Hi All,

I have a simple car question. My wife and I are starting our trip in the Amalfi Coast where we are renting a car for a few days.

We need to get to Rome. We have pretty much a day to get there. Is there anything worth driving, and perhaps "smelling the roses" for? Should we just be done with it, and take the train from Naples to Rome?

Would keeping the car and driving be any more dangerous than driving in the Naples area?

Thanks,
Andrew

You might get a few more responses by posting under something like "Amalfi-Rome drive - any recommended stops?".

Since there is no italy forum, only europe, questions with no city/country in the title can get missed by the "experts"

I agree about the reposting but I will offer my opinion. There is no way in Heaven or Earth I would attempt to drive in Rome. Take the train.

Take the train!

Hi R,

Why will you have a car on the AC?

Having a car to f=drive around I Rome makes no sense - but as long as you'll be using a car on the AC (and we have dome so several times and enjoyed it) I would certainly drive the car into Rome and drop it.

Just be sure you have a good street map of the city (driving - not walking) since many streets are one-way. We've driven in and out several times - and had no problems with that either.

Caveat: we're from NYC and used to driving in cities. As long as you're comfortable in other cities Rome shouldn't be an issue.

You might find driving the coast up through Anzio could be interesting. If you are a WWII history buff. Also going by way of the Autostrada and staying in Monte Cassino is kind of neat, if you are into WWII.

dave

Hi Redneck,

I have a good suggestion for you driving between the coast and Rome. Visit Caserta. On my last trip I really wanted to go there, based on friends' recomendations who have lived in Italy. Unfortunately, it would have taken more time by public trans than I had and I didn't get to visit.

It's just northeast a short ways from Naples. Should be an easy drive.

Google it and see what you think.

Buon viaggio!

Thanks for all of the responses so far. It sounds like a mixed bag at this point between driving and public transport. The last time we were in Italy we rented a car and used it a little. We went to Pompeii, and used it to get to and from Naples. We took the train to Rome last time. We want to go to Ravello, and check out some of the areas around the AC that we didn't hit last time.

I'll check out some of the areas noted here, as well as post another message with the correct title. I forgot this wasn't just for Italy ;-)

Thanks again.

We had a car in AC for our last trip and enjoyed the ability to explore. The Amalfi Drive, while not for the faint of heart, is absolutely breathtaking and worth having a car. You can also stop and visit Pompeii on your way from Naples to AC.

We dropped off our car in Naples and took the train to Rome. The driving in Naples and Rome is insane. I've driven in NY plenty and in my opinion, it doesn't come close to the craziness of the Italian cities.

Have a wonderful trip!

Making my DH drive in Naples was my only regret on an otherwise fantastic trip. (I drive/commute to NYC daily and neither of us has trouble driving in New York). In Naples a red light is a mere suggestion, not a rule, etc., so plan accordingly...

We did enjoy having the car and the flexibility on the AC, in October. Hardly any traffic. It may be a different story in July-Aug.

If you can drop the car in Sorrento, take the train into Naples and on to Rome.

I just wanted to come back and update this after the trip for anyone who might want to do the same. I absolutely LOVED having the car. They rented us a diesel Passat. What a great car. It handled really nicely on the tight roads on the Amalfi Coast. It allowed us to go and come when we pleased. Yes, it might have cost us more, but I think it was worth it. We took the Eurorail to Rome. Taking the train to Rome was very smart. There isn't too much between Naples and Rome. Also, driving in Rome is a little crazy to begin with. I do have to warn people who are not comfortable in a car.....don't rent one on the Amalfi coast. It really isn't a big deal if you're comfortable driving. If you're not, you can have issues. To give an example, there was a produce truck that squeezed by us on a road big enough for about one car. There was about 2 inches on either side of the car. Kudos to my wife getting through that one! It really is a lot of fun, and I highly recommend it.

Redneck,

So you didn't find any interesting stops to tempt you to drive to Rome, rather than training from Naples?