Getting around Italy via private driver
 

Has anyone had good luck getting around Italy via hiring a private driver instead of rail service? If so...who have you used?
Thanks!
AS

This will seem unimaginable to most everyone here. Virtually guaranteed to cost 10, 20 or 30 times as much as using the train, traveling solo. Maybe if you had seven people, traveling with extremely little luggage, you might get it down to... say... only 3-5 times the cost of using the train.

Best wishes,

Rex

Hi A,

I would be happy to drive you around Italy for free.

You pay for the rental car and my expenses.

It will still be less than hiring a driver.

For example, Rome to Sorrento is about 400E.

((I))

Italian trains are fast, frequent, cheap, and take you to almost any town or city. You will also learn so much about the country and the people. I certainly wouldn't want to go around Italy in a car even if someone paid me.

Fortunately. we made the decision to hire a guide to Tuscany because we were going to be in Rome on a Sunday and the Sistine Chapel was closed... We were only there for one day on a cruise ship...I can tell y ou that the ship was delayed sailing because 25 people were on the train back and it broke down...lol. If y our interested in a private driver we had a great one and just write and I'll give you Claudio's e-mail.. he was just wonderful... one of the couples had used him before for their tour of Rome.

Hire a driver by region---Tuscany, Amalfi coast, etc. Figure on about 300E per day for a driver. Use the trains between destinations.

Ashley - These limo services have all been recommended here:

POSITANO-based:

www.flaviogioia.com

www.positanocarservice.com

www.limocarservice.net


SORRENTO-based:

www.tourofitaly.com

www.francescomarrapese.com

www.cuomonet.it

www.seesorrento.com

www.sorrento.it


ROME-based:

www.limoservicerome.com

www.airportshuttle.it


TUSCANY-based:

www.hillsandroads.com

Alessandro Camilli
[email protected]

Hope this helps ...

Steve

I would hire a private driver in India but not in Italy !

Take trains or buses between major cities and selfdrive within Tuscany !

300E per day for a driver?

Note to self: consider career change.

But why not drive yourself? Driving in Italy is not as bad as people make ou, of course in the big cities such as Rome, Venice and Florence its not convenient, but as a way to see the country, the small towns and vilages, panorama's etc, and not to have to schulck luggage from train platform to platform and deal with the awful food on the trains (bring your own lunch box and wine). But if you only want to see the cities, then trains are the way to go, just be sensible with luggage.

I hired a private driver in Morocco - for $30 a day. No way I'd pay 300€ for someone to drive me around Italy even if I could well afford it. But to each his own..........

Gee, why is everyone being so critical? AshleyScott, if you can afford it and that's what you want to do, go for it! I also recommend www.hillsandroads.com, Luca Garrapa, as he does a great job.

I used trains as well, but I decided not to drive in Tuscany because I was by myself and didn't want to have to drive and navigate at the same time. And since I needed an automatic car (much more expensive than standard), when you added in costs for gas (expensive), parking and tolls, plus I would have felt it necessary to have a cell phone, the cost was actually less to use Luca.

To maximize my time with him, instead of just going from one city to another, we stopped at numerous places along the way that I would have had to do as daytrips from the towns where I stayed. It was a great experience.

I would be careful pre-judging this inquiry. My parents are elderly and really are uncomfortable with the hustle-and-bustle of train travel anymore. So they hire a driver when they are in Europe - and I'm GLAD they do. Otherwise they wouldn't travel anymore!

Good point wiliw......my husband is itching to get back to Italy... but due to health problems I'm reluctant to have him drive. ( I don't drive unfortunately). Some practical information would really be welcome.

PS.... wliwl..... sorry for bashing your handle!

We, too, used Luca of hillsandroads.com because he is not only a private driver but also a private guide. IMO he excels in both areas and I highly recommend him. We had a short time to explore Umbria and Tuscany and he more than fit the bill. Dave

We had a wonderful guy in Rome. I will look up his info for you in a second. We are adventurous young people, but having a driver for 2 days was wonderful. Rome is HUGE and our driver, Marco, would pull up and park right in front of all the major destinations. He would show us the highlights and even showed us some hidden gems we never would have found on our own. Then he took us to Pompeii for the day and was great. Several people we know have all used him with wonderful results. Well, all I could find was an old business card. I don't know if any of this info is still accurate, but you can try it:

Marco
cell phone 03477582323
office 0621801968
e-mails: [email protected]
[email protected]

Have a great trip!

Although I also cannot imagine hiring a driver because of the cost but why not drive yourself. The highways are superb and although traveling in Naples and Rome can be a little nerve racking, no more so than New York or LA and frankly London the worst for me. The only place I dont rent a car is the orient because I cant read the road signs.

But I would never take any form of public transportation ever, I dont in Montreal and we have a world class subway, why should I do it on vacation. Furthermore the freedom a car provides is unparalleled, last year I visitted my Paese Galluccio in Campagna, without a car it would be impossible.

I'm tired of getting beaten up by the numerous backpackers on fodors so I will say that if I didnt have enough money for a car, I would take public transport, as the travelling is more important than the vehicle, I just support the other option.
Regards
Chris

ttt for Ashley