Thanks, everyone....

I was also puzzled about the OPs post..the part about the car to get to the airport....

The car issue on the AC seems to divide people almost as much as where to stay..it seems like the general opinion is to forgo the car, even in the off season....

For my own part, I am wondering how to combine a visit to the AC and the area further south, around Paestum (but not only the ruins) given all the advice against renting a car....

Are there car rental places in the towns such as Amalfi or Positano?

After Barcelona and a Med cruise, we chose to "jump ship" in Palermo; rent a car to Taormina for 3 and then Ravello for 4 nights before driving to Rome's FCO for the return to JFK.
M

(to ekskscrunchy) we are picking up our rental and driving down to Paestum for a days visit (I am getting sorry we dont have time for more exploring of Cilento) before coming to the Amalfi coast for a 4 night stay in Ravello. Its really not very far between Paestum and Amalfi. If you can wait a couple of weeks we'll report back on our offseason driving experience. For level setting my husband does know how to drive stick and gets to do it every 5-10 years or so so this should be a significant test!

>given all the advice against renting a car....<

We spent a week on the AC and didn't at all regret having the use of a car - quite the contrary! We were able to go places and do things (off the beaten track) that would not have been otherwise possible. I say: Go against the "advice against renting a car"!

Jjkbrook thank you very much! I imgine you are picking up car at the Naples airport, right? I will be VERY interested in hearing all the details of your trip!

I won't go until next spring so there is time!!

Thanks again..

Hi everyone! I would like to thank everyone who writes on this site as it is helping us tremendously plan our extended time in Europe. I too am confused about driving the AC. Is it worse than driving during rush hour on the Los Angeles freeways? Or more twists and turns than Northern Highway One on the California coast? If we have always driven the downtown LA freeways, with all the aggressive drivers, (& with no accidents) do you think we can handle the AC? My husband is also retired law enforcement with much “defensive driver” training and has nerves of steel. Do you think we will do okay? We will have a lease car and the AC will be our second to last stop in Italy after two months, with us returning the lease car at the Rome airport just prior to seeing Rome. (Have learned from everyone here that we sure don’t need a car in Rome!) Oh, and we will be on the AC the third week of October. Is it any better then? Is it just a real nightmare in the summertime only? Are there some stretches of the AC that are better or worse than others? Thanks again! You guys are the best.

I haven't read all the posts, but you can take ferries between the towns. Granted, you are at the mercy of their time schedules, but that can still be faster then fighting traffic jams on the roads. Anyway, thats what was suggested to me as an alternative to renting a private driver or renting a car ourselves. We are only there for the day, (part of a cruise) and wanted to see as much as we could. We decided on a private driver, but if I had more then 1 day, we would have used the ferries. I'm sure we would miss some of the beauty that you see from the road, but I also think from the water, the coastline's got to be spaectacular.

I am also curious as to the driving situation off season; in my case it would probably be sometime in April but not Easter Week.

It seems a bit problematic without a car if one wants to visit the AC and then move south...

Sledge you should probably start your own thread and you will get more input. If you are concerned with steps and stairs I would suggest Sorrento.

EK, go over to my pbase and look at Maggio 2004 section, pictures 4 through 17 are of Amalfi in May. We rented an apartment there for two weeks and really enjoyed it.

pbase.com/seaurchin

>I too am confused about driving the AC.<

It seems there are two issues: Safety and/or congestion. Maybe a third - finding a place to park.

The coastal stretch is a two-lane (one each way) road that is generally level. It is cut into the hillside and follows the contours. There is a heavy barrier on the side that drops toward the water. There are frequent lay-bys along this edge so that one can stop and enjoy the scenery. There are no intersections to speak of, nor traffic lights. In making numerous trips during the time we were there, we found that traffic moved (single file) at a modest speed and I cannot recall any significant tie-ups. I saw no unusually dangerous driving (which would be trying to pass), i.e. nothing I didn't see elsewhere in Italy.

(Actually, going up to Ravello and back, with the steep grade and numerous hairpin turns, could be considered more hazardous than the coastal road.)

To sum up: Please don't be confused or concerned about having a car along this
scenic part of Italy.

Absouteley loved POSITANO, getting there was horrible and I consider myself a good driver.Remeber the driver doesn't enjoy the scenery.I rented a car and had the hotel park it and hired drivers.Parking is nearly impossible everywhere on the coast.I consider it just another headache i don't need.The locals would much rather you not drive in that region.Believe me they will be on your tail beeping and cursing while your driving.Look in your rear view mirror and you will see hands flying all over.lol. Never again!

Thank you Tuck H and miaspapa for your opinions on driving the AC. I'm glad to hear there are barriers on the outside and frequent turnouts. in california, on Hwy 1 we usually pull over into the turnouts to let faster drivers pass and also to take in the scenery. Sounds like a good idea to do this on the Ac also. Don't plan to drive it but once up and down. Not a daily thing by any means. Thank you again.

SeaUrchin: Loved your pictures! They are making me even more excited about being there in a couple of weeks. Can't wait! Thank you so much for sharing. Must pass them on to a group of friends that are spending a week on the Amalfi coast in fall. (It will be their 1st visit to Italy)

I know I have asked this before and the only answer I rec'd was not sure if the boats run the end of March? Does anyone know when the boats run along the AC??

SeaUrchin, one more thing; Is this your own web site that you have posted your pics on or is it similar to Kodak gallery etc?

I am sure my friends will enjoy them as much as I did!

Hi, pbase is open to the public, you pay a small yearly fee but it gives you alot of space to use. Thanks!

I have taken the ferry a few times but not in March. I know there is a site that is mentioned here often with the regular times.

We liked Amalfi, it is where the locals live and work. There are covered passages and high walkways that take you away from the crowds on the square. It takes a little exploring to get to know and it is different than the other towns.

I recommend to all of you not to stress anticipating the road and just enjoy being there. If you drive just keep calm and patient, if you take the public transportation also be calm and patient!

Seaurchin: I LOVED your amazig photos. Amalfi looks like a jewel! Yes!!

Miaspapa: Just to clarify..during what months have you been on this coast? Do you think that the same issues re: driving will be true even in the off season?

Tuck..Thanks..does not sounds too bad.

I agree that it seems as if public transport is the way to go if one wants to spend the entire time on this stretch of coast. But for those who want to move on after the AC, it seems that driving (in the off season) might be a not-out-of-the-question option.

Please keep the opinions flying about recommended bases, cars, etc....

Thank you too, EK. Really, if you are going off season it is fine to have a car especially if it starts to rain, etc. The coast is magical in a storm and better to not be standing waiting for a bus. Now I am getting excited for my trip back in the Fall, thanks to you.

E.K. I drove the coast in Sept. It was caused by missing an exit.I had to drive from Salerno north to Positano,that ended up to be much of the coast.I must say the roads wern't crowded like in the summer.I am going to give you a brief history ,I picked the car up in Florence, While leaving the city at least two moterbike drivers cursed at me calling me a swine American,and the other said go home yankee,in Selerno bikers would go through lights ,when you jammed on your brakes in the intersection they would swear as if you did something wrong.And of course the driver behind me.In the U.S. I have been driving for nearly 40 years and never got a ticket for a moving violation I swear. My uncle lives on Capri said don't wear a baseball cap they know your American,and I really think its the mentality of the drivers.I drove in Rome in a taxi he was driving on the curb peeping so the walkers would get out of his way!Please I am reporting what my uncle said,though I must admit there is a dislike for Americans but thats a whole different topic.

Hi ek,

>I am wondering how to combine a visit to the AC and the area further south, around Paestum (but not only the ruins) given all the advice against renting a car..<

You can get to Paestum by taking the ferry to Salerno and taking the train to Paestum.

For the return, take the train to Salerno and the bus from the train station to Positano (or wherever) via Amalfi.

For Ferry schedules Positano – Amalfi - Salerno (P.zza della Concordia):
See http://tinyurl.com/j4ufa

What do you want to see outside Paestum?

((I))

Ira I am exploring the idea of the Cilento, perhaps to Castellabate. Maratea, about which I asked recently, seems to be too far to include with this trip.

I am not thinking of Paestum as a day trip..the round trip involves too much time by public transport.

So the jury is still out, but it seems as if a car will be fine in the off season. (although, Miaspapa, you have given me a bit of a fright...I can just imagine.....)

Even better would be to have a driver take us from Naples airport to Sorrento and rent a car in Sorrento. OR, take boat/bus to Amalfi from Sorrento..stay in Amalfi one of two nights and rent the car there. Does anyone know if there are car rental agencies in Sorrento and Amalfi? (I need an automatic!)

And then drive further south to Salerno and points beyond.
OR, take boat to Salerno and rent car there for further exploring. The problem arises if I need to return the car to Naples airport to get an early morning flight....

I have read of people having cars delivered to their hotels on the coast, so perhaps this is an option.

Obviously I need to devote much more time to work out a good plan...thanks to any and all who have responded so far...