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How to get from Amalfi Coast to Matera
There is no direct train or bus from the Amalfi Coast to Matera. The fastest way is to drive, about 3 h 30 to 4 h from Amalfi via Salerno and the A2 motorway. Without a car, go first to Salerno by SITA bus or seasonal ferry, then take a long-distance bus to Matera, roughly 5 to 7 hours door to door.
Best option: Car. A car avoids two or three changes and gets you to Matera in about half the time of public transport.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| car Coast road to Salerno, then the A2 motorway south and the SS407 Basentana or the road via Potenza towards Matera | about 3 h 30 to 4 h from Amalfi or Positano | fuel only; the A2 Salerno–Reggio Calabria motorway has no tolls | The Amalfi Coast road (SS163) is narrow and slow in summer. Matera's old town (the Sassi) is a limited-traffic zone; park outside it. | |
| bus SITA bus or seasonal ferry from Amalfi to Salerno, then a long-distance bus from Salerno to Matera | about 5 to 7 h in total | a few long-distance buses a day from Salerno; check current timetables | about €20–35 in total | Several long-distance bus companies sell Salerno–Matera tickets online; book the long leg in advance. |
| train Train from Salerno towards Potenza and Ferrandina, then a connecting bus to Matera; or train to Bari and the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane line to Matera Centrale | about 6 to 8 h in total | limited connections; check current timetables | about €25–45 | Matera is not on the national rail network; only the regional FAL line from Bari reaches the city. This is the slowest option. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Go to Salerno first: it is the transport hub for everything heading inland or south.
- If you rent a car, pick it up in Salerno rather than on the Amalfi Coast, where parking is scarce and expensive.
- In Matera, leave the car at a car park on the edge of the Sassi and walk; the old town is steep and pedestrian in large parts.
- Book the long-distance bus seats ahead in summer and around holidays.
Common questions
Is there a direct train from the Amalfi Coast to Matera?
No. The Amalfi Coast has no railway at all, and Matera is reached only by the regional Ferrovie Appulo Lucane line from Bari. By train you would need a bus or ferry to Salerno, then a train and a further connection, which takes six hours or more. A long-distance bus from Salerno or a hire car is simpler.
Can I visit Matera as a day trip from the Amalfi Coast?
It is not practical. Driving takes about 3 h 30 to 4 h each way, and public transport takes even longer, so you would spend most of the day on the road. Matera is best seen in the evening and early morning anyway, so plan at least one night there.
What is the cheapest way from the Amalfi Coast to Matera?
A SITA bus to Salerno followed by a long-distance bus to Matera, at roughly €20–35 in total if you book the long leg early. Prices rise close to the date and in August. Driving alone costs more once you add car hire and fuel, but it splits well between three or four people.
Do I need to book ahead?
Book the Salerno–Matera bus in advance, especially in summer, as there are only a few departures a day and they can sell out. SITA buses along the coast are bought on the day from shops or ticket offices. Ferries to Salerno run mainly from spring to autumn, so check current timetables.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.