Naples to Positano Train Bus Guide | Hostel Brikette 2026
Taking the Naples to Positano train bus route is the most affordable way to reach Hostel Brikette from Naples city center. You'll take the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento (70 minutes, €4.60) followed by the SITA bus to Positano (50 minutes, €2.60).
Total journey time is around 2.5 hours, plus waiting time between connections. This guide includes 2026 ticket prices, timetable tips, and step-by-step directions from arrival at the Chiesa Nuova bus stop.
If you're arriving from Naples Airport, see our dedicated airport bus guide.
Journey overview and costs
This two-leg journey is the cheapest way to reach Positano from Naples city center. Total cost is around €7.20 (train €4.60 + bus €2.60) compared to €100+ for a private transfer or €10-15 for the direct Curreri bus from Naples Airport.
The Circumvesuviana train departs from Napoli Garibaldi station (beneath the main Napoli Centrale terminal) every 30 minutes during peak hours. From Sorrento, SITA buses to Positano run approximately every 40-60 minutes in summer (April-October) and every 60-90 minutes in winter (November-March).
Always check current schedules at sitasudtrasporti.it as services change seasonally. Allow 3-3.5 hours total including connection time in Sorrento.
This route does not cover travel from Naples Airport — see our Naples Airport bus guide for that journey.
Napoli Garibaldi station: finding the Circumvesuviana
The Circumvesuviana is a regional train network separate from Italy's national rail system (Trenitalia). If you arrive at Napoli Centrale (the main station), head downstairs following signs for 'Circumvesuviana' or 'Garibaldi Metro'.
The Circumvesuviana platforms are on the lower level, accessed via escalators or stairs near the main entrance. Ticket windows and self-service machines are at platform level — buy your ticket to Sorrento before boarding (€4.60 one-way in 2026).
Tickets can be purchased with cash or card from the ticket office or yellow automatic machines. Validate your ticket in the small green or yellow machines on the platform before boarding.
Trains to Sorrento depart every 30 minutes during peak hours (7am-9am, 5pm-8pm) and every 60 minutes during off-peak times. Check departure boards for 'Sorrento via Pompei' — your train will stop at Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri if you want to visit the ruins.
Journey time is 70 minutes. Trains can be crowded, especially in summer and on weekends. There's limited luggage space, so board early if you have large bags. Seats are first-come, first-served, and you may need to stand during busy periods.
Sorrento station: buying the SITA bus ticket
At Sorrento, follow the current station and SITA signs to the authorised ticket point and departure stop. Buy the correct ticket before joining the queue and do not rely on onboard sales.
Confirm the Sorrento–Positano route's fare class through current SITA information or an authorised seller; a generic regional class-price table does not prove the route mapping. Use the dated official timetable for departure frequency and journey time, then allow extra time for traffic and a missed connection.
Reading the SITA bus timetable
Use SITA's current official timetable and read the Sorrento departure and Positano Chiesa Nuova rows in the same service column. Do not estimate a departure by subtracting a fixed journey time from an arrival: traffic, route versions and skipped stops can make that unsafe.
Check the legend for the exact day type and save the dated timetable offline before travel. Ask an authorised ticket point when a column or stop label is unclear.
Getting off at Positano (Chiesa Nuova)
The closest stop to Hostel Brikette is Positano Chiesa Nuova / Bar Internazionale. Tell the driver 'Chiesa Nuova, per favore' and keep the hostel address, Via Guglielmo Marconi 358, available.
The hostel is about 120 m / 390 ft and three minutes from the stop. Although the stop itself is on the road, the final hostel approach includes stairs and is not step-free. Other Positano stops can require a much steeper uphill route.
Walking from Chiesa Nuova stop to the hostel
From Chiesa Nuova / Bar Internazionale, follow the current street signs toward Hostel Brikette at Via Guglielmo Marconi 358. The walk is about 120 m / 390 ft and three minutes, and the final approach includes stairs.
If you arrive after dark, use a phone light and ask staff if you need route help. See our Chiesa Nuova arrivals guide for current directions.
Luggage and comfort tips
Luggage capacity, accessibility and onboard facilities depend on the current EAV train and SITA vehicle. Check both operators before travel, keep valuables with you, and do not place luggage where it blocks an aisle or exit.
Do not assume either service has a toilet, air conditioning, a luggage rack, or step-free access. If you have heavy bags or mobility needs, compare current assisted or private-transfer options before departure.
Alternative routes and backup plans
If a train or bus is disrupted, check current EAV and SITA notices before changing route. Depending on the date, alternatives may include a seasonal ferry from Naples, rail to Salerno plus a coastal connection, or a licensed private transfer.
Curreri's verified public shuttle is Naples Airport–Sorrento, not a standing Naples-city-to-Positano service. Check every alternative's live operator, price, final departure, luggage terms and connection risk before leaving the transport hub.
Sample journey timings
Build the itinerary from EAV's dated Napoli–Sorrento timetable and SITA's dated Sorrento–Positano timetable. Add time to buy and validate tickets, move between services, wait for a later bus if the first is full, and walk about three minutes from Chiesa Nuova to the hostel.
Hostel check-in begins at 15:00 and ends at 22:00. Do not use a sample timetable as a promise or plan a tight connection from the coast.
What to expect on the journey
This is a commuter-train and public-bus connection. Crowding, temperature, seating, luggage space and vehicle facilities vary. Keep luggage and valuables under control, follow operator instructions, and leave slack for traffic or disruption.
Buy the correct SITA ticket before joining the queue and check the dated return timetable if the journey is part of a same-day trip.
FAQs
How much does it cost to get from Naples center to Positano by train and bus?
Add the current EAV fare from Napoli Piazza Garibaldi to Sorrento to the verified SITA fare for Sorrento–Positano. Confirm the SITA route's fare class rather than applying a generic class price.
How long does the journey take from Naples to Positano?
Total journey time is 2.5-3 hours: 70 minutes on the train, 50 minutes on the bus, plus 20-40 minutes waiting for connections in Sorrento. Allow 3-3.5 hours total to account for potential delays.
Can I buy tickets on the train or bus?
Use EAV's current ticket channel and validation rules for the train. Buy the correct SITA ticket before joining the queue through an authorised seller, and do not rely on onboard sales.
Is this route suitable for travelers with heavy luggage?
It can be challenging during peak times. Check both operators' luggage and accessibility information. From Chiesa Nuova, the hostel is about 120 m / 390 ft and three minutes away, and the final approach includes stairs.
What time is the last bus from Sorrento to Positano?
The last bus varies by dated timetable, route version, day type and service change. Check SITA's official schedule for the exact journey and do not rely on a generic summer or winter cutoff.
Is there a direct train or bus from Naples to Positano?
There is no direct train to Positano. Curreri's verified public shuttle is Naples Airport–Sorrento, not a standing Naples-city-to-Positano bus. Check live operator routes for any alternative.
How do I read the SITA bus timetable?
Reading the Rows: The rows in the first column represent different bus stops along the route.
Reading the Columns: The timetable assigns an alphabetical letter to each scheduled journey, which are listed as headers in each column. If you are traveling Monday through Saturday, look for columns 'F' and 'G'. If you are traveling on Sunday or a holiday, look for columns 'G' and 'H'.
Combining Rows and Columns: Choose your departure and arrival bus stops, then check the columns to see when buses are available and what time they will arrive at your destination. For example, to see the departure time from Sorrento, look at the Sorrento row. To see the arrival time in Positano (Chiesa Nuova / Bar Internazionale), look at the Positano (Chiesa Nuova) row.
