If you’re planning a trip to the Amalfi Airport Guide, one question keeps coming up: where do I fly in? For years, Naples Capodichino was the only real answer. That’s changed. The Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport has quietly become one of Southern Italy’s most exciting new aviation hubs, and if you haven’t planned around it yet, you probably should.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the Amalfi airport, from its IATA code and airline lineup to ground transportation options, shuttle services, and how to actually get from the terminal to the coast itself.
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What Is the Salerno Costa d’ Amalfi Airport Guide?
Salerno Costa d’Amalfi and Cilento Airport, with IATA code QSR and ICAO code LIRI, is an Italian international airport located 13 miles southeast of the city of Salerno, between the municipalities of Bellizzi and Pontecagnano Faiano. It mainly serves the province of Salerno, including the Amalfi Coast and the Cilento region. It is also known as Salerno-Pontecagnano Airport.
Despite its modern commercial identity, the airport was founded by the Aeronautica Militare, Italy’s Air Force, in 1926. A flight training facility was in operation between 1933 and 1943, and the first hangar was designed by Pier Luigi Nervi, a famous architect.
In July 2024, the airport resumed scheduled passenger flights. To accommodate large passenger aircraft, the runway has been extended to 2,000 metres (6,560 ft). That’s a meaningful upgrade that opened the door for major European carriers to land here.
Amalfi Airport Code: QSR (IATA) / LIRI (ICAO)
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Amalfi Airport Flights: Who’s Flying Here?
This is where things get interesting. Summer 2025 got underway on 30 March with new flights from Vienna, followed by the introduction of the route from Brussels Charleroi. During the summer the airport handles a total of 18 scheduled destinations, with 13 being international: Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels Charleroi, Bucharest, Geneva, Lyon, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Marseille, Nantes, Paris Orly, Tirana, and Vienna.
That’s a serious lineup for a relatively young commercial airport. With 13 international routes compared to seven last summer, Salerno, less than a year after opening, has seen the international segment almost double, with connections from seven European capitals: Berlin, Brussels, Bucharest, London, Paris, Tirana, and Vienna.
Airlines currently operating at Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport include:
- Ryanair connects Brussels, London Stansted, Milan Bergamo, Turin, and Vienna
- easyJet flies from Basel, Berlin, Geneva, London Gatwick, and Milan Malpensa
- British Airways started London Gatwick flights on 22 May, offering 3 weekly flights on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, operated by Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft from BA subsidiary Euroflyer
- Vueling connects Salerno with Paris from 20 June and Barcelona from 3 July, with three flights weekly
- Volotea operates routes to Catania, Verona, Marseille, and Nantes
- Jet2.com debuted at the airport with connections to Birmingham and Manchester, with one flight a week on Mondays from 26 May through 29 September
- Wizz Air serves Tirana, Sofia, Katowice, Bucharest, and Budapest
- SAS Scandinavian Airlines also made its debut in Salerno until 7 August with a weekly Oslo flight, becoming the second legacy carrier to serve the Amalfi Coast airport
The bottom line: if you’re flying from the UK, Germany, France, Spain, or Eastern Europe, there’s a very good chance you can now fly directly to Salerno QSR without connecting through Rome or Milan.
Amalfi Airport Guide Expansion: What’s Coming
The construction of a new terminal is planned for 2025, along with a runway extension to 2,200 m (7,220 ft), more parking spaces, and a new general aviation terminal. The airport is expected to be fully operational in 2026 or 2027.
The new terminal, designed by Deerns Group, will have 5 gates (no jetbridges). Its design will let light pass through, creating an open space. It will also have photovoltaic panels on its roof to power the airport and will be built using entirely sustainable materials. The airport will have 8 parking spaces for aircraft and a plaza at the terminal’s entrance.
This is good news for travelers who’ve visited and noticed the current terminal is compact. It works, but it’s clearly a temporary setup. Once the expansion is complete, Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport will be a proper international gateway capable of handling significantly higher passenger volumes.
The airport is expected to handle up to 3.5 million passengers per year once fully expanded.
Amalfi Airport vs Naples Airport: Which Should You Use?
This is honestly one of the most practical questions for anyone visiting the region. Naples Capodichino (NAP) has more year-round flights and wider global connections. But it’s busier, more chaotic, and further from the Amalfi Coast.
Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport offers an alternative to Naples-Capodichino airport, which has become increasingly congested by airport traffic. Both airports are managed by the Gesac company.
Here’s a quick comparison:
- Salerno QSR: Smaller, less congested, closer to the Amalfi Coast, growing airline network, mostly seasonal flights
- Naples NAP: Larger, year-round flights, more global connections, but 60+ km from the coast and prone to delays and overcrowding
If you’re traveling in summer and your airline operates from Salerno, it’s almost always the better choice for an Amalfi Coast holiday.
How to Get from Amalfi Airport to the Amalfi Coast
This is where most travelers get confused. The airport isn’t on the coast itself, so you do need a plan. Public transport is still a developing area for the Amalfi Coast Airport. This is expected to gradually improve over time as air traffic and passengers increase. That said, there are solid options available right now.
1. Salerno Airlink Shuttle (Budget-Friendly Pick)
Busitalia Campania offers a service called Salerno Airlink that connects Amalfi Coast Airport with the center of Salerno. The service price is €6 per person. The service is active every day, with a different time schedule depending on the days of the week, in accordance with the flight schedule.
The ride takes about 40 minutes and the ticket is a direct service that runs on the freeway between the Salerno train station and Costa d’Amalfi Airport. From Salerno station, you can then hop a SITA bus or ferry toward the coast. Yes, it involves a transfer, but it’s the cheapest option if you’re traveling solo or on a budget.
2. Line 8 Bus (Local Option)
Line 8 between Salerno and Battipaglia also stops at the Costa d’Amalfi Airport. It takes about 50 minutes from Salerno and 30 minutes from Battipaglia. The bus runs several times a day and timetables are available on the airport website.
3. Sita Sud Direct Line (Convenient for Coast-Bound Travelers)
Sita Sud runs a dedicated seasonal line that connects the airport directly with Amalfi, Vietri, Maiori, and Minori. The buses are air-conditioned with luggage space, and timetables are synced with flight arrivals and departures. Tickets cost around €10 and can be booked at www.marozzivt.it.
4. Private Transfer / NCC (Best Comfort Option)
The fastest and most convenient way to reach the Amalfi Coast from Salerno Airport without a car is with a private transfer service. The drive to Amalfi takes one hour and 15 minutes, while the drive to Positano is about 1.5 hours. Costs vary based on the route and the number of passengers and luggage, and can be particularly economical for families or groups.
Private taxis and NCC drivers are available at the airport exit, with average costs from €70 to €120 depending on the final destination.
If you’re traveling with kids, lots of luggage, or arriving late at night, this is absolutely worth the extra spend. Book in advance whenever possible, especially during peak summer months.
5. Taxi
Taxis are available with a fixed fee towards Salerno, and there are also 150 free parking spaces in front of the terminal. A fixed-price taxi to Piazza della Concordia in the center of Salerno runs around €50 for up to 4 people. From there, the Concordia pier is a short walk away, where you can board a Travelmar ferry directly to Amalfi Coast towns.
6. Car Rental
Several major car rental companies have counters in the arrivals area, including Filorent, addCar, Sicily by Car, Budget, Maggiore, Avis, Alamo, and Sixt. Renting a car gives flexibility for exploring other parts of Campania, such as Pompeii or Naples. However, it is not recommended for use within the Amalfi Coast itself due to challenging parking conditions and narrow roads. Rent the car for wider Campania exploration, but plan to park it in Salerno if you’re going coast-side.
Getting from Salerno to the Amalfi Coast
Once you reach Salerno, whether by Airlink shuttle or taxi, you have two popular onward options:
SITA Bus: Buses depart approximately every hour from the terminus at Via Vinciprova, stopping in front of Salerno Station. They serve all towns along the Amalfi Coast. Buy your ticket before boarding using the Unico App or from authorized retailers.
Ferry (Travelmar): Ferries run from Salerno to towns like Amalfi, Positano, and Maiori, operating frequently during the summer and offering a comfortable way to travel while enjoying stunning views of the coastline. This is honestly one of the best ways to arrive on the coast. You land, transfer to Salerno, and then sail along one of the world’s most scenic stretches of water. It’s a proper arrival moment.
Practical Tips Before You Travel
- Arrive at least 2 hours before your domestic flight, and 2.5 to 3 hours before international departures
- For international arrivals, it usually takes around an hour to clear passport control and claim baggage. Domestic arrivals don’t need to pass through passport control, so take a little less time.
- Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal
- Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport does not currently offer luggage storage facilities, so check with your accommodation for baggage storage solutions
- The airport is accessible via the Autostrada A2 SA-RC, exit Montecorvino Pugliano-Pontecagnano
- The nearest train stations are Salerno and Pontecagnano Faiano, and an extension of the Salerno metropolitan railway service to the airport is also in planning stages
- Book any private transfer or NCC at least 24 hours in advance, especially in July and August
- Shuttle services between the airport and main coast towns run with departures every 60-90 minutes and fares between €15 and €30 per person
Frequently Asked Questions About Amalfi Airport
What is the airport code for Amalfi Airport?
The IATA code is QSR and the ICAO code is LIRI. It’s officially named Salerno Costa d’Amalfi and Cilento Airport.
Is there an airport in Amalfi itself?
No. There’s no airport directly in Amalfi or on the Amalfi Coast. The nearest commercial airport is Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport (QSR), located about 27 miles from Amalfi town. Naples Capodichino (NAP) is the other major option, roughly 60 miles away.
When did Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport open for commercial flights?
It resumed scheduled commercial passenger flights in July 2024 after years of operating only for private and military aviation.
What airlines fly to Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport?
Current airlines include Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, Vueling, Volotea, Wizz Air, Jet2.com, and SAS. The lineup expands each summer season.
Can I fly from New York (NYC) to Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport?
There are currently no direct transatlantic flights to QSR. From NYC, you’d typically fly into Rome Fiumicino or Naples, then connect onward. Check current schedules as the airline lineup is expanding.
How do I get from Salerno Airport to the Amalfi Coast?
Your best options are a private transfer (fastest, ~75 minutes to Amalfi), the Salerno Airlink shuttle to Salerno station followed by a SITA bus or ferry, or a direct Sita Sud seasonal bus line from the airport.
How far is Salerno Airport from the Amalfi Coast?
The airport is approximately 27 miles (43 km) from Amalfi town. By car, the drive takes around 35 to 45 minutes without traffic.
Is there a shuttle from Salerno Airport to Amalfi?
Yes. The Salerno Airlink shuttle runs to Salerno city center (€6, about 40 minutes). From Salerno, you connect via SITA bus or Travelmar ferry. Sita Sud also runs a direct seasonal line from the airport to Amalfi Coast towns for around €10.
Is there a direct bus from Salerno Airport to Amalfi?
A direct seasonal service via Sita Sud does exist. However, many public transport routes require a transfer through Salerno city. The Airlink to Salerno station, then SITA bus or ferry, is the most reliable budget option.
What car rental companies are at Salerno Airport?
Available companies include Avis, Budget, Sixt, Alamo, Maggiore, Sicily by Car, and Filorent. Book in advance online for the best rates and vehicle availability.
How long does it take to get through the airport?
For international arrivals, allow approximately one hour to clear passport control and collect baggage. For domestic flights, it’s quicker. Arrive at least 2 hours before departure as a general rule.
Is there parking at Salerno Airport?
Yes, there are around 150 free parking spaces in front of the terminal. This is expected to expand with the upcoming terminal development.
What is the Amalfi Airport Link?
“Amalfi Airport Link” commonly refers to the Salerno Airlink shuttle service operated by Busitalia Campania, which connects the airport directly to Salerno train station. It’s the main budget-friendly ground connection and runs daily in coordination with flight schedules.
Will Salerno Airport expand?
Yes. A major expansion is underway. The new terminal, designed by Deerns Group, is expected to open in 2026 or 2027 and will include 5 gates, solar panels, sustainable materials, and enough capacity to handle up to 3.5 million passengers annually.
Is Salerno Airport better than Naples for visiting the Amalfi Coast?
For most summer travelers flying from Europe, yes. Salerno is less congested, closer to the coast, and offers a growing number of direct European routes. Naples offers more year-round connections and transatlantic options, so it depends on where you’re flying from.
Can I take a ferry from Salerno Airport to the Amalfi Coast?
Not directly. You take the Airlink shuttle or taxi from the airport to Salerno city center first. From Piazza della Concordia, Travelmar ferries depart for Amalfi, Positano, Maiori, Minori, Cetara, and Vietri sul Mare during the tourist season.
