Mid Sept 2025. We will have rented a vehicle (probably Avis) after completing 24 hours in Florence. We plan to drive to Castellina in Chianti for two nights at a hotel there, plus freedom to do other touring around Tuscany. Next stop: 3 nights in Praiano (Amalfi Coast) where we do not want to have a car. But our current research has us leaning toward driving the vehicle from Castellina Chianti to Salerno (4-5 hours), where there is an Avis drop off. We figure that we already have the vehicle and are 40 minutes south of Florence to begin with? Then ferry from Salerno to Praiano. Alternate plan would be to drive back to Florence, and take the fast train to Salerno. Thoughts on our rental car plan? Are there other rental services besides standard (like Avis) that you would recommend for such a journey? And is Salerno the best drop off or should we consider Sorrento? After Praiano, we have two nights in Sorrento, and on our final day we transport to Naples where we have an afternoon flight back to the U.S. We will use public transport for our entire journey other than Tuscany, and possible drive to Salerno portion.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8491 posts
It is easier to get to Praiano from Salerno than Sorrento so that’s a good drop off choice.
I would probably choose to drive
Check Salerno rental agency hours hours- closed mid day, close at noon on Sat, closed on Sunday
There are other agencies there, you are not limited to just Avis
See what AutoEurope.com has to offer
Make sure all drivers have an IDP- required by law
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1660 posts
I would, personally, drop the car in Florence and avoid the drop-off charge and take the train to Salerno. Even with the added hour to take the car back it will still probably be as fast (or faster) than driving. Train travel is so much less stressful than driving and the train station in Salerno is a walk down to the ferry dock.
I'm not the Amalfi coast expert but I pretty sure Praiano doesn't have a dock which probably means a ferry to either Amalfi or Positano and then some kind of ground transportation to Praiano. Positano is much closer than Amalfi but Amalfi is earlier on the ferries from Salerno.
I am agnostic when it comes to car rental agencies. If you are going to drop off in a different location you're stuck with a limited selection otherwise just use a service that compares and/or brokers rates and choose the one that suits you best. There is "in town" and airport rentals in Florence and several threads on the relative merits between the two.
Hope that helps,
=Tod
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8491 posts
Ah missed that
Tod is correct-no ferry in Praiano so ferry to Positano then climb up the hill to get a taxi or driver
Or get a driver from Salerno
Whichever you choose plan on a long travel day with multiple “seats”
Car (possibly tram or taxi-train-ferry-taxi)
Or
Car-ferry-taxi or driver
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you both for your responses. More information is helpful! The choice is not clear which validates why we were struggling with the plan! I will call our hotel in Praiano to get their suggestions as well. Perhaps they have a courier or who knows? We are first time Italy visitors and will be wrapping up the tail end of a 24 day trip involving a Viking ocean cruise and then land travel finishing in the Amalfi coast. :) We are getting prepared and figuring out to pack light, and be flexible. Thanks again. Grazie!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8491 posts
be flexible
The biggest issues in the Sorrento/AC area are crowds and transportation chaos. As long as you plan well, know your options and remain flexible you should be fine.
Since you are heading to Naples from Sorrento for departure flight this is the one time it might be wise to throw a bit of money at it and hire a private driver and allow plenty of time.