Six companies run the Salerno to Amalfi Coast route: NLG, Positano Jet, Travelmar, Alicost, Grassi Junior, and Coast Lines. They use different boats, charge different prices, and stop at different ports. The gap between them is bigger than most people expect when they're standing on the Salerno dock trying to pick a ticket window.

Travelmar runs 11 sailings a day. NLG and Positano Jet each run one from Salerno. That scheduling difference matters a lot more than the price gap when you miss a boat by five minutes. Vessel type changes things too. A 25-minute hydrofoil crossing and a 75-minute scenic ferry run are both real options. They suit different days and different plans.

This guide covers all six operators with current prices, schedule data, and a direct verdict on which company works for which kind of trip.

The Main Ferry Companies and Their Characteristics

Several trusted companies operate the routes between Salerno and the coastal towns, each with its own schedule, pricing, and style of service. The primary operators you will encounter are Travelmar, NLG (Navigazione Libera del Golfo), Alicost, Positano Jet, and Grassi Junior.

To quickly compare your options, the table below outlines the key operators and their general characteristics:

Travelmar is known for its frequent and reliable service, making it a favorite among travelers heading to the Amalfi Coast. A one-way ticket to Amalfi typically costs around €12. The luggage policy allows one free piece of baggage up to 45x35x20 cm.

NLG (Navigazione Libera del Golfo) offers direct connections from Salerno to Amalfi, making the trip quick and convenient. The fare is usually around €15, and passengers can bring one piece of luggage measuring 50x30x15 cm and weighing up to 5 kg free of charge.

Alicost is known as a budget-friendly option for travelers. Fares can start as low as €6.50 to Amalfi. The luggage allowance includes one piece with a maximum size of 50x35x20 cm and a weight limit of 9 kg.

Positano Jet focuses on speed and efficiency, offering faster travel times compared to other ferry companies. A ticket typically costs around €14.50. Only a small personal bag is included for free, with extra charges for larger bags.

Grassi Junior stands out for its scenic routes that include multiple coastal stops along the way. Ticket prices range from €9 to €11.50, and there’s a €2 fee for carrying luggage.

These companies provide a range of choices. Travelmar is often noted for its frequency and is a cornerstone of coastal transport, while operators like Alicost can offer more budget-friendly tickets. NLG and Positano Jet are known for their faster journeys, which is a significant advantage if your time is limited.

Understanding Vessel Types and Journey Times

The two main types of vessels you will find on this route are high-speed ferries (often hydrofoils) and conventional ferries. Your choice between them will directly impact your travel time and the nature of your scenic ride.

High-speed ferries are the most common option for this route. They are designed for efficiency, cutting the travel time from Salerno to Amalfi to just 25 to 35 minutes for a direct crossing. While these vessels are faster, they’re also more expensive than traditional ferries, which offer a slower but more affordable way to travel.

Conventional ferries typically offer a more leisurely pace. Some services, like those offered by Grassi Junior, take a longer and more scenic route that includes stops in charming towns like Cetara, Maiori, and Minori. 

This can turn your transfer into a mini-cruise, lasting about 1 hour and 15 minutes and allowing you to see more of the coastline from the water. It is a wonderful way to begin your Amalfi Coast adventure if you are not pressed for time.

Capacity and Comfort Differences

Vessel capacity varies dramatically across the ferry fleet. Smaller hydrofoils might carry only 100 passengers, while the largest traditional ferries accommodate over 400. This difference impacts your experience in several ways.

Smaller vessels mean more intimate journeys. You're more likely to find good spots and move around freely. The boarding and disembarking process happens faster with fewer people to manage.

Larger ferries offer more amenity options. You'll typically find better bathroom facilities, small cafeterias or snack bars, and dedicated luggage storage areas. Some larger vessels include small shops selling drinks, snacks, and tourist items.

Seating configurations differ substantially. Budget-oriented operators might install plastic bench seating throughout. Premium services offer cushioned seats with tables. Some vessels include a mix of seating types, with basic benches in some areas and more comfortable options in designated sections that might cost extra.

Speed and Schedule Implications

The vessel type directly determines travel time. This matters more than travelers often realize when planning their coastal itinerary.

Hydrofoils complete the Salerno to Positano run in roughly 40 minutes. Traditional ferries need 60 to 75 minutes for the same journey. That 30-minute difference might seem minor, but it compounds when you're making multiple stops or have afternoon plans.

However, faster isn't always better. The extra time on a traditional ferry lets you properly appreciate the coastal scenery. The cliffs, villages, and coves of the Amalfi Coast deserve more than a hurried glance through a hydrofoil window.

Schedule frequency varies by company and season. Some operators run hourly departures in summer, while others might offer only three or four daily options. Companies operating faster vessels often maintain tighter schedules with less buffer time between trips.

Weather-related cancellations present another scheduling consideration. Hydrofoils cancel service more readily than traditional ferries. If your travel plans can't accommodate flexibility, booking with an operator using sturdier vessels reduces cancellation risk.

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Practical Considerations for Choosing

Your choice of ferry company and vessel type should align with your specific travel priorities.

Time-constrained travelers benefit from hydrofoil services despite the reduced scenic experience. Business travelers and day-trippers often prefer this option. The enclosed cabins also appeal to passengers concerned about sun exposure or sea spray affecting their clothing or electronics.

Photography enthusiasts and first-time visitors should prioritize traditional ferries with good deck access. The slower pace and outdoor viewing opportunities produce better images and memories. The longer journey time becomes an advantage rather than a drawback.

Senior travelers and those with mobility concerns should verify the vessel's boarding arrangements. Some smaller boats require navigating steep or narrow gangways. Larger ferries typically offer easier access with wider, more stable boarding platforms.

Budget-conscious backpackers naturally gravitate toward the cheapest options. Just remember that saving five euros doesn't provide much value if the journey becomes uncomfortable or you miss connections due to cancellations.

NLG, Travelmar, Positano Jet and Alicost: Operator by Operator

Travelmar

Travelmar runs this route more than any other operator on the coast. Eleven sailings a day in peak season. Miss the 9am boat and the 9:45 is right behind it. No scrambling, no lost morning. For most people making this crossing, that frequency alone settles the decision.

The fleet carries between 165 and 348 passengers per vessel. Standard ferries, not hydrofoils. Open decks, real luggage storage, and a much lower cancellation rate when the sea turns rough. A one-way fare to Amalfi starts from €12. One bag up to 45x35x20 cm travels free. Bigger bags get charged on boarding.

NLG (Navigazione Libera del Golfo)

NLG is not the company for flexible travel. One sailing a day from Salerno. That is the schedule. Miss it and there is no second option on the same ticket.

For people who know their departure time and want a fast crossing on a proper hydrofoil, NLG delivers. The service runs on a Jetstream-class vessel, 35 minutes to Amalfi, around €15 one-way.

Luggage allowance is tight, one bag up to 50x30x15 cm, max 5 kg, free. Anything bigger gets charged. About 100 passengers per sailing means the boat clears the dock fast.

Positano Jet

Speed is the pitch. Salerno to Amalfi in about 25 minutes, the fastest scheduled crossing on this route.

Positano Jet runs the Lucibello fleet on one daily sailing from Salerno. A ticket costs around €14.50. The luggage policy is the strictest of the fast operators. A small personal bag rides free. Anything bigger gets charged on boarding.

For a light day trip with just a daypack, the speed advantage is real and the price is fair. For anyone traveling with a full bag for a week, the extra fees can close the gap with Travelmar faster than expected. One sailing a day means this is a book-in-advance service during July and August. Don't rely on finding space at the dock.

Alicost

Alicost gets called the budget option on this route. That's true, with one number that needs fixing first.

The €6.50 fare that shows up on some listings applies to shorter legs only. Salerno to Cetara, for example, not the full run to Amalfi. For the full Salerno to Amalfi crossing, current fares start from €11.50.

Still the cheapest direct fast service on the route at about 25 minutes. Two sailings a day, which gives a bit more room than NLG or Positano Jet's single slot. The luggage policy is the most generous of the fast boats: one piece up to 50x35x20 cm and 9 kg, free.

Grassi Junior

Here is an honest take on Grassi Junior. It is the right boat for a specific kind of day, and the wrong one for everyone who is in a hurry.

Two sailings a day. The route stops at Cetara, Maiori, and Minori before reaching Amalfi. Total time from Salerno is about 75 minutes. Fares start from €9, and there is a €2 charge per bag. The cheapest full-route fare on the coast by a clear margin.

Those 75 minutes go past Cetara's fishing harbor, Maiori's wide beach seen from the water, and Minori sitting quiet on its own bay. If the schedule has room for that, it's a better trip than any of the direct fast boats. Standard ferries also cancel far less when the sea gets rough. That matters on uncertain mornings.

Coast Lines

Most guides list five operators on this route. Coast Lines makes six.

Two sailings a day, direct from Salerno to Amalfi in about 40 minutes, fares from €12. Not the fastest and not the cheapest, but a solid option when Travelmar is full and the single daily slots on NLG and Positano Jet are gone. In peak season, knowing Coast Lines runs is the difference between getting on a boat in the morning and spending an hour on the dock.

Hydrofoil vs Ferry: Speed, Comfort and What to Expect

Knowing which vessel type to book matters as much as knowing which operator to pick. The two categories behave very differently on the water and in bad weather.

Hydrofoils lift up on underwater foils and skim the surface at speed. NLG runs a Jetstream-class hydrofoil. Positano Jet and Alicost use fast craft in the same category. Crossing time drops to 25 to 35 minutes. The cabin is enclosed.

Luggage space is limited by design. In calm sea the ride is smooth. In rough sea, the operator cancels. That last point is not a minor footnote. If you have a fixed afternoon plan or a non-refundable tour booked in Amalfi, a cancelled hydrofoil on a windy morning is a real problem.

Standard ferries work differently. Travelmar's vessels carry up to 348 passengers with open decks and proper storage space. Grassi Junior runs the same category on the multi-stop coastal route. These boats sit in the water. The crossing takes longer.

They run in sea that stops the fast boats. The open deck on a Travelmar run with the Amalfi cliffs on the right side is one of the better views on the coast. The extra 15 minutes over a hydrofoil rarely feels like a cost.

Find Your Perfect Ferry Match

Understanding these differences is the first step, but you do not have to navigate all those options alone. We help simplify your choices by matching you with the ideal operator and vessel for your travel style and budget. 

Why spend hours comparing schedules and policies when our resources can point you toward the best ferry from Salerno to the Amalfi Coast for you? Let Exploring Amalfi Cost help you start your coastal adventure with confidence. 

FAQs

Which is faster, NLG or Positano Jet on the Salerno to Amalfi route?

Positano Jet completes the crossing in about 25 minutes. NLG takes about 35 minutes on its Jetstream hydrofoil. Positano Jet is the faster of the two. Both run once a day from Salerno, so the 10-minute gap matters less than making sure the departure time actually fits the plan.

Does Travelmar stop at Positano?

Yes, the Travelmar service from Salerno runs through Amalfi and continues to Positano. It's one of the few operators covering the full corridor from Salerno through to Positano in a single ticket.

Are hydrofoils cancelled in bad weather?

Yes, and more often than most booking pages make clear. NLG, Positano Jet, and Alicost all run fast craft that get pulled when sea conditions deteriorate. Travelmar and Grassi Junior run standard ferries with a much higher tolerance for rough water. If the forecast shows wind on your travel day, book the standard ferry.

Can I book all operators online?

Most of them, yes. Travelmar books at travelmar.it. NLG at navlib.it. Positano Jet at lucibello.it. Alicost at alicost.it. Grassi Junior and Coast Lines sometimes require buying at the dock. During peak summer weeks, check ahead the day before regardless of which operator you choose.

What is the difference between a hydrofoil and a standard ferry?

A hydrofoil travels on foils that lift the hull clear of the water, cutting crossing time to 25 to 35 minutes. The cabin is enclosed, luggage space is limited, and the service cancels in rough sea. A standard ferry sits in the water, carries more people, has open decks and more storage room, takes 40 to 75 minutes depending on the route, and runs in weather that stops the fast boats.

Which ferry company is cheapest from Salerno to Amalfi?

Grassi Junior starts from €9 on the 75-minute multi-stop route. Alicost starts from €11.50 for a faster 25-minute direct run. If speed matters alongside price, Alicost is the better pick. The €6.50 Alicost fare that appears on some sites applies to short legs like Salerno to Cetara, not the full route to Amalfi.

Positano Jet completes the crossing in about 25 minutes. NLG takes about 35 minutes on its Jetstream hydrofoil. Positano Jet is the faster of the two. Both run once a day from Salerno, so the 10-minute gap matters less than making sure the departure time actually fits the plan.

Does Travelmar stop at Positano?

Yes, the Travelmar service from Salerno runs through Amalfi and continues to Positano. It's one of the few operators covering the full corridor from Salerno through to Positano in a single ticket.

Are hydrofoils cancelled in bad weather?

Yes, and more often than most booking pages make clear. NLG, Positano Jet, and Alicost all run fast craft that get pulled when sea conditions deteriorate. Travelmar and Grassi Junior run standard ferries with a much higher tolerance for rough water. If the forecast shows wind on your travel day, book the standard ferry.

Can I book all operators online?

Most of them, yes. Travelmar books at travelmar.it. NLG at navlib.it. Positano Jet at lucibello.it. Alicost at alicost.it. Grassi Junior and Coast Lines sometimes require buying at the dock. During peak summer weeks, check ahead the day before regardless of which operator you choose.

What is the difference between a hydrofoil and a standard ferry?

A hydrofoil travels on foils that lift the hull clear of the water, cutting crossing time to 25 to 35 minutes. The cabin is enclosed, luggage space is limited, and the service cancels in rough sea. A standard ferry sits in the water, carries more people, has open decks and more storage room, takes 40 to 75 minutes depending on the route, and runs in weather that stops the fast boats.

Which ferry company is cheapest from Salerno to Amalfi?

Grassi Junior starts from €9 on the 75-minute multi-stop route. Alicost starts from €11.50 for a faster 25-minute direct run. If speed matters alongside price, Alicost is the better pick. The €6.50 Alicost fare that appears on some sites applies to short legs like Salerno to Cetara, not the full route to Amalfi.