Driving From SALERNO to Naples or Rome Airport

Um - haven't been, but gather that driving in Naples is extremely hairy and very much recommended against, and the airport is very close in to the city.

What time of day is the flight to Valencia? Getting to either NAP or CIA from Salerno on the flight day is not going to be the first recommendation of the majority of this forum's participants.

I drove from the Naples train station to Sorrento. Just driving out of town was more than enough of Naples for me. I turned the car in, in Milan. Piece of cake compared to driving in Naples.

Though I made the trip a few years back, I wouldn’t hesitate to do it. You’re basically on highways all the way and you won’t have to enter the city of Naples to get to the airport. The trip should take less than an hour. The trip to Ciampino is also on motorways and takes about 2 1/2 hours. No cliffs, no hairpins, no fun!

The flight from Naples departs around noon, and the flight from Ciampino departs around 6pm.
Thanks all for your replies!

The drive between Salerno and Rome is around 3 hours. It is not too mountainous; mainlyhighway.

I haven't driven the whole route as one trip but I have driven the who route except the short bit into Ciampino.

I had a flat tyre on the autostrada just outside Salerno (a giant piece of rectangular wood like a part of a railway sleeper/tie) which had been left in the middle of the lane, just a round a corner. I was lucky and helped by road workers who helped me change it in traffic (no breakdown lane) and as I had no wheel damage just tyre I was sent to their friend in Salerno to get it replaced. We spent the whole time his guys were working on the car discussing motor racing, specifically WRC rallying - him in Italian dialect and me in English and what Italian I know. We had a great time.

I just lost about 3 hours out of my trip to Paestum. No problems as I had been before (and after).

The road from Salerno does have a long tunnel, then you are on the A1 to Rome. It bypasses Naples to the east and then a longish straight shot to GRA (the ring road around Rome) and then into the airport (after filling up).

I'd be surprised if your costs were totally anywhere near $50 for the whole journey.

You need an IDP for each driver - around $20 plus photos at AAA/CAA if you are North American.

You will need to refill the tank. Italian fuel is usually some of the most expensive in Europe. Don't be shocked.

Tolls will also add up on the Autostrada.

Are you aware that discount fares are available in advance on the train? And that you don't have to change trains, just pop onto a bus (or taxi) at Roma Termini for the just little jump to the airport? And that the train takes 2 hours to Termini versus 3 or 4 in the car?

I'd worry about the time for the early flight from CIA - don't think you could do it "at leisure". The flight from Naples is late in the day, but I wouldn't be keen to get off the highway for the drive to the Naples airport. I drove all around the Bay of Naples, and the Amalfi but I simply don't drive in Naples.

Awesome story, Nigel!! :) :)

When I quoted a price, I meant the car itself would be $50, but no I did not include gas or tolls with that quote - and thanks for that reality check reminder. For a few hours’ trip there would just be one driver and I already have an IDP.
I know about the cheaper trains and such, but my point in this whole process isn’t focused on saving money - which is the usual thing for me and my sis. It’s having less transfers/switches/etc... A car is the only “seamless” option and while it might be more pricey in the end, it might be worth it not having to take luggage on and off multiple trains or switches to buses or taxis.
BUT while we’re on the subject of cost: a taxi to Salerno station, 4 x train tickets to Rome (last scene at only 9,90 each), a taxi from Termini to CIA wouldn’t be cheap enough to substantiate it as a better option, in my opinion. Going to Naples would be about the same, excepts flights are $80 more per person.

Monique,

Have you looked at Ryanair? They have a non stop flight out of NAP that leaves around 12-1:30. Price is around $80.

Have driven to both Naples and Rome from Salerno.

Salerno-NAP will take under an hour, all 4 lane driving. Fuel was 10-12€
It does get busier near Capodicino
the same as all airports.

Salerno-Rome 3 hours. Again all 4 lane. Fuel 50€ tolls about 25€.

Hi Gerri!
Yes I did look at RyanAir. We will all have checked baggage which adds to the cost. But most importantly for the date I need (October 11), Ryan Air does not fly there on a single itinerary. I’d have to get a flight from Naples to Milan Bergamo, and then book a separate flight (including new baggage costs) from Milan to Valencia. This would also mean checking in and going through security again. Flight search engines like Kayak may show that RyanAir goes there but if you attempt to book or if you go to the actual website, it will show that it is 2 separate tickets. Again, this is just for my specific date.

I really don’t mind driving up to Rome and with a 6pm flight, we would have some wiggle room. I’m just terrified of having a Mount Baldo experience (which means driving along aimlessly and then suddenly on a steep incline with hairpin turns, a narrow window for a car coming in the other direction, and no guard rail).