Driving in italy
 

Thanks for input. I'm more concerned about the inner loop in Naples, any problems?
Also I heard the road from Sorrento to Naples can be confusing?
Is the sub compact too small for autostrada?

Hi UT63,

Just a helpful tip...it is usually better to keep your posts on one thread instead of starting a new one for the same topic or question. That way people can follow along better.

I personally would not prefer a subcompact for the autostrada, but I'm sure many have done it. In Tuscany we went with a small midsize (not sure the exact category) which was smaller than an American car like a Camry, but not itty bitty. When they say subcompact, it is small.

Maybe someone else has had more experience with a subcompact....

Have fun!

Hi, UT -

We just got back from Italy and stayed in Sorrento for part of our trip. We rented what Europeans consider a mid-size car, which I would definitely consider a compact. But it wasn't a problem at all on the Autostrada. We just weren't able to pass too many cars because our car seemed to be the only one that didn't go mach 2 on that highway. If you can, rent a fast car so you can have more fun with the drive.

We drove to Sorrento from Rome and whizzed right by Naples on the A3. So if you're leaving from "downtown" Naples, I can't give you any tips there. We got off the A3 just after Naples and took the coastal road to Sorrento (the exit is Castellemare di Stabia, if I have that spelled correctly.) You literally just follow the signs from that exit to Sorrento.

Take as many of the winding coastal roads as you can during your trip to Sorrento - the views are absolutely jaw dropping. And the drive was a blast for us flatlanders from Chicago.

We rented a car for 1 day in Sorrento and had 2 accidents (minor). Also, in 4 days there in total, we were also in a taxi that side-swiped another car going up a steep small road (not so minor an accident, although no one was hurt). I would not drive in Sorrento. I would be okay driving between cities though.

Last time we were in Italy we had a Fiat Punto, which doesn't exactly move like my BMW, but I had no trouble on the autostrada, and it was great for exploring hilltowns.