We will be traveling from the Amalfi Coast to Cortona (nearby) in mid may. We will pick up a car once we get to Cortona. I am trying to figure out the most efficient and fastest way to get there - from which town in AC should we leave and where is the best town to arrive to. We have been to Tuscany before and we are happy driving in that area.
Thank you for your assistance.
There are several options for travel from the Amalfi Coast to the Napoli Centrale train station. It all depends on which town you are staying in.
If your lodging is between Amalfi town and Salerno, take the ferry, weather permitting, to Salerno. Walk across the street and take the train to Napoli Centrale ( you can ticket yourselves through to Camucia-Cortona, but will still have to change trains. )
Other option besides the bus is to ferry to Sorrento. From here 2 other choices... Ferry to Naples, then Alibus to train station or Circumvesuvian to Naples. Napoli Centrale is upstairs. Ticket would then be Napoli Centrale-Camucia-Cortona with one change in Rome. Train time about 4 hours.
Ferry & bus schedules here.
For train use Trenitalia.com
Make sure you can rent a car in
Cortona. Use Auto Europe or Kimwel. Both parts of the same company, but offen different pricing.
We tend to drive more in Europe than other people on this site. So, if it was me, I would just rent the car as close as possible to your AC destination and drive to Cortona. It's only 4 or so hours to drive it.
I believe that the Cortona rail station is not up on the hill with the town. You may need a cab. Parking and ZTLs will be a big factor in Cortona itself. It sounds like your accomodation may be rural.
Thank you for all your great replies. Yes, we are staying in Terontola which is outside of Cortona. I love the idea of renting a car and driving from AC to Terontola. I didn't realize that the train would be 4 hours - I thought I had seen one that was 2 hours. At any rate, this does make a lot of sense. We are staying in Positano unless I change my mind and book us in Sorrento -
Where would be the best place to rent the car if we are staying in Positano? Should we go to Sorrento to get the car or in Naples - where is the best starting point to head north?
Thank you again for all the great advice.
Rent the car in Sorrento. Several agencies right in the main drag. This will eliminate the trip into Naples. Ask your host the easiest way. There's a road that goes from Sorrento to Pompeii with easy access to the freeway. Not into Naples.
Edit. Map and directions.
Follow directions for the A3/E45. Don't go into Pompeii.
