Positano has become a bit of a picture-postcard for the Amalfi Coast, drawing more visitors each year. According to mythology, the town was a gift from Poseidon to the nymph Pasitea—whether or not that’s true, it definitely looks the part. I really enjoyed my time in Positano, but I’m glad we didn’t stay there as our base for exploring the Amalfi Coast. We didn’t splash out on fancy meals or try the nightlife, but even so, Sorrento just made more sense—easier to get around, a bit more space, and better value all round.

♪ Watch the day in Positano on TikTok

Getting from Sorrento to Positano by Bus

The SITA bus departs opposite Sorrento’s train station. Look for the SITA signs—and the crowd. You’ll need to buy your ticket before boarding, which you can now do via the Unico Campania app or in-person at:

• The ground floor ticket counters inside the station
• Bar Frisby just down the road (if open)

You can take any bus heading toward Positano or Amalfi, as both stop in Positano. We caught the 09:45 and arrived by 10:25.

Where to Get Off the Bus in Positano

There are two stops in Positano:

• Chiesa Nuova: At the top – ideal if you want a scenic walk down and to visit the TikTok-famous CB Positano dress shop.
• Sponda: Further downhill, closer to the beach – great if you’re short on time or energy.

Tip: If you’re planning to visit CB Positano, brunch, and shop your way down, get off at Chiesa Nuova.

Ticket Types & Costs (Updated for 2025)

You can now skip the cash queues by using the Unico Campania app, though it’s still not widely adopted. If buying paper tickets, make sure to:

• Choose the right zone (AC1, AC2, AC3) based on distance.
• Validate the ticket on board in the machines or with the driver.

2025 Prices (approximate):

• Corsa Singola AC2: €2.60 (Sorrento → Positano)
• Corsa Singola AC3: €3.60 (Positano → Sorrento)
• COSTIERASITA Day Pass: €10.00 for unlimited travel within 24 hours
  (Note: Two singles may still be cheaper for a return to Positano only.)

We bought all our tickets at once, which was convenient but a bit confusing—different zones look identical on paper.

Brunch & Shopping in Positano

It took around an hour to reach Positano from Sorrento. About halfway down from Chiesa Nuova, we spotted Case E Bottega — a bright, airy brunch spot filled with plants and pastel tones. It was busy, and we were told there’d be a 20-minute wait, but after leaving our details, we ended up being seated in about five. With brunch done, we carried on shopping our way downhill, passing CB Positano and popping into a few boutiques for linen dresses, ceramics, and lemon everything.

Spiaggia Grande: Worth the Sunbed?

Eventually, we made it down to Spiaggia Grande, Positano’s main beach. Like most beaches along the Amalfi Coast, it’s a mix of free and paid sections. The free bit is fine if you’ve got a towel and don’t mind the crowds, but we decided to treat ourselves to a spot in the paid area run by L’Incanto – the one with the iconic blue-and-white umbrellas.

You have to book beds in pairs, so with three of us, we had to get four. We booked online just over a month in advance and paid £37 each, non-refundable. When we arrived, someone else was already using our beds (of course), but the staff just let us use another set without any drama.

The beach is all pebbles, so definitely bring flip-flops. Each umbrella had a QR code you could scan to order drinks. We went for a limoncello spritz (€14) and just soaked up the views.

The Pizza That Didn’t Happen

We were hoping to grab the heart-shaped pizza from Chez Black, but turns out they don’t do takeaway. A bit of a shame, but we were too hungry to care by that point. We ended up grabbing a basic pizza from a nearby place for €18 — nothing special, but it did the job. Still a bit peckish afterwards, we picked up a cannoli and a lemon sorbet on the way back to the bus stop, which more than made up for it.

Getting Back to Sorrento

We’d read that the buses back to Sorrento run until around 10pm, but Google Maps was absolutely useless for real-time information. Buses were meant to come every 10–20 minutes, but most were already full by the time they reached Positano — especially if they were coming from Amalfi. We waited for nearly an hour at Chiesa Nuova, letting three packed buses go by before we finally managed to squeeze onto one. Lesson learned: you’re much better off getting on at Sponda instead, where the queue’s shorter and you’ve got a better shot at getting a seat.

Final word

Positano is every bit as beautiful as it looks in the photos, but it’s also busy, expensive, and not the easiest place to get in and out of. As a day trip from Sorrento, though, it was the perfect mix of sun, a bit of shopping, and just enough time to soak up the views before heading back.

See more Amalfi Coast adventures:

• 10 Nights on the Amalfi Coast
• A Day Trip Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius
• A Day Trip to Capri and the Blue Grotto
• Path of the Gods
• The Viral Cooking Class in Sorrento
• Eat With The Bimonte Family in Sorrento