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Amalfi Coast - Car vs. No Car?

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Amalfi Coast - Car vs. No Car?

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Old Apr 7th, 2010 | 11:23 AM
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Amalfi Coast - Car vs. No Car?

Hi,

Wondering if anyone has a view on whether or not we should rent a car for a 6 night stay in Positano?

No parking at the Villa we've rented, so we're leaning against not having a car... which introduces the question of how to get from naples airport to positano and back.

we're not opposed to renting a car / taxi for the trip - any suggestions on which companies to use? approx. what cost?

other than having a driver, how would you do it? we land mid-afternoon so it wouldn't likely be a problem to take a bus / train, though our return flight is reasonably early in the am...

thanks,
j.
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Old Apr 7th, 2010 | 11:30 AM
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I would take the Curreri shuttle bus from the airport to Sorrento (10€ - no Sunday service). From there, I would either arrange a driver/taxi to Positano or take the Sita bus. If you have an early flight out, you will have to hire a driver.
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Old Apr 8th, 2010 | 05:07 AM
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On our last trip we took the Circumversuviana (local train) from Naples to Sorrento, then the Sita bus to Positano. As in the past the bus was very, very crowded. On our return we weakened and took a limo from Positano to Naples for around $100 - IMHO much the best way if you can afford it! There are several limo/cab companies in Positano that you could contact.

Assuming your trip is in the summer, once in Positano you can get the ferry to Capri, Amalfi (then bus up to Ravello), etc. I wouldn't rent a car, but it you do there is a large public parking garage in the middle of Positano.
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Old Apr 8th, 2010 | 05:33 AM
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thanks both - very helpful.

just found a quote for 90E transfer, i think that's what we'll do... two buses with crowds, etc... doesn't sound great.
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Old Apr 8th, 2010 | 06:27 AM
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Good decision.
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Old Apr 8th, 2010 | 08:15 AM
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jmwf,

If you do go to Capri, be sure to have boat reservations one day in advance. I think that's as far in advance as they take them. If you don't - your "day trip" to Capri will become a half-day trip, as you will have to wait for mid-day boats.
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Old Apr 8th, 2010 | 09:25 AM
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Dayle,

thanks for the advice - we were planning a day trip.

where can i make the reservations for the boat?

thanks again.
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Old Apr 8th, 2010 | 08:32 PM
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You could also fly into Positano from the Naples airport (SAM helicopters) and your in Positano in 20 minutes with breathtaking views of the Bay of Naples and especially the view of Vesuvius. They have luggage storage specially for the transfers. Pricey, but having flown over the area, I'll never forget those views.
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Old Apr 8th, 2010 | 08:52 PM
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Alicost and Cooperativa Sant'Andrea run boats from Positano to Capri. Alicost's Web site gives a Positano telephone number; Coop Sant'Andrea says its office is on Spiaggia Grande.
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Old Apr 9th, 2010 | 04:38 AM
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Hi JM,

>how to get from naples airport to positano and back.<

You could hire a limo for about 110E each way. We were pleased with Limousine Service Sorrento (Renato Cuomo) www.cuomonet.it
Also consider Francesco. http://www.francescomarrapese.com/

You could also take the train from Naples to Salerno and the ferry from Salerno to Positano. Very scenic.
Return to Naples via the SITA bus to Sorrento and the Circumvesuviana to Naples.
This is the inexpensive way.

Enjoy your visit.

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Old Apr 9th, 2010 | 09:44 AM
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Nadia,

there are no helipads in positano... cool thought tho.

Thanks for the other advice as well.
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Old Apr 10th, 2010 | 04:51 AM
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j.,

Having been to the Amalfi/Sorrento area several times we always rented a car (although we had a villa with parking). I would think you would want to take some day trips from Positano if you are going to be there for 6 nights (Sorrento, Ravello, Pompeii, Amalfi, ect)....having a car makes it so much easier)...as for a day trip to Capri, in our experiences the boats ran almost hourly between for most of the day...we would get the boat in Sorrento at around 9am and take a boat back at 5pm, without any reservations or issues (we travelled in May every time).

Have a great trip!

Mike
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Old Apr 10th, 2010 | 05:07 AM
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We took the ferry from Naples to Positano and back. For us it was perfect. From Positano we took boats to Capri and Amalfi and bused from Amalfi. Some of the restaurants send cars for you. When we travel we usually rent a car except for Nice but in Positano did not miss having one at all.
Lucky you. Wish we were going back. Still our alltime best trip.
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Old Apr 10th, 2010 | 08:26 AM
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A correction to one of the previous postings: the Curreri airporter bus between Naples Airport and Sorrento operates seven days per week. By contrast, the Curreri bus between Sorrento and Roma Tiburtina does not operate on Sundays.
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