Italy trip December and January

We were in Italy over Christmas/New Year's 2 years ago, and for the first week with an apartment in Rome, used the buses, trams, metro, and taxi's. If you get a Roma Card, public transportation costs are included in the card, in addition to savings on admission to sights.

We flew to Sicily and rented a car (best way to go, although many streets in hilltowns were very narrow -- not dangerous if you paid attention, but sometimes challenging and actually enjoyable), then drove and ferried the car back to the mainland for the drive to Sorrento. The autostrade were very safe (people drove the speed limit to avoid tickets!) and even the Amalfi Coast drive was fun. The traffic in late December was nowhere near what I understand it to be in the summer.

We used our rental car to drive to some locations like the ruins at Pompeii and Herculaneum, in addition to driving The Coast, but used the train to visit Naples and to eventually get back to Rome for our flight home. If you do get a rental car for some or all of your visit, be sure each driver has an International Driver's Permit, obtainable at your nearby AAA office.

I drove the Amalfi coast once, might have been September or October, with plenty of traffic and the evening sun in my eyes, so I didn't see many sights on that drive. In winter, I expect the Amalfi coast traffic will be less (and daylight hours shorter). I also experienced terrible noon-time traffic when I accidentally exited the autostrada one stop too soon between Sorrento and Herculaneaum. Since I believed those were mostly locals on the road, they could be there any time, and the moral of that story is not to get off the autostrada too early.

We, too are planning a trip to Italy in January. We will arrive January 1 in Rome, and then go directly to an apartment outside of Sorrento. We've been told that we will want a car in Sorrento and Amalfi coast that time of year as there will be less traffic and less public transportation available. We are also staying outside town and up a steep hill - the owner of the apartment says that a car is advisable. Our itinerary thus far is below. Advice requested!

• Jan 1: Arrive in Rome and drive rental car to apartment outside Sorrento. We think it will be nice to have a rental car that time of year for touring around. Yes?
• Jan 7: Naples? Were hoping to spend one night there but not sure we want to drive here. Perhaps just stay another day in Sorrento and take ferry to Naples for a day trip? Or drive to Naples and drop off car at a rental location, then use public transportation to get into the city and then back to Rome next day?
• Jan 8: Drive back to Rome, drop off car, and head to apartment in Rome for remainder of stay using public transportation

We have itinerary pretty well figured out, just have some concerns about transportation:

• Is driving Amalfi coast road and between villages and towns while staying in Sorrento really as dangerous as some posters claim? We would like the convenience - and surely there will be less traffic in January.
• Drive from Rome airport to Sorrento fairly basic?
• What to do about Naples? We know it is difficult to drive there, but it seems logical to spend a night there in the middle between Rome and Sorrento apartments. I have left one day open just for this reason.

Last question: Reliable car rental company in Italy? Pickup at Rome airport and drop off in different location?

irina,

One other point to mention is that each driver will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. You may never be asked to produce the IDP, but if you are asked and can't produce one, you may face hefty fines which will be collected on the spot! You can obtain the IDP easily for a small fee at any AAA office, and these are valid for one year. Although this occurred in Spain, you may find it interesting to read THIS recent Thread on the topic of IDP's.

You'll also need to be vigilant for the dreaded ZTL (limited traffic zones), which exist in many towns and cities in Italy. Again, hefty fines for violations. A GPS or at least a good Map would also be prudent.

I'm sure it's easier to drive the Amalfi Coast in the winter. But since Pompeii and Herculaneum can be reached for a few dollars by public transportation, why not skip the expense and hassle of renting (and parking ... ) a car? It's much nicer to hire a car and driver for one day, and look out the windows like the Koch brothers do. That's manly use of the high road! If you feel like being in control of your destiny behind the wheel of a mighty steed, have at it. Don't forget the American flag. Oh, I forgot, you're in Italy.

We used Europcar in Italy (and have used them in other locations), and they're very reliable, are priced right, and let us pick up the car in one place in Italy and drop off in another with no extra fees or hassle. Driving the Amalfi Coast in late December was not stressful - in January traffic should be even lower. Weather on any given day might or might not be a factor, though. Consider taking the train to and from Sorrento, but renting a car while you're in Sorrento and he surrounding area. We had no problem getting a close parking spot for the ruins at both Pompeii and Herculaneum. As noted above, we did use the train for a day trip from Sorrento to Naples, and for the return to Rome.

If you want stress, try driving Highland Scotland's narrow roads on the left, in driving rain, with lots of oncoming traffic that doesn't necessarily stay on their side of the road.

I appreciate everyone's great ideas. I especially like the idea of leaving the rental car in Sorrento and taking the train to Naples, then Rome. While the Amalfi roads seem doable, the city driving sounds like a nightmare and that would be a great way to avoid it.

Thanks so much!