We are planning an extended stay around Ravello & wondered if it would be worthwhile to rent a vespa -- to be used for short trips along the coast? We have been there before & know that stretch of road can be congested & tough so not sure if it would be a wise move? Has anyone done this before? Special type of license or ins. needed? *trying to avoid being dependent on the bus system
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Unless you are VERY proficient
With motorcycles or scooters, this is NOT a good idea.
Posted by
NYC
490 posts
Hi while this sounds like a good idea....and a romantic notion..
If you are a regular scooter driver with a passenger in a CITY like NYC, BOSTON D.C. L.A. etc in the USA..then you might be okay... renting a scooter if you are experience on an island like Ischia makes sense, mostly flat, one main loop road etc.
For many reasons I do not recommend this....I think you know what they are if you have visited before...trecherous roads, wild drivers, hills, hills, hills...the heat. Do you imagine yourself zipping between buses and cars to get out of the congestion? Sitting in the heat as you wait for traffic to abate.
Keep your skin and your sanity..and hire a taxi if needed.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12692 posts
Only if you are a seasoned experienced motorcyclist.
Suspect insurance would be handled same way as a car rental, and presumably your US license showing a motorcycle endorsement, along with your IDP would be all that is necessary.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Note that you will also be dodging other motorcyclists and Vespa drivers.
Posted by
northern CA
3111 posts
I have a motorcycle license and rode every day for over a decade in the SF Bay Area and I lack patience, but I still wouldn't ride a rental on the Amalfi coast--if riding a vehicle you don't know well on roads you don't know well sounds like vacation to you, then good luck.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
792 posts
use to ride MC's for years. No way now ..I like 4 wheels. But then, I'm old
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16741 posts
Riding a Vespa is an excellent idea.
Even a greater idea would be to pilot a helicopter.
In both cases it's not so safe if you are not experienced doing it.
Posted by
NSW Australia
703 posts
do you have a death wish? seriously, we were there a about a week ago, and I understand your concern. we caught the first bus of the morning from amalfi to ravello, and it was not full, but later on the buses were PACKED. so consider your timing. if there are a few of you consider a private driver, we found them very cost affective, compared to ferries etc ( but we had a group of 5)
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32494 posts
Unless you have a motorcycle endorsement on your home D.L., I vaguely recall that you'll be limited in the size of Vespa that you can rent (ie: under 50 cc?). Those are going to be slow and under powered and not advisable to ride on highways. While this might sound like a romantic idea (ie: as seen in Roman Holiday), it could be dangerous if you're not used to driving there.
As noted earlier, each driver will require the compuslory I.D.P.
How long is your "extended stay" in Ravello?