Question: Private transfer and tour driver Amalfi Coast

There's a lot of .. er .. loose ends in your post. Do you mean that 8 hours are 100 Euros less or 12 hours, or the hourly rate? Do you have any idea how far it is from Sorrento to Paestum? I guess you mean that you want to be dropped off in Positano for your next stay. But that means that the driver isn't just responsible for the car while you are looking around each place, he's responsible for the luggage, even if it doesn't all fit in the locked trunk.

You can't describe the booking time as ending in Positano because the driver didn't start there. He has to return (=- 1 hour) to Sorrento, where he came from, empty.

Usually I recommend that people do ask their hotel, because the hotel has a big incentive to have "happy" customers. But this large price difference is disturbing. It could be explained by differences between what you think the quote was about and what they usually are asked to do. (i.e. see my first paragraph.)

In 2014, we paid our 5-star Sorrento hotel's local travel partner, a travel agency in the town (i.e. not an employee of the hotel), 240 Euros for a Mercedes sedan for 8 hours with a driver. He wasn't really a tour guide, but a knowledgeable local with a noticeable accent. We were able to pay for this using our hotel bill, rather than paying the driver.

We gave up on our hopes to see Paestum from Sorrento (we didn't move to Positano, but slept five nights in Sorrento) because 8 hours isn't enough time to do that trip and see nothing else. We had free time in Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, and viewed two other towns without free time. He took us to the Green Grotto, but we declined the pottery shop (where we did us the bus group toilets!)

Hope that helps.

I was told it is 2 hour drive from Sorrento to Paestum. I thought to add Ravello and tour Amalfi scenic route. that is my primary reason to have the driver. I am scheduled at a hotel in Positano.
You have made it seem that is too much of a trip in 8-10 hours? I really want to visit Paestum, maybe I should do that first and see what else can be done on the way back if not to tired?
the hotel offered a driver for 35 euro per hour
the other drivers quoted 380 euro fro 8-9 hours
big difference. is it worth it and why?

How many nites in Sorrento ?
Positano?
You're trying to do too much from Sorrento. The trip from Sorrento to Positano is best by either the Sita bus or the ferry.
I wouldn't waste a driver on this route. The bus is probably the easiest option as it will drop you at the top of town in Positano. The ferry is only 40 minutes, BUT, you would have a very steep walk to your hotel.
There are porters (sometimes)
Check with your hotel.

If you decide to use a driver and tour, limit it to Positano, drop your luggage, then tour Amalfi and Ravello.

Paestum is not that challenging to get to. It just requires time.
From Positano take the ferry to
Salerno. 1 hour 15min. 12 euro.
The train station is across from the ferry dock. Train to Paestum 32 min. 2,70 euros.
Short flat walk into town.
Allow 2-3 hours for the site.

Same but reverse back to Salerno. Take the ferry back or take the bus and see the other villages of the Amalfi Coast.

I had planned to take the ferry to Paestum in the first place but then I thought I would save a day and do it during the transfer. But the return time limits concerned me If I missed the ferry.
3 nights in Sorrento, one day going to Pompei on train
4 nights Positano, possible day trip to Capri
I had originally thought a ferry to Positano but thought possible rough seas, luggage and use the time as a tour day might be better option.
I think a tour of Ravello and Amalfi would be a more relaxed option and take 5 hours and not do too much.
I do want to relax and soak in the scenery with out being rushed.
Any ideas appreciated.
Thanks

I would suggest that you use the Search box top center to read some past posts about visiting the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento. (Paestum comes up, but much much less often.) You need more general information about a frequent need.

I don't question that Google Maps shows two hours for Sorrento-Paestum, but it represents an imaginary journey - much as it reports a local U.S. trip on a suburban highway with traffic lights and multiple malls. Much of the trip is on a two-lane road with sharp curves where busses have to stop and back up to complete their turns, blocking both directions. Customers like you and me order our drivers to stop for a photo, half-blocking our single travel lane. Since the road was crowded for us in May, I believe it will still be crowded in September. Since Positano is most of the way back from Paestum (i.e. as if you were returning to Sorrento, rather than getting off in Positano) you're talking about almost five hours in the car, without adding time to look at any sites or eat lunch.

You are entirely right to consider spending all that money on a car and driver, because there is so much waiting and traffic overhead in taking public transportation. Rick (our host travel writer here ... ) tells people visiting Amalfi and Positano from Sorrento on the SITA bus to visit Amalfi first, because the bus home originates in Amalfi and it often doesn't stop in Positano because it is already full. Get the idea?

If you don't get the idea yet, consider that every time we walked to the Circumvesuviana station in Sorrento to take the train somewhere, there was already a line for the bus to Positano that was longer than would fit on the next bus. The crowding and disorder on the train pales beside the difficulty of navigating the Amalfi Coast in-season. When you have a driver, you have the freedom to cut out a stop because you're running out of time.

Another thing you're overlooking is that Ravello (and Paestum) are FOOT visits, once you get there. (Really, Positano has only one car road, and Amalfi is also a walking visit, as well.) They are time-consuming, and there is no point in going there unless you walk around for at least an hour. We had lunch in an expensive restaurant in Ravello with a magnificent coastal view, without a reservation. But Ravello is a detour from the waterfront part of the coast. I would have been sorry to have missed Ravello. I could have skipped Amalfi, but that is very much an opinion, and in retrospect.

Lots of replies already but here are my two cents....

I just found out about Mondo Tours. There are shared "private" tours for RS readers. Check them out. The 1-2 person 9/hr tour is $400 or you can share it with six other people for $50 ea. BTW $400/9hrs is only $45/hr so the rate the hotel quoted you doesn't sound right. You can book a private tour with the Mondo group as well.

Paestum is a long way. I've carefully planned the trip by train (this is my second visit to the region) and it will be an all day trip for me. Maybe get a quote from Mondo.

If you really want to stay in Positano I would do one or two nights but add additional nights to your Sorrento stay using it as your base. Capri and the tours to Positano and Amalfi start from there as do the ferries when running. Ravello is an easy public bus ride up from Amalfi so you may not want to waste your time with the driver getting up there unless you are short on time. If I was having a driver I would take advantage and have him take me to some of the smaller, less touristy towns along the road. Taking the ferry to Amalfi and meeting him there in the afternoon could be an economical compromise. You can take the first ferry from Sorrento to Amalfi seeing Positano from the boat as you go. Spend a few hours in Amalfi then Ravello, meet your driver and have him drive you back to Sorrento stopping along the way shop and eat in the smaller towns.

To really enjoy Pompeii and Paestum I recommend you stop for half a day in Naples (if going to Sorrento on the train you will have to change trains there anyway) to go to the National Archeology museum. There are no explanations at Pompeii and most of the art and mosaics are at the museum in Naples (with the exception of some of the frescos and floor mosaics).

Taking the ferry to Amalfi and meeting him there in the afternoon
could be an economical compromise.

This may not be all that economical if the driver originates in Sorrento. He may figure his rate including the time it takes him to drive to Amalfi with an empty car. Just something to ask about if you consider this option.

Thank you for the great advice.

I am booked already for 3 nights in Sorrento and 4 nights in Positano.
I am ok with that.
I think I will take train to visit Pompeii one day, but would love to visit the Naples Arch. Museum. I remember Naples from a visit long ago and I didn't like Naples. So I am a little apprehensive to spend time there.

The museum sounds wonderful though, Is the museum far from train station?

I will either take a taxi transfer to Positano or Ferry as originally planned.

I will plan a ferry and train ride to Paestum which sounds like fun. Just make sure I don't miss connections on the way back.

Either visit Amalfi and Ravello or Capri on another day. Although I have been to Capri before but my Wife hasn't..

I am not really looking to run around but enjoying the day in life. In one place, one chair in cafe with coffee or a bite to eat.

Thanks for the useful ideas and experience.

From Napoli Centrale you can take the metro to the Museo stop, and reverse to get back to the train station.

To go to Pompeii Scavi take the Circumvesuvian from Sorrento. E 3,20.
Pompei. E 11,00
Train to Naples. E 3,70
Metro line 1- Museo E 1,50
Arch. Museo. E 13,00
Normally 8, but special exhibit.
Metro back to train. E 1,50
Do both the same day.
C. Train back to Sorrento. E4,50.
Total is around E 38,00.

The Campania arte card for 3 days (tutte Le regione) is E 32.
It includes 2 free sights plus all transportation.Metro,bus, Circumvesuvian and Sita bus on the AC.
Try to do this on your last day in Sorrento and you would have 2days of transport and reduced tickets in Amalfi ( cloisters of paradise) Ravello
(Villas Rufolo & Climborne)
Or in Paestum the site and museum.
Hope this helps.
Edit. Bus & ferry schedules.
http://www.positano.com