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Sorrento & Amalfi Coast: Drive or Take Train/Bus?

Posted by (Seattle, WA, USA) on

Hello Fellow Travelers:

I am taking my mother on a trip to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast next month (April). My question is whether to rent a car or take a train/bus. We plan to spend six days/five nights based in Sorrento so we can see Naples, Pompei, Vesuvius, Herculaneum, Capri, Sorrento, and the most southeastern areas of the Amalfi Coast. Then we plan to spend three days/two nights based in Amalfi to see Amalfi, Ravello, Salerno and Paestum.

Our aim is to to have a relaxed-paced trip that minimizes hassles while also allowing us to see places without too much walking.

Also, any thoughts on the idea of having the second home base in Amalfi are most welcome. Good idea or not?

Your input is most welcome.

Jonathan

Posted by
3313 posts

I've driven much of northern Italy. I would never drive in the Amalfi area. Many of the destinations you list are on train lines. The Amalfi Coast has a bus line.

I have a favorite video I shot from a cafe along the Amalfi road. The chaos of buses, cars and motorbikes is hilarious.

Posted by
55 posts

Driving will not be relaxing! I took the bus from Sorrento down the Amalfi coast and looking at the faces of the drivers on the road below us confirms that!Not a problem with the bus/train connections going to the places you mentioned. Do some research on the status of the garbage strike in Naples. Sorrento is a perfect base for you. I saw the town of Amalfi but did not stay there so really can't comment but I think that it too would make a good base.Also if you are flying into Rome read what Rick says about the train to Naples and then on to Sorrento . It can be a little hairy.

Posted by
5 posts

We took the train to Sorrento and the bus while in town (though there are some very interesting rules about when the buses go from downtown versus other places). We used public transportation for everything except a day trip up the coast. For that, we rented a driver/car for the day and it was fabulous. One of those things that seems pricey, but in the end well worth it.

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