The world’s savviest travelers tend to know when to book air travel in order to get the best pricing. Industry mythology says that certain days of the week and even certain hours of those magical days will let you find unmatchable prices for your airfare. However, you don’t have to stay up to an unreasonable hour of the night (or morning) and hope you can get excellent discounts on airfare when you know about “shoulder season” travel to Amalfi.
When to Visit
Ask an expert or even a local and they are going to tell you that April to June is an amazing time of year to see the Amalfi coast. It is the traditional spring to early summer season, with temperatures that are just warm enough to be a fantastic break from the weather in colder climates, but not yet Mediterranean hot. It is also a time that is just before the peak of tourist season, in July and August, when floods of travelers brave the heat to savor the charming villages, winding roads and gorgeous scenery.
This last point is important because Amalfi is a region without train service, and though there are buses, they may not be a preferred method of seeing the amazing coastal areas and Amalfi scenery. This means you will need to rent a car if you wish to experience the area, or use the more appealing option of hiring a guide to do the driving for you. Because you are booking your airline tickets and holiday in Amalfi during the shoulder season, the roads are less chaotic and busy, the bus drives less aggravated, and the towns and villages safer to stroll.
After all, many of the lovely towns appear to be pedestrian friendly, but may be full of one-way streets that actually switch the “one way” direction through the use of clever traffic lights. So, that cobblestone courtyard in front of that charming church may appear to be friendly for walkers, but when the light at the opposite end of the village goes green, a flood of scooters and cars may come rushing through. Visiting during the shoulder season reduces this flow of traffic substantially, allowing you to really savor these lovely spots, without constantly listening for the sounds of approaching traffic.
The boat season is up and running during the shoulder season on the Amalfi coast too. Though the month of April may not have a full range of routes or service, from May through October, all of the boats do transport visitors from one town to another along the coast. At all times, though, the boats can be cancelled because of rough seas or difficult weather conditions. So, the shoulder season travelers may not want to count on this as a form of reliable travel, but can still rely on at least a few days when the weather is ideal for a quick boat trip to a neighboring town.
Though the towns like Amalfi, Positano, Minori and Vietri Sul Mare have amazing beaches and you will want to pay a visit by bus or car, there are also towns that are higher in the cliffs and well worthy of a journey. Tramonti, Ravello, Scala and Agerola are all must-see destinations, and spots you can have your guide take you during the shoulder season, and if boats are not able to take you to the best beaches nearby.
Finally, booking airline tickets to Amalfi during the shoulder season enables you to explore the many stunning churches found in every town without a lot of fellow travelers also doing the same. You can take the Path of the Gods hiking trail and have it almost entirely to yourself, and throughout it all, you can enjoy lower prices on such coveted options as luxury accommodations, dining, shopping and all the rest.