There is no direct train from Positano to Pompeii. The two best DIY routes are: (1) SITA bus from Positano to Sorrento (50 minutes) then Circumvesuviana train to Pompei Scavi (30 minutes) — total approximately 90 minutes; or (2) SITA bus or ferry to Salerno, then regional train to Pompeii — slightly longer but scenic. A guided day tour from Positano removes all logistics.
Positano is 33 km from Pompeii but the journey is more complex than the distance suggests — the Amalfi Coast road is winding, often congested in summer, and there is no direct train. Most visitors from Positano find that a guided day tour is both simpler and, when you factor in the logistical headaches of independent travel on the coast, not significantly more expensive. This guide covers all the options honestly.
Top Tickets
# Entry Ticket with Audio Guide
# Guided Tour with an Archaeologist
# 2-Hour Small Group Tour
Table of Contents
Option 1: Bus + Train via Sorrento (Recommended DIY)
The most reliable independent route:
- Step 1: Take a SITA bus from Positano’s main bus stop to Sorrento — approximately 50 minutes, scenic coastal journey
- Step 2: From Sorrento station, board the Circumvesuviana train (Naples direction) to Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri — 30–35 minutes
- Step 3: Walk 5 minutes to Porta Marina entrance
- Total journey time: Approximately 90 minutes door to gate
- Cost: Approximately €5–€7 total (bus + train)
Tip: Check SITA bus schedules before travelling — they are seasonal and less frequent than the train. In summer, the coastal road can add significant time to the bus leg.
Option 2: Ferry + Train via Salerno
An alternative scenic route, particularly good from April to October when the ferry runs:
- Step 1: Ferry from Positano to Salerno — approximately 55 minutes; check seasonal ferry schedules
- Step 2: From Salerno station, take the EAV regional train or bus to Pompeii — approximately 40 minutes
- Total journey time: Approximately 100–120 minutes
See our Salerno to Pompeii guide for the Salerno–Pompeii leg in detail.
Option 3: Car
Driving from Positano: take the SS163 coastal road east to Vietri sul Mare, then join the A3 motorway northward to the Pompei Est or Pompei Ovest exit. Journey time 45–60 minutes off-peak, 75–90+ minutes in summer traffic. Parking available at all three entrances — see our parking guide.
Option 4: Guided Day Tours from Positano
A guided day tour is the most popular choice from Positano — all transport is handled, you skip the gate queue, and you arrive with a guide who brings the site to life.
- From Positano: Pompeii Small Group Guided Tour — pick-up from Positano, skip-the-line entry, 2-hour guided tour
See our full Positano to Pompeii day tours guide for more options.
