madmikey

Ciao, My wife and I are going to Italy in October for a couple of weeks and our first week will be in Positano. We land on Sunday afternoon around 1:30.,what is the going rate for a private driver to take us to Positano ? I have checked out Rome Cabs and thought the price to be a little rich.

Thanks, Mike

bobthenavigator

From FCO to Positano is about 350E.
Or, taxi to Termini[40E], train to Naples[2 hours and 35E each], and a driver from there[ 100E]--or commuter train to Sorrento from Naples and taxi from there[50E]

Lifeman

It's around 180 miles and 3 and a half hours from FCO to Positano and €350 doesn't seem to bad for that bearing in mind that your driver has to then turn round & head back to Rome.

If you're flying in from the US then I'd think that you'd be too tired to drive yourself, but if not, I'd hire a car--it's a lot less expensive. However, if you are jetlagged and redeyed, don't even think about it. Take the train option at least as far as Sorrento.

bardo1

A train to Sorrento and renting a car from Sorrento is a good idea. Much cheaper, plus having a car for your week in Positano will be nice for visiting other towns in the area, especially as you're there in October when much of the tourist traffic will be gone. Where are you going after Positano?

madmikey

Thanks for the replies, we are going to Tuscany for a week after the week in Positano so I have a car I will rent in Salerno ( the airport ) and return to Rome airport.

Where is the Salerno airport ?

Mike

bobthenavigator

Why the airport--if there is one?
You will likely pay a surcharge compared to a downtown location. Look at the Autoeurope site.

bobthenavigator

I stand corrected---there is an airport near Salerno, but it appears to be maybe 15 miles south of town. AE does show an office there.

madmikey

Thanks, good point, so I will book the rental car in Salerno and drive to our hotel in Sienna. Now we are going to spend the last 2 days in Rome and I was going to drop the car off at the airport in Rome and take a cab back into the city but wouldn't make more sense to drop it off just outside of Rome on the way back rather than driving all the way to the airport and doubling back?
I do not want to drive in Rome so where would you suggest we drop the car off just outside of Rome? Our hotel will be in the city center.

Thanks, Mike

TDudette

madmikey, love your name!

Other Fodorites, what if mikey takes train to Naples then hires car to Positano from there. Also, why not arrange with driver to take them back to Naples for car rental to Siena. Why Salerno-unless my geography is off, Siena is more to north so Salerno would be backtracking.

Going to look at a map.

TDudette

Yes, map shows Siena more north-unless you were going to be in Salerno, I'd go back to Naples train station for your car rental.

Also, other Fodorites have suggested leaving your car in Orvieto and taking the train on into Rome. There is an absolutely gorgeous duomo in Orvieto if you have time to take funicular up to it.

Finally, here's a link to previous thread about drivers-maybe you can get a better price:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...r-in-italy.cfm

Stefano charged us about 200 euros for a day. That was in 2009 and gas was cheaper. It would be so nice to have a driver that first day. You could sleep the entire way to Positano!

A_Brit_In_Ischia

If having a car take you to Salerno, Naples airport might be a better starting point - about the same cost and journey time, but in the direction you want to travel - and outside, but not at all far from, the city... and handy for the autostrada?

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/132567370

...and...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/133349530

Most of the big hire firms have an outlet there...
http://www.portal.gesac.it/portal/pa...i/Autonoleggio

Peter

bobthenavigator

Get your car in Sorrento and drop it in Orvieto---you are making this too hard.

madmikey

Bob the Navigator, ok. I get why to go out of Sorrento and will take your advice but why leve the car at Orvieto? How would we get to Rome, it looks like still a good distance ?

Mike

bobthenavigator

The Hertz car office is next to the train station and they run almost hourly to Rome--about 1:20 or so. Do not drive into Rome. Rent thru Autoeurope at 1-888-223-5555


DRIVING IN ITALY & SOUTHERN EUROPE

Q. SHOULD WE DRIVE IN ITALY?
A. Of course you should if your driving skill & confidence would allow you to drive a rental car in Vermont, Colorado or California. But, be advised of these tips:
* Avoid driving in the major cities except for picking up or dropping cars
* Have good maps—study them in advance—and have a GOOD NAVIGATOR.
* Stay in the right lane except when passing and use your rear view mirrors

Q. WHAT CAR SHOULD I GET AND WHERE DO I GET IT?
A. It is best to rent your car before you leave for Europe. The best source we have found is www.autoeurope.com [800-223-5555] who is a broker for several car vendors. They will quote you prices to include the variables that are often omitted by others, such as unlimited mileage, mandatory insurance coverage with some deductibles, and VAT taxes. It is wise to compare prices and coverage with their sister company at www.kemwel.com. Autoeurope will match any comparable quote, and are famous for their customer satisfaction if problems do arise with the vendor. The best model will depend on your needs, but for best value we suggest you select a compact car with manual transmission. Automatics are available but will cost you about 30% more and may limit your model options & pick up locations.

Q. ARE ITALIAN DRIVERS AS CRAZY AS I HAVE HEARD?
A. Yes & no! They are certainly aggressive, but they are also more skilled than many USA drivers—both are a function of necessity. Italy is one of the most crowded countries in the world and the drivers have evolved these characteristics
* They are notorious tailgaters. If that bothers you, pull over and let them past.
* On the AUTOSTRADE they will drive fast, but will stay in the right lane except when passing and will use their blinkers when passing—YOU SHOULD TOO !
* They will often pass on 2-lane roads with traffic coming. Frankly, they expect you, and the oncoming car, to adjust to the shoulder and make 3 lanes of traffic.

OTHER ROAD TIPS FOR YOUR DRIVING SANITY:
1. Learn the meaning of the sign “ SENSO UNICO” and take heed [ONE WAY ].
2. Be sure to get your ticket when you enter the AUTOSTADA system & be prepared to pay the toll when you exit it [ rule of thumb—300 km=15 Euro]. You can use your credit card in the VIA lane at the toll both, or buy a debit VIACARD in advance.
3. Do NOT attempt to follow road numbers—that will frustrate you. But, do pay attention to the directional signs that point to your destination [ TO MONTALCINO]. And, be aware if that road leads eventually to a larger city [ ROMA—SIENA ETC.]
4. Unless you have a diesel car, you will want to fill the tank with benzina from the green pump. Most stations will pump gas for you and will take credit cards.

NOTE: As of 2005, an International Drivers Permit[IDP] is required in Italy.
You can obtain them from your local AAA office. You will need a valid US driver’s license, two passport photos, and $15. The photos can be taken at the AAA office.

madmikey

Bob, you are the man ! I will follow your advice to the letter !

Madmikey

Betts123

My husband and I are making the same trip in June. We land at 10:30 am in Rome on a Saturday and plan to take the connector train from FCO airport to the Rome Termini station, then the high speed train from Termini to Naples. From there, a driver will pick us up from the Naples train station to take us to our hotel in Positano for 110 euros.

madmikey

The only difference we will hire a driver at the airport and take us to Positano. Car rental all straightened out thanks to "Bob the Navigator" Pick up at Serento spend time in Siena and area for 4 days and drop off Orvieto and train to Rome and stay there a couple of days before going home.

TDudette

Sounds good, madmikey!