Amalfi Coast on a Budget: How to Visit Italy’s Dream Destination Without Going Broke
Let’s be honest—when you think of the Amalfi Coast, you probably picture luxury yachts, boutique hotels with infinity pools, and glamorous Instagrammers sipping Aperol Spritz on cliffside terraces. Sounds amazing, right? But also sounds like it might drain your bank account faster than you can say “limoncello.”
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a millionaire to experience the Amalfi Coast. I visited with a pretty modest budget and lived to tell the tale (and, spoiler alert: it was still one of the best trips of my life). With the right planning, you can explore this stunning stretch of Italy without selling a kidney to afford it.
So, if you’ve always dreamed of the Amalfi Coast but thought it was out of reach, buckle up—because I’m about to show you how to travel Amalfi on a budget while still living your dolce vita.
Why the Amalfi Coast Feels Expensive (But Doesn’t Have to Be)
The Amalfi Coast has a bit of a reputation for being pricey—and for good reason. Towns like Positano and Amalfi are packed with luxury hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants. But here’s the secret: you don’t have to stay, eat, or shop like the celebrities do.
Think of it this way: the sea views, pastel villages, and lemon groves are all free. What eats your budget are the hotels, transport, and restaurants. Once you learn how to work around those, you’ve basically hacked the system.
Budget-Friendly Accommodation
Stay Outside the Big-Name Towns
If you Google “Amalfi hotels,” you’ll probably faint when you see the prices. $500 a night for a tiny room? No, thanks. Instead, look at towns like Minori, Maiori, Praiano, or even Sorrento. They’re less flashy, but they’re just as charming—and much easier on the wallet.
For example:
- Minori & Maiori: Great budget-friendly hotels and Airbnbs, plus wide beaches.
- Praiano: Beautiful halfway spot between Positano and Amalfi.
- Sorrento: Technically not on the Amalfi Coast, but well-connected and cheaper.
Try Guesthouses or Airbnbs
Guesthouses are the way to go. They often include breakfast, have family-style hospitality, and cost a fraction of luxury hotels. I stayed in a small B&B in Maiori with a balcony view that could compete with any luxury resort—except it was $90 a night, not $900.
Getting Around Without Going Broke
Buses > Taxis
Here’s the deal: taxis on the Amalfi Coast cost a small fortune. A short ride from Positano to Amalfi can cost as much as €80. Skip the taxis and use the SITA bus system. Buses connect the major towns for just a few euros. Yes, they can get crowded in summer, but consider it part of the Italian adventure.
Ferries for Scenic (and Affordable) Rides
Ferries between towns like Positano, Amalfi, and Sorrento are cheap, fast, and ridiculously scenic. Plus, you avoid the hair-raising cliffside roads that make even the bravest drivers sweat.
Trains to Sorrento
Pro tip: you can’t take a train directly to the Amalfi Coast. The closest stop is Sorrento, which is connected to Naples by the Circumvesuviana train (cheap and efficient). From Sorrento, hop on a bus or ferry.
Eating and Drinking on a Budget
Pizza and Panini for the Win
Let’s be real: who needs a Michelin-starred tasting menu when you’re in the land of pizza and fresh seafood? Street food and casual trattorias are your best friends.
- A wood-fired pizza costs around €8–10.
- Panini stuffed with mozzarella and prosciutto run €5–7.
- Gelato? Always budget-worthy, always mandatory.
Aperitivo Hour = Best Hack Ever
Here’s my favorite trick: order an Aperol Spritz at aperitivo hour (around 6–8 PM) and it often comes with free snacks—olives, chips, sometimes even small sandwiches. For the price of a drink, you basically get a mini meal.
Grocery Store Picnics
Another budget-saving idea: buy fresh bread, cheese, tomatoes, and fruit from local markets. Then, take it to the beach or a cliffside bench for a picnic with million-dollar views. Honestly, some of my favorite meals came this way.
Free and Affordable Things to Do
The Amalfi Coast doesn’t require expensive tours to enjoy. Some of the best experiences are completely free.
Beaches
Sure, some beaches charge for loungers, but you can find free sections (spiaggia libera) where you just throw down a towel. Minori, Maiori, and Atrani are especially good for this.
Hiking Trails
Want jaw-dropping views without spending a cent? Hike the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei). It runs from Agerola to Positano, and the views are nothing short of epic.
Explore Charming Villages
Wander the winding streets of Ravello, Atrani, or Amalfi town. Window-shopping, people-watching, and lemon-sorbet-sipping are all cheap thrills.
How Much Does a Budget Trip Really Cost?
Here’s a realistic daily breakdown if you’re traveling smart:
- Accommodation: €50–100 (guesthouse or Airbnb)
- Food: €20–30 (street food + groceries + trattoria dinner)
- Transport: €5–15 (bus, ferry, train)
- Activities: Mostly free (beaches, hiking, exploring)
Total = around €80–150 per day. For Italy’s most famous coast, that’s pretty darn good.
Tips for Keeping Costs Down
- Travel in shoulder season (April–May, September–October). Prices drop, crowds shrink, weather stays gorgeous.
- Book ferries and trains early. Last-minute = expensive.
- Stay flexible. A 15-minute walk away from the main town square can save you hundreds.
- Carry cash. Smaller trattorias and buses often don’t take cards.
- Don’t overpack. Dragging a giant suitcase up Amalfi’s stairs will cost you more in therapy than the trip itself.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Thinking you need to stay in Positano. Gorgeous? Yes. Affordable? LOL, no.
- Taking taxis everywhere. That’s how you blow your budget in one day.
- Only eating in tourist restaurants. Walk two streets away and prices drop by half.
- Traveling in peak August. It’s hot, crowded, and overpriced. Don’t do it to yourself.
A Sample 4-Day Amalfi Budget Itinerary
Here’s what a realistic, budget-friendly trip could look like:
Day 1: Sorrento to Amalfi
- Train to Sorrento, ferry to Amalfi.
- Check into budget guesthouse.
- Evening stroll + pizza dinner.
Day 2: Explore Amalfi & Atrani
- Morning coffee in Amalfi.
- Walk to Atrani (adorable, tiny town).
- Afternoon beach time (free section).
- Aperitivo + budget trattoria dinner.
Day 3: Ravello & Minori
- Bus to Ravello for epic gardens.
- Hike down to Minori.
- Picnic lunch from local market.
- Sunset on the beach.
Day 4: Path of the Gods Hike
- Early morning bus to Agerola.
- Hike Path of the Gods to Positano.
- Cheap ferry back to Amalfi.
Budget-friendly, epic, and totally doable.
Final Thoughts
The Amalfi Coast will always have its luxury side, but you don’t need to max out your credit card to enjoy it. With the right strategies—like staying outside the big towns, using buses and ferries, and eating smart—you can soak up the sun, sea, and lemon-scented air on a modest budget.
Trust me: your trip will feel just as magical, maybe even more, because you won’t spend the whole time stressing about money.
So go ahead—plan that Amalfi Coast adventure. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re sitting on the beach with a gelato in hand, thinking: wow, I pulled this off without going broke.
P.S. If you need budget-friendly accommodation options, check out my favorite Amalfi guesthouses here. They’re affordable, charming, and totally worth it.