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Private Transfer In Italy

Hi, we will be traveling to Italy in October with my dad who is in his late 70s. We are spending 5 nights in Rome and then heading to either Sorrento or Salerno for 4 nights, and we are looking for private transport for 4 people. Looking for any suggestions on reliable companies you have used. Thank you!

Posted by
8289 posts

topexcursionsorrento.com

There are others often recommended here-a forum search should bring them up

Another is
daytrip.com —not area specific

Posted by
8428 posts

I'm 74. Because it takes three hours by car from Rome to Naples, but just a few minutes over one hour by Frecciarossa premium train service, you may wish to reconsider your plans. It is quite common for hotels in Sorrento to arrange car pickups at Naples airport or Naples main rail station, because it can be the most comfortable transfer from Naples to Sorrento. That's roughly an hour+, too. (The train from Naples to Sorrento is a different, hot, creaky, very crowded commuter service, not like the train from Rome.)

You don't mention your plans for Sorrento or Salerno, but you might consider the fact that Sorrento is on a cliff, so it is not a "beach town." Salerno has good access to Paestum, but is farther from Capri and a little less convenient for Pompeii. It is hard to get firm ferry schedules in advance, but you can expect ferry services to decrease sharply near the end of October. This is off-season, although Sorrento is popular all year round.

Although Sorrento (which is quite level in the main center) is not that "interesting", I believe that people will ask you if you "saw Sorrento", rather than if you "saw Salerno". Some posters here prefer Salerno, so you might use the Search box top center to read dozens of messages easily.

Our pricey cliffside Sorrento hotel (there are five or six) had gulf swimming platforms (not "floats") reached by the hotel elevator.

Posted by
646 posts

Would you consider the much smaller, and somewhat less tourist-driven, town of Cetara?

Posted by
17415 posts

Echoing some of Tim's good advice -
If you're choosing Salerno, I'll definitely recommend 'fast-train' rail from Rome over a private transfer. The fastest trains are efficient, direct (no changes), you can get up and move around now and again, and they have restrooms so no down time for potty stops needed. You can even bring your lunch.

If choosing Sorrento, then I'll double his advice for "fast train" to Naples and private transfer from there.

Which base to choose can depend on your sightseeing list. For instance, Capri is 2 hours, one-way, by ferry from Salerno (too far, IMHO) but only 20-30 minutes from Sorrento. Positano is 40 minutes via ferry from Sorrento but 70 minutes from Salerno. Sorrento is also a bit more conveniently located to Pompeii and Herculaneum. Salerno would put you closer to Amalfi, Ravello, Minori, etc. + Paestum.

I've leaned heavily on ferry services versus SITA bus as there have been so many complaints about hot buses on twisty roads, looooong lines/wait times, etc. Battered (and cheap) Circumvesuviana commuter train is fine for traveling Sorrento>Pompeii. Your group could also consider a private tour of the coast by road as a one-day alternate to using the ferries. If prone to motion sickness, you'll want to make good use of your tried-and-true anti-nausea medication.

Posted by
2201 posts

PM me if you want a line on a reliable transport service based out of Salerno that you can set up a private tour that would take you to anywhere on the Amalfi Coast, as far north as Herculaneum, Vesuvius or Naples to as far south as Paestum. Not cheap, but very good.

Posted by
197 posts

The train will be less expensive but we all have reasons for how we choose to travel. We( myself, husband, daughter and son in law ) went with private transfer from Rome to the Amalfi Coast. It was a splurge but it sure was nice to be delivered to our hotel door and not a worry about getting on the right train or any other transfers. My husband is a little unsteady walking so it was the right choice for us.

We used the company Christiane mentioned and they were great. We actually used them 3 different days during our stay.

Have a great trip.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you all, this is very helpful information! I think we will do the train to Naples and then a private transfer to Sorrento. Appreciate everyone's suggestions!