Please sign in to post.

Sorrento or Rome First?

We are landing in Rome on 11/2 and my original plan was to stay in Rome for 4 days and leave for Sorrento area on 11/7. Tour Amalfi area etc and depart from Rome on 11/12. I am now wondering if it would be best to head to Sorrento first and then end up in Rome to avoid the hassle of heading back to Rome for my flight back. Or would it be better to do the city first and end up in a more relaxing environment of Sorrento/Amalfi area.

Secondly I am still struggling with renting a car versus public transportation for the Sorrento piece. I would like to have Paestum and Baia as options but it does not look like they are as accessible without a car. They are not an absolute but would be nice. My concern is will there be dimished bus service the first week of November and will the car give us more flexibility or be more of a liability. I know about the Arte card so would purchase that if we chose the public transportation route. Any and all thoughts would be appreciated.

Posted by
6 posts

I might do Rome for 3 days, then Sorrento, and then you'll have a extra day in Rome when you get back if you want it, or you can stay in Sorrento for the extra day if you want.

I would probably recommend not getting a car but finding a driver to drive you around for just one day along the coast. They have more experience driving there and you can just enjoy the gorgeous views!

Posted by
791 posts

Sorrento was quite relaxing after a week in Rome.

As far as a car...driving should be quite easy in the Amalfi area right now. There wasn't a whole lotta traffic when we were there beginning of Sept. BUT it is gonna cost you about 20 euro a day for parking.

Posted by
340 posts

You can schedule your days either way as long as you return to Rome the day prior to your flight home. We did this and stayed near the Piazza Navonna before flying home - fun to have a "last night" in Rome. We arranged a taxi to the airport with the front desk the day before and had no problem making our 10:30am flight.

I also would caution you about driving in Sorrento. If you decide to get a car be sure to get the full insurance coverage. I saw very few cars in that area without dents and scratches. But, traffic should be less crazy in Nov. We really like to hire a driver when we are in Sorrento. It is much more reasonable than a taxi or rental car, they know the roads, and having a built in tour guide is an added bonus. Local native, Ugo Vinaccia with Leonardo Travels (leonardotravels.com), is our favorite. The bus works well, too, but for Paestum and Baia a driver might be best. Have a wonderful trip!