Forget the traffic. Forget the grumpy Uber driver in a beat-up Prius.
This summer, there’s a new way to travel the Amalfi Coast — and it involves a helicopter, a seaside breeze, and a taste of pure Italian luxury.
I recently had the chance to try out Uber’s flashy new offering in Italy, and let’s just say: this isn’t your average app ride.
Touching the Skies Over Capri with a £5 Million Helicopter
“Welcome to Capri!” our pilot Alessandro beamed over the tannoy as we soared 1,000ft above Italy’s jaw-dropping coastline. We were in a sleek £5 million twin-engine AW109 helicopter, slicing through the sky at 150mph.
The views? Nothing short of breathtaking.
From above, we could see bronzed holidaymakers leaping off yachts and speedboats into hidden sea caves below.
This 15-minute hop from Sorrento to Capri is fast becoming the chicest way to arrive — a method even Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sánchez opted for last summer.
This Isn’t Just a Joyride — It’s Uber’s Bold Move Into Luxury Air Travel
Uber officially launched this helicopter service in Italy this summer, its first in Europe after testing the skies in New York back in 2019.
It’s surprisingly accessible: just £210 per person, or £1,260 if you fill all six seats.
Compare that to the typical £3,300 one-way private flight, and suddenly it feels (almost) sensible.
But here’s the catch — Amalfi is bracing for a tourist tsunami, with 5 million visitors expected in July and August.
Seats are limited, so book early if you fancy skipping traffic jams with a birds-eye view instead.
Smooth Flying, Beautiful Views — and Two Charming Pilots
Admittedly, I was a bit jittery before takeoff.
Having covered two helicopter crashes as a reporter, I’m not exactly carefree in the air.
But Alessandro and his co-pilot Valerio — both locals with around 20 years of flying experience — were calm, charming, and clearly proud of their machine.
“Don’t worry, I have a family too,” Valerio joked as he told me about his baby daughter.
Reassuring, right? Their helicopter can reach up to 19,600ft and hit 193mph, though today we cruised gently, around the height of the Eiffel Tower.
Gliding Past Iconic Views and Nature’s Hidden Wonders
With the Mediterranean glittering beneath us, it felt like floating in a dream.
The Faraglioni Rocks came into view — three towering sea stacks marking Capri’s entrance.
Alessandro proudly shared that the rocks are home to a rare, electric-blue lizard species, a genetic marvel adapted to its dazzling surroundings.
From our window, we spied luxury villas nestled among olive groves and citrus trees, before touching down smoothly on Capri’s helipad.
Once terrified, I was now hungry for more sky time.
Barbie Vibes and Sunburned Selfies in a Pink Jeep
Back on the ground, we were whisked away in a bubblegum-pink, six-seater open-top jeep — the exact model featured in the Barbie movie. It was like a Hollywood scene.
With four stylish passengers beside me, I felt like Ken… if Ken had a slightly sunburnt nose.
The burn was thanks to the breeze during yesterday’s boat ride.
Tricked by the wind, I forgot to apply sunscreen. Rookie mistake.
Cruising Like a Celebrity: Uber’s Free Yacht Trip to Positano
Yes, you read that right — Uber is also offering a completely free luxury boat ride this summer.
It’s a four-hour cruise from Sorrento to the postcard-perfect Positano, and it’s an absolute gem of an experience.
Our captain, Mario, looked like he belonged in a Dolce & Gabbana ad.
At just 24, he’d been captaining boats since 16 and navigated the coastline with both pride and charm.
His enthusiasm for the Amalfi heritage was infectious.
Art, Aperol, and That £125,000-a-Week Island
As we zipped past ancient Roman ruins and lone fishermen, the colours of the cliffs hit like brushstrokes from a Turner painting — who, by the way, really did bring his easel here in the 1800s.
At one point, we paused by a private island with just two houses, a church, and yes — a helipad. It can be yours for a casual £125,000 a week.
We dove into the water for a swim before heading off again into livelier waves.
Positano Glows and Lunch Hits Hard
Eventually, Positano revealed itself like a fairytale: vibrant villas clinging to cliffs, postcard-perfect from every angle.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s no wonder it draws in crowds like moths to flame.
We docked for lunch and went full Italian — heaping bowls of salty pasta, Aperol Spritzes, and rich chocolate gelato.
Bellies full, heads slightly fuzzy, we climbed back aboard for a quieter, more reflective ride back.
The Amalfi Coast the Way the A-Listers Do It
As we cruised into the golden sunset, there was no doubt: this was La Dolce Vita in motion.
Uber’s new offerings are part PR stunt, part luxury travel innovation — but either way, they’re turning everyday tourists into stars of their own Italian adventure.
From helicopters to yachts, from Sorrento to Capri and Positano, Uber isn’t just changing how we travel — it’s changing who we feel like while doing it.