Self-Launched Amalfi Coast Walking: Naples to Positano
8 days · Amalfi Coast, Italy
Explore! charges £1,290
No-markup version: ~£615 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of Explore!'s popular Amalfi Coast Walking tour covers the same stunning routes — Cetara to Vietri, the Path of Lemons, Tramonti Valley, Ferriere Natural Park, and the legendary Walk of the Gods down to Positano — without the guided group price tag. You'll follow well-marked trails, use public SITA buses and local ferries to connect the dots, and stay in budget-friendly guesthouses and B&Bs along the coast. The Amalfi Coast is exceptionally well set up for independent walkers, with excellent trail signage, freely available maps, and frequent local transport between villages. Estimated costs are approximate and based on budget traveller rates for Western Europe.
Day-by-day
Arrive Naples — Transfer to Maiori
Naples → Maiori
Fly into Naples International Airport (NAP). From the airport, take the Alibus shuttle to Naples Piazza Garibaldi (Centrale station) for around £5, then catch a SITA Sud bus or a Circumvesuviana train to Salerno and onward by SITA bus to Maiori — total journey roughly 2–2.5 hours, costing around £8–10. Check into your guesthouse in Maiori, then stroll the long sandy beach promenade and grab a welcome dinner at a local trattoria. Maiori is one of the coast's most affordable bases.
🚌Alibus airport shuttle + SITA Sud public bus via Salerno
🛏B&B or guesthouse in Maiori — e.g. Casa Mannini or similar budget options from ~£40–55/night
- →Alibus shuttle from Naples Airport to Piazza Garibaldi (~£5)
- →SITA Sud bus from Salerno to Maiori (~£3)
- →Settle in and explore Maiori seafront
- →Welcome dinner at a local trattoria — try the fresh catch of the day and a carafe of house wine
Walk: Cetara to Vietri sul Mare
Cetara → Vietri sul Mare → Maiori
Take the morning SITA bus from Maiori to Cetara (about 20 minutes, ~£2). This 8km leisurely coastal walk follows the original Explore! route along clifftop paths with gorgeous sea views. Cetara is a charming fishing village famous for its colatura di alici (anchovy sauce) — browse the harbour and pick up supplies before setting off. The walk ends in Vietri sul Mare, famous for its hand-painted ceramics. Browse the studios and pick up a piece as a souvenir. Return to Maiori by SITA bus (~£2). Download the trail on Komoot or AllTrails before you go — it's well marked.
🚌SITA Sud public bus (Maiori–Cetara and Vietri sul Mare–Maiori)
🛏B&B or guesthouse in Maiori
- →SITA bus from Maiori to Cetara (~£2)
- →Self-launched walk: Cetara to Vietri sul Mare (8km, leisurely, ~3 hours)
- →Explore Cetara fishing village and harbour
- →Browse ceramic studios and workshops in Vietri sul Mare
- →SITA bus return to Maiori (~£2)
Path of Lemons: Amalfi – Ravello – Atrani – Minori – Maiori
Amalfi → Ravello → Atrani → Minori → Maiori
Take the SITA bus from Maiori to Amalfi (~15 mins, ~£2). The Path of Lemons (Sentiero dei Limoni) is a well-signed, freely walkable trail — no guide needed. This moderate 10km route climbs from Amalfi up to the hilltop town of Ravello, then descends through Atrani and Minori back to Maiori. In Ravello, visit Villa Cimbrone gardens (entrance ~£8) for iconic cliff-edge views, and stop for lunch at a café on the main piazza. Pick up a pastry from Pasticceria de Riso in Minori — a local institution. Download the GPX track from Wikiloc or AllTrails before departing.
🚌SITA Sud bus (Maiori to Amalfi); walk remainder of route back to Maiori
🛏B&B or guesthouse in Maiori
- →SITA bus from Maiori to Amalfi (~£2)
- →Self-launched walk: Path of Lemons — Amalfi to Ravello to Atrani to Minori to Maiori (10km, moderate, ~4–5 hours)
- →Villa Cimbrone gardens entrance (~£8)
- →Lunch at a café or trattoria in Ravello (~£12–15)
- →Pastry stop at Pasticceria de Riso in Minori
Tramonti Valley Walk & Local Food Experiences
Tramonti → Maiori
Head inland on the SITA bus toward Tramonti (~25 mins, ~£2). This 9km leisurely valley walk winds through chestnut forests and terraced lemon groves in the Lattari Mountains — one of the coast's most peaceful days. Seek out a local agriturismo or family restaurant for a homemade pizza lunch using regional ingredients — look for places around Pucara or Tramonti centro (budget ~£12–15). Many farms here also offer informal lemon and wine tastings — ask locally or book ahead via GetYourGuide for a combined Tramonti food and wine experience (~£20–25). Return to Maiori by bus.
🚌SITA Sud public bus (Maiori–Tramonti return)
🛏B&B or guesthouse in Maiori
- →SITA bus from Maiori to Tramonti (~£2)
- →Self-launched walk through Tramonti Valley (9km, leisurely, ~3–4 hours)
- →Homemade pizza lunch at a local agriturismo (~£12–15)
- →Lemon grove visit and informal tasting (~free or tip-based)
- →Wine tasting at a local cantina — bookable via GetYourGuide (~£20–25)
- →SITA bus return to Maiori (~£2)
Free Day — Optional Pompeii & Herculaneum
Maiori (base) — Optional: Pompeii & Herculaneum
A rest day with an unmissable optional day trip. Take the SITA bus from Maiori to Salerno, then the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii Scavi (total ~1.5 hrs, ~£8 return). Pompeii entrance is £19 and Herculaneum is £16 — or a combined ticket is available. For context and narration, book a skip-the-line guided tour via GetYourGuide (~£25–35pp, includes entrance). Alternatively, download the free official Pompeii app for a self-guided audio experience. Return to Maiori by early evening. If you'd rather rest, spend the day on Maiori beach or explore the town's Norman tower.
🚌SITA bus to Salerno + Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii Scavi
🛏B&B or guesthouse in Maiori
- →Circumvesuviana train from Salerno to Pompeii Scavi (~£8 return)
- →Pompeii entrance ticket (~£19) and/or Herculaneum (~£16)
- →Optional: skip-the-line guided tour via GetYourGuide (~£30pp incl. entrance)
- →Free: Pompeii official app for self-guided audio tour
- →Alternative rest day: Maiori beach and Norman tower
Ferriere Natural Park: Scala – Minuta – Amalfi
Scala → Minuta → Ferriere Natural Park → Amalfi
Take the SITA bus toward Ravello/Scala (~30 mins, ~£2). This leisurely 6km walk descends through the Ferriere Natural Park — a lush gorge with waterfalls, ancient paper mills, and rare endemic plants. The trail passes through Minuta and Pontone before dropping into Amalfi. Pick up a trail map from the Amalfi tourist office the day before, or use Komoot (the route is well documented). Reward yourself with a gelato and a stroll around Amalfi's cathedral and waterfront. Return to Maiori by SITA bus (~£2) or on foot along the coast path (~3km).
🚌SITA Sud bus (Maiori to Scala); walk to Amalfi; SITA bus or walk back to Maiori
🛏B&B or guesthouse in Maiori
- →SITA bus from Maiori to Scala (~£2)
- →Self-launched walk: Scala–Minuta–Ferriere Natural Park–Amalfi (6km, leisurely, ~2.5–3 hours)
- →Explore Ferriere gorge, waterfalls and ancient paper mills (free entry)
- →Visit Amalfi Cathedral (Duomo di Sant'Andrea) — entrance ~£3
- →Gelato and espresso on Amalfi waterfront
- →SITA bus or coastal walk back to Maiori (~£2)
Walk of the Gods: Bomerano to Positano
Bomerano (Agerola) → Nocelle → Positano
The highlight of the trip. Take the SITA bus from Maiori to Agerola/Bomerano (~45 mins, ~£3) — an early start is recommended to beat the crowds. The Walk of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) is an 11km moderate trail with jaw-dropping views over the Bay of Salerno and Capri. The path is very well marked (red-and-white CAI markers) — no guide required. Descend the famous steep steps from Nocelle into Positano (~600 steps). Once in Positano, explore the village, grab lunch or an aperitivo overlooking the beach (~£15–20). Return to Maiori by public ferry (Positano–Amalfi–Maiori, ~£8–10) for the classic sea-level perspective of the coast — exactly as reviewers of the original tour raved about.
🚌SITA Sud bus (Maiori to Bomerano); public ferry (Positano to Maiori via Amalfi)
🛏B&B or guesthouse in Maiori
- →SITA bus from Maiori to Bomerano/Agerola (~£3)
- →Self-launched Walk of the Gods (11km, moderate, ~4–5 hours)
- →Descent via Nocelle steps into Positano
- →Explore Positano village and beach
- →Lunch or aperitivo in Positano (~£15–20)
- →Public ferry: Positano → Amalfi → Maiori (~£8–10)
Maiori to Naples Airport — Depart
Maiori → Naples
Check out after breakfast at your guesthouse. Take the SITA bus from Maiori to Salerno (~45 mins, ~£3), then a direct Italo or Trenitalia train or Curreri bus service from Salerno to Naples Airport (~1 hour, ~£8–12). Allow at least 3–3.5 hours for the full journey from Maiori to the airport. If you have time before your flight, Naples itself is worth a final espresso stop — the city is widely regarded as the home of pizza, and a quick slice from a local pizzeria near the station is the perfect send-off.
🚌SITA Sud bus (Maiori–Salerno) + Curreri/Italobus or train (Salerno–Naples Airport)
- →Breakfast at guesthouse or local café (~£5–8)
- →SITA bus from Maiori to Salerno (~£3)
- →Bus or train from Salerno to Naples Airport (~£8–12)
- →Optional: final espresso or pizza slice in Naples city centre
Self-launched vs. Explore!
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Explore! | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£615 | £1,290 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £675 per person (52%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Explore!-style trips? Check them out here.~£615
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Amalfi Coast Walking: Naples to Positano cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £615 per person for 8 days in Amalfi Coast, Italy. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Explore!?+
Yes — Explore! charges around £1,290 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £615 — a saving of roughly £675 (52%) per person.
How long is the Amalfi Coast, Italy trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Amalfi Coast, Italy.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a hiking, culture, adventure trip through Amalfi Coast, Italy, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.