Rome & Amalfi Coast (driving/Public Transit questions)
Feb 14th, 2016, 10:58 AM
#1
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Rome & Amalfi Coast (driving/Public Transit questions)
Bonjour!
We booked a trip at the end of September to Rome and the Amalfi Coast. We plan to spend 2 full days at the beginning of our trip in Rome and then head to the Amalfi Coast where we rented an Airbnb in Conca Dei Marini for 6 nights. We fly out of Rome so will head back up a day before our flight.
My questions to you, the experienced travelers, are...
1. Should we rent a car in Rome to drive to the Amalfi coast (airbnb has a private parking spot included) or take the train to naples and then the 2 buses to get to the Amalfi? And then rely on buses to get around to the other towns (amalfi, Ravello, Positano, etc)?
2. If we do rent a car and drive, are there public parking spots that are easy to park in around town if we do drive along the coast to see the other towns? Or will a car be a hassle to deal with?
3. Is Pompeii worth seeing over a day visit?
4. Best pizza place in Naples?
5. Any other recommendations?!
We booked a trip at the end of September to Rome and the Amalfi Coast. We plan to spend 2 full days at the beginning of our trip in Rome and then head to the Amalfi Coast where we rented an Airbnb in Conca Dei Marini for 6 nights. We fly out of Rome so will head back up a day before our flight.
My questions to you, the experienced travelers, are...
1. Should we rent a car in Rome to drive to the Amalfi coast (airbnb has a private parking spot included) or take the train to naples and then the 2 buses to get to the Amalfi? And then rely on buses to get around to the other towns (amalfi, Ravello, Positano, etc)?
2. If we do rent a car and drive, are there public parking spots that are easy to park in around town if we do drive along the coast to see the other towns? Or will a car be a hassle to deal with?
3. Is Pompeii worth seeing over a day visit?
4. Best pizza place in Naples?
5. Any other recommendations?!
Feb 14th, 2016, 11:18 AM
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Cars are rather a pain on the Amalfi - crowded slow-going roads and boats and buses run to the other towns- boats seasonal only.
A more painless way to get to the Amalfi than via Naples would be to take a train to Sorrento then a bus from the station to wherever you're going or in season boats - otherwise taking train to Naples then CircumVesuviana commuter train to Sorrento the bus to???is more a pain IMO - the commuter train is like a metro and can get quite crowded. Book long-distance tickets at www.trenitalia.com and book early as possible to get the limited in number discounted tickets (non-changeable non-refundable however I do believe).
For lots of good info on trains check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Parking is IME hard in busy seasons but IMO car a hassle to deal with here and not needed as there are boats in season to Capri and I believe Sorrento - train from Sorrento to nearby Pompeii - it is worth about 3-4 hours in a oft hot blazing sun IME.
Best pizza in Naples - like asking for the best bagels in Brooklyn IMO.
If you decide to rent car I would drive then from Rome to wherever you're going.
Another option is hire a driver to drive you to your destination - definitely fastest and most painless way but also more expensive. there is also I hear some limited bus service Rome to Amalfi Coast.
A more painless way to get to the Amalfi than via Naples would be to take a train to Sorrento then a bus from the station to wherever you're going or in season boats - otherwise taking train to Naples then CircumVesuviana commuter train to Sorrento the bus to???is more a pain IMO - the commuter train is like a metro and can get quite crowded. Book long-distance tickets at www.trenitalia.com and book early as possible to get the limited in number discounted tickets (non-changeable non-refundable however I do believe).
For lots of good info on trains check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Parking is IME hard in busy seasons but IMO car a hassle to deal with here and not needed as there are boats in season to Capri and I believe Sorrento - train from Sorrento to nearby Pompeii - it is worth about 3-4 hours in a oft hot blazing sun IME.
Best pizza in Naples - like asking for the best bagels in Brooklyn IMO.
If you decide to rent car I would drive then from Rome to wherever you're going.
Another option is hire a driver to drive you to your destination - definitely fastest and most painless way but also more expensive. there is also I hear some limited bus service Rome to Amalfi Coast.
Feb 14th, 2016, 01:16 PM
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Cars are a complete hassle on the AC. Parking is extremely limited and tight in most of the towns.
You can either:
Take a bus (Positanoshuttle.com) from the airport to Positano, then a cab or boat to Amalfi.
Hire a private driver to your Airnb, but quite expensive, probably topping E500 from Rome.
Take the fast train from Rome to Naples ( just over an hour), then private transfer to your Airnb, which I'm guessing would run about E150+, since it's E120 to Positano.
Take the train from Rome to Salerno, boat to Amalfi, then make arrangements ( cab or private) to Airnb.
Pompeii as a day visit from where you're based can be done, but will be a hassle.
It's easiest to either see Pompeii on your way back to Rome,
or day trip to Sorrento, then take the local train to Pompeii ( 30 minutes from Sorrento). But keep in mind that Conca dei Marina is about 45-1 hour by car or bus to Sorrento. No idea how you do it by boat unless you go to Amalfi first, then take the boat from there. But you'd have to check the September schedules.
IMHO, not worth stopping in Naples if only for pizza. There's plenty of good pizza in and along the coast. My favorite spot in Positano for great pizza is LO GUARACINO, located on the seaside path to FORNILLO BEACH.
You can either:
Take a bus (Positanoshuttle.com) from the airport to Positano, then a cab or boat to Amalfi.
Hire a private driver to your Airnb, but quite expensive, probably topping E500 from Rome.
Take the fast train from Rome to Naples ( just over an hour), then private transfer to your Airnb, which I'm guessing would run about E150+, since it's E120 to Positano.
Take the train from Rome to Salerno, boat to Amalfi, then make arrangements ( cab or private) to Airnb.
Pompeii as a day visit from where you're based can be done, but will be a hassle.
It's easiest to either see Pompeii on your way back to Rome,
or day trip to Sorrento, then take the local train to Pompeii ( 30 minutes from Sorrento). But keep in mind that Conca dei Marina is about 45-1 hour by car or bus to Sorrento. No idea how you do it by boat unless you go to Amalfi first, then take the boat from there. But you'd have to check the September schedules.
IMHO, not worth stopping in Naples if only for pizza. There's plenty of good pizza in and along the coast. My favorite spot in Positano for great pizza is LO GUARACINO, located on the seaside path to FORNILLO BEACH.
Feb 14th, 2016, 01:19 PM
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Sorry, correction:
If you go only as far as Amalfi on arrival, obviously you'll need to make your way to Conca dei Marina by cab? Maybe other posters here are more familiar with the best way to get there.
We usually go only as far as Positano or Amalfi.
Good luck!
If you go only as far as Amalfi on arrival, obviously you'll need to make your way to Conca dei Marina by cab? Maybe other posters here are more familiar with the best way to get there.
We usually go only as far as Positano or Amalfi.
Good luck!
Feb 14th, 2016, 02:05 PM
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It's easiest to either see Pompeii on your way back to Rome>
And there is last I knew baggage storage the the entrance to the Scavi (ruins) - you want the Pompeii Scavi station, on the commuter train line to Naples (not part of Trenitalia - buy tickets at station - just a few euros Sorrento to Naples - no advance purchase possible I think or suggested if so.)
Trenitalia's Pompeii station is in the modern town on Pompeii, a few miles from the classical Pompeii ruins site - there are trains from Salerno to Pompeii (the modern town) if it's easier for you to get to Salerno than Sorrento.
And there is last I knew baggage storage the the entrance to the Scavi (ruins) - you want the Pompeii Scavi station, on the commuter train line to Naples (not part of Trenitalia - buy tickets at station - just a few euros Sorrento to Naples - no advance purchase possible I think or suggested if so.)
Trenitalia's Pompeii station is in the modern town on Pompeii, a few miles from the classical Pompeii ruins site - there are trains from Salerno to Pompeii (the modern town) if it's easier for you to get to Salerno than Sorrento.
Feb 14th, 2016, 04:45 PM
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We have had cars on the AC twice - but both in May and we were staying in Sorrento in a hotel with free parking. We had picked up the car in Rome and were using it for a 2 week road trip after we left the AC. We used the car to go to Pompeii one day and on other days we drive to Amalfi or Positano and a couple of other small towns. Parking in those towns was not easy - and that is from someone used to finding parking spots in NYC - count on circling for a while to find a spot. And the ferry from Sorrento to Capri.
But even in May the traffic is very slow and can come to a complete stop if 2 large buses meet a narrow spot and one has to backup. Waits can be 20 or 30 minutes.
In your case a car does not seem to make much sense. But there is no way I would rent one to use on the AC unless you know what you will use it for and are sure your hotel has free parking (very few do).
But even in May the traffic is very slow and can come to a complete stop if 2 large buses meet a narrow spot and one has to backup. Waits can be 20 or 30 minutes.
In your case a car does not seem to make much sense. But there is no way I would rent one to use on the AC unless you know what you will use it for and are sure your hotel has free parking (very few do).
Feb 15th, 2016, 04:12 AM
#7
>>>We plan to spend 2 full days at the beginning of our trip in Rome and then head to the Amalfi Coast where we rented an Airbnb in Conca dei Marini for 6 nights. <<<<
I would change this if possible. Put all of Rome at the end of the trip (I would add another day to Rome if you've never been).
Since you are staying somewhere with little transportation available like Conca dei Marini, a rental car might be necessary. Assuming you are arriving FCO, I would plan to take a train to Salerno on arrival day. You can pick up a rental car there (check opening/closing times). That would make for less driving after an overnight flight (assuming you are coming from the states) over picking up a car at FCO.
>>>are there public parking spots that are easy to park in around town if we do drive along the coast to see the other towns?<<<
Amalfi built an underground parking garage (Luna Rossa) a few years ago. If you didn't want to drive up to Ravello, you could park in Amalfi and take the bus up. If you plan a daytrip to Capri, you could take a ferry from Amalfi and leave your car in the garage.
http://www.ciaoamalfi.com/2011/04/lu...parking-amalf/
Sorrento has quite a few parking garages. Positano has a few parking options (Mandara garage for one), but no guarantees they won't be full.
If you plan to spend a day in Naples, I would park either in Sorrento or Salerno and take the train. Another option would be drop your car in Salerno at the end of your coast stay, take the train to Naples, store your luggage at the train station, visit Naples, train to Rome for the rest of your trip.
I would change this if possible. Put all of Rome at the end of the trip (I would add another day to Rome if you've never been).
Since you are staying somewhere with little transportation available like Conca dei Marini, a rental car might be necessary. Assuming you are arriving FCO, I would plan to take a train to Salerno on arrival day. You can pick up a rental car there (check opening/closing times). That would make for less driving after an overnight flight (assuming you are coming from the states) over picking up a car at FCO.
>>>are there public parking spots that are easy to park in around town if we do drive along the coast to see the other towns?<<<
Amalfi built an underground parking garage (Luna Rossa) a few years ago. If you didn't want to drive up to Ravello, you could park in Amalfi and take the bus up. If you plan a daytrip to Capri, you could take a ferry from Amalfi and leave your car in the garage.
http://www.ciaoamalfi.com/2011/04/lu...parking-amalf/
Sorrento has quite a few parking garages. Positano has a few parking options (Mandara garage for one), but no guarantees they won't be full.
If you plan to spend a day in Naples, I would park either in Sorrento or Salerno and take the train. Another option would be drop your car in Salerno at the end of your coast stay, take the train to Naples, store your luggage at the train station, visit Naples, train to Rome for the rest of your trip.
