Hello RS community!
We are writing to ask for advice on a car rental from Rome, one way rental from Rome in
January to explore the Amalfi coast before dropping the car at Fiumicino Airport. We know from our research that driving in Rome is ill-advised unless necessary, so we are wondering whether it makes more sense to rent in Rome proper or somewhere nearby; we are staying in Trastevere. Any insight or advice would be appreciated, thanks all.
R&C, Canada
Each rental company has about a dozen offices in Rome. The locations near the Tiburtina station are easy to get on the freeway and head down to Naples, but there are many more. Trastevere is a big traffic mess and it’s not easy to get out unless you know your way, so don’t drive there. Take a taxi to the agency and leave town.
I don’t know where you stay on the Amalfi Coast but parking is difficult, so make sure your hotel has parking arrangements with local garages (some hotels do). The average price of parking fees in Positano, as an example, is about 25€ day.
We seldom hear of anyone wanting to drive around the Amalfi Coast. Sounds as if driving is difficult and parking is hard to find. We do hear of people using private drivers to tour the area.
Most travel to the region by train from Rome.
Thank you both for the messages. We are staying in Vietri, and have parking there and are only planning to use the car to visit Pompeii given that we are walking distance from the bus.
Take the high speed train from Rome to Salerno and rent (and return) a car there. That's what I did this past February, using Europcar. Their office is across the plaza from the train station. Read about my driving experiences here. Vietri is a pain in the neck to drive in/out of with little parking. But you'll get used to it. The only problem I can foresee is that it might be difficult to get an automatic. Besides Pompeii, you can visit Paestum and see great Greek temples and a very good archaeological museum, stop on the way at Tenuta Vannulo Organic Farm for fresh buffalo mozzarella, gelato and cannoli. Be sure to stop in Minori for pastries at Sal de Riso.
