💰 This page covers the street-level details of spending money on the Amalfi Coast: card acceptance by town, where to find ATMs along the cliff road, how to pay for SITA buses and ferries, and what to carry for beach days and boat trips. For Italy-wide ATM tips, DCC warnings, tipping norms, and exchange rate advice:
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Order EUR → CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash on the Amalfi Coast?
Yes, more than you might expect for a high-end Italian destination. Hotels and upscale restaurants accept cards, but many of the experiences that define the Amalfi Coast require cash: beach chair rentals at smaller beaches, limoncello tastings at family-run shops, SITA bus tickets from tabacchi, boat rides to hidden grottoes, and tips for porters carrying your bags up endless stairs. Carry €40–60 per day in small bills.
Where You Will Need Cash
Beach club deposits and umbrella rentals at smaller beaches (Fornillo, Atrani). SITA bus tickets (buy at tabacchi before boarding, €2.40). Small trattorias and pizzerias in Praiano, Atrani, and Ravello's back streets. Limoncello shops and ceramic artisans. Boat tours to the Grotta dello Smeraldo (€5 entry, cash only). Parking meters and public restrooms. Tips for hotel porters (many hotels have steep stairway access).
Where Cards Work Fine
Hotels of all levels. Upscale restaurants in Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. Ferry ticket offices (Travelmar, NLG, Alilauro). Major beach clubs in Positano (Da Adolfo, Arienzo Beach Club accept cards). Shops on Amalfi's Via Lorenzo d'Amalfi. Museums (Museo della Carta in Amalfi, Villa Rufolo in Ravello). Supermarkets (Deco, Conad). Card acceptance is noticeably better in the main tourist towns than in the smaller villages between them.
Paying by Card on the Amalfi Coast
Visa and Mastercard work at businesses that accept cards. Amex is rare outside luxury hotels. Contactless works where terminals exist. The coast is a patchwork: Positano's main strip and Amalfi town are increasingly card-friendly, while Praiano, Atrani, Minori, and Ravello's side streets lean cash. Italian law requires businesses to accept cards, but enforcement is inconsistent in these small seaside towns.
Positano (Main Strip)
The boutiques, restaurants, and beach clubs along Via dei Mulini and Spiaggia Grande accept cards. Da Vincenzo, Next2, and the hotels lining the cliff all have terminals. The main beach chair operators on Spiaggia Grande take cards. Shopping along Via Pasitea (ceramics, fashion) is card-friendly. The pharmacy and supermarket on the main road accept cards.
Positano (Fornillo & Upper Town)
Fornillo Beach is quieter and more local. Some beach operators take cards, others prefer cash. The restaurants along the path from Spiaggia Grande to Fornillo vary. Upper Positano (above Via Pasitea) has small family-run B&Bs and trattorias that lean toward cash. La Tagliata (hillside restaurant with views) accepts cards.
Amalfi Town
The largest town on the coast has the best infrastructure. Piazza Duomo restaurants and cafes accept cards. The Duomo di Amalfi (€3 entry, card accepted). Museo della Carta (Paper Museum, €4.50, card accepted). Shops along Via Lorenzo d'Amalfi take cards. The ferry port ticket offices accept cards. Supermarkets on the main road accept cards.
Ravello
The hilltop town above Amalfi is elegant but small. Villa Rufolo (€10, card accepted) and Villa Cimbrone (€10, card accepted) take cards. Restaurants on Piazza Duomo accept cards. But the smaller cafes and shops along Via Roma and Via della Repubblica may prefer cash. The town has limited ATM options (one near Piazza Duomo).
Praiano & Furore
These quieter villages between Positano and Amalfi are the most cash-dependent stops. Small restaurants, the Fiordo di Furore beach area, and local shops often prefer cash. Praiano has a few restaurants with card terminals (Kasai, Il Pirata), but bring cash as backup. No reliable ATM in Furore.
Atrani
Italy's smallest municipality (by area) sits just around the corner from Amalfi town. The tiny Piazza Umberto I has a handful of restaurants and bars. Some accept cards, but many prefer cash for the small transaction amounts typical here. The beach is free but any rental service is cash. Walk 5 minutes to Amalfi town for ATMs.
Beach Club and Boat Tour Payments
Beach access on the Amalfi Coast ranges from free public strips to €30+ per day at private clubs. Payment methods vary widely by size and location.
Beach Clubs
Large clubs in Positano (Spiaggia Grande operators, Arienzo Beach Club, Da Adolfo) accept cards for the full-day rental (€20–40 for two chairs and umbrella). Smaller beaches along the coast (Fornillo, Atrani, Minori) often have cash-only operators. Some clubs require a deposit in cash. Free public beaches (Spiaggia Grande free section, Atrani) have no charge but any nearby vendor will want cash. When booking a beach club online in advance, you pay by card. Walk-ups are more likely to be cash.
Boat Tours
Organized boat tours booked through agencies or hotels are paid by card at booking. Private boat charters from Positano or Amalfi (€150–400 for a half day) often request a cash deposit or full cash payment. The Grotta dello Smeraldo (Emerald Grotto) near Conca dei Marini charges €5 entry (cash only, paid to the boatman). Water taxis between beaches are typically cash (€10–20). Book larger tours online to avoid cash complications.
ATMs on the Amalfi Coast
For Italy-wide ATM advice and DCC warnings, see the Italy guide. ATMs on the coast are limited compared to cities like Naples or Rome. Plan your withdrawals.
Look for these logos. Italian bank ATMs offer fair-rate withdrawals for foreign cards.
Intesa Sanpaolo
UniCredit
BNLATM Locations by Town
Positano: ATM on Via Cristoforo Colombo (the main road above town) near the bus stop. Another near the Chiesa Madre. Both can have queues in summer. Amalfi town: ATMs on Piazza Duomo and along Via Lorenzo d'Amalfi. Best selection on the coast. Ravello: One ATM near Piazza Duomo. Withdraw in Amalfi before taking the bus up. Praiano: One ATM, sometimes out of service. Minori and Maiori: Small bank branches with ATMs on the main road. Sorrento (gateway to the coast): Multiple bank ATMs along Corso Italia, the best place to stock up before heading to the coast.
⚠ Withdraw Before You Arrive
ATMs on the Amalfi Coast run out of cash during peak summer weekends. The machines are small and serve thousands of tourists. Withdraw what you need in Naples or Sorrento before heading to the coast. Carry enough for 2–3 days (€100–150) to avoid scrambling for a working machine in a hillside village.
Paying for SITA Buses, Ferries & Taxis
SITA Buses (Main Coast Transport)
The SITA bus is the primary way to travel along the coast road (SS163). A single ticket costs €2.40 and is valid for one trip. A 24-hour pass costs €8. Buy tickets at tabacchi shops or newsstands before boarding. You cannot buy tickets on the bus. In Amalfi, the tabacchi near Piazza Flavio Gioia sells tickets. In Positano, buy at the newsstand near the main bus stop on Via Cristoforo Colombo. Tabacchi accept cash and sometimes cards. Validate your ticket when boarding.
Ferries Between Towns
Travelmar runs ferries connecting Amalfi, Positano, Minori, Maiori, Cetara, and Salerno. NLG and Alilauro connect to Capri and Naples. Ticket offices at the ports in Amalfi and Positano accept cards. You can also book online. Prices: Amalfi to Positano €8–10, Amalfi to Salerno €8–12, Positano to Capri €20–25. Ferries are faster and more scenic than the bus but run on seasonal schedules (April through October).
Taxis & Transfers
Taxis on the coast are expensive. Positano to Amalfi: €50–70. Sorrento to Positano: €60–80. Naples airport to Positano: €130–160 (private transfer). Taxis are required to accept cards by Italian law, but many coastal drivers prefer cash. Pre-booked private transfers (through your hotel or online) are paid by card. Free Now app works in the area but availability is limited.
Scooter & Car Rentals
Renting a scooter in Sorrento or Amalfi costs €30–50 per day. Most rental shops accept cards. Parking on the coast is €3–5 per hour (meters accept coins, some accept cards). The coast road is narrow and stressful to drive. Many visitors prefer the bus or ferry.
Tipping on the Amalfi Coast
The Italy guide covers Italian tipping norms. The Amalfi Coast follows the same rules, with a few local notes. A coperto (cover charge, €2–4, higher than in Naples) appears on most restaurant bills. Tipping is not obligatory, but rounding up or leaving €2–5 for good service is appreciated at sit-down restaurants. Hotel porters deserve €2–3 per bag (many Amalfi Coast hotels have steep stairs). Boat tour captains appreciate €5–10 for a private tour. Beach club attendants appreciate €2–5 at the end of the day. Tip in cash.
Prices on the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is one of Italy's priciest destinations. Expect to pay significantly more than in Naples (30 minutes away) or Rome. Positano is the most expensive town, followed by Ravello. Amalfi town and the smaller villages are slightly more affordable.
| Item | Price (EUR) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso at a cafe | €1.50–2.50 | $1.65–2.75 |
| Granita al limone | €3–5 | $3.30–5.50 |
| Pizza margherita | €8–14 | $8.80–15.40 |
| Lunch (pasta, water) | €15–25 | $16.50–27.50 |
| Dinner (seafood, wine) | €40–80 | $44–88 |
| Beach chairs + umbrella (day) | €20–40 | $22–44 |
| SITA bus (single ride) | €2.40 | $2.65 |
| Ferry: Amalfi to Positano | €8–10 | $8.80–11 |
| Ferry: Positano to Capri | €20–25 | $22–27.50 |
| Limoncello bottle (artisan) | €8–15 | $8.80–16.50 |
| Villa Rufolo (Ravello) | €10 | $11 |
| Duomo di Amalfi | €3 | $3.30 |
| Private boat tour (half day) | €150–400 | $165–440 |
| Hotel (mid-range, summer) | €150–300/night | $165–330 |
USD estimates based on approximately €1 = $1.10. Rates fluctuate. Prices are highest June through September.
Day Trips from the Amalfi Coast
Capri (50 minutes by ferry from Positano)
Ferry from Positano or Amalfi costs €20–25 one way (card at ticket offices). Capri is expensive: the funicular to Capri town costs €2.20. Restaurants and shops accept cards in the main piazzetta. The Blue Grotto boat entry is €18 (cash to the boatman). The chairlift to Monte Solaro in Anacapri costs €12 return (card accepted). Bring €30–50 in cash for Capri.
Pompeii (via Sorrento or direct bus)
From Sorrento, take the Circumvesuviana train to Pompei Scavi (€2.80, 30 minutes). Entry is €18 (card accepted). You can also take a direct bus tour from the coast (€40–60, card at booking). The site takes 3–5 hours. The cafeteria inside accepts cards. Bring water and snacks. See the Naples guide for detailed Pompeii tips.
Naples (1.5 hours by ferry)
Ferry from Amalfi to Naples (Molo Beverello) costs €15–20 (card at port or online). Naples is far more affordable than the coast: pizza for €4–7, coffee for €1. Naples has excellent card acceptance at restaurants and museums, but street food is cash-heavy. A great contrast to the polished Amalfi Coast.
Salerno (30 minutes by ferry or bus)
The eastern gateway to the coast. Ferry costs €8–12 (card at port). Salerno has a walkable historic center, a beautiful lungomare, and the Duomo di Salerno (free entry). Card acceptance is good at restaurants and shops. Multiple bank ATMs on Corso Vittorio Emanuele. A relaxed, affordable alternative to Positano for a day.
Amalfi Coast Quick Reference
| Destination | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positano (main strip) | ✅ Most places | €20 backup | Best card acceptance on the coast |
| Amalfi town | ✅ Most places | €20 backup | Best ATM selection on the coast |
| Ravello | ✅ Villas & restaurants | €20–30 | Limited ATM, one machine near piazza |
| Praiano / Furore | ❌ Limited | €30–50 | Bring cash from larger towns |
| Beach clubs | ✅ Large / ❌ Small | €20–40 | Pre-book online to pay by card |
| SITA bus | ❌ Buy at tabacchi | €2.40/ride | Cannot buy on the bus |
| Ferries | ✅ Ticket offices | Not needed | Book online or at the port |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash on the Amalfi Coast?
Yes. Hotels and larger restaurants accept cards, but beach clubs, small trattorias, SITA bus tickets, boat tours, and many shops in smaller villages require cash. Carry €40–60 per day in small bills.
Are there ATMs on the Amalfi Coast?
Yes, but limited. Amalfi town has ATMs on Piazza Duomo and Via Lorenzo d'Amalfi. Positano has ATMs near Via Cristoforo Colombo. Ravello has one near Piazza Duomo. Smaller villages may not have any. Withdraw in Sorrento or Naples before heading to the coast.
How do I pay for the SITA bus?
Buy tickets at tabacchi shops or newsstands before boarding (€2.40 per ride). You cannot buy on the bus. A 24-hour pass costs €8. Tabacchi accept cash and sometimes cards.
How much does a day on the Amalfi Coast cost?
Budget €80–150 per person for a moderate day: beach chairs (€20–40), lunch (€15–25), transport (€5–15), gelato and drinks (€10–15), dinner (€40–80). Positano is the priciest town. Amalfi and Minori are more affordable.
Can I use cards on ferries?
Yes. Major ferry companies (Travelmar, NLG, Alilauro) accept cards at their ticket offices in Amalfi and Positano ports. You can also book online. Smaller boat services may require cash.
Should I get cash before arriving?
Yes. Withdraw in Sorrento (multiple bank ATMs on Corso Italia) or Naples before heading to the coast. ATMs on the coast can run out of cash during peak summer weekends. Carry enough for 2–3 days.
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