ekscrunchy

Sorry to open this topic yet again! I have read many of the earlier posts but just want to make certain that my information is accurate.

We will arrive at Naples airport on a Sunday in April around noon and will need to travel to our hotel in Amalfi. Unless there is a direct bus, we will probably bite the bullet and take private transport. We do not want to enter Naples itself en route to the coast.

I am wondering whether or not I should book a driver in advance and if so, who do you recommend I choose? Knowledge of English is irrelevant, we just need someone reliable. Does anyone have an approximate current (2008) price for this service?

Is there any benefit to booking an airport taxi on arrival, provided I know the suggested price beforehand? Would this possibly be less costly? And finally, is there any kind of shared transport option available at the airport, such as a shuttle limo?

Many thanks and again, sorry for revisiting a well-trodden topic.

bobthenavigator

Good idea---this may help. I would expect to pay 100E but that is to your hotel.
HOW TO GET THERE: You have to want to—it may not be easy. The best option is to land in Naples, but that is not always feasible. Most travelers access it from Rome by train to Naples—a trip of less than two hours. Once in Naples, you have a choice. The local commuter train, Circumversuviana, leaves from the same train station and takes about an hour to Sorrento, with a possible stop at “ Pompeii Scavi” to see the famed ruins. However, to access any of the coastal towns you must then take a SITA bus or a taxi.

The best option is to hire a private driver to meet you at the Naples station or airport and take you directly to your hotel. Expect to pay about 100E.
www.cuomonet.it www.tourofitaly.com www.francescomarrapese.com

thursdaysd

Supposedly there is a bus four times a day to Sorrento, where you could get a bus or ferry to Amalfi, but I can't find a timetable. There is a much more frequent bus that will get you close to the ferry terminal in Naples itself, where you should be able to get a ferry to Amalfi.

Since I've switched from Naples to Capri for my first three nights I'll be taking that bus, but if you're arriving direct from the US and can afford a private transfer that would undoubtedly be the easiest.

BTW, when will you be in Amalfi? I'll be in Sorrento April 12th to 18th and have been meaning to post a GTG request.

ekscrunchy

Thanks to both of you.

Just to clarify: We will arrive at Naples airport (flight from NY via Madrid) and want to transfer from there to our hotel in Amalfi.

Thursday, I am truly sorry we will just miss each other; I will not arrive until the last Saturday in April. I always enjoy reading your posts and have derived much help from them..if there were a contest for best-traveled Fodor-ite you would certainly be in the running! I am sure we will have lots to discuss about Asia in the near future.

And Bob...innumerable helpful hints and great information from you over the years.
I will contact the drivers you mentioned. And if anyone has additional information, please chime in. Again, do not want to enter Naples proper at this time..
Thanks again.

thursdaysd

That's a real pity, eks - I would have loved to meet you! I'm currently enjoying your SEA trip report - and feeling nostalgic for LP.

palatino82

We recently did this trip and had a driver from Naples Airport to Praiano. I used Fabrizio from Amalfi-Drive - www.amalfi-drive.com and he was great. The cost was 110 to Praiano, then was 100 from Sorrento - Capodichino on the way back. the Benevento service recommended by the hotel was 10 euros more each way. I would definitely organize in advance.
Good luck!

2Italy

Salvatore Lucibello runs a great service, DriveAmalfi, and is as dependable as the sunrise. His drivers all speak good English, drive Mercedes Minivans, dress well, and really know the area. You can get a quote from him at [email protected]
Probably about 110 Euros.

[email protected]

tdk320n

BOOKMARK

ekscrunchy

Thanks everyone. I will contact the drivers mentioned above. Thursday, one of these days we will have a GTG. And thank you for your comments.

Does anyone have more info on the bus from the airport to Sorrento?

ira

Hi ek,

http://www.curreriviaggi.it/

ekscrunchy

Thanks...there looks to be a 1pm and 2:30 bus from the Naples airport to Sorrento, which probably would not work for us, but I will keep it in mind..

tbell

bkmk

ekscrunchy

moving this up to remind myself

ekscrunchy

ttt

ekscrunchy

I have begun to make inquiries about a private car and driver for three separate itineraries; I thought I would post the prices here to help anyone else planning something similar and, also, to receive feedback regarding the prices; all prices are for two persons traveling together:


1. Transfer from Naples Airport to hotel in Amalfi: 100 Euro

2. Day trip from Amalfi to Paestum with stops for mozzarella tastings near Battipaglia, and lunch in Cetara: 300 Euro

3. Transfer from Amalfi hotel to Naples center hotel with visit to Pompeii enroute: 180 Euro

Is there anything else I might choose to include? Do these prices seem about right?

Ninkette

We paid either 90 or 100 euros for a Positano to Naples airport transfer in 2006. Didn't do a day tour, but 300 euros seems about what I remember it being when I was researching.

ekscrunchy

Ninkette: Many thanks. So the prices I was quoted sound right on the mark considering that this is two years later...

I am thinking that I will book the first transfer from the airport to my hotel and then play it by ear. I would not want to book a definite date for a day trip to Paestum, etc, only to awake to pouring rain on the appointed day!

Is there another place that I should consider adding to the full day tour which will include Paestum? Someplace a little off the beaten path that is best accessed by car?

We will have three full days NOT including the day of arrival, day of departure, and the day set aside for a full-day driving tour.

Any other ideas of places to explore during those three full days that are easy to reach by bus/boat from Amalfi?

Steve_James

'Any other ideas of places to explore during those three full days that are easy to reach by bus/boat from Amalfi?'

Capri?
Nocelle (- step back in time)?
Path of the Gods?
Ischia?

Steve

thursdaysd

eks - the Frommer's guide suggests combining Certosa di Padula and/or Cilento Park with Paestum if you have your own transport. It also recommends being at Paestum for sunset.

Are you planning to visit Pompeii and Herculaneum, or have you already been?

ekscrunchy

Thursday: I am planning to visit Pompeii, where I have never been. I did visit Herculaneum and thought it fascinating!

We leave in two weeks!! I will check into the places you mentioned..