I would appreciate your tips about whether to rent a car or take a train from Amalfi to Bari this June. My daughter and I are travelling for 2 weeks in Italy as a first-time journey to Europe. We are on a budget so the car would be a major expense. Thankyou in advance----Sheryl
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
You can get to Bari from Amalfi without a car. The simplest way (although it might not seem so), I think, is to go to Naples or Caserta and take the bus or train to Bari. If you take the bus, you can stop in Matera (it has no train station anymore) for a unique experience in the sassi (the caves in the middle of the town). I can give you the name of an excellent B&B just a staircase away from the sassi if you are interested. Then take the bus to Bari. The train from Caserta to Bari is about 3 hours, 30+ euro each.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15266 posts
The choice is yours. If you take a train, let's say from Salerno, it will take you about 5 hours (with changes in Caserta and possibly in Naples). Prices are 33 euro and up per person one way. There are also less expensive options (24 euro) with IR and Regional trains. It will take you longer though. If you rent a car, you are looking at Euro 40-50 day (with all bells and whistles for insurance, which I suggest you get, since your US insurance won't cover you there) for the rental car. Plus at least 30 euro in gas (if you rent a diesel) and 18.30 euro for freeway tolls. All in all I think you need more than 100 euro for that trip by rental car. The drive would be 3 hours approximately. So by train takes longer but is potentially about 30-40% cheaper. If there were 3 of you instead of 2, the car would have been cheaper probably.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2129 posts
A car would be more expensive; you would have to bring a GPS with you (with European maps); you would need to purchase an international drivers permit before your trip (about $15, available at AAA); and depending on how you like driving in new places, it could be more stressful. For your first trip to Italy, I would recommend a train or bus. Once you get to Bari, if your plans allow, I also would recommend a visit to Matera. You can get there from Bari via inexpensive train or bus; we took the train in October and stayed in a great, fairly inexpensive hotel in the Sassi with an underground swimming pool and spa built into a cave ... a wonderful experience. I think 2 nights is good for Matera.