This is my first trip to Italy, and my husband and I are on our own for several days and want to leave Rome to go to a small village near Naples, my father-in-law's birthplace. We're trying to decide if we should take a train and bus to a small city nearest it and then rent a car to get to the village because there is not public transportation there. We would consider touring around and driving the rental car back to Rome before we fly out. Is it safe/advisable to drive in the more rural areas and/or Rome? Thank you in advance.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6788 posts
Rural areas? Usually fine and easy.
In Rome? Is this really a serious question? Driving in Rome? Nooooooooooooooooo!
What's the name of the small town?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32303 posts
I agree with the first reply... it would help to know the name of the town? Also, when is this trip taking place?
If you decide to drive, keep in mind that for driving in Italy, each driver listed on the rental form must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any CAA/AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which may be provided by the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot!
You may also want to have a look at some of the other posts here concerning the dreaded Zona Traffico Limitato (limited traffic) areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many Italian towns & cities especially Florence, which is almost saturated with automated ZTL cameras. EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket, which you won't know about until several months after you return home! This website provides more information - http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/driving/traffic_cameras_speeding.htm
If you decide to drive and keep the above caveats in mind, you shouldn't have any problem. You might consider returning the car in Naples and take the high speed train to Rome.
If the town is not far from Naples, you could also hire a private driver for the day. They can not only take you to the town but also provide a short tour of the area. One firm that's suggested in the guidebook is Monetti Taxi.
Posted by
NSW Australia
703 posts
you mention a 'small city' to rent a car? a lot of the small towns are just that, very small and probably don't have car rental, like you may be use to.
consider the fast train to Naples and organise a private car/guide from there. it might end up being a good option?
that said, we picked up our lease car ( on our first trip to italy) near the rome airport ( no in the city) and 'generally' the driving was OK, but driving in and around somewhere like naples ( or Rome) think again. do your sums etc
you might find that the regional areas ( very small towns- that aren't touristy) don't speak any english, we found that even the young people in a supermarket did not speak english, just be prepared for things like that.
hope this helps.
Posted by
8030 posts
I have driven in Italy and it is great for visiting places like Tuscany. However, Italy has a wonderful and extensive rail system that I would go with. If you drive on the Autostrata, Italy's interstate highways, the tolls are huge. Also, you don't want a car if you go to Rome, Florence or Venice.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Yes, if you tell us which town near Naples you're visiting, people can give the best advice about how to get there.
Posted by
seattle
2083 posts
Many smaller city car rentals don’t allow 1-way car rentals without a significant surcharge. You may be best just renting the car for a few days and then returning to Rome via bus and train. If the car rental company doesn’t change for a 1-way rental, driving from the Naples area to FCO airport is not difficult. We always look at the autoeurope site to get an idea of which companies rent where and for how much.
Posted by
OP
U.S.
11 posts
These replies are so helpful. The small village is Santo Stefano del Sole near Avellino. We can bus to Avellino from Naples but are having trouble with the last leg of the journey, plus it would be convenient to have a car to drive around even if we have to return it and take bus/train back to the Rome airport.
Would anyone know how to get a driver from either Naples or Avellino?
Thank you again for your advice.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15762 posts
Although having a car while in Rome is not at all necessary, you could drive from Rome to Santo Stefano. The trip is at least 3 hours however.
If I were you, and wanted to go there with as little driving as possible, I wouldn’t go to neither Naples nor Avellino.
I would take a high speed Frecciargento or Frecciarossa train directly from Rome to Salerno. South of Naples. There several a day, and the journey is less than 90 min.
Once in Salerno all rental car agencies are a block or so from the central station. Rent a car there.
From Salerno to Santo Stefano by car, is just about 35-40 min with no traffic.