Driving tips for Amalfi

Well, first, is the point of the car to visit locales between Rome and Pompeii for a few days or to just get there and use the car for transport in the immediate area? In both cases, I really do not see the need or even the practicality of a car on the Amalfi coast/Sorrento/Naples area. Train, bus and ferry transport is easy, cheap, and plenty. Parking is at a premium, and traffic can be terrible. If in addition you are not planning stops along the way from Rome, drop the car entirely and use the train, if you do have stopd, leave the car off in Naples.

I have considered this over and over, and we are really set on a car, mostly to have the freedom to explore the Amalfi coast how and when we want to. I'm just looking for tips on driving and parking.

Hi Cora,
I would find those hairpin turns on the Amalfi Coast to be terrifying for driving--I was frightened just sitting on a bus looking over the edge of the cliff!!!

Most of what I saw was street parking, I do not recall any larger lots outside of towns. You might ask the hotel you will be staying in, even upgrade to a hotel with private parking. From observation, I know there are some tricks to driving the coast, unwritten rules on who has right of way and having to yield to buses as they negotiate curves and use both lanes.

Hey thanks for the info but I have no intention on arguing with anyone, it just seems to me people are either totally for driving or are totally against it. I've done a lot of research and have many reasons for driving versus taking the train or the bus.

Normally by myself I would travel on the bus or the train, but I will be traveling this part of my trip with my parents who are both in their 50's and perfer a car. I am suprised so many people are against driving, I think in this situation with me and my parents it will give us more freedom, and ease in exploring the area. I am mostly just concerned with parking and differences in driving there versus in Canada.

Also it will not be me doing the driving it will be my father who has, never been in an accident, and has driven on some of the toughest roads in Canada and the US, including the road to Hana in Hawaii which many people have liken to the Amalfi Coast. I thank everyone for there advice as it has always improved my trips.

Thank you so much Kent for all your great advice you really have been a great sounding board for me while planning my trip. I'm still a little unsure of what to do, I also have to consider that hiring a driver is much more costly than renting a car, but the issue you have brought up about parking is what most concerns me. I think I'm really going to have to give this some good thought!

I just got my lease set up for our trip. We got the GPS, as we will drive from Rome to Paris, via Venice and the alps, Germany etc. We pick up in Rome Airport park in Rome for 3 days, then drive to Sorrento. We will stop in Pompeii/Mt.V, park at hotel in Sorrento for 3 days; driving one day on the Amalfi coast to the Greek temple at the far end. When I looked at trains, busses, taxi costs and the pain of dragging bags to and from all the public transportation; a car was looking very good. With 5 people (1-teen and 2 10 year olds) it seemed like the best way to go. Rick also said 5 people and kids, a car is OK.

Thanks Kent, I actually have that episode saved on my Tivo, one of reasons we opted to get a car was just finacially it is cheaper as the quotes I got from the privite drivers started for just half a day at 200 euros! I have Rick's Italy book for 2008, I live by all his suggestions when traveling on my own, but as I said this part of my Italy trip will be with my parents, and with a mother who doesn't really share my ideas of cheap, and local travel. Coming from Rome, by mom wasn't to keen on transfer trains to get to Sorrento, and so that would have been another 90 euro on transfers from Naples to Sorrento, so overall it just made more sense for them to rent a car. I have been doing alot of research and what I think might be ok is to head out early as some have said if you can get to Postiano before the crowds you can get a parking space, then head onto Ravello were there are many spaces. I think that may work for us. Thanks for your advice!

Hopefully you will be getting a small car to help with the parking issue. If not you could always just do the slow drive bys and go to another stop like Ravello or Paestum to stop and walk around. Me I could just drive, park and gaze at the incredible vistas and sacrifice the walking so my Mom and Dad could. Either way you will enjoy this stunning area.

Hi Cora,
Have a great trip! I understand your dilemma--I traveled with my parents last year and it was a trip filled with compromises but absolutely worthwhile. A trip that you won't regret. Best wishes.
Sharon

Thanks Kent I wasn't trying to persuaded you, because I know everyone has had their experiences good and bad, and I hope that I can only learn from what others have done. I know since my last trip in May 06 being my first trip to Europe I learned so much and I really only want to pass on the information if I think it will help others!

David, our family came to the similiar conclusion as you did, we are picking our car up in Rome driving to Sorrento and then spending 5 days exploring the area before heading to Naples for a flight to Venice. My biggest issue in planning this trip was dealing with a "high maintence" mother... lol The other 1 1/2 of my trip I wil be alone and can use public transit and trains easy on my own, but with two parents in their 50's who just want to relax, a car straight from Rome to Sorrento I think will be easier than two trains.. as I have not heard great things about the circumvesa from Naples to Sorrento. Our car is small, a 4 door smart car, very cute

I guess I really should have added more detail to my question in the first place, I try to do as much research as possible before asking a question, I like to also search the trip advisor forums as you tend to get many different opinions. I think there are just as many people who say don't drive the Amalfi as do, so it was not an easy decision. When it came down to it, I know my parents and myself didn't want to rely on a bus, and a private driver was just too costly. I think even if we can't find parking, I'll just be happy taking the drive, and I know for sure we will get a chance to stop and park in Ravello so thats good enough for me. Since we are also going to be in Sorrento for 5 days I figure if we can't get a parking spot we'll try a little later in the evening when the crowds are gone. Thanks to everyone and your advice you have truly made planning my trip easier.

Hi Cora, Your trip sounds like fun! Four of us rented a car in Naples, stayed in Sorento for a week and spent the time driving the Amalfi, visiting Pompeii,Pastuem et all. Because of the car, we could stop at flea markets, eat buffalo mozzarella from farm stands and generally get local. Driving and parking were a breeze. (I have to add that we are Boston drivers and it was in October.) So good luck on your adventure and enjoy the time with you family. Remember that Italy is all about families!

Thanks Diana for the encouragment. I was worried about parking but we will be there May 1-5 and I'm confident that even if we have a hard time parking it won't be impossible. I know that even though May is considered shoulder season it seems more and more people are finding May attractive as I do to travel. As you mentioned there is alot to do if you have a car, and as you said Italy is about family and as this is my last year living at home, I'm glad I'll get this last trip to spend with my parents. Thanks all!