We will be in Italy for 12 days in
September (flying in to Rome) and I am trying to decide whether to go to Puglia, Amalfi Coast or both. Has anyone done both in one trip? If so, how did you get from one region to the other. It sounds like driving is best in Puglia, but not necessarily in the Amalfi coast and we don't like to spend hours and hours in the car. thanks for any tips
Posted by
Toledo
653 posts
You can do both by public transportation. Where do you want to go in Puglia? There are a couple of big train hubs (Foggia is one), depending on where you want to end up. How long do you have in Puglia?
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
We did Rome and Puglia in one trip. It was a four hour drive from Rome to Puglia. Much of it was absolutely beautiful. For our return trip we flew on one of the lo-cost inter EU arlines from Brindisi (use Whichbudget.com to search for these airlines) back to Rome. You can also fly in and out of Bari. And the train is a great option from Rome to Puglia, but from Amalfi to parts of Puglia public trans can be sketchy. Personally, I would train from Rome to the Amalfi coast, use public trans to see everything there, and then fly from Naples to Bari or Brindisi and pick up a rental car there. A rental car is NOT needed on the Amalfi coast, but is a wonderful asset in Puglia. Don't drive in Pugla without taking your GPS and Michelin road map; especially if you think that may want to to to Lecce ( a must!)
Posted by
OP
Denver
4 posts
We will have 5 or 6 days in Puglia depending on how long we stay in the Amalfi coast. I wonder if that is long enough. Thanks for your posts.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1003 posts
I did both last May. I did 4 nights Sorrento, 4 nights Naples (not really amalfi coast I realize), then train to Lecce (2 nights) then I did a 6-night/5-day private tour with a guide based out of Gioia del colle. You don't have to drive to enjoy a lot of Puglia, but it's surely helpful.
Posted by
Harrogate, Yorkshire, England
6 posts
Hi Tina, I can only give you tips on the Rome / Amalfi part which I hope helps. We flew into Rome and spent 3 days there (favourite City), then got the train down to Naples, about one and a quarter hours from memory. From Naples we got the Hydrofoil round to Positano where we stayed for 5 days and used as our base for Pompeii, Almalfi, ravello, Capri etc. I truly believe the Hydrofoil just has to be the best way of getting to the Almafi coast as you see the wonderful coastline from the sea, plus there was something a bit magical about stepping on the Positano shore line from a boat. There is certainly enough to do to keep you busy in this part and if I was doing the same trip again I would stay on Capri for 1 or two nights. I certainly wouldn't recommend hiring a car for the Almalfi coast part, use the boat, train or bus. Hope this helps regards
Gordon