DeborahAnn

I'm planning a week stay in Sorrento in early November and haven't decided whether we can do it without a car.

Considering it's not during high season and that the weather has the potential to be rainy, it would seem a car might be more comfortable than waiting for bus service.

If we do rent a car, are there parking lots in Positano, Ravello and Amalfi for day trips?

Thanks for any help in planning this vist. Deborah

VolGreg

I would not drive in or to Positano, NO PARKING AND SCARY CURVES. See if you can take a boat to Positano from Sorrento. We stayed in Positano and took a bus trip to Sorrento. It was so pleasant and so much faster than driving. AND no worries about parking when you arrive.

greg

Kate

Yes there is parking. VolGreg is right that the roads are rather scary and narrow (I was most worried about running over tourists), so driving isn't necessarily a pleasure, and if you miss the car parking you'll find yourself having to drive through the whole town to get to the next one.

Fine if you're a confident driver, but many people wouldn't enjoy it.

Admittedly I drove to these places during Easter - much busier than when you're going - so November may be easier.

I am a confident driver, and ranked trying to drive through Positano and Amalfi to get to car parking as my most stressful journey ever, above getting a puncture at midnight in remotest Cuba.

DeborahAnn

Kate and VolGreg, thanks for your replies. I expect November would be alot easier with less tourists (except for us) . My husband who would be the driver has driven through very small villages in France and England, we drive vehicles with manual transmission, have driven on the French Corniche roads and in the Pyrenees, can this area be so much more difficult? It's our first trip so am seeking others experience in this region. Deborah

DeborahAnn

TMP, will I find car parks? thanks, Deborah

metlc

DeborahAnn,

It's a simple decision.

If you're a control freak, then drive a car. You can't help it -- you just have to.

If you're not -- and want to enjoy the sights instead of stressing out about what's around the next bend and which car has to back up first or pull over for the tour buses -- then ditch the car and take the SITA buses.

These bus drivers all know each other, and work together. Let them do their job, while you enjoy the scenery. Plus: the "bus stop" in Amalfi for the Ravello bus is, in my opinion, the finest "bus stop" in the world.

Some friendly advice: Take the SITA buses. They are expertly driven and free the driver for sight

Patrick

I've said this many times, but here it is again. We drove the first time to Positano. It was wonderful. Sure there was a ton of traffic and the road is narrow. But there are better guard rails than along much of the California coast. We weren't in a hurry so didn't try to pass anyone, just went with the flow. We pulled off a couple of times to stop and admire the views, get some air, and take pictures (the bus doesn't do that, by the way).
But one day we decided to take a boat from Positano to Amalfi. That was simple enough. But then it rained, and the sea got sort of rough. They cancelled all return boats. We crowded with a hundred or more other tourists in the pouring rain to try to get on the next bus back to Positano -- no luck, it was already almost filled when it pulled in and only those that pushed hard got on. We waited an hour or so for the next one -- same story. We finally decided to become ugly and we pushed people out of the way and managed to get on a bus. It was jammed. We stood the whole way back to Positano, holding on to a strap for dear life. THAT was a scarey ride, not to mention incredibly hot and very uncomfortable.

Now that may not be the norm, but I also saw lots of people not fit on the busses up to Ravello this past summer -- when we got to the stop early and managed to stay close so we could be the first on. They obviously had to wait another hour for the next one.

November? Maybe that's easier, but I do know there are also far fewer busses and boats that time of year.

For those who thought hopping on a bus or a boat was a breeze, they may have been lucky. Some of us found out that public transportation on the Amalfi coast can be a real bitch!

Dick

We drove that area the end of May. this year. Based on your driving experience and having a manual transmission you should not have any problem in November.

If you are driving from Sorrento to Positano, it is a short, easy drive across the peninsula. The road, uphill to Ravello, is narrow with curves..but no big deal.

Parking lots are available in both places. Ravello has a large public lot and Positano had several small pay parking lots. Street parking is readily available in Positano but was mostly for short term parking.

We drove the entire amalfi coast without problems...although in high season traffic must be much heavier.

SeaUrchin

November should be fine for parking. In Amalfi there is one down by the docks where the buses park and another one up a road nearby. You can park by the buses long enough to ask at the tourist office for directions if that one is full. In Positano there are parking lots as you drive down into town. In Ravello there is parking too, ask a traffic policeman or cab driver to direct you. If you learn a little Italian it will be easier to follow their directions after you ask.
Destra, sinestra, diretto, etc.

DeborahAnn

Thank you one and all for your advice, I have read many of your past postings of your experiences in the Amalfi area which has helped me decide that a car is the best option for us. It's not because I am a control freak but realize that November can bring a wide range of weather conditions and I know I would be happier snuggling for an hour in a warm car with my husband on some wet country road than on a bus with lots of wet and problably less than jovial passengers. Thanks again, I'm going to save your parking suggestions on my Italy travel file. Deborah