OK, so with some help from this forum, I am finalizing my plans for a 5 night trip to the Naples and the Amalfi Coast. I have decided to spend one night in Naples (arrive in the afternoon, leave the following afternoon, two nights in Sorrento, and two nights in Positano, then flying out of Naples on an early afternoon flight. I wish I had another night in Naples, but as of now, I do not. Hopefully, in my brief time in Naples, I can experience one night, and one day of walking around and as well as a quick trip to the Archeological museum. I plan on going from Naples to Sorrento around 3 or 4 in the afternoon. I would like to go to Capri and to Pompeii and Herculaneum during my two days based in Sorrento. And I would like to drive the Amalfi Coast during my (short) two days in Positano.

I am having trouble, however, with figuring out my various transportation options. I generally like independence, and often like to drive myself. I was originally thinking of taking a ferry from Naples to Sorrento....the train from Sorrento to Pompeii and Herculaneum...a taxi (or private car w/driver) from Sorrento to Positano....renting a car for one day in Positano to drive the Coast and to visit Ravello etc.....and a car w/ driver from Positano to Naples airport when I leave.....

But after thinking about this plan, along with its costs, I am now thinking about just renting a car (with GPS) when I leave Naples to go to Sorrento, and keeping the car for four days, then returning it to Naples airport when i leave Positano, which will give me a lot more independence and, and seemingly cost about the same once you add up all of the taxis and drivers in my original plan. I am going at the end of October, which should be a semi-quiet time, with roads a little easier to navigate (?).

I would appreciate any thoughts and advice on this plan.

p.s. Is it safe/ easy to get a taxi when I land in Naples? The hotel I am staying in is asking 80 euros to be picked up by a driver. I am staying on the waterfront, and I understand it is only about a 15 or minute drive or so - 80 euros seems very excessive. Is there an alternative reasonably priced car service I can reserve? I will be arriving after a long trip, and I would prefer to have a car/driver reserved if taxis are not easy/plentiful/safe.

Also...I've read a little about safety in Naples, but I'm not sure I have any sense of it. Is it the kind of place where one would not want to wear their Rolex in public, like visiting a city in South America? Does one have to be afraid of being mugged? Is it ok to walk around alone at night? Thank you.

There are a couple of other posters who are real experts, but I will give you some of my thoughts, since I have been to Naples several times and really like the city.

First, I might go directly to Sorrento (or Positano) and spend the last night in Naples to catch the flight - since you want to visit Naples anyway. If I did not want to go to Naples, I would visit Positano first, then Sorrento, and leave from Sorrento to catch the flight.

If you do stay in Naples that first night, you could visit Pompeii or Herculano on the way to Sorrento. You could visit on your first day also, but you said you would have a long flight, and you might not enjoy it so much if you are too tired. You could also visit one of those places on your way to Naples from Sorrento or Positano.

Frankly, 80 euros is crazy to go from airport to downtown. I am thinking it was around 30. DH says 25, I thought a little more. There is also a bus (I think called the Alibus) that goes directly into town from the airport - stops at train station and near city center for just a few euros. Sorry I don't remember the exact amount, but really cheap. It is super easy to get a taxi from right outside the airport and at the Alibus stops in town.

I think there is also a bus from the airport to Sorrento, if you choose to go there directly. If you are already at the airport, that would be easier than going to the train station and taking the circumvesuviana.

Things will be a lot, lot quieter in October, but I would still wait and rent the car in Sorrento.

Safety: I would certainly not wear any fancy jewelry myself, unless I was going to take a taxi straight from hotel to a restaurant, etc. I would not walk around alone at night, just because I don't know the city that well. On the other hand, DH and I have walked a lot in Naples, even in the evening, and never had any problems. We dress pretty simply though and try not to make ourselves a target. Also, DH is from NYC and seems to have a sixth sense about things.

The Circumvesuviana is known for pickpockets, though we've never had any problems. However, we do not carry any real valuables in pockets or backpacks. Since I don't dress up a lot when I travel, I do not wear or take anything with me that would be a problem if I lost it.

Hi F,

>I wish I had another night in Naples,<

There is no need to spend any time in Sorrento if you will be visiting Naples and Positano.
Add one day to Naples. You can visit the Archaeological Museum in Naples and take the Circumvesuviana to/from Pompei Scavi on the same day, should you wish.

Add one day to Positano and visit Capri.

Problem solved.

Is there a particular reason for driving the Amalfi Coast Road that makes taking the bus unacceptable? You will be renting a Ferrari for the day?

>The hotel I am staying in is asking 80 euros to be picked up by a driver.<

Take a cab.

>Is it ok to walk around alone at night [in Naples]?

Yes. Stay in the tourist lanes and don't go into dark alleys.

In place of renting a car, hire a limo to take you from Positano to NAP.

BTW, where would you put the car, if you rented one, on the AC?

The train is fine for Pompeii and Herc. I have no idea about taxi prices from NAP.

You can rent the car in Sorrento (whether or not you overnight there) and then drive to Positano and keep the car for your stay there. You can return in Sorrento or NAP if you think you want to drive to airport.

I have been to Naples on day trips a few times. We never wear "the good stuff" when we go. My husband is from the area, but we do stick out like tourists.

Thank you all for the replies. I am now considering choosing between staying in Sorrento or Naples, but not both. I just think it does not make logistical sense for just one night in Naples. I am inclined to stay in Sorrento and try to do a day trip, or even a half-day trip into Naples; this would cut down significantly on wasted intra-hotel transit time and effort, and would free up my time to do Capri and Pompeii/ Herculaneum more easily. Still a work in progress...Thanks.

But I do not want to miss pizza in Napoli!! If I don't make it to Naples, do Sorrento and Positano have pizza comparable to Naples?

The key thing to remember in renting a car on the AC is that you MUST get a hoel that offers parking. The driving is fine - esp that time of year - but parking is limited - and you don't want to be searching all over to find a place to put the car.

Also - do check the ferries for the dates you will be there. If it is late Oct some will be shutting down for the year - or runing much less often.

Thank you all again for the tremendous help.

I have decided not to stay in Naples for the first night, but instead go right to Sorrento from the airport via private transfer and base there for three nights; this will make logisitcs a lot better I think, and significantly reduce time and effort of transferring to my Naples hotel, then having to get to Sorrento the next day, and will generally be more relaxing and productive.This plan will give me three full days to: see Capri, see Pompeii and Herculaneum, and to do a day trip to Naples as well (I must try the pizza!). I will have two nights in Positano after Sorrento, and I will rent a car to drive the Amalfi Coast from Positano on one of my days there.