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Half-day driver for Amalfi Coast

Partner and I are spending three nights in Sorrento in late April, and have set aside one day to take the drive along the Amalfi Coast (to Amalfi, including a visit to Ravello). We had originally planned to do this on our own, getting an early start on the SITA, and possibly adding a ferry for part of the way back to Sorrento. But the more I read, the more I think we'll be frustrated waiting for the buses, possibly standing en route, etc. So a driver seems like a good idea, and the money isn't so bad that my more-thrifty counterpart will protest (too much). But we'd like to keep the day a bit open - are hired drivers okay with the idea of a one-way trip, say, ending the hired car in Ravello or Amalfi, and leaving us to take our time on the way back? We like the idea of more free time, taking the ferry for a sea view, and maybe finding dinner somewhere along the way home.

Also, it seems like lots of drivers are available - will we be okay to wait and hire a driver when we arrive in Sorrento late afternoon on the day before we make the trip? It was suggested elsewhere that we do that, and might have more bargaining power, but I'd hate to be on the wrong side of that calculation. Thanks!

Posted by
372 posts

In May 2012 a group of 5 of us used Raffaele Monetti - he's the same guy that drives Rick around in the Amalfi Coast episode of his TV show. Raffaele was fantastic, and I highly recommend him. He has a website - monettitaxi17.com. I booked him via email well in advance, and confirmed a week before. He was prompt, courteous, full of interesting information. His English was great. He will take you where ever you choose. You would have to check about a 1 way only trip. Enjoy this beautiful corner of the world, and be sure to see Ravello as well.

Posted by
11613 posts

For a one-way trip, you may have to pay for the driver's return to the pickup point. If you end your car hire in Amalfi, there is a bus to Ravello a few times an hour.

We used Guiseppe, he was wonderful. He has several glowing reviews on Trip Advisor. He picked us up at our hotel in Sorrento right on time, drove us along the Amalfi Coast, stoppen in Vietri, then to Paestum, and back. He has a very nice car (van, really) and is a very safe and knowledgeable driver. I recommend him highly. His email address is: [email protected]

He has excellent reviews on Trip Advisor which will come up easily if you google "Giuseppe driver amalfi coast Sorrento"
You can email him and tell him where you want to go and he will give you a price. While we had lunch he hung out elsewhere, he does not impose himself. You will be very happy with him. He speaks excellent English and knows all the roads. You can relax and look at the amazing views!!

Posted by
3943 posts

We used Sorrento Silver Star Car rentals for an 8 hour day (Mercedes mini-van)...picked up in Atrani, he took us up to Ravello, around 'the back way' thru the hills past Naples, to Sorrento for a few hours and Positano. We already had seen Amalfi as it is only a few minutes walk from Atrani. Lorenzo was our driver and he was great. We could have spent another hour to see something else Lorenzo told us, but we were hot and tired from the day, so we passed. My mom enjoyed the day a lot (I think she was taken with Lorenzo...lol). I tend to be a budget traveler, so the cost was a little high (for me), but in the end, it was worth every penny. And there were three of us, so when you split it up between 3 people for 8 hours, it wasn't that bad...I did book in advance, paid the driver in cash, and not sure about a 'one-way trip'. But they were great with the communication and open to tailoring your day...