Is Amalfi Coast Expensive? Tips for Visiting the Amalfi Coast on a Budget in 2024

The Amalfi Coast is the most famous destination in Southern Italy, and for good reason. Millions of people visit every year to see the stunning coastal cliffs with charming and colorful towns like Amalfi and Positano.

When you think of the Amalfi Coast, you probably first think of luxurious places with amazing views, photos of Italian food, with the most breathtaking views in the background. Then, once you start planning your trip, you realize that the Amalfi Coast is not a cheap place, and there is indeed a price to pay for the fantastic views, food, and hotels with pools.

However, don’t let this discourage you because there is a solution for those who can’t afford these luxury places. Affordable travel is possible almost anywhere, it’s just a matter of organizing.

In this article, we share our experiences from previous trips to the Amalfi Coast on how to travel there at an affordable price. We provide travel tips for a cheaper Amalfi Coast trip, recommend places, activities, sights, hotels, and dining options that you can enjoy on a low budget.

After the introduction, let’s see how we think you can travel to the Amalfi Coast on a budget.

But first, the unmissable question:

Is the Amalfi Coast an expensive destination?

Honestly, yes, the Amalfi Coast is not only one of the most beautiful and popular destinations in Italy but also one of the most expensive.

Therefore, if you want to travel on a low budget, you need to plan well when, where, and for how long you travel, where you stay, where you eat, how you get around, as all of these are definitely expensive on the Amalfi Coast.

But this guide to the Amalfi Coast is here to help you with that.

What are the most expensive things in a trip to the Amalfi Coast?

• Hotels: If you’re looking for a better category of hotel, let’s say 3–4 stars minimum, you’ll immediately encounter very high prices. Unfortunately, staying on the Amalfi Coast is one of the most expensive options in the whole of Italy.
• Dining: Restaurants with the best views are extremely expensive, charging double or triple the average Italian restaurant prices. We’ve heard of spending minimums in several places. Moreover, despite the high prices, most places are crowded.
• Transportation: Whether it’s parking or boat trips, neither is cheap on the Amalfi Coast.

However, these factors don’t mean that you cannot explore the Amalfi Coast without breaking the bank. Because you absolutely can, and in this article, we’ll show you how.

How to make an Amalfi Coast trip cheaper in 2024

In the following, we’ll show you our specific budget tips and ideas to help you save money when planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast. We’ll make recommendations for getting there, transportation, accommodation, dining, and activities.

So let’s see how you can make the most of your travel to the Amalfi Coast at the best possible price:

How to plan a low budget trip to the Amalfi Coast

When planning your trip to the Amalfi Coast, you first need to establish the basic needs and conditions you want for your journey. It’s obvious that in an affordable trip, luxury services, hotels, and restaurants don’t fit into the budget.

So, it’s essential to thoroughly research prices and figure out what, when, and how you can get the best deals and what fits into your budget.

Things you can save money on

• Choosing the right time to travel: If you smartly choose when to travel to the Amalfi Coast, your trip can cost half as much as during the high season. We’ll also showcase examples of when it’s worth traveling. It requires some flexibility, but you can save a lot with well-chosen travel dates.
• Flights: If multiple airlines operate from your departure airport, opt for the cheapest one. Of course, this often means sacrificing some services. Additionally, you can save on baggage (only pay for what you absolutely need), in-flight meals, and airport parking if necessary.
• Hotels: Hotels located on the Amalfi Coast with sea views are always expensive. If you’re not insistent on having a good view, you can find hotels for much cheaper prices. Furthermore, you can book at a much better rate a bit further away, for example, in Naples or Salerno. The downside to this is that you mostly need a car to reach the Amalfi Coast towns.
• Food: If you visit Italy, you undoubtedly want to try the fantastic Italian cuisine. However, it matters at what price you get it. Places with the most stunning views are usually quite expensive, but we’ll show you some affordable places to eat on the Amalfi Coast.
• Activities: Fortunately, the Amalfi Coast has few attractions that require you to purchase tickets. In most cases, you won’t have to spend much on activities, maybe just on a few optional places, or if you feel like it, on a boat tour or water sports.

Best time to visit the Amalfi Coast on a budget

One of the best ways to save money on a trip to the Amalfi Coast is by choosing the right time to travel. We’ve been monitoring prices in Italy for years, and here’s what we’ve noticed:

• The summer beach season (July and August) is the most expensive. We only recommend traveling during this time if you’re particularly keen on beach activities.
• Christmas and New Year’s Eve are also expensive: Many people visit during the holidays. Additionally, many hotels and restaurants are closed during this time, resulting in a limited selection despite the influx of tourists.
• Early autumn (September, October) and late spring (April and May) are the best times to visit. The shoulder season offers excellent weather for sightseeing, hiking, and boating. Moreover, prices are much more favorable compared to summer.
• Regarding the timing of your visit, it’s worth noting that from the second half of autumn to spring, many places are closed, resulting in a smaller selection.

Overall, considering the options and prices, we recommend visiting from April to early June and from September to early October.

How many days to spend on the Amalfi Coast

Many companies organize day trips to the Amalfi Coast from Naples or even Rome, showcasing only the most important places like Amalfi or Positano.

However, other interesting towns on the Amalfi Coast are left out, such as Ravello, Praiano, Maiori, and Minori. Therefore, we recommend spending at least 2, but preferably 3 days on the Amalfi Coast if you want to see the real must-sees.

You won’t go wrong if you plan to spend a whole week on the Amalfi Coast. In fact, spending 7 days allows for a pleasant mix of relaxation and exploration of the surrounding areas, such as Sorrento or Capri.

Budget airlines to the Amalfi Coast

As many readers as there are, there are as many departure airports.

The destination airport is most often Naples, or sometimes Rome.

Within Europe, the following budget airlines operate flights to these cities:

• RyanAir
• WizzAir
• EasyJet
• Vueling
• Transavia France
• Jet2
• Eurowings

It’s worth comparing the prices of these airlines and calculating travel costs accordingly.

If you’re traveling to Italy from further away, low-cost airline flights may not be available, and you may have to deal with higher flight costs.

In any case, it’s worth checking flight comparison websites such as:

• Kiwi
• Omio
• Skyscanner
• Google Flights

Additionally, it’s a general rule to always keep an eye out for deals: around Valentine’s Day, Easter, and other holidays, there are often promotions, especially on flight prices!

It’s important to know that it’s hardest to save on flight costs, especially if only one or two airlines are available. We can be more flexible with other expenses.

Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast on a budget

Accommodation is one of the most customizable factors in trip planning, and there are plenty of options available on the Amalfi Coast. From budget-friendly options to three- and four-star hotels, all the way up to luxury hotels, there are dozens to choose from.

Since our article focuses on budget travel, we recommend the following places to stay at low prices:

Furthermore, we think it’s a good idea to stay a little further away from the Amalfi Coast, e.g. near Naples, as there are much cheaper hotels in and around Naples.

In this case you can travel by bus, ferry or car to the towns on the Amalfi Coast for day trips. This is a good option if you are only traveling for a day or two.

A common question among tourists is whether to book on sites like Booking.com or directly on the hotel’s website. Our answer is to check, compare prices, and book the cheaper option!

We often book on Booking.com due to frequent deals and favorable discounts with Genius membership, making it often more cost-effective. Additionally, they regularly offer coupon deals.

Another frequent money-saving tip from us is to skip breakfast at hotels. If breakfast is charged at $25-50 per person, it’s much cheaper to eat elsewhere!

Where to eat on the Amalfi Coast on a budget

Italy is famous for its delicious food, and luckily, you’ll find plenty of restaurants to try almost anywhere you travel. The same goes for the Amalfi Coast, where you’ll find a wide range of restaurants.

However, the problem is not the variety, but the prices. On the Amalfi Coast, food and drinks are often double or triple the price of other Italian places.

We have tried to pick out a few restaurants and eateries from different categories where you can eat at relatively affordable prices:

• Collina Positano Bakery: Here, you can not only buy sandwiches and pastries but also the famous lemon sorbet, which is becoming increasingly popular on social media.
• Lo Spuntino: This eatery located in Amalfi offers sandwiches, pizza, and more other dishes at an affordable price.
• La Preferita: Restaurant on the main road in Amalfi, with good reviews and affordable prices
• Pizzeria Donna Stella: Pizzeria next to the pedestrian street of Amalfi, with a pleasant lemon grove garden.
• Pizzeria A… Gradillo – Ravello: Pizza to go in Ravello at low prices

How to get around the Amalfi Coast cheaply

On the Amalfi Coast, the following transportation options are available:

By car

If you’re traveling by car, there are two things to prepare for in advance. Firstly, parking can be very problematic in the area. It’s not only expensive, but often, they cram as many cars as possible into small spaces, and you have to leave your key. We don’t recommend this option because who knows what might happen to your car and belongings while you’re exploring the town. There are a few parking lots where this system isn’t in place, those are preferable. When choosing a parking lot, we strongly recommend reading the Google Maps reviews thoroughly.

Note: Parking during peak season can cost between 50–100 euros per day for a car! Outside of high season, this price is much more affordable.

Secondly, navigating on winding mountain roads can be challenging. Towns like Positano or Amalfi can only be reached via mountain roads, all while “enjoying” the Southern Italian driving style. So, driving should only be attempted by experienced drivers, as very sharp situations can arise when a bus comes from the opposite direction, and there’s not enough room for everyone on the road!

Car rental

If you’re planning to rent a car, you can do so at the arrival airport in Naples or Rome. It’s advisable not to rent too large a car.

If you’re curious about the prices, we suggest comparing them on DiscoverCars.com.

Optionally, consider renting a scooter, such as a Vespa, which makes parking easier and allows you to enjoy the authentic Italian style.

Public transportation

You can reach the towns on the Amalfi Coast from Naples or Salerno by bus or ferry. These may be cheaper options than driving but take considerably more time.

Additionally, guided bus or boat trips to the Amalfi Coast are also available, which we recommend browsing through on GetYourGuide or on Viator.

Cheap things to do on the Amalfi Coast

Now let’s look at the cheap activities on the Amalfi Coast. We list activities that cost less than €50 per person.

There are many cheap or free activities to enjoy on the Amalfi Coast. Some of these include:

• Walking in the old towns: The beautiful old towns of Amalfi, Positano, Ravello, and others are ideal for a stroll, and you can explore the narrow streets and charming squares for free.
• Visiting the best viewpoints: There are numerous viewpoints along the Amalfi Coast, offering stunning panoramas of the sea and surrounding mountains. Visiting these places is mostly free, and you can take beautiful photos.
• Beach activities: Many beaches are free to access, although you may need to pay a high price for sunbeds, and in some places, even showers are chargeable. It is worth choosing beaches in smaller towns for better prices, such as in Minori.
• Cultural sights: Some places, such as the Amalfi Cathedral or Villa Rufolo in Ravello, offer cultural sights or architectural landmarks with affordable entrance fees.
• Hiking: There are popular hiking trails along the Amalfi Coast, like the Path of the Gods, which offers breathtaking views and is worth exploring if you enjoy hiking.

So, that was the list of affordable places on the Amalfi Coast. No matter how and what you discover on the Amalfi Coast, you’re likely to return home with unforgettable experiences.

The Amalfi Coast is a favorite destination for many, and it’s not without reason. With its picturesque landscapes, charming small towns, coastal views, and dramatic mountain ranges, it’s one of the most unique places in Italy, and even Europe.

We believe that despite its high prices, the Amalfi Coast is not just for the rich people. We’ve put together a range of suggestions on how you can enjoy a trip to the Amalfi Coast on a budget. Furthermore, we’ve shown you the best hotels on the Amalfi Coast at affordable prices, and given you tips on attractions, transport and dining. Hopefully our tips and recommendations will help you plan an affordable Amalfi Coast trip. Just keep an eye on prices, grab the best deals and head to the beautiful Amalfi Coast!