Car rental vs train

Trains are easier, and your kids would probably enjoy them. If this is a money question, do the math of all the train tickets vs all the costs associated with the cost of car rental (plus parking, gas, etc). Also, you might want to check about different rates for kids. This is from the following website:

http://www.seat61.com/Europe-train-travel-with-children.htm#.V0XzCOQ7SUk

Italy - On all trains, children under 4 go free.

Children 4-11 inclusive (= under 12) pay the child fare, unless an adult fare is cheaper.

However, from December 2012 the age limit was raised to 4-14 for long-distance trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca, InterCity, ICN, sleepers) so children under 15 now qualify for the child fare. The child fare is 50% off the Base rate, not off all fares. An adult Economy or Super-economy fare may be cheaper.

Trains from Rome to Naples can cost $22 per person if purchased in advance, limited seats at that price, but be aware that the "Base"/full fare for 2nd class on that route is closer to $50. Trains do continue to Salerno, which won't cost much more, see www.trenitalia.com. No need to drive between these cities. Naples-Pompeii-Sorrento is served by a local Circumvesuviana commuter train and Sorrento-Positano-Salerno is served by bus and ferry. Rick Steves' Italy guidebook has a good overview of these, and the Rome book also has a portion of that chapter. To/from Salerno, the boat company is http://www.travelmar.it/en/

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Travel by train will be much faster and a more efficient use of your limited holiday time in that area. There are direct high speed trains from Roma Termini to Salerno with a travel times as short as 2H:01M, and Super Economy fares currently at €29.90 PP (I don't know what the fares are for children). The high speed trains travel at up to 300 km/h, so that's much faster than a car, and no worries about traffic.

On the Rome to Salerno route, you could also travel via the competing Italo Treno high speed service (travel times and costs will be similar, but have a look at both Trenitalia and Italo for prices on the days you'll be travelling). However, note that some Italo trains will depart from Roma Tiburtina rather than Roma Termini.

For the trip from Salerno to Napoli Centrale, train will probably be cheapest. The trip is as short as about 45 minutes, and there are some Regionale fares listed at €4.30 PP (DON'T forget to validate) and Freccia fares at €14.90 PP.

For the trip from Napoli Centrale to Roma Termini, the trip is about 1H:10M, and fares are currently listed between €19.90 to €29.90.

Regarding a rental car there are a few "caveats" to note such as the fact that for non E.U. residents, each driver listed on the rental form must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. (so you must carry both). These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any CAA/AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which may be provided by the issuing office). You may never be asked for an IDP, but failure to produce one if requested can result in fines on the spot! You'll also have to be vigilant to avoid the dreaded Zona Traffico Limitato (limited traffic) areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many Italian towns & cities (hefty fines for EACH pass through one).

Only those who were born and raised in Palermo or Naples and a few experienced Nascar drivers dare to drive in Naples. The rest of the world rightly takes the train.

If you fall into one of the above categories, this is a ZTL sign in Naples: http://www.ecodallecitta.it/immagini/notizie/110367_1.jpg Note the hanging camera in the background.

Unless you're driving in the Tuscany area with limited public transport options then just forget about the rental car...they are SUCH pains in the rear. Take the train and make life easier for you and your family.

If the other posters haven't yet convinced you to use trains, here's another reason. With 6 of you, you'll need a van. Driving a large vehicle in European cities is, in general, a pain - - but on the Amalfi Coast? - -- I can't imagine it. You'll all be much happier traveling by train. Just make sure your girls have only as much baggage as they can handle by themselves.

Definitely agree with the majority here that for your trip the train or other public transport is better for many reasons

Main reason for posting though is your plan you are only staying 1 night in Naples but wish to see the Amalfi Coast??? Why not stay in Positano or Amalfi or Sorrento this night instead of Naples?

Also, if staying one day your choice must be either Pompeii or Amalfi Coast ; you cannot do both.
If you decide Pompeii the Naples location works better than for the Amalfi Coast where you should stay there or very near if you want to see it.

I don't see at rain into Salerno Where are you looking? I just looked at trenitalia.com, there are trains every hour all day. The cheapest is €4.30 for a 39 minute ride on a regionale train. The fast trains aren't really any faster (36 minutes) and cost almost 4 times more.

if we want to explore Positano, Pompeii, Sorrento, how do we get there? You don't have time for all that. And a car won't save you time, since you'll have traffic and parking issues. It's a brave man who would venture to drive a van on the Amalfi coast roads . . .