We are arriving at the Rome Airport at 5:00pm on May 9th 2007. We have a room that is paid for in Positano, but are having a difficult time figuring out transportation. We booked a car service which we thought was for 320 euros and it turned out that our credit card has been charged $650...forget that!

I don't mind paying, but that seems a little extreme for two. I know we can train, but have to go into Rome and that late may not work with all the changes. We have a car when we get to Positano so renting a car with parking is questionable and we don't know the roads, espcially at night.

We may have to stay part way or does someone know a service that is more reasonable. Maybe a bus??

I hope someone can help!

Julielynn

I know this isn't the answer you're looking for -- but have you added up the time? Assuming your plane is on time, after getting luggage, etc., you will be lucky to get going by 6PM. You will be arriving under the best conditions well after dark -- probably about 10PM by the time you get checked in at the hotel. Is it possible to cancel your first night's hotel in Positano, take the train and spend a night in Rome near Termini, and take an early morning train the next day (plus a car service). I'm trying to see the value of getting to Positano so late at night -- particularly if you are coming from a distance to Rome.
I can't imagine a private car service doing more than a 300 mile round trip late at night for much less than what you've been quoted (or charged).

You could arrange a one way car rental. You would then, pickup the car at the Rome airport drive it to the Naples airport and have the car service pick you up at the Naples airport. The Naples Airport is located near the ring road so you would have to drive in Naples city traffic or on the Amalfi Coast Road. Unlike in the US many rental agencies don't charge too much for the drop-off, however, don't forget to factor in the cost of gasoline and autostrada road tolls when comparing costs.

I would take the train to Naples or Salerno then make my way to Positano.

But TravMimi, you do realize if they do it on arrival, that will get them to Positano sometime around midnight or later?

Neo - yes I realize that, but unless they will cancel the room and stay the night in Rome its the only other option to an "expensive" ride down.

I forgot to add, I would certainly stay the night in Rome close to the termini and leave on a very early train.

This really is helping me. Thank you all.

Our room is paid for because we are attending a wedding and they have taken care of rooms. I realize we will be getting there late and I am only looking at that as an option.

What is the travel mini? I understand the rooms at the Rome airport are expensive, maybe we should think about renting a car and making our way to Naples that night and staying there.

I am beginning to think that having this service pick us up may be the answer after all. By the time to add up all the costs the difference isn't worth packing around and driving in a strange place with a late arrival, figuring out how to return a car etc.

HI J,

There are trains to Naples at 18:45, 19:45 and 20:22.

You can have a driver collect you at the Naples train station and take you to your Positano hotel for about 100E.

We were pleased with Limousine Service Sorrento (Renato Cuomo)
www.cuomonet.it

Also consider Francesco. http://www.francescomarrapese.com/

>We have a car when we get to Positano...

Are you sure that you want a car in Positano?

Well, don't pay the 650. that is for sure! Keep checking around for drivers who will charge in the 300 range. There are many recommended on this board.

I have been in your situation and arrived in Positano late, as long as they are holding your room it seems ok to me. This way you will wake up in beautiful Positano and not have to do any schlepping the next morning. And by the time you pay for a hotel in Rome you will not save that much money and will still need to get to the AC.

If you decide to stay that night in Rome near the main station - There are lots of nice hotels. Use the map at venere.com and find something near Republica/Staz.centrale and not at Esquilino area or Marsala. Don't stay directly at the station on the side where all the tracks merge.

Well a FREE hotel in Positano is quite a different matter. I was picturing an expensive hotel bill for a place you won't see until the sun comes up in the morning.

>I am beginning to think that having this service pick us up may be the answer after all. <

Only if you are so rich that you can afford to throw away $500.

In that case, send it to me.

ira, I think you're being a little unfair. We all don't spend money on the same things. I know many who will gladly spend an extra thousand or more dollars to fly business class instead of coach for example, while others think that's simply absurd.

So comparing arriving at FCO, getting to the train station, buying tickets, taking the train to Termini, getting another train to Naples, and then getting a car to Positano -- all after a flight -- who can say how much it would be worth to have someone meet you with a sign at FCO, help you with your luggage to his car and deliver you directly to the hotel in Positano? The difference between those two options seems it could easily be worth as much as paying for the difference between two classes of flying, for example.

That said, I'd still be looking for another service that might charge less, but the late hours (particularly the driver's return to Rome) probably don't help any with the pricing.

I wouldn't want to roll into my hotel at midnight on travel day even if someone drove me there for free. But that's just me.

I have to agree with Mimi.

If this was my itinerary the FIRST thing I'd be doing was trying to back up my flight so I arrived around noon and not 5pm. That opens more options for trains and would enable you to get in at a decent hour so you don't spend the entire next day (which is hopefully not the wedding day) stupefied and exhausted.

How are the other guests and the bridal party handling this portion of the trip?

sorry, in my haste I also meant to add that I also agree with NeoP regarding the convenience of having someone drive you the entire route after a tiring trip. Getting in earlier could also significantly help with reducing this fee, as you wouldn't be 'after hours'.

Cupid - good question about the rest of the party. I'd get into Rome have a nice dinner, freshen up, get a good nights sleep and leave asap tomorrow!

I just joined Fodor's today and cannot believe what great information I received!! Again thank you all for taking the time!!

I am in the process of checking out other car services and will let you know the results.

We are probably going to rent a one-way car and got great results on priceline. We can return the car to Salerno which is not far from Positano and driving later in the evening should not be that bad. Maybe someone has some input on that.

I also read that you can take the small GPS units and program them ahead for all directions.

Julielynn,

I think it's a bad idea to try to drive yourselves to Positano after a long plane ride. The Amalfi Coast drive is full of places where you can't back up, blind spots, and twists and turns that hug a mountain. Unless you're super confident, I'd leave this to professional drivers who do this for a living. And believe me, I think nothing of driving in New York City. But the Amalfi Coast??? FUGGETABOUTIT!