driving amalfi coast

Hi Debbie...
I agree with Roberto. I might add...weather permitting and I think you should be okay...renting scooters to drive the Amalfitana, which is very popular, is the best day excursion we've done in the area. Absolutely a beautiful ride from say Sorrento to any one of the sea side towns. Its very cheap and parking is loads easier...just find the spot where all the other bikes are in the town your in and snag ya a spot right there. The coastal sea view ride from a scooter is phenomenal. Stop with ease all along the way to enjoy the views or sip cappuccino in cafes. Scooters are easy to ride and even easier to rent. Ill be there riding the Amalfitana myself mid to late Sept. Give it some thought...you wont regret it! Eric

Great idea Eric. You are giving me some alternatives to consider. Thanks!

It's up to you. For the Amalfi coast you don't really need one, since you can rely on the buses and the boats, but if you already have a car for other reasons (for other portions of your trip), you could also keep it. Many Americans find driving on that curvy narrow road a little too much to bear, but I think that is an exaggeration. If you can drive on any country road, you can drive there. The problem to me is the exorbitant cost of parking (about 25-30 euro a day), and the traffic congestion and difficulty of finding parking during peak periods, particularly on weekends. End of September might be ok. But if the summer weather holds, weekends will be busy and congested.

Thanks so much for your thoughts on this, Roberto.

Drove the Amalfi coast a couple of years back. Allows for easy stopping in at all the small towns, so that is the reason to consider it. Drove out of Rome, stayed in Sorrento. Daytripped down the coast. Road IS very curvy and crowded and a little fast, but gorgeous. We had a VERY small car and that helped a lot. Even an Audi A6 would be too big. Maybe this is not for everyone, but would do it again.
Jaime

Drove the Amalfi coast a couple of years back. Allows for easy stopping in at all the small towns, so that is the reason to consider it. Drove out of Rome, stayed in Sorrento. Daytripped down the coast. Road IS very curvy and crowded and a little fast, but gorgeous. We had a VERY small car and that helped a lot. Even an Audi A6 would be too big. Maybe this is not for everyone, but would do it again.
Jaime

A few years back our family was staying in Sorrento in July sometime and had a car but left it parked at our hotel and took the bus down the amalfi coast and a boat back to Sorrento. Afterwards, we decided that my husband could have driven it no problem but the road is just half the story. The road would not have been the problem but the congestion and parking would have been a pain. This road was nothing compared to the tiny and narrow hairpin of a road we drove on from Monterosso to Vernazza the week before. I hugged the door the entire time! I don't know how congested it is there in late September but probably less crowded than summer months.

In 2006 we drove from the top of Italy criss crossing along the way to Positano. I can remember our host at La Tavalossa hotel the morning we said we were going to drive to Amalfi and then up to Ravello, she vehemently said no, no you want to take the bus to enjoy the scenery and leave the driving to someone else. We are so glad we did - even though the winding road was hair raising even in a bus. It only cost 2E one way and then we took the Ferry back late in the day to see the coastline. What a great day and so relaxing. Just a suggestion.

I will have to agree with Shelly. My wife and I drove through amalfi 2 years ago. Though beautiful, I as the driver did not have much chance to enjoy it as the curving and narrow roads required my 100% attention. We made it about halfway or more along the coast before we decided to cut in towards our next destination since I wasnt able to enjoy the views. We rented a Ford S max which at the time I would say was like driving a small minivan. Not the ideal vehicle for such narrow streets but we made it unschathed. If you want to relax and enjoy the view consider a bus ride or alternatively a small vehicle. Michael

I drove the amalfi coast. After one day you get use to it. We were there in May which is pretty similar population wise when you will be going. I was glad I drove. Buses are crowded and less infrequent off season. We went were we wanted to go and stopped where we wanted for any duration. Just be patient with parking. You will find it but it just takes a few minutes. Now I will qualify this to say if you are a nervous driver you won't want to drive the coast. But If you are an okay driver after a day you will be fine.

NEED I SAY MORE? Scooters are absolutely the best! No traffic...no buses...no parking issues. Stop when u want...how u want...where u want...pictures, towns and cafes for days. The most expensive views for the most economical price. Decisions...decisions... Well be there on one 9/18 Eric

To me, driving the AC is the same as driving Hwy 1 along the coast of California. Eric, now we have to go back to Sorrento just so we can rent vespas! That sounds so fun and something we would love to do!

@Susan... the only difference between the Ca. coast and the Amalfi is the crazy Italian drivers:)) I have driven both and was a bit white knuckled on AC...but I don't like heights too much:))

@Terry kathryn... I love to drive like the Italians so it's no problem for me!

Thank you all so very much for your responses. We are going to drive it, and can hardly wait!

Enjoy your vacation Debbie.

I wouldn't drive it if you paid me!!! First of all, it's kind scary, but secondly, if you drive, you can't enjoy the view,(since you have to pay attention to the road. If you ride a bus and you're coming from Naples or Sorrento, be sure to ride on the RIGHT hand side of the bus. That is where you'll have the BEST views!! I promise. I highly recommend bus or boat.

I wouldn't drive it if you paid me!!! First of all, it's kind scary, but secondly, if you drive, you can't enjoy the view,(since you have to pay attention to the road. If you ride a bus and you're coming from Naples or Sorrento, be sure to ride on the RIGHT hand side of the bus. That is where you'll have the BEST views!! I promise. I highly recommend bus or boat.

We just returned from a visit to the Amalfi Coast and during the planning stage for our trip, I also pondered whether to drive there or not. My husband would have done the driving and has driven Hwy 1, the road to Hana and multiple mountain roads in California. Regarding the drive itself, he definitely could have done it, however there's no way he or I would have enjoyed it nearly as much as we did by hiring a private driver. If my husband had driven, I would have been the navigator and both of us would not have been able to enjoy the scenery. Then, you throw in the crazy Italian drivers, the lack of parking, etc. and it would have made for a miserable day. The only advantage to driving it yourself is that you earn bragging rights that you did it, but to me, that's not the point of vacation. Late September is still high season along the Amalfi Coast and trying to find parking alone is a nightmare. We hired a private driver and although it cost a fair amount of money, we both agreed that it was so worth it. We saw way more than we would have if we had done it on our own and it was a relaxing, pleasant day.

Debbie... Im not sure if youve left yet but I really do hope you enjoy your vacation in Sorrento whichever way it is you choose to traverse the Amalfi coast. There are pros and cons to everything but only you will choose whats best for you. Personally I love scooters but not everyone is fixed for scooters or would try them...others prefer buses and yet others cars or ferrys and thats perfectly cool. To each his own I say. I just love the freedom of not being restricted to a bus...being able to stop at will and enjoy the views and seaside towns...a little cafe hopping...compose and take still photos from a beautiful vista rather than from a bumpy moving bus...but all this is just me. The parking issue is nonexistant with scooters...but with cars...yes you may have to deal with the inconvenience depending on day and season. The previous post had a nice idea with hiring a driver...I suppose you could stop when and where you want and not have to worry about parking either. Pay a lil extra for this but sounds like it might be worth it. Just weigh all your options carefully and decide what you want to take away from the excursion and go from there. I hope you have a fantastic time!
Eric