Hiring a driver from Siena to Sorrento

What's wrong with the train? Yes, you would need to backtrack to Florence probably, but it takes around the same time and costs a lot less.

It’s a long way and right now, because of the pandemics that forced rental car companies to sell their fleets, car rentals are really expensive so private limo services take advantage of the situation and jacked up the prices too.

From Siena via train you need a couple of train changes (bus to Florence, high speed train from Florence to Naples, commuter train from Naples to Sorrento). Cheaper but a little of a hassle if you have a lot of luggage to haul around.

A rental car driven by yourself is probably the cheapest option and convenient option, although a bit tiring for the designated driver since you are looking at 5 hours (plus pit stops) behind the wheel (although it is almost entirely on a 4 to 6 lane freeway).

Rent a car. It is an easy drive, all on the Autostrada, like an interstate highway in the US. Drop car off when you get to destination. Easy as can be.

From Siena via train you need a couple of train changes (bus to
Florence, high speed train from Florence to Naples, commuter train
from Naples to Sorrento).

Roberto, I'm probably missing something - you know this stuff inside and out - but why couldn't they take a train instead of the bus to Florence (S.M. Novella)? Then, as you listed, "Fast" train to Naples, then the Circ. or Campania Express (if season and timing works) to Sorrento. If willing to spend a bit more they could also hire a private driver from Naples> Sorrento: I believe that runs about 100 euro.

I guess I lean to the trains because they eliminate the potential of road delays for accidents and whatnot but that's just me.

I'll agree that Siena> Sorrento is a long way for a driver, That driver likely has to return to Siena from Sorrento so it's time and petrol both ways (I would imagine gas prices have risen in the last few years) and maybe a night's stay somewhere. Add that to the shortage of rental cars and, well, there you have it.

I see Cinque Terre pairing better with Tuscany than the Amalfi Coast/Sorrento area, but it's your vacation. Although many Americans just assume that "car is the best way", I feel like there's something you're not telling us. Are you concerned about Covid exposure, or is one of the travelers not in perfect physical shape? Why is the train wrong for your needs? I'm not trying, just below, to make it all-about-me, but to show that I deserve to have an opinion about your request:

We were happy to pay for an 8-hour car service to "show us the AC" from our Sorrento hotel, but it makes no sense to book a one-way trip (empty run for driver at one or both terminals ... ) for such a long trip. We took Rick Steves advice to hire a car for a one-day runout to Cesky Krumlov from Prague, but that was round-trip, and it's much shorter by car than by train. I found the drive just from Tuscany to the Rome Airport in our rental car to be a boring, not particularly scenic draaaag, with road work, lane shrinkages for construction, and slow tractor-trailer delays.

I have the impression Americans prefer to remain in their comfort zone, if they are used to trains and transfers (like those from NYC) they use trains. If not, if they are afraid of walking from track X to track Y because they have never done it, Americans try to drive everywhere. Even if they know it costs more and may take more. Covid has heightened this, adding new fears.

As a side note, the bus from Siena to Rome's Tiburtina station takes 2 h and 40 mm. Many high speed trains From Florence to Naples / Salerno call at Tiburtina.

I see that rental rates are currently stratospheric yet cheaper than what you were quoted with a private driver.

It looks like that renting a station wagon type car would cost you under $300 for a two day rental (I checked Hertz for a month from now with pickup in Siena and drop off in Sorrento, but if you plan to keep the car 3 days or more maybe AutoEurope has a better deal). Renting for a day (24 hrs) would cost you under $250.

The train from Siena to Florence takes longer than the bus (the train route goes through the Elsa valley via Empoli while the freeway goes straight north to Florence), and the Siena train station is not in the center of town. However if you prefer trains to buses, that is an option too.

The bus to Rome Tiburtina station as Dario suggested may be faster and more convenient overall.

Considering you have 4 people presumably with plenty of luggage, I would consider renting for one or two days, in spite of the exorbitant rental prices during these times.

So far Roberto provides the most practical advice. We are young enough and able to drive the particular routes we are interested in. I was just hoping someone had a reasonable private driver. Yes, Roberto, the longer we rent the car, the more cost effective it becomes. Even with gas and tolls, it beats the private driver rates.

Tim from NJ...I owe you no explanation as to our itinerary. I am fluent in Italian, 100% Italian/American, and adhere to Rick Steves guidelines as to how to engage the locals.

Thanks to everyone. I will let you know retrospectively how it worked out. The trip is in October

Gotcha, Roberto, I knew the bus stop in Siena was more conveniently located than the train station but didn't check the times for rail versus bus so thanks for the explanation.

I do remember a caution from a poster who'd spent more hours on that bus than expected due to accident-related traffic backup...not that the same couldn't happen on any other road.

Nice option from Dario for others not interested in driving themselves. :O)

I don't know what the cost would be for your trip, but I've booked a different route, with sightseeing stops, with this company and found the price to be not too exorbitant: https://mydaytrip.com/