15 Tips for a Chic, Effortless Amalfi Coast Trip—Without the Crowds
The Amalfi Coast and Capri are stunning—there’s no denying that. But while the views are straight out of a postcard, the experience can easily tip into chaotic, expensive, and overly touristy if you don’t plan ahead. This isn’t the place to show up and wing it. That said, if you’re looking for a chic, sun-soaked vacation—think boat days, aperitivos, linen outfits, and dramatic coastal views—it absolutely delivers. These 15 tips will help you experience the Amalfi Coast and Capri in a way that feels effortless, elevated, and (mostly) free of crowds.
If you’re planning a once-in-a-while vacation and you’re willing to spend a little more for comfort, privacy, and ease, this guide is for you. From private boat tours and luxury beach clubs to pre-booked taxis and hotel-arranged transfers, these tips are all about making your experience as smooth and special as possible—without the chaos, stress, or crowds. Not because that’s the only way to travel, but because when you can swing it, it’s worth it here.
Book EARLY: We booked our flights for our early July trip in January, and in that same month we also booked our hotels, activities, transportation, beach clubs, and restaurants. Some weren’t available to reserve yet, but I still reached out to get conversations started and ensure I was ready when bookings opened. The Amalfi Coast is a highly sought-after destination, so to secure what you want, book as early as possible.
Triple check every reservation: Nearly every reservation I made was through calls, emails, or WhatsApp. To ensure their records matched mine, I booked most things in January and followed up again in May to confirm everything—and sometimes again just a few days before. It’s worth the extra step.
Hire a porter for your luggage: The Amalfi Coast is 100% vertical—meaning, lots of stairs. I’m not someone who can travel carry-on only, especially with the strict weight limits on European airlines (e.g., 18 lbs on Lufthansa). To avoid lugging heavy bags through the heat and crowds, we booked a hotel close to the main road in Positano. When it was time to leave via private boat, we hired a luggage porter to bring our bags to the port. The hotel owner recommended Positano Luggage (+39 331 229 0636), and they were great. Just WhatsApp them with details, and for €15 per bag, they'll handle the haul.
Book your Capri taxi ahead of time: We arrived in Capri with all our luggage after a full-day private boat ride. Rather than wait in the heat for a taxi, I messaged five taxi drivers via WhatsApp before our trip. One responded with a fair price and met us at the dock, helping with our bags, and driving us straight to our hotel. Totally worth it.
(If you can) Book private tours, every time: I know private tour options are always way more expensive, but if you can swing it, they’re worth it. Booking private often enables you to customize your experience—and avoid crowds entirely.
Don’t combine transportation with your tour (if you can help it): I learned this the hard way. I booked a private boat tour to Capri that also doubled as our transportation from Positano. Big mistake. The captain was 30 minutes late, and it took nearly two hours just to get to Capri due to choppy seas and a slower boat. That delay cut significantly into our time to actually enjoy Capri. In hindsight, I would have taken the ferry over in the morning, settled in, and booked the boat tour for another day once we were already on the island. Keeping your transportation and tours separate—when possible—gives you far more flexibility and peace of mind.
Arrange (some) transportation through your hotel: Logistics can make or break your experience. The Naples airport was chaotic when we landed, but our hotel had arranged a driver to greet us with a sign, which made everything seamless. Our hotel also organized return transport from the ferry port back to the hotel, and back to the airport.
Avoid visiting the towns during the day: If you want to avoid the crowds, don’t go to Positano or Amalfi in the middle of the day. Go early in the morning or late in the evening instead.
Stay where you plan on eating most of your meals: This goes for any trip. If most of the restaurants you’re eyeing in Paris are just north of Le Marais, stay in that area. If you’re headed to the Amalfi Coast and plan on dining in Positano most nights, stay there. Just avoid the center during the day to skip the crush of tourists.
Plan your outfits (yes, really): I started planning outfits two months in advance and added photos of each look to our itinerary. It made packing and getting dressed effortless, especially on busy days when decision fatigue is real.
Get a guide for Pompeii: We stopped at Pompeii on our way from Naples to Positano. We attempted to use Rick Steves' audio guide, which has worked great elsewhere, but this time it was glitchy and confusing. In the July heat, our patience wore thin fast. A guide would have made it way easier to navigate and appreciate the ruins.
Always choose the restaurant: When our private car service included a stop for lunch on Mount Vesuvius, we didn't choose the restaurant—big mistake. It turned out to be a tourist trap, and we couldn’t wait to leave. If lunch is included in your private tour, ask to pick the place.
Let your hotel help with ferry logistics: If it’s your first time taking a ferry in Italy, choose a hotel that offers complimentary transfers to and from the port. Ferry terminals are hectic, signage is minimal, and docks can change without notice. Having the hotel staff guide us through it at the ferry port made a huge difference; they literally stayed with us until we boarded the ferry.
You don’t need a whole new wardrobe: I know, I splurged on clothes too. But the truth is, by the end of full, fun, and hot days, I wanted simple and comfy outfits for dinner. Mix-and-match staples won out over unique statement pieces more than I expected.
Fly direct when you can: It may seem obvious, but sometimes convenience outweighs cost. We flew from San Francisco to Munich, then on to Naples. In hindsight, a direct flight to Rome with a train to Naples might have been easier. Always compare routes and lean toward the most seamless path—especially if you’re already facing a long journey.