BRYAN REYNOLDS

Iam interested in traveling to Italy in September,
specifically to Rome and Posistano on the amalfi
coast. Is it possible to travel to both cities within
8 days? I have no idea the distance between them. Any suggestions would by helpful. Thanks.

joelle

The distance between Rome and Positano is around 350 km. You'll spend two hours and a half on the motorway if you rent a car and one more hour to get to Positano as roads are tiny and very curvy. I don't know about a possible train connection from Naples or from Sorrento to Positano, but there is a regular service between Rome and Naples for instance. It takes around two hours by train. Both places are great (in a different way) and the Costiera Amalfitana is definitely worth the trip.

Alicia

I travelled through Italy last October and went to Rome and the Amalfi coast. You definitely have enough time with eight days to see some of both. There is regular train service from Rome to Naples and then from Naples to Sorrento on the Circumvesuviana local train. Once in Sorrento you would need to take a bus to get to Positano.

I personally don't recommend driving in southern Italy. Almost all of the American tourists I met who rented cars, had an accident. The roads along the Amalfi coast are very narrow and extremely winding. Another alternative is the ferry system which runs along the Amalfi coast and to Naples. The ferries are fast, reasonably priced and you can't beat the view.
Have a great trip.
Alicia

Walt

8 days? Piece of cake. You'll dedicate a half a day getting there whether you take a car or the train to Sorrento and then the bus to Positano. Spend three days in Rome, and relax for the rest of your trip on the Amalfi coast. Ahhh!

sonia

Alicia has it right. We did just that a few years back -- started in Rome, then train to Naples, (there are 2 stations in Naples, don't remember which one you change at - ask when you're on the train). Avoid "friendly" volunteers who offer to help with your luggage - you might not see it again. We took the local Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento, and a bus (from right outside the station) over the mountain to Positano. Don't even think about driving there: roads are scary, and you can't enjoy the view. Take the bus - you can see more, meet the locals. A car in Positano is a liability, not an asset. Your hotel will probably send someone to collect you from the bus stop at the top of Positano. You can easily get to Amalfi and Ravello from Positano by local bus, too -outstanding side trip.

I understand if you stay at one of the fancy hotels they may provide a car to meet you in Naples and drive you to Positano (not cheap, but a nice way to go!)

When we (reluctantly) left Positano we took the aliscafo (hydrofoil) via Capri to Naples, then a taxi up to the train station. Not sure how to find a hydrofoil schedule from here, but it was a great way to go. The Positano-Capri leg can be crowded, but most get off in Capri. Writing this is making me so nostalgic, I need to go there again...

Barbara

Bryan, My husband and I have done quite a bit of driving in this area and consider it fun and adventurous, not frightening. Guess it depends on your outlook. If you would like to drive, we were given a great shortcut between Naples and Positano that takes about 45 minutes and is very easy. We used to go over the Chiunzi Pass, but this is better. Just e-mail me directly for any information you need. Can suggest accomodations and restaurants as well, if you like.