Is Amalfi Coast expensive?
The truth is, visiting the Amalfi Coast doesn’t have to be expensive. You can still enjoy the Amalfi Coast in all of its glory while keeping a budget in mind. Here, you will learn exactly how to visit Amalfi Coast on a budget.
But, first, let’s discuss just how expensive the Amalfi Coast can be.
Is Amalfi Coast Expensive?
Yes, the Amalfi Coast of Italy can be very expensive to visit, but it does not need to be expensive. There are numerous ways to visit Amalfi Coast on a budget, which you will learn in this guide.
To give you a glimpse at how expensive the Amalfi Coast can be, though, the average cost of a trip to the Amalfi Coast costs around $2000 USD per person for a week-long trip, excluding flights.
However, it is very possible to spend a week in the Amalfi Coast for $1000 USD, including flights.
Is Positano Expensive?
Positano is the most expensive town to visit on the Amalfi Coast. But, like the rest of the Amalfi Coast, there are many ways to visit Positano on a budget.
If you’re expecting to see the towering pastel-colored buildings over the famous Spiaggia Grande beach when you visit the Amalfi Coast, you will be sorely disappointed if you choose to stay in a different Amalfi Coast town other than Positano.
That being said, it is certainly cheaper to stay outside of Positano. But, you can still stay in Positano on a budget. You will also learn how do this here.
If you’re at all confused about the difference between Amalfi and Positano, or if you aren’t sure which town is better, check out my guide to Positano vs Amalfi here.
How Much Should I Budget For The Amalfi Coast?
If you’re traveling on a budget, you should budget at least $1000 USD per person for the Amalfi Coast. If you’re a luxury traveler looking to stay in an upscale hotel, however, you should budget at least $5000 USD for the Amalfi Coast.
These estimated budgets take into consideration the cost of flights, transportation from the airport to the Amalfi Coast, accommodations, food and activities.
How To Visit Amalfi Coast On A Budget
Believe it or not, there are ways to visit the Amalfi Coast for cheap. Here’s how to visit Amalfi Coast on a budget.
1. Get To Amalfi Coast On A Budget
The most cost effective way to get to the Amalfi Coast is to fly into the Rome airport (FCO), take the train from Rome to Naples (Napoli) and then take a bus from Naples to the Amalfi Coast.
Obviously, you’ll be sacrificing time and energy by taking the budget-friendly route to the Amalfi Coast.
So, if you’d rather spend a little extra money for convenience and a more stress-free experience, I recommend hiring a transfer from the Rome airport straight to the Amalfi Coast.
If there is a group transfer available, that would be your next cheapest option.
2. Save Money On Hotels
Next, as long as you find reasonably priced flights, your most expensive cost on the Amalfi Coast will likely be your accommodations.
You have a couple options for budget accommodations on the Amalfi Coast: a budget-friendly hotel or a short-term rental.
I would personally recommend staying at a cheaper hotel, such as my favorite Hotel Casa Albertina in Positano. Most of the hotels offer free breakfast, which can save you a lot of money on food. And, they cost about the same as a short-term rental.
3. Save Money On Food And Drinks
Unfortunately, eating at restaurants on the Amalfi Coast is pretty expensive. You can expect to spend at least $100 USD per two-person meal.
Regardless, the food and drinks on the Amalfi Coast are absolutely incredible. From pizza margherita and limoncello to fresh seafood pasta and espresso, you should definitely budget to eat out at least a couple nights of your trip.
To save money on food on the Amalfi Coast, take advantage of the free hotel breakfasts and check out the local delis for cheaper meal options.
In particular, you definitely won’t regret buying a caprese panini or authentic Italian meatballs from one of the delis. Not only are these meal options both cheaper and delicious, but they are also very authentic and loved by locals.
Furthermore, there are various convenience shops sprinkled throughout each Amalfitan town where you can purchase local snacks and treats on a major budget. (My favorite Amalfi Coast snack is the lemon-flavored chocolate covered almond.)
4. Save Money On Transportation
If you want to visit more than one town on the Amalfi Coast on a budget, you can take the SITA bus line.
Ticket prices are extremely affordable, but the bus can be overcrowded during the summer season. So, plan accordingly.
Another affordable transportation option, especially when traveling between Positano and Capri or Amalfi town, is the ferry.
Not only is the ferry a fraction of the price of other boat transfers, but you also get to witness the Amalfi Coast views from the water without overspending on a boat rental.
If you’re staying in Positano, you will find the ferry ticket booth right next to the free portion of Spiaggia Grande, AKA Positano Beach. If you’re visiting during the summer (peak tourist season), I suggest booking right away in the morning at 8:00 a.m. when the beach’s ticket booths open.
5. Choose Your Activities Wisely
Moreover, to visit Amalfi Coast on a budget, it’s important that you choose your activities and excursions wisely and budget accordingly.
There are endless excursions you can take during your trip: day trips to Capri, vintage car photoshoots, private boat rentals, private beach admission, sun bed rentals and more, to name a few.
You’ll be presented with numerous tour and boat rental options when you’re there, so I recommend planning your activities before your trip. This way, you will not only build anticipation for those specific activities, but you will also fill up your trip itinerary and curb the temptation to overspend on last-minute activities.
Are Beaches In Amalfi Free?
Lastly, some beaches in Amalfi are free, but not all. There are free public areas on the major beaches (Amalfi Beach and Positano Beach, for example). However, many of the beaches on the Amalfi Coast require paid admission, a boat transfer to the beach and/or paid sun bed rental.
While you can definitely happily experience Amalfi’s free beach areas without paying a dime, I highly suggest planning a beach day in which you splurge on sun bed rentals at least once. It was one of the highlights of our Positano honeymoon.
Have any questions about how to visit Amalfi Coast on a budget? Ask me in the reply section below or send me a private message on Instagram. I’m happy to help!
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