Driving on the Amalfi Coast: tips, road trip itinerary, and things to do

Leaving Puglia behind, we drove for about four hours across the peninsula, reaching one of the most amazing places in Italy: the Amalfitan Coast. We had planned an amazing itinerary, just perfect for driving on the Amalfi Coast.

As always, the plan from home does not always match the reality, and that’s why I want to share my experience with you so that you will know better.

If you plan to tour the Amalfi coast by car, the 50 km long stretch of winding road, you’d better go armed with the best tips and tricks.

Read next: Steal this HUGE Italy Bucket List!

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Table of Contents
  1. Our Amalfi Coast itinerary and what I’ve learned
    1. Getting to the Coast
    2. Driving on the Amalfi Coast
    3. Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast
      1. Some of the main advantages and disadvantages of staying in Positano
      2. Staying in Positano during your Amalfi Coast itinerary
      3. Staying in Sorrento during your Amalfi Coast road trip itinerary
      4. Advantages and disadvantages of staying in Sorrento
    4. The best time to visit the Coast
    5. Seeing the Amalfi Coast by scooter

Our Amalfi Coast itinerary and what I’ve learned

Getting to the Coast

Source: patrick-schneider on Unsplash.com

The most common way to the Amalfi Coast is to land in Naples, the closest airport to the dream coast.

From Naples airport, choose one of the following transportation options for your accommodation on the Amalfi Coast:

  • BY TRAIN: Take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples Central to Sorrento (roughly one-hour ride) and then hop on a bus or ferry to your final destination on the Amalfi Coast.
  • BY CAR: rent a car and pick it up from the airport in Naples and drive your way towards the Amalfi Coast. My go-to car rental company is Discover Cars. They have a flexible cancellation policy and can help you save up to 70%. Get your best offers here!
  • TRANSFER: Book a shuttle transfer.

Driving on the Amalfi Coast

If you start looking online for opinions on driving the Amalfi Coast, you will probably have second thoughts. However, things aren’t as scary as some people make them look, and if I can drive on the Amalfi Coast, so can you! 

Driving in Italy can be a bit hectic at times, especially in the southern part of the country. When you plan in advance and follow some easy rules, you will actually enjoy driving the Amalfi Coast.

Rules to follow when driving the Amalfi Coast:

  • Choose a small car – roads are narrow and winding, and parking spaces are hard to find.
  • Rent ahead of time to ensure the right car is available—that is so important! Choose your car here!
  • Buy insurance – if there’s one place in this world where you don’t want to skip insurance, that’s on the Amalfi Coast! You will want to be covered against any possible incident. 
  • Plan your itinerary and start early – skip the crowds, traffic jams, and potential accidents.
  • It is all about honking. Because the roads are so narrow, and just before a narrow curve, bus drivers (and not only) honk to make their presence known to the cars on the other side. If you hear a honk, it means you must slow down or even stop and be extra careful. 
  • Parking on the Amalfi Coast can be challenging and expensive in some areas.
  • There are no gas stations along the way, so fill up your tank before driving the Amalfi Coast.
  • Don’t leave any valuables in your car.

Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast

When we decided to make another trip to Italy, I knew I wanted to spend the night on the Amalfi Coast with a view.

Because how else would you make the best out of what the region has in store?

Of course, the dream is Positano, one place anyone should have on their Italy bucket list. But I’ll leave that for when I grow up, and I’ll be rich and famous. Or just rich. Needless to say, accommodation prices in Positano are sky-high.

Read also: 30+ Italian gifts for Italy lovers

Some of the main advantages and disadvantages of staying in Positano

  • Advantage: stunning breathtaking views everywhere you turn your head
  • Advantage: direct train to Naples or Sorrento
  • Advantage: pretty restaurants and small shops with local products
  • Disadvantage: many stairs, might not be so friendly for some
  • Disadvantage: hotels are some of the most expensive in Italy
  • Disadvantage: it is the most crowded town you’ll get to during your Amalfi Coast itinerary; thus, sometimes finding a parking space can be a challenge

Staying in Positano during your Amalfi Coast itinerary

If you choose to stay in Positano, Italy’s gem, here are some hotel options to keep in mind. Also, make sure to check out my comprehensive guide for where to stay in Positano.

If you want to travel on a budget, here are a few charming cheap hotels on the Amalfi Coast.

View over the Amalfi Coast and our stay during the most perfect Amalfi Coast itinerary
View from our room

Fear and panic were my first thoughts as I took the last curve and noticed where I was supposed to park the car.

The parking space was just a piece of narrow-stranded cement. Can I park the big SUV here? No, I can’t!

Luckily, the host was so nice, helped us, and parked the car.

As soon as we went down the stairs, the most amazing view struck us. We woke up to this each morning, enjoying a traditional Italian breakfast on the terrace and taking in the blues. What else would you call the perfect location on the Amalfi Coast?

Staying in Sorrento during your Amalfi Coast road trip itinerary

Sorrento is another option when considering visiting the Amalfi Coast in Italy, along with some other destinations such as Capri, Ischia, and some of them below.

For a comprehensive comparison, please consult if you should stay in Sorrento or Positano post.

Advantages and disadvantages of staying in Sorrento

  • Advantage: Much cheaper than Positano, with stunning views
  • Advantage: flat, without many stairs to climb
  • Advantage: lots of restaurants and shopping choices
  • Advantage: ferry for Capri and other important locations on the Amalfi Coast
  • Disadvantage: it is a bit further away from some of the destinations on my Amalfi Coast road trip itinerary

The best time to visit the Coast

Your perfect Amalfi Coast itinerary for your next Italy vacation. Find out where to go in Southern Italy, and where to stay on the Amalfi Coast, all the bucket list locations on the Amalfi Coast, and things to do on the Amalfi Coast. #travelitaly #italyvacation #amalficoast #positano

When it comes to the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast, one thing is certain: August is not that time.

Given a choice, I recommend visiting in spring or autumn.

In my opinion, the perfect weather must be in March-May or late September up to early November. That’s when the Amalfi Coast should be less crowded, thus making it easier to visit and more enjoyable. However, I recommend going after Easter and in late October because, during winter, all hotels and restaurants are closed. 

Seeing the Amalfi Coast by scooter

A very popular means of transportation in Italy, the Vespa scooter is an easy, cheap, and fast way of getting from one place to another. However, make sure you have some previous experience driving a scooter or motorbike.

Are you ready to drive? Read my 7-day Amalfi Coast Itinerary.

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Your perfect Amalfi Coast itinerary for your next Italy vacation. Find out where to go in Southern Italy, and where to stay on the Amalfi Coast, all the bucket list locations on the Amalfi Coast, and things to do on the Amalfi Coast. #travelitaly #italyvacation #amalficoast #positano

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