Driving from Naples to Cilento (Pisciotta)
 

Hello all,

Does anyone have any experience or tips about driving from Naples to Pisciotta in the Cilento National Park (or in that region)?

We are flying in to Naples and hiring a car, to drive on to Pisciotta. I have heard that although the drive is straightforward, the road approaching Pisciotta is pretty bad or covered in a landslide.

Also, any general tips on driving in Italy?

Thanks

J x

Hey Lamorna, I would email your accommodation when the trip is near to ask about road conditions. It all looked easy except there could be some detours up the hillside, and those won't be applicable now. We rode in some sketchy "taxis" and it was fine.
As far as driving in general, you need an IDP (from AAA) and need to know about ZTLs (no cars allowed--probably less of an issue in the tiny Cilento villages). When driving in other regions, I navigate from the passenger side with google maps on the iphone. I found that more reliable that the GPS, which was also annoying to program. I did more research on parking than anything else, and left it up to the driver to learn signs. Italians hug the center lane, other than that, no complaints.
enjoy!

We drove ourselves from Naples to Pisciotta last Spring. The owners of where we stayed sent directions including a road closure detour. Somehow we messed up and got a little lost, but no big deal. I agree with yorkshire to contact wherever you are staying for directions.

Also agree with yorkshire's tips. I use the iPad with the iphone as a back up for guidance. I do like to have a paper map though. I don't recall Italians hugging the center lane, but I do recall that when they pass they cut rather close to you as they go back into the right lane. Roads were pretty empty when we were in the Cilento last year. Have fun!

Driving in Italy is OK, but you do need to concentrate. From Naples airport, you drive virtually straight onto the Autostrada (A56) from where you can pick up the A3 to Salerno. It is well signposted.

Autostrada driving is relatively easy, although you will often find very slow traffic in the inside lane.
Take the A3 down past Salerno - from there I would ask local advice:

I've always taken the Battipaglia or Eboli turn offs and and driven down through Agropoli via the S118 before turning off to Castellabate - but the coastal route would be very slow. Staying on the S118 would be quicker than the coastal road (but I'm not sure which option to take as an exit) but it may be quicker still (if longer) to stay on the A3 all the way to Padula turnoff, then double back down towards Palinuro

The roads up into the hills can be very twisty, very narrow, and quite intimidating. Look aat Google maps for the areas around Pisciotta to see how many bends there are - then use the street view.