Amalfi Coast - to rent a car or not rent a car
 

Still can't decide whether or not to rent a car or not. We have reservations in Capri and Positano. We can take a boat to Sorrento and rent a car and drive to Positano and have a car for the remainder of our trip which includes Maratea, further south. Or should we take a boat to Positano and take buses, boats and trains. Are the buses packed on the AC and hot?
Will be there beginning of July.

We were there last July and spent 2 weeks in Capri, Naples, Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. We got along just fine using the local ferries and buses. Buses were cheap and not too crowded as long as you avoid the rush hrs. We just slipped our luggage in the storage area under the buses. Parking in the AC can be problematic. All of the buses that we took (except the little buses up to Montepertuso and Ravello) were airconditioned. Your hotels can give you the bus schedules and where the closest tabacchi shops are to pick up tickets before you board the buses. We loved the AC.

Hi coop,

Your major problem with a car on the AC is where to park it. The second problem is how much you enjoy being stuck in traffic while two tour buses try to pass each other.

I think that it would be more hindrance than help.

((I))

As I've said elsewhere, we had a car on the AC for 5 days and it was mostly a waste of money, as we only used it once, to go to Paestum. In your case, I would recommend renting a car in Sorrento when you're ready to leave the peninsula. There are several major rental offices there, and I think not having a car on the AC makes a much more relaxing vacation.

Is there any luggage lockers at train station in Sorrento? Will leave Naples and stay in Sorrento but want to head for Positano and Ravello and then return to hotel in Sorrento at night.

Where can I get the bus schedule from Sorrento to Positano and Positano to Ravello?

BM - I don't remember there being a left luggage facility at Sorrento station.

You can find bus timetables here:

SORRENTO-POSITANO:

http://www.sita-on-line.it/costiera%...na/Q.%2014.pdf

AMALFI-RAVELLO:

http://www.sita-on-line.it/costiera%...na/Q.%2015.pdf

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Well call me a big "chicken" but I would never drive the AC on my own--first of all you are so concentrating on your driving, that the driver will never see the beautiful views, but where the heck do you park your car?? big big problem there.

Hi BM,

You could drop your luggage at your hotel in Sorrento and then go on to the AC towns.

((I))

I second Ira's comment about the parking.

You'll spend way too much of your valuable travel time looking for a place to park. And it will most likely be quite a distance from where you want to be. And, it will probably cost more than taking the bus.

The bus stops right in the heart of town.

We just got back yesterday. Forget the car. Trust me.