Amalfi Coast Driving
Apr 12th, 2006, 06:16 PM
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Amalfi Coast Driving
I know I know..this question has been asked a million times but here it goes again. Landing in Rome - Base is Positano for 5 days then back to Rome for a day.
If we drive - 800 Dollars - for 7 days including Car Insurance parking and gas.
Or use train from Rome to Naples - Taxi from Naples to Positano or Ferry and use public transport
Plan is to see Ravello, Sorrento, Capro and Pompei...I am a good driver and have driven a lot in europe.....Money not deciding factor but I mean the more we save the more she has for shopping.....Thanks
If we drive - 800 Dollars - for 7 days including Car Insurance parking and gas.
Or use train from Rome to Naples - Taxi from Naples to Positano or Ferry and use public transport
Plan is to see Ravello, Sorrento, Capro and Pompei...I am a good driver and have driven a lot in europe.....Money not deciding factor but I mean the more we save the more she has for shopping.....Thanks
Apr 12th, 2006, 06:33 PM
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I just finished driving about 1000 KM, picked up car in Rome, drove through Tuscany, Cinque Terre, and then to Venice. It was challening but I did it. I've been on the Amalfi Coast (bus/train, etc.), but I don't think I would personally attempt this drive. For the portion you're talking about, I think I would use train, taxi, and ferry. Winding, mountainous, coastal roads are challenging.
Apr 12th, 2006, 06:35 PM
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Frankly, I think relying on public transporation every day from Positano is a real pain. We had a car there and one day made the mistake of taking a boat just to Amalfi, because we thought it would be better. When the return boat was cancelled we spent much of the day
in the rain trying to get a bus. Each one that stopped was filled or soon filled up with people pushing and shoving their way ahead. I think it was the third bus (which was two or three hours later) where we decided to join them, and pushed as well -- the only way we could get on. Then we had to stand on that wild ride back to Positano, unable to see a thing while standing.
We liked having a car, and it really does open you up to a lot more.
Hope that's a luxury car and automatic for that price!
in the rain trying to get a bus. Each one that stopped was filled or soon filled up with people pushing and shoving their way ahead. I think it was the third bus (which was two or three hours later) where we decided to join them, and pushed as well -- the only way we could get on. Then we had to stand on that wild ride back to Positano, unable to see a thing while standing.
We liked having a car, and it really does open you up to a lot more.
Hope that's a luxury car and automatic for that price!
Apr 12th, 2006, 08:10 PM
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What time of year are you going?
There is only one road that services the Amalfi Coast and it gets very heavily trafficked in the summer months, not just with other cars but with buses.
And although many people enjoy driving the hairpin Amalfi drive, few people enjoy driving in Sorrento, and you don't need a car to get to Capri. You can get a ferry from Positano.
To me the only advantage of a car -- and it's a big advantage -- is seeing Pompeii on your own schedule.
I don't know if you are locked into your hotel reservations, but I would suggest that you consider basing in Positano for 3 nights and then do two in Sorrento, which lets you tour Sorrento for an afternoon, then get up and easily get to Pompeii by train for a full day.
I would spring for the cost of a private driver from Naples train station to Positano. (100 euro?) Then I would hire a private driver to drive you to Ravello one day for lunch. (50 euro?) Take the bus back to Positano from Ravello.
If you don't want to stay in Sorrento, but keep your 5 full days in Positano, getting to and from Pompeii by private car could get pricey. You might do better to take a tour bus.
Public transporation to and from Sorrento is fairly easy.
But then you'd need a car to take you back to Naples train station to get back to Rome.
If you want to do some cost comparisons, e-mail Benevenuto Limousines in Amalfi. You can find their number on the web.
There is only one road that services the Amalfi Coast and it gets very heavily trafficked in the summer months, not just with other cars but with buses.
And although many people enjoy driving the hairpin Amalfi drive, few people enjoy driving in Sorrento, and you don't need a car to get to Capri. You can get a ferry from Positano.
To me the only advantage of a car -- and it's a big advantage -- is seeing Pompeii on your own schedule.
I don't know if you are locked into your hotel reservations, but I would suggest that you consider basing in Positano for 3 nights and then do two in Sorrento, which lets you tour Sorrento for an afternoon, then get up and easily get to Pompeii by train for a full day.
I would spring for the cost of a private driver from Naples train station to Positano. (100 euro?) Then I would hire a private driver to drive you to Ravello one day for lunch. (50 euro?) Take the bus back to Positano from Ravello.
If you don't want to stay in Sorrento, but keep your 5 full days in Positano, getting to and from Pompeii by private car could get pricey. You might do better to take a tour bus.
Public transporation to and from Sorrento is fairly easy.
But then you'd need a car to take you back to Naples train station to get back to Rome.
If you want to do some cost comparisons, e-mail Benevenuto Limousines in Amalfi. You can find their number on the web.
Apr 12th, 2006, 08:13 PM
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Apr 13th, 2006, 05:09 AM
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I realized after posting this that the money-saving comprimise (relative to renting a car) might be:
Driver who picks from Naples train staition to Positano
Taxi from Positano to Ravello for lunch
Taxi from Positano to Sorrento train station to take train to see Pompeii
Taxi from Sorrento train station back to Positano
Driver from Positano to Naples train station to get back to Rome
I'm guessing, but I would think those arrangements would cost you total something in the neighborhood of $350. But again, I suggest you send an e-mail to a few limo drivers and taxi companies in Sorrento and Amalfi (you can search these threds for names and links) and comparison shop).
Driver who picks from Naples train staition to Positano
Taxi from Positano to Ravello for lunch
Taxi from Positano to Sorrento train station to take train to see Pompeii
Taxi from Sorrento train station back to Positano
Driver from Positano to Naples train station to get back to Rome
I'm guessing, but I would think those arrangements would cost you total something in the neighborhood of $350. But again, I suggest you send an e-mail to a few limo drivers and taxi companies in Sorrento and Amalfi (you can search these threds for names and links) and comparison shop).
Apr 13th, 2006, 06:23 AM
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I totally agree with nessumdorma's great advice. Traffic in the summer months can be horrendous. ( It once took us nearly two hours to drive the equivalent of five or six city blocks during a Friday morning in Sorrento.) And parking in Sorrento and the tiny Amalfi Coast towns is extremely limited.
Although public transportation is a nuisance, it sure beats bumper to bumper traffic, and it's very cheap!
Although public transportation is a nuisance, it sure beats bumper to bumper traffic, and it's very cheap!
Apr 13th, 2006, 07:39 AM
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One thing to keep in mind however -- if the road is bumper to bumper and it takes you 2 hours to drive it, taking a bus or a limo on that same road is not going to get you there any faster. Yes our drive was slow, which was a blessing as it gave us more time to enjoy the amazing scenery. If your goal is to hurry, it would indeed be a nightmare to drive the crowded Amalfi highway.
I'm not sure how the public transportation (other than boats) beats the bumper to bumper traffic. Have they built a new road there accessibly only to public transportation? The bus we were in took something like an hour (standing up all the way) from Amalfi to Positano. I'm not sure why that would have been any quicker than if we were in a car.
I'm not sure how the public transportation (other than boats) beats the bumper to bumper traffic. Have they built a new road there accessibly only to public transportation? The bus we were in took something like an hour (standing up all the way) from Amalfi to Positano. I'm not sure why that would have been any quicker than if we were in a car.
Apr 13th, 2006, 08:18 AM
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Hi Globetrotter,
It really does depend on when you are going. I went in Sept for 6 days using public trans. The SITA buses were a nightmare, either non-existent or very late. Horribly crowded, pushing & shoving, and sweaty.
If I EVER visit the Amalfi Coast again between the months of May - Oct, I would stay in one of the towns where boat trans is an option. I would not drive or use the buses.
It really does depend on when you are going. I went in Sept for 6 days using public trans. The SITA buses were a nightmare, either non-existent or very late. Horribly crowded, pushing & shoving, and sweaty.
If I EVER visit the Amalfi Coast again between the months of May - Oct, I would stay in one of the towns where boat trans is an option. I would not drive or use the buses.
Apr 14th, 2006, 07:11 AM
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Thank You all. We have decided to Drive - my wife wants to. The total cost is 500 Euros for the car with all insurances, 100 for parking and 100 for gas. I feel as this is April traffic might be lighter and at only 200-300 dollar savings I am better off having the flexibility. Also the Hotel will [ark the car in Positano. Will post pictures when back
May 6th, 2006, 07:19 AM
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are you going to italy this year if so i want to give you a couple of companies
that i used on my holiday last year,
they took me and my husband all around the amalfi coast and took us back to rome with style and comfort and the cost
was also very good, if you want to know more please contact me, as in the past years i had used the hotel transportation and payed double.
the companies where
www.italycarservice.it
www.sorrentoprivatedriver.com
veronica hart
that i used on my holiday last year,
they took me and my husband all around the amalfi coast and took us back to rome with style and comfort and the cost
was also very good, if you want to know more please contact me, as in the past years i had used the hotel transportation and payed double.
the companies where
www.italycarservice.it
www.sorrentoprivatedriver.com
veronica hart
May 6th, 2006, 11:35 AM
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In the midst of the summer ferries may be a beter choice. Otherwise do the car - easier for Sorrento and Pompeii. (Having your own is always faster than the buses - which are always stopping to let people on and off - and you can keep to your own schedule.)
That said - I would avoid the middle of the summer if possible. We love late May.
That said - I would avoid the middle of the summer if possible. We love late May.
May 6th, 2006, 11:45 AM
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We rented a car (at the end of May) and drove from Rome to Naples (stayed one night), drove on to Amalfi (three nights) and explored Ravello (no traffic problems getting to Amalfi), drove to Sorrento (left car in guarded parking garage) took ferry from Sorrento to Capri (two nights; ferry back to Sorrento (one night) then back to Rome. No problems whatsoever driving. Can't imagine using public transportation to do all of this. Have a great trip. We've been all over Europe and this trip is probably my favorite!
