Driving from Rome to Sorrento, or better to Amalfi?
Apr 30th, 2010, 06:25 PM
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Driving from Rome to Sorrento, or better to Amalfi?
As we were told that city driving in Italy is nutty, we thought of training from Rome to Naples to Sorrento and renting a car in Sorrento for the rest of our stay in Italy, but we save $400 on auto rental by picking up at Termini in Rome and driving to Sorrento/Amalfi for a three-night stay (and then north from there to Umbria/Tuscany). From some reading, it seems the drive to Sorrento may be more hairpinny difficult than driving directly to Amalfi. We've yet to secure our lodging in that area, so are free to choose. It's a Sunday. We're told 3 hours drive from Termini Station in Rome to Sorrento. Will it be difficult getting out of Rome? Advice please!
May 1st, 2010, 03:01 AM
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The drive from Rome is mostly autostrada and is not difficult. Leave Rome following the signs for the A24 Napoli.
Once you pass Naples, you then pick up the signs for Salerno and then leave the motorway at CASTELLAMMARE DI STABIA. Follow Sorrento and the trip should take 3 to 3 and a half hours, depending on traffic. Once you leave the motorway and head for Sorrento, it is a pleasant drive and not terribly twisty and turny.
Rather than Amalfi or Sorrento as a base, consider Positano. It's situated in a better position for the coast and for getting back to Sorrento or Pompeii etc.
Once you pass Naples, you then pick up the signs for Salerno and then leave the motorway at CASTELLAMMARE DI STABIA. Follow Sorrento and the trip should take 3 to 3 and a half hours, depending on traffic. Once you leave the motorway and head for Sorrento, it is a pleasant drive and not terribly twisty and turny.
Rather than Amalfi or Sorrento as a base, consider Positano. It's situated in a better position for the coast and for getting back to Sorrento or Pompeii etc.
May 1st, 2010, 06:56 AM
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I cannot see why Positano should be better positioned than Amalfi. The boats stop in both towns, the scenic road leads through both towns, and both towns have about the same access to the Vesuvius.
The towns are different: Positano is a traditional fishing village that has been converted into a tourist trap. Amalfi is the historic sea republic with a gorgeous Byzantine cathedral, a lively market and some life of its own.
When you are driving from Rome and want to reach Amalfi, you leave the autostrada in Salerno and drive a few miles on the coastal highway to Amalfi. It is a very scenic drive, but not particularly twisty. Driving time is 3:12.
From Rome to Positano, driving time is 3:31. For this route, you drive on the autostrada through Napoli, change to the highway and before Sorrento you drive across the ridge. The last section to Positano is extremely scenic and extremely twisty, even scary.
From Rome to Sorrento, driving time is 3:16. Driving is, as written above, fairly easy.
NB: Driving times calculated by viamichelin.
The towns are different: Positano is a traditional fishing village that has been converted into a tourist trap. Amalfi is the historic sea republic with a gorgeous Byzantine cathedral, a lively market and some life of its own.
When you are driving from Rome and want to reach Amalfi, you leave the autostrada in Salerno and drive a few miles on the coastal highway to Amalfi. It is a very scenic drive, but not particularly twisty. Driving time is 3:12.
From Rome to Positano, driving time is 3:31. For this route, you drive on the autostrada through Napoli, change to the highway and before Sorrento you drive across the ridge. The last section to Positano is extremely scenic and extremely twisty, even scary.
From Rome to Sorrento, driving time is 3:16. Driving is, as written above, fairly easy.
NB: Driving times calculated by viamichelin.
Jun 12th, 2012, 10:49 AM
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Driving in Italy is fine if you know where you're going (you heard that here first 
. Really, all of the places you list are served well by frequent public transportation. Save yourself the expense and aggravation of driving and parking in these very congested areas...especially if you are going in the middle of the high tourist season.
. Really, all of the places you list are served well by frequent public transportation. Save yourself the expense and aggravation of driving and parking in these very congested areas...especially if you are going in the middle of the high tourist season.
