Hi - I'm trying to plan a trip to Sorrento end August and see that Naples is the nearest airport to fly into. I have heard frightening tales of driving in Italy and have been put off hiring a car and driving from Naples to Sorrento and then driving around to Amalfi coast when there. Can anyone give me their experiences of driving to Sorrento from Naples and around the coast? I am a terribly nervous car passenger and hate being on motorways, so would greatly appreciate other people's input please. Also any good deals on car hire places to pick up and drop off at Naples airport? Thank you!
Posted by
11608 posts
The motorway has lots of tunnels , so in and out, in and out, which may make it easier for you. I find it boring to drive through so many tunnels but sometimes boring is good. You do not want a car in the Amalfi Coast. We drove from Umbria to Naples and turned in our car, took taxis. I recommend that you forget renting a car there. You do not sound like driving in this area would be easy for you and you do NOT want a car on the Amalfi Coast. Let local taxi drivers take you around. They know the area well.
Posted by
Bay Area SF & Uppsala Sweden
1038 posts
Take a taxi from Naples to Sorrento if you're at all nervous about driving. You can ask your hotel to book it ahead. There's really no point having a car in this area, and certainly not on the AC. Let alone in Naples, God forbid Where are you coming from and will you have jet lag? (BTW, I've driven in Rome & along the AC, 20 years ago under a full moon, gorgeous, but wouldn't do it again given the crowds, let alone in August.) Have you considered Salerno? Good AC access via ferries, a proper town with a beach people seem to like a lot. Where and what are you trying to see? The AC will be jammed in August, with Italians as well as foreigners. Here's a good thread about suggesting people take ferries! https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/sorrento-to-positano-by-bus
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7229 posts
Not to pile on but you do not want or need a car in Sorrento or on AC
There is a bus from NAP to Sorrento
10 euros Curreri Viaggi
Your luggage goes underneath. You ride inside
Takes about an hour
Info here
https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/naples-to-sorrento-train-schedule
Other inexpensive opions are cab to train then Circumvesuviana or Campania Express
To get around the AC use the ferries, hire a private driver or look into Mondo Guides shared tours
www.sharedtours.com