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Driving in Italy or Hiring a Driver

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    Does anyone have experience driving in Italy? I'm considering renting a car during our next trip to the Amalfi Coast, but wanted to know if it's better to just hire a car and driver when I need it.

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    I would recommend using a driver. It's a much more enjoyable experience motoring through Italy when someone is doing the driving for you. You can actually see the beautiful countryside, rather than concentrating on the road ahead (which is essential in Italy, if you're not going to get into an accident). Also, if you use a driver, you won't have any fears of getting lost or making a wrong turn.

    The conceierge at your hotel will gladly arrange for a car and driver for you, but it's best to give the concierge at least a day's notice as to what your requirements will be.

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    DonPablo, Thanks for the opinion. Have you driven in Italy? I really wanted to get feedback from someone who actually have driven there before I make my decision.

    BTW, not everyone stays at a hotel when visiting Italy. We probably won't have a concierge :)

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    Creed - no, despite the fact that my wife and I usually spend about three weeks a year in Italy, I have never driven in Italy and I don't intend to ever do so. My suggestion not to drive mainly comes from the experiences of friends who have driven in Italy and some of the horror stories they have told us.

    Also, if you're planning to travel from city to city in Italy and you are looking for a very nice alternative to either hiring a driver or driving yourself, you might want to read over what I wrote on the Extravigator website last year:

    http://extravigator.com/discussion/29/eurostar-luxury-rail-travel-in-europe/

    You might also want to read Vanessa's subsequent posting in that same Extravigator discussion and, in particular, her comments about why she tries to avoid driving in Italy and, instead, takes the railroad.

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    Sorry, but I have to disagree. We've taken many wonderful road trips through northern Italy by car. Michelin makes great maps. We've visited Lago Maggiore, Lucca, Siena, Verona, Bologna, Lake Garda and more. We've returned with wonderful stories. I'm not saying we haven't gotten lost occasionally but some of the most memorable experiences have come from out "detours". Okay, I have also hit my husband over the head with the Michelin map and screamed I'd never drive with you again but that's a rarity.
    Once, on a "detour" looking for Lake Puccini, we came across a priest & a man filling bottles of water from a spring. When a bottle was filled, the priest would bless it. We stopped and asked for directions to the lake. The man got into his car and the priest told us to follow him to our distination. The Italians for very warm and friendly people.
    Have a wonderful and memorable time!

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    I didn't personally drive, but I was with a small group where someone else tried to do the driving on the Amalfi Coast and lets just say that it was scary. If you do drive, be prepared to watch out for careening buses, fast drivers and hairpin turns that hug enormous cliffs next to the ocean. Hopefully you are good with a manual transmission as well. And I suggest you brush up on your Italian as it is common for one of the bus drivers to bark orders or requests in your direction when they realize that their bus is just a little too big to make a turn.

    On the other hand, you can make do without a car. There is regular bus service up and down the coast, but you need to be aware of the schedule and be prepared to wait some when the bus is behind schedule. We did find the bus service reliable during the day, and for the evening we used hired cars. Be prepared to haggle a little when they try to renegotiate the agreed upon price.

    No matter what option you choose, driving or not, you'll find it's an adventure.

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    I have a good friend who takes his Ferrari to Itlay every year. He always comes back with some very interesting stories. Net net, driving in Italy is not for the faint of heart. I have also rented cares in Switzerland and been told that the insurance does not cover driving down into Italy.

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    We rented motorcycles and went all around the Almalfi Coast. It was one of the most amazing times I have had. I thought everyone was very respectful of us and nobody acted crazy. In fact, there were so many cycles on the road, it wasn't a big deal at all. We did this trip 2 Junes ago. I have driven all over, and I never have had any problems except once in Paris my car was towed but that was only because the fashion show was in town and I was in a special no parking zone. As Europe goes, of course they were closed on Sunday so, poor me, had to hang around Paris an extra day. Forced fed myself Eclairs at Angelina's. Quelle Horreur! Then I picked up my car and headed down to the Loire Valley. Anyway, there are some amazing views on the Almalfi Coast, just pull over and look out. You will have the trip of your life if you motorcyle through the Amfalfi Coast.

    Thanks from: DonPablo
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    Thanks for that very interesting input, Nanoose. Because the roads are so narrow and the turns are so sharp, if there's any place in the world where riding a motorcycle is actually safer than driving a car, perhaps the Amalfi Coast is that place...... Nevertheless, when traveling in Italy, we'll still take the train or hire a driver.

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