Of course, a seaside location this idyllic is also full of budget-busting traps that can quickly bring your focus away from the scenery and towards the lightening of your wallet.

To help you and your budget cope, we’ve come up with a few tips that can help you enjoy the natural delights of amazing towns like Capri, Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi — without it costing you an arm and a leg. And did we mention the surprisingly affordable hotels on the Amalfi Coast?

Read more about saving in Italy
• 11 Simple ways to save on your trip to Italy
• Avoid these common tourist mistakes in Italy
• 10 Best cheap hotels in Florence

How to save on a trip to the Amalfi Coast

Despite its spendy reputation, this beautiful part of Italy is within the reach of Cheapos. Read on to find out how you can save on your vacation to the Amalfi Coast.

Picnics are a tasty and cheap way to save on your Amalfi Coast trip. Photo: Greger.

1. Pack a lunch for the journey

Restaurants on the Amalfi Coast have gorgeous views, incredible cuisine, and usually a very hefty price tag. If you’re making the trip from Naples, you can easily find affordable and delicious food for a picnic. It will cost a fraction of what you’d pay in towns along the coast or in the islands.

For under €2, grab a mini pizza, an arancino (a fried rice ball stuffed with ham, cheese, or porcini mushrooms), or just some prosciutto, cheese and bread to make a nice sandwich — and presto — you have your lunch for the day! With your delicious packed meal, you are now free to find a spot to enjoy your food with a million-dollar view.

2. Make it a day trip

Hotels on the Amalfi Coast tend to cater to more luxurious big spenders, so it might be best for Cheapos to enjoy the scenery during a day trip rather than an overnight adventure. Budget hotels and hostels are abundant in nearby Naples and can also be found on the other end of the Amalfi Coast in the smaller but cheerier (and cleaner) city of Salerno, as well.

Want to spend the night? Check out these hotels on the Amalfi Coast in Positano, Ravello, Amalfi, and Sorrento.

The view from a scenic drive along the Amalfi Coast. Photo: John S.

3. Split a rental car and drive along the coast

In Naples, there are car rental agencies that offer a rate starting at a shockingly low €10 per day at certain times of the year. With this rate, the cost of a one-day car rental (plus gas and tolls) to drive the length of the coast and back to Napoli via Salerno (about a three-hour trip) should be €50-60 in total. (Search for car rentals in Europe.) If you can find a few other people to travel with, you’ll have a low budget way to see every beautiful stop along the way and at your own leisurely pace.

Related: Driving in Italy: 7 tips for staying safe, sane and on budget with your rental car

4. Village hop with cheap public transport

For under €4, you can take the Circumvesuviana train from Garibaldi Station in Naples to the Amalfi Coast starting point city of Sorrento. Once in Sorrento, you can catch a SITA bus which has stops at each of the wonderful towns dotted along the coast (don’t forget to stop in the unforgettable town of Positano!).

Ticket prices are under €2 for intermediate trips between villages or €8 for the 24-hour ticket which allows you to hop on and hop off as you please anywhere between Sorrento and Salerno. Remember to take the window on the right side of the bus to catch the amazing views!

Take a boat to Capri! Photo: Juan C.

5.  Take the slow boat to the islands

The gorgeous islands of Capri and Ischia are must-see destinations on any trip to the Amalfi Coast. Getting there from the port of Naples can be done via two kinds of boats: the high-speed ferry or the “slow” ferry. Don’t let the name deceive you, as it’s only a 30-minute difference between the two, but the ticket on the slower boat can cost 30% less. Prices start under €15 for a one-way ticket. Check the online ferry schedule for more information.

Frankly, who wouldn’t want an extra 30 minutes enjoying a boat ride on the Bay of Naples? It’s an easy decision for any traveler not in a huge hurry wanting to save a few bucks.

Want to extend your island excursion? Book a hotel room in Capri!

Have you been to the Amalfi Coast? Share your favorite tips on how you save.

The post Italy: 5 Budget tips for exploring the Amalfi Coast appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

From tourist traps to pricey restaurants and hotels that empty the wallet before you can even start exploring the region, the Amalfi Coast isn’t always cheap… but it can be! With an enduring cheapo spirit, you can enjoy a luxurious holiday at an affordable price.

We dove deep to find the top cheap hotels along the coast, and of course, we made sure to choose hotels that also deliver high on the charm, cleanliness, kindness and important amenities.

Top cheap hotels on the Amalfi Coast

Read on to find your home-away-from-home on the Amalfi Coast. After you book your hotel, don’t forget to check out these five budget tips for vacationing on the Amalfi Coast.

Il Borgo

Rooms from $57 a night

With views of quaint, calm streets and balcony rooms with sweeping mountain vistas, The Il Borgo is a cheapo paradise. While it doesn’t fall short on views, this spot doesn’t skimp on amenities, either. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are free, and some rooms even include kitchens — complete with an oven and dishwasher! Book your suite here.

Soak up the sun on the terrace of B&B Sotto un Tetto. All hotel photos from Booking.com

B&B Sotto un Tetto

Rooms from $68 a night

Just four minutes (on foot!) from the beach, The B&B Sotto un Tetto offers bright and comfortable rooms at budget-friendly rates. From the guest kitchen to the rooms with private baths, the hotel is drenched in pastel hues, creating a cheery vibe. Breakfast is included, rooms are air-conditioned and Wi-Fi is free. Book your stay here.

Ask for a room with a balcony at Gli Dei Gemelli 2.

Gli Dei Gemelli 2

Rooms from $79 a night

Pleasant rooms and friendly staff are the name of the game at Gli Dei Gemelli 2. Some rooms offer views of the mountains, and all rooms come with flat-screen TVs, air conditioning and free breakfast and Wi-Fi. With a location near a bus stop and the beach, the hotel is ideal for exploring the Amalfi Coast. Book your stay here.

We could get used to the patio at La PPiazzetta

La Piazzetta

Rooms from $77 a night

Want to spend your vacation soaking up the sun while you lie on the beach? Then stay at La Piazzetta, which is a mere 2-minute walk to heaven. Lounge around on the hotel’s terrace, or enjoy the serene environment by booking a room with a balcony. Rooms are air-conditioned and have private bathrooms. Book your room here.

B&B Kebonta has hand-painted artwork in each room.

B&B Kebontà

Rooms from $79 a night

The sweet Kebontà offers charming rooms that feature painted wall murals of the Amalfi region’s landscapes. Many rooms provide outstanding views of the picturesque surroundings. Best of all, the B&B’s host, Luigi, goes above and beyond for visitors — just ask, and he is ready to lend a hand or offer expert travel advice! Book here.

Wow! The view from the terrace at Villa Maria Luigia.

Villa Maria Luigia

Rooms from $112 a night

The Villa Maria Luigia is mere steps from the beach and offers panoramic views of the coast. Floral bedding makes the place feel more like home, and enjoying breakfast on the terrace is an unbeatable way to start each morning. Add in an incredibly accommodating staff, and you’ve got the vacation of your dreams. Book your stay here.

Treat yourself to a bright and beautiful room at B&B Il Pavone.

B&B Il Pavone

Rooms from $129 a night

A bit of a cheapo splurge, the Il Pavone is worth every penny. It’s just a stone’s throw from the beach, and each room offers a balcony with views of the Mediterranean Sea. Breakfast is included with your stay, and to top things off, the B&B offers a garden with hammocks and a wonderful terrace. Book your stay here.

Related: More hotels on the Amalfi Coast

More accommodations in Italy

EuroCheapo has hundreds of listings for budget hotels across Italy. From our curated top lists for cheap hotels in Rome, Venice, and Florence to our full hotel guide to Milan, we have you have covered.

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The post Our favorite cheap hotels on the Amalfi Coast appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.