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Which direction to drive the Amalfi Coast?

We're pretty sure we'll be driving ourselves (gulp). My plan was to go east to west (Salerno to Sorrento). Wondering the pros/cons vs going the other way.
1. Better to go with the flow of tour buses west to east or against? (about what time do they all head out?)
2. Better to hug the mountainside but not as spectacular of views?
3. More challenging to pull over to park for pictures when going east to west?
4. Best time of day in June to do this?

Thanks much.

Posted by
15798 posts

My guess is that traffic flows more or less equally in both directions. Worst is to go with the sun low in the sky - you will have it either in your eyes or blinding you from the rear view mirror. The public buses run equally in both directions. Tour buses may go in either direction and stop in several towns along the way, so there will be buses eastbound and westbound throughout the day, as well as local and tourist cars - and probably lots of motorcycles and possibly some bicycles too. It will be challenging to pull over to park for pictures in either direction, because other cars will have parked in all or almost all the possible places ahead of you. Also allow plenty of time to find parking if you want to stop at any of the towns along the way.

Also be prepared to go very slowly. For the most part, buses stop in the road for passengers (there are very few places for the to pull off the road. And when buses meet other buses or large vehicles at sharp curves, it may take quite a while until one side backs up (the large vehicles know who should back up - but it can take a long time for all the cars behind it to figure out they have to back up). The one thing you probably won't have to worry about is taking curves too quickly - chances are you won't be going very fast.

I drove back and forth twice in February when there is virtually no traffic on the road, I never went above 50 kph, was usually at around 35 kph and often at 20 or less.

Posted by
907 posts

When we were there several years ago (September) the traffic was limited to one way except for locals. The reason was the buses just take too much room to be fighting with a bunch of cars. As I remember is was west to east n the mornings and east to west in the afternoons. You might want to check it out for the time you will be there.

Posted by
16209 posts

If You drive east you are on the side of the sea. Better views from the car. Finding a spot to pull over and park may be challenging at any time if there is traffic. In 2017 they introduced some summer restrictions for Tourist buses and trucks longer than 8 meters (27ft). Those large vehicles are not allowed in any direction on weekends, holidays, and the day preceding a holiday.

Posted by
8043 posts

Presumably SITA busses (which are just as long, and hard to get around corners) are not restricted, since they are public transit.

Most parts of this drive have only one, two-lane road. There is no choice to be made. I'm tempted to say say that there are more actual tourist plazas on the ocean side of the road, but there aren't very many. There is no good time in June to do this. We hired a knowlegeable local car and driver, using our hotel to find someone with a reputation to maintain. Pretty expensive, but no problems with parking, finding toilets, and so on. Had independent walking time in three towns, drive-through of two more, in 8 hours, about 250 Euros.

Posted by
1018 posts

I have driven the Costiera Amalfitano three times; once from Salerno and back then twice from Sorrento and back. It was nerve wracking and difficult from both directions. During the first drive I maintained a white knuckle death grip on the steering and did not see much of anything except the road. My wife saw a lot of nice sights, but not me. The other two times I drove the coast road it was intense, but I was not so crazy.

IMHO, the most annoying drivers were those on scooters. We're Harley riders and respect other people on the road, but these riders tailgate, pass on curves, and appear out of nowhere.

But...go and have fun.

Buon viaggio,

Posted by
57 posts

Thanks everyone.

I thought during season tour buses could only go east-bound...but it sounds like there will be many larger vehicles both directions.

Posted by
16708 posts

I thought during season tour buses could only go east-bound...but it
sounds like there will be many larger vehicles both directions.

What goes one direction has to return the other!