Driving ourselves from Rome to Positano?

For me, it would not be about the money. I've driven in some pretty challenging places around the world (Marrakech, Mexico City), but you couldn't pay me enough to drive along the Amalfi Coast. As much as I enjoy a scenic drive, that's one route I leave to the professionals. There are much better/safer/more enjoyable ways to get there.

"Half"seems a little too optimistic. Did you check the discounted train fares both on trenitalia.com and italotreno.it? Did you add tolls, parking and gas to the rental cost? Use viamichelin.com to do it.

I don't find the Amalfi Coast road particularly dangerous, especially in season when everybody is forced to slow down because of traffic and buses. You Could always drop the car off in Salerno and take the ferry. Or in Sorrento and take the bus.

The driver wouln’t be able to enjoy the wonderful scenery because of the need to keep eyes glued to the road. It is, essentially, one blind curve after another, very narrow, with huge buses going in both directions. And, the safety barrier on the down side is not very high. Really scary! Once in Positano, you’ll need to pay for parking for the car to sit for the days you are there. It is impractical to think you’ll drive from town to town, again, because of parking issues.

In addition to the excellent advice above, I would underscore the difficulty of parking. It is not at all like in the US. It is hard to find, expensive, and frustrating.

Dario has given you great advice. If you are going to Positano during season - May to September - the traffic is unbearable and having a car is a useless and expensive liability. If you are lucky, you might find a parking garage for €20 per night. What’s good about the coast is that you can get to where you want to go by bus or ferry.

I have visited the Amalfi Coast a few times and on two occasions I had a car but that was in November and December. My personal choice would be to take the train to Salerno and the ferry to Positano.

IF you have correctly done the math to compare ALL the costs, and it is still a significant saving, then do so. Just realize the car will Not be a good way to tour the other nearby towns. You will have to use bus or boats for that.

If you plan a visit to Paestum, it might justify the headache of using rental car to get from/to Rome.

The road itself is not all that bad. If you have driven to Hana, no sweat. Just slower.

As stated above, you need to add fuel and tolls, those will be around €40, then parking about €30 day. Have you included the mandatory insurance required for rentals in Italy? Most are not covered by credit card, so on this you have to check each individual card.

I've driven on the Amalfi Coast several times, in may, September and October when it's less busy, and don't consider the drive frightening. Just keep in mind you won't get anywhere on the coast any faster than the bus in front of you.

todd,

One other point to mention is that each driver listed on the rental form will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home DL. The IDP is easily obtained at any AAA/CAA office for a small fee, and is valid for one year.

You'll also have to be vigilant to avoid ZTL (limited traffic) areas, as each pass through one will result in hefty fines, which you may not know about until several months after you return home. And as mentioned previously, high fuel and parking costs, tolls, and speed cameras which also come with hefty fines.

With a group of four, another method you could consider would be high speed train to Napoli Centrale, Campania Express to Sorrento and then a private driver to Positano (or use a private transfer from Naples to Positano). Have a look at http://www.monettitaxi17.it/English.htm for one private transfer service.

Thank you all! I'm persuaded NOT to drive to Positano from Rome.