Drive directly to Paestum then drop off rental car in Salerno or Sorrento?

The quickest way from Salerno to Sorrento is to take a train from Salerno to Naples (Napoli Centrale station), then take the local Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Sorrento. There is no 'freeway' from Salerno to Sorrento. Return your car in Salerno. Don't even think of driving from Paestum or Salerno to Sorrento, especially at night, unless your driver has driven the Grand Prix of Monaco.

The fastest way to get from Salerno to Sorrento would be to take the Metro del Mare hydrofoil (if running in late May) from Molo Manfredi at 17:15 (last year's schedule). Otherwise, take the train to Napoli Centrale, then "backtrack" on the Circumvesuviana commuter train to Sorrento, as Tom suggests above. The reliable SITA bus takes THREE HOURS between Salerno and Sorrento (not counting connection time in Amalfi), although nearly one hour can be gained by taking the ferry boat from Salerno-Concordia Dock to Positano, then continue on to Sorrento by bus. www.metrodelmare.net www.ferroviedellostato.it www.vesuviana.it www.sitabus.it www.coopsantandrea.it

I'm sorry I disagree with the previous posters. There is a really simple way by car - I know because I have driven it several times. Firstly, the coast road by Amalfi isn't so bad at night. The traffic is much lower and while its not a fast run its really not so bad. However OP doesn't want to go near it so I won't push it. Paestum is not directly on a motorway, but its not far off one. The coast road north from Paestum looks good on a map but its actually not so great, and there's nothing to see. I suggest heading up inland on SS18 to Battipaglia onto the Autostrada A3. Stay on the A3 to just about Pompei and follow the signs to Castellammare di Stabia and onwards (it is a little twisty) along the bay of Naples to Sorrento. Or, if you take the coast road north to Salerno you can join the A3 there for the quick run over to Castellammare. When you get off the A3 be careful. You don't want the city roads into Castellammare you want the elevated bypass, much quicker. Either route, Paestum to Sorrento should be about 2 hours, most of it spent Paestum to the A3. 3 unusual things we enjoyed on that route: First, we got a flat tyre on the A3 south of Salerno and the road repair crew who stopped to help directed us to the nicest guy who owned a tyre fitting shop just off the A3. Although my Italian is barely passable and his English is not great we had a fantastic chat about WRC Rallying and Formula One in his office while his guys were working on the car. He gave me a good price on a top quality Michelin, too. Second, the best breakfast and the best hand squeezed (by me) Blood Orange Juice over looking the bay and Vesuvius at the Catellammare di Stabia Crown Plaza. Third, being serenaded by a fellow diner in Sorrento.

Thank you all very much for the input. Despite the difference in opinion on which mode of transportation is best, it appears each would take around 2 hours AND at least we have options - which is always good. My husband, who races an M3 locally, would LOVE to do some "adventure" driving but I'm a very nervous passenger - I'm not even certain I can do the bus ride on the coast road! On the other hand, the Circumvesuviana train with our luggage (although we pack light) sounds a little intimidating and we're pretty seasoned travelers. Ultimately, our hand might be forced by the location and time for us to return the rental car - options for which will be more limited if we do this on a Sunday.

Oh, I didn't know I was addressing a Beemer driver! I would have changed my answer. ;-)

Thank you Lindsay and Nigel. I enjoyed reading your thread. My fiance and I are going to Italy for our honeymoon. We are both "car" people so we want to drive the Amalfi coast. Lindsay, did you and your husband enjoy the drive? As a M3 racer I assume he did. How was the rest of your trip? Can you recommend any hotels or stops that you enjoyed on your vacation? Erika and I are both past BMW owners and now drive/autocross Porsches. We love the German cars. Since you obviously love travel and cars I have a tip for you. You must check out www.autobahnadventures.com It is a fantastic driving vacation through Europe that is hosted by a couple who act as your tour guide. Erika and I got engaged on this trip in 2010. The Italian trip I describe above is our 2011 honeymoon trip. I hope to hear back from you one day. Best Regards, Julian

I've driven to Paestum and I agree that you should get to Battipaglia and from there is is a fast flat two lanes directly to the ruins. I recommend that you drive back through Battipaglia directly to Sorrento. It will have been a long day in the car. The drive from Amalfi to Sorrento is not much fun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5cugLK8oug A much better way to see the coast is on the ferry from Sorrento to Amalfi; it is spectacular. The Autostrada will be plenty of adventure. The Beemers will drive on your bumper (NASCAR style) at 90mph if you dare take your little rental into the passing lane. Google Street view has the entire route mapped.

'get to Battipaglia and from there is is a fast flat two lanes' In fact, it's a miserably slow road with commercial and residential entrances every fifty yards. There's little passing opportunity due to the congestion of local traffic. 'The Autostrada will be plenty of adventure' In fact, the autostrada is just one more freeway. 'The Beemers will drive on your bumper ' In fact, BMWs are no more prevalent that any other larger car and drive no differently than anyone else in a hurry. 'if you dare take your little rental into the passing lane' The passing lane is for passing, use it for that when it's clear. In fact, in Italy, more so than in Germany, drivers are more likely to dwadle in the left lane anyway. Go by what Nigel said.