Which is the best way to gofrom Florence to the Amalfi Coast? It depends on your needs, as there’s a wide range of travel options available. Florence, also called “the Jewel of the Renaissance” (from the Italian “Gioiello del Rinascimento”), is a must-see starting point for your Italy trip. Surely a great stopover for travelers who are looking for fast alternatives to get to the Amalfi Coast’s municipalities.
Thanks to its strategic position, Florence allows you to comfortably reach the Amalfi Coast both by taxi or public transport. You can see vibrant Amalfi streets by driving through the A1 highway or be sunkissed in Sorrento’s main beaches by taking a train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Piano di Sorrento station. A once in a lifetime experience ready to satisfy any kind of visitor’s travel desires.
Read the article to find out more about going from Florence to the Amalfi Coast, how to get there by different means and what to know before your departure.
How to get from Florence to the Amalfi Coast
By train
Taking the train from Florence to the Amalfi Coast is absolutely the smartest and most eco-friendly choice. To reach your destination, indeed, you have to take a regional Trenitalia train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Salerno station (you can choose between more than 10 leaving trains each hour per day). It takes about 5h 55 minutes to get to the latter and the ticket costs 40$ circa. After that, another train will bring you to Vietri sul Mare-Amalfi or Ravello station in less than 30 minutes for just 4$. Alternatively, we advise you to consider high-speed trains, which might be a little more expensive but guarantee you an on-time arrival to Salerno in just 3 hours, giving you the right time to change the means of transport up to Positano, Amalfi or nearby gems.
By car
Driving from Florence to the Amalfi Coast involves a 333 miles long journey. Starting from the heart of the ‘towered city’, enter into the ring road Firenze-Siena, take the E35/A1 highway exit up to Angri Sud. Once there, drive along SP2b, SP1 and SS373 following directions to SS163, Amalfi main provincial street. From the latter, you can start your linear trip by reaching adjacent towns like: Cetara, Positano, Maiori, Atrani and so many more.
By bus
Taking the bus from Florence to the Amalfi Coast might be a little uncomfortable as it implies a 6h long journey. However, you can find cheap tickets (offered by Flixbus or Itabus) from Firenze Villa Costanza or Firenze Piazzale Montelungo up to Amalfi or Piano di Sorrento/Sorrento, which will cost around 59$. These buses depart every 2 hours and also travel at night.
Insider recommendations to reach the Amalfi Coast from Florence
Florence is solidly the ideal place to start your travel up to the Amalfi Coast as it is very well-linked to Italian metropolitan towns. That’s why we recommend you to consider high-speed trains to save time and money. Among the most famous companies, we quote Frecciarossa (the public train) and Italo Treno (private railway company created by Italians, now owned by Americans). These guarantee multiple departures per day (one each 2 hours until 11 PM), comfortable 1st and 2nd class seats with a space for your luggages and food service. The price varies a lot considering the season and your age but we advise you to book your tickets for a low-season vacation (from September to April), in order to find not too crowded stations and budget-friendly stays.
Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast
Once you arrive in the heart of the Amalfi Coast, whether it’s Amalfi, Positano, Vietri sul Mare or nearby cities, you can find tons of unique accommodations. Here’s our top 3 stays which will make you live a dream after your departure from Florence.
Luxury experience in the center of Amalfi
Close to the historical center, Hotel Santa Caterina with its timeless Art Nouveau details provides totally equipped suites with a private beach, a pool and a terrace where the staff serves homemade breakfast each morning.
VIP resort overlooking the Tyrrhenian
Opened since 2009, Borgo Santandrea offers wide rooms with a minibar, free wi-fi and a sun deck. Firmly an excellent choice for couples who are looking for a quiet place far from the crowded city and rich in wellness services.
Centrally located hotel in Maiori
At Hotel Botanico San Lazzaro, you can have the time of your life thanks to its seaview rooms (equipped with all main utilities), the outdoor pool and the Turkish bath or spa area for sensory and self-care moments. Once there, don’t forget to taste Botanico San Lazzaro’s restaurant delicacies made by its hosts such as pizza margherita and tiramisù.
FAQs about Florence to the Amalfi Coast
How to Go from the Amalfi Coast to Florence?
If you’re traveling by car, you can drive through the A1 highway and take the Firenze sud exit. After that, continue along the SP127, take the Ponte a Ema/Ospedale S.M. Annunziata/Greve/Siena exit and follow directions to Florence center. It will take about 5 hours. On the other hand, you can go from Amalfi to Salerno by a SITA bus and get to Florence by train (up to Firenze Santa Maria Novella) or by bus (with an Itabus or a Flixbus).
Is there a Direct Train from Florence to Amalfi
No, there is not. Upon your arrival in Salerno, you have to take a secondary train to Vietri sul Mare-Amalfi station. The latter’s ticket is very cheap, being around $4.
How much is a Train from Florence to the Amalfi Coast?
It depends on the departure period. However, the train ticket usually costs around $60 ($85 circa during high season). Moreover you can get various discounts if you are a student, an over 65 person, a parent with a huge family or an under 21.
