuova near Bar Internazionale. A ferry reaches Spiaggia Grande at beach level; the local Interno connection stops beside Tabacchi Cafiero on Viale Pasitea. These are different stops, and the remaining main-road approach and hostel entrance stairs still matter.
