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Advice on getting to the Amalfi Coast - recommendations, your experiences

Advice on getting to the Amalfi Coast - recommendations, your experiences

Old May 10th, 2014, 10:05 AM
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Advice on getting to the Amalfi Coast - recommendations, your experiences

OK - for you AC experts...

I am not fond of making air connections (at least the fewer the better) or waiting around for too much on my vacations. We can fly to Rome and connect to Naples from there (or from CDG, which is even less appealing to me). However, the layover in Rome would be almost 4 hours and then we would still need to get to Positano from Naples. Just a day lost in my mind.

Is it totally crazy to scrap that and hire a driver from Rome and just be on our way? Anything to see on the drive from Rome to Positano? Or a train from Rome to Salerno, then the ferry to Positano (I assume in May they will be running)? Are any of the trains from Rome to Salerno high speed?

I am not necessarily looking for the least expensive option here but I am leaning toward what is most expedient...I am gonna want to GET there and get on with the vacation.
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Old May 10th, 2014, 10:41 AM
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Well the simplest - and most expensive (VERY expensive) is to hire a car and driver to take you direct to your hotel in Positano. You can sleep on the way and wake up there - by the time your flight to Naples would take off. Pompeii is on the way - but takes at least 3 or 4 hours to see much and there is no way I would stuff that into this day if your goal is to get to Positano.

Your other choice is to take a train to Rome, change to a train to Salerno and then coordinate with a ferry to Positano (which runs fairly infrequently), then get a cab from the dock to the hotel.

Or take a train to rome, change to one to Naples and THERE get a car/driver to take you to Positano.

I would do the car/driver from the airport in Rome (if I had scheduled my vacation this way) - but it depends on how much you value money over time and convenience. Also how many of you are there? Car/driver is less of a splurge for more people.
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Old May 10th, 2014, 11:47 AM
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Good to know that the ferry runs in frequently between Salerno and Positano - this is the kind of info I am looking for. I don't know the area at all.

There are just 2 of us traveling. I am primarily trying to get us to Positano quickly, after the overnight flight. The more time saved in getting there, the more time for enjoying the area.

I am also still playing with flights but will definitely have to connect somewhere, unless we fly into Rome.
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Old May 10th, 2014, 12:06 PM
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nytraveler says the Salerno-Positano is INfrequent. I'd find out if it's running and the ferry times.

Have you looked into flying into Naples?
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Old May 10th, 2014, 12:11 PM
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Well if it were me I'd fly into Naples even if that meant a change in Frankfurt and then take a car and driver from there. I guess I've had good luck with connections through Frankfurt and not having to wait long for them.

But since it is you ( ) and you aren't too bothered by the cost, then I'd suggest just booking a car and driver to take you from Rome to Positano. You will be tired after the long overnight flight and personally I wouldn't want to be faffing around getting a train, ferry etc.

The drive from Rome to Naples isn't all that scenic so you can sleep for that portion and then wake up to the spectacular scenery on the drive to Positano.

I hope you have a great time, we loved our trip to the area.
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Old May 10th, 2014, 01:09 PM
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I have seen prices of E500 one way from FCO to Positano. And it still takes about four hours.

What would you plan for the reverse trip?

I would fly into Naples. My husband has a double connect through Munich and he still is arriving by Noon.

If money is no object then driver from Naples.

Good luck. Have a great trip.
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Old May 10th, 2014, 01:18 PM
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The most expedient is to rent a car at FCO & drive. That's what we did years ago. That said, our drive was an adventure with a significant wrong turn in Naples that threw us into the madness of the traffic in that frantic city. The coast road was a breeze after that.

I would do it again btw.

Ian
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Old May 10th, 2014, 01:19 PM
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In 2012, we went to Naples by train. From there a transfer by car was made with Positano Taxi (90 euros)
to Albergo California of the very friendy Cinque family in Positano. In that trip we visit Ravello and the Rondinaia Viila that belonged to Gore Vidal.
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Old May 10th, 2014, 01:50 PM
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I'm not a fan of connecting through Europe. Every time we've done it, we've had significant delays for one reason or another.It just adds another level of stress to the trip.

I also would not recommend renting a car after a transatlantic trip. Especially if you are going in the summer months when there is tons of traffic on the Amalfi Coast drive. That drive is difficult at times even under the best circumstances- lots of twists, turns, buses and trucks honking behind you.

I'd go straight to Rome, then there are a few options:

You could take the fast train from Rome-Naples, which takes a little over an hour ( 70 minutes). Then arrange a private transfer from Naples to your hotel in Positano ( roughly E120).

A private transfer from FCO-your hotel in Positano will cost about E450+. We did this last year because there were five of us traveling and it was almost (ALMOST) cost effective. The ride takes about 3 hours.

I would NOT suggest stopping at Pompeii on the way. It will be a blur anyway after a transatlantic flight.

You could also take the train to Salerno, then ferry, but I personally find the fast train to Naples, then private driver to Positano a more hassle-free way to do this with luggage if it's within budget.
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Old May 10th, 2014, 06:31 PM
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It's not that I haven't considered flying into Naples. Delta doesn't fly there direct and I am having trouble getting flights into Naples without 2 connections, which I won't do.

For some reason the site is pushing us towards a connection from Rome or Paris. Maybe it is because it is still far out....We will try to use FF miles, if we can-which limits what you can do but free is good.

We do need at least one leg in or out of Rome, as we want 2 nights back in Rome.
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Old May 10th, 2014, 06:48 PM
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Hi Denisea,

Fly in to Rome, hire a private driver. Nice and relaxing, It is worth the €€€.

I will be looking forward to your trip report.

P.S. Plse tell chad to buy his coffee from the little guys once in a while, so we can go to Europe more offen.

Have a great trip!
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Old May 11th, 2014, 05:07 AM
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LOL chaz does buy from small places too, but where we live SB and McDonalds are the only thing around. At our previous house, there was a local place near by that he went to everyday. "The Chaz" was the first item on the menu...iced coffee with two shots! We are a long way from this triip but there will be a TR.
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Old May 11th, 2014, 05:20 AM
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denisea---after our many chats on Paris I enjoy your travels and I am reading your thread with interest. We have tried to go to the AC many times and always nixed it because of the difficulty in getting there. So, if you figure out how to do it I will follow along and travel there thru your TR.
Good Luck, it looks like a beautiful area.
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Old May 11th, 2014, 05:27 AM
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I do not know what he charges for transfers, but we did a day tour with him and he was excellent! I HiGHLY recommend Francesco.

http://www.francescomarrapese.com/transfers.htm
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Old May 11th, 2014, 05:54 AM
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If you decide to go with a driver from FCO, I can highly recommend wwwtiberlimo.com., based in Rome. We really enjoyed our drive with him!
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Old May 11th, 2014, 07:12 AM
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TPAYT - This is why we didn't go to the AC on our honeymoon. I have more time for this trip and I do think you need a little more time to account for getting there!! I do think it will be worth it

Thanks for the driver recommendations - makes a huge difference to utilize a service others have used with positive results. Driving on our own anywhere near the AC is not even remotely an option for us.
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Old May 12th, 2014, 03:40 AM
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denisea, I would agree with others who would recommend a car service to take you directly from the FCO airport to your hotel in Positano.

Like you, I live in ATL, ride Delta most often, and do cash in FF miles to get to Europe (Next trip on FF miles - The NL). And you're right, getting a flight all the way to Naples will require a connection (often on Alitalia, a SkyMiles partner). That last leg seems to be difficult to schedule using miles.

And by the time you wait for a connection at FCO, make the flight to NAP, then get a car transfer from NAP to Positano, you could have already BEEN THERE, hanging out at your hotel.

I am not an advocate of heading to Salerno. I've done the ferry with luggage... Not too much fun, especially after flying all night. Plus you're adding 2 train rides, a taxi ride in Salerno, an "infrequent" ferry to Positano, and perhaps another taxi in Positano, depending on your hotel location. That's five additional steps over multiple hours, depending on the train and ferry schedules - That just sounds exhausting... especially after an overnight flight.

Perhaps the most cost-effective is the FF-Air connection into NAP and then a private car transfer to your hotel... that's only ONE additional step (as opposed to just getting into a car at FCO).

It comes down to time, money, and convenience... and your priorities. It's the first day of your vacation and may set the tone for your first couple of days in Italy. What I've found when helping folks on their vacations, once you're there MONEY is NOT the biggest issue, it's TIME and being comfortable in foreign surroundings.

If you can afford it... I'd be in a car from FCO, with soft music, leather seats, AC, and bottled water - wake me up when we arrive!

Good Luck!
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Old May 12th, 2014, 06:48 AM
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FYI, when you are in Positano, traveling via ferry is IMO the best option. Here is the ferry schedule: www.coopsantadrea.com
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Old May 12th, 2014, 11:39 AM
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Hi Denisea,

Really like to keep up with your plans. Amalfi is so beautiful! In fact, as we're in the process of finalizing our plans for the Alps, we keep dreaming about areas in Italy, France, Spain, etc.

Our visit to the AC was pre-Fodorite forum days. We've wanted to return, but as you and others have suggested, getting to the AC isn't the easiest. We were talking about flying into Rome, possibly Naples, training it to a town on the AC, and booking a driver to our hotel. I think the suggestions of others regarding hotels and restaurants, will be more up-to-date. Just like to chime in that, although we like to rent cars in our European travels, we in no way would drive on the AC. Not only are roads narrow and curvy, with rock walls, and lots of traffic, but the driving is fast. (Our most harrowing taxi ride was on the AC!) Also, we would not consider stopping en route to visit Pompeii. We'd want to get on with the beauty of the coast ASAP. Pompeii is very interesting, but would only be a consideration if we could spare a break from the AC, or upon leaving.

Just as you plan to spend those last two days in Rome before heading home, we're planning two days in Paris in September.

Best of luck in your planning. I'm sure that whatever you decide will work out just fine.
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Old May 12th, 2014, 07:19 PM
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As always, your advice is invaluable & appreciated and I love this forum for the suggestions, advice and how so many of you will "get on board" for someone else's trip.

Marco - sure - if you are are willing to post a website or email, I'd be interested.

Just glad to know I'm not crazy for wanting to skip all the PIA stuff and just get there. On vacation, I am more than willing to throw a little money at the "problem" in favor of getting more fun our of the trip (and limiting the hassles).
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