Rental Cars

[JagDawg Cruiser]

Has anyone rented a car in Livorno and traveled to Pisa and/or Florence and in Naples and traveled to Pompeii and/or Positano? I would never attempt this in Rome but have considered the other two stops as some in our party may not be up for a 9-hour all day tour but rather see one thing close to the port (e.g. Pisa or Pompeii) as a half-day adventure. I was told #1 to ensure you have a GPS in the car. Thanks.

[Hlitner]

Has anyone rented a car in Livorno and traveled to Pisa and/or Florence and in Naples and traveled to Pompeii and/or Positano? I would never attempt this in Rome but have considered the other two stops as some in our party may not be up for a 9-hour all day tour but rather see one thing close to the port (e.g. Pisa or Pompeii) as a half-day adventure. I was told #1 to ensure you have a GPS in the car. Thanks.

 

Yes, we have routinely rented cars in both ports (and many others) over a lot of years. One very important consideration is whether you can handle a stick shift...as most rental cars are not automatics. If you need an automatic you should reserve far in advance and pray they produce the car you reserved. In Livorno we recommend booking with Sifracar (Sifracar.com) who is the local Hertz franchise. They will deliver your car right to the pier, hand you the keys and do paperwork at the end of the gangplank....and allow you to drop the car at the pier..upon your return. They do charge more for this service...but its well worth the extra Euros since you avoid the hassles (and cost) of getting from ship to an agency. GPS is nice. We have our own Garmin Nuvi (with European maps) but recently stopped using it since our iPhone works fine (and we have European service). Driving to Pisa and Florence is possible, but you need to read up on "ZTLs" which are limited driving zones located in many cites of Italy including parts of Pisa and a big part of Florence. You must avoid penetrating these zones or you will have a nasty fine (about 100€ per violation) added to your credit card...a few months after you return home.

 

Renting a car in Naples is a little more difficult. There used to be a rental car agency located inside the port, but not sure its there anymore (and the lines in that office were awful and moved slowly). There are several rental car agencies located within walking distance of the port...and many more in the area near the train station (you can use public transit or a taxi to get to the station). Driving to Positano is a bit tricky as you need to work your way around Sorrento...where its easy to miss a sign and get lost (hence you should have GPS). Once at Positano, parking is a huge problem. Many locals (and folks that work in town) park along the Amalfi Drive above the city...and those spots can be hard to get. And they can also be more then a mile from town...although there is a local orange bus that can take you down into the town...if you can find the nearest bus stop. There are also a few parking lots/garages in Positano but they are very expensive and often have no available spots. The Holy Grail would be to find legal on the street parking in Positano...but the odds are not good and you will waste lots of time looking.

 

Hank

[LondonTowner]

I have driven all over Europe including Italy, but Italian drivers are something else. I would hire a car, but as already mentioned the parking can be very difficult. I think I would be more inclined to join a small private tour

[iancal]

We have frequently rented cars in Italy. Typically we rent them as we are leaving a larger city and drop them at the end of our trip when we are entering a larger city.

 

Sorrento,and the Amalfi coast is the one place that we would not rent a car unless we had accomodation in Postitano or somewhere close with parking. As others have said, it is a nightmare.

 

We find the drivers in Italy just fine. Perhaps because we are accustomed to driving there. Big issue is the 'no go zones' in cities and the odd photo radar. Usually you know about that because all the drivers in front of you,locals, apply their brakes when they approach a well known photo radar spot. You won't have any speed problems on the Amalfi Coast...opposite is true.

 

You can take a ferry from Sorrento to Positano. It is a very nice trip. Sometimes the ferries are cancelled due to high seas. There is also a bus from Sorrento to Positano. It is just across the street from the Circumvesuvia station (train from Naples). It is usually very crowded. If you do go this route, sit on the right side of the bus.

[Deb&Den]

We have a car reserved at the Hertz car rental located at "Naples Harbour - Calata Porta di Massa snc." The google map does not make it clear where we are going and the street view is even more confusing. Has anyone been to the Hertz Harbor location?

 

[Hlitner]

We have a car reserved at the Hertz car rental located at "Naples Harbour - Calata Porta di Massa snc." The google map does not make it clear where we are going and the street view is even more confusing. Has anyone been to the Hertz Harbor location?

 

 

We have previously rented from that location (about 2 years ago is or most recent rental) and it was located within the port. We walked out the front (street) exit of the main port building, turned to our right, and came to the small office after a few minute walk. But the experience was not very good because a few ferries had docked before our ship and there was a long queue at the small office...where everything was handled at "Italian speed." It took us nearly an hour until we finally go to the counter and could get our car. But perhaps you will be lucky and there will be no line. The office is part of one of the obscure port buildings (not the cruise terminal) and they had the cars parked nearby (inside the port). At that time it was the only rental car company with an office within the port. There are several others outside the port within walking distance....and even more agencies near the train station.

 

Hank