Southern Italy Road Trip

Amalfi Coast &Southern Italy

Naples to Pompeii, Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello and Salerno — combining one of Europe's most beautiful coastal roads with the reality of traffic, parking and towns that are often better explored without the car.

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Amalfi Coast and Southern Italy road trip with dramatic coastal towns

Recommended length

7 days

Fast version

5 days

Start

Naples

Finish

Salerno / Naples

Best for

Food, coast, history & villages

Driving style

Car + local transport mix

The route

The best Amalfi Coast road trip does not keep you in the car

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most recognisable drives in Europe: mountains dropping into blue water, villages built vertically into cliffs and a narrow road linking places that look impossibly close together.

Italia.it describes the UNESCO-listed coast as stretching from Positano to Vietri sul Mare, with cliffs, coves, citrus terraces and historic villages forming one of Campania's defining landscapes.

But this is not a road trip where driving more automatically means seeing more. Positano, Amalfi and Ravello are places where the car can become a liability once you arrive.

Our version uses the rental car to connect the wider route, then deliberately mixes in ferries, buses and walking so you spend less time searching for parking and more time actually enjoying the coast.

Pompeii 2026

Book ahead if Pompeii is a priority.

The Archaeological Park currently limits admissions to 20,000 visitors per day and uses nominative tickets. Pompeii Express costs €20 for the ancient city, while Pompeii+ costs €25 and includes additional suburban villas and related sites.

Pompeii Express

€20 adult

Current 2026 standard ancient-city ticket.

7-day itinerary

The route we would actually recommend

This version uses Naples and Sorrento as strong anchors, protects a proper Pompeii visit and avoids turning the Amalfi Coast into a daily parking challenge.

Day 1

Naples

Arrive in Naples

Driving

Minimal driving

Overnight

Naples

Guide spend

€90–€220+ pp

Do not collect the car immediately unless you genuinely need it. Naples is far easier to experience on foot and by public transport than from behind the wheel.

Morning

Arrive, check in and leave the luggage. Spend the first part of the day around the historic centre rather than immediately chasing viewpoints.

Afternoon

Explore Spaccanapoli, the historic streets, churches and food scene. This is the day to understand Naples before the road trip starts moving south.

Evening

Have pizza somewhere you actually want to eat, walk the city after dark and keep the evening relaxed.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

The historic centre and Naples food scene.

Skip if rushed

Collecting a rental car and paying to park it while you explore central Naples on foot.

Splurge here

A special dinner or rooftop drink.

Save money

Walk the centre and make food the main experience.

Day 2

Naples → Pompeii → Sorrento

Driving

Around 1.5–2 hours before stops

Overnight

Sorrento

Guide spend

€110–€250+ pp

This is the best day to combine history with the move toward the coast. Pompeii deserves several hours, not a rushed stop between hotels.

Morning

Collect the car after breakfast and drive to Pompeii. Arrive early, park once and give the archaeological site enough time to justify the stop.

Afternoon

Explore Pompeii, then continue toward Sorrento. Current official pricing lists the standard Pompeii Express ticket at €20 and the broader Pompeii+ ticket at €25.

Evening

Check into Sorrento, return the car to the hotel or parking area and explore the centre on foot.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Pompeii with at least half a day.

Skip if rushed

Trying to combine Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius and Sorrento in one rushed day.

Splurge here

A guided Pompeii tour if archaeology matters to you.

Save money

Use the standard Pompeii ticket if the suburban villas are not a priority.

Day 3

Sorrento

Sorrento & local coastline

Driving

Light local driving

Overnight

Sorrento

Guide spend

€90–€220+ pp

Sorrento works best as a base rather than a quick overnight. One slower day here helps the whole trip feel like a holiday rather than a relocation exercise.

Morning

Explore the old centre, viewpoints and marina. If you want a beach or swimming stop, choose one location and stay there rather than hopping between several.

Afternoon

Use the afternoon for a cooking class, boat trip, local walk or simply a slower lunch and coffee. Sorrento is one of the easiest places on the route to give yourself breathing room.

Evening

Have dinner in town and prepare for an early start toward the Amalfi Coast tomorrow.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

A full day without changing hotels.

Skip if rushed

Driving around purely because you have the car.

Splurge here

A sunset boat trip or special meal.

Save money

Explore the town and viewpoints on foot.

Day 4

Sorrento → Positano

Driving

Around 1–2 hours without traffic — allow much more

Overnight

Positano / Praiano

Guide spend

€130–€350+ pp

This is where the road becomes spectacular and inconvenient at the same time. The scenery is exceptional; traffic and parking can be equally memorable.

Morning

Leave Sorrento early. If your accommodation offers parking, arrange it before you arrive. Do not assume you will simply find a convenient space in Positano.

Afternoon

Explore Positano on foot. Walk the lanes, beach area and viewpoints rather than repeatedly moving the car.

Evening

Stay in Positano if the budget allows, or nearby Praiano for a quieter base. Once parked, keep the car parked.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Positano as an overnight or long stop rather than a drive-through photo.

Skip if rushed

Trying to park in multiple Amalfi Coast towns on the same day.

Splurge here

One night with a terrace or sea view.

Save money

Stay outside Positano and visit by bus or ferry.

Day 5

Positano → Amalfi → Ravello

Driving

Short distance, potentially long travel time

Overnight

Amalfi / Ravello

Guide spend

€120–€320+ pp

The kilometre count is almost meaningless here. Traffic, buses, parking and narrow roads can make short moves take far longer than expected.

Morning

Travel toward Amalfi early. Consider using ferry or bus connections for the day if your car is already securely parked.

Afternoon

Explore Amalfi, then head up to Ravello for the gardens and famous views. This is one of the strongest contrasts of the trip: busy waterfront below, quieter hillside atmosphere above.

Evening

Stay in Amalfi or Ravello. Ravello is excellent for a slower evening if you want to escape the busiest coast road.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Amalfi plus Ravello as a paired day.

Skip if rushed

Moving the car between every village simply because this is called a road trip.

Splurge here

Villa gardens, a terrace dinner or Ravello stay.

Save money

Use public transport between the coastal towns where practical.

Day 6

Ravello → Maiori → Vietri sul Mare → Salerno

Ravello → Minori / Maiori → Vietri sul Mare → Salerno

Driving

Around 1.5–2.5 hours before stops

Overnight

Salerno

Guide spend

€100–€250+ pp

Most first-time visitors spend all their energy on Positano and Amalfi. The eastern side of the coast gives the road trip a calmer final chapter.

Morning

Leave Ravello and descend toward Minori or Maiori. Stop for breakfast, a beach walk or pastries rather than trying to force another major attraction.

Afternoon

Continue toward Vietri sul Mare, known for ceramics, before reaching Salerno. Return the rental car here if that suits your onward plans.

Evening

Stay in Salerno and enjoy a proper city evening without Amalfi Coast parking pressure.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Seeing the quieter eastern end of the coast.

Skip if rushed

Driving back west simply to revisit places you already saw.

Splurge here

A final coastal lunch.

Save money

Use Salerno as the final overnight rather than another premium coastal hotel.

Day 7

Salerno → Naples / Departure

Salerno → Naples or onward travel

Driving

Around 1 hour by road before traffic

Overnight

Trip ends

Guide spend

€60–€160+ pp

Finish with margin. Southern Italy traffic has no interest in your flight time, so the final day should be simple.

Morning

Have breakfast in Salerno and walk the waterfront if time allows.

Afternoon

Travel back toward Naples or your onward destination. If you have already returned the car, rail can be the easier option.

Evening

Allow plenty of time for airport or station transfers and avoid a final-day detour that depends on perfect traffic.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

A calm finish rather than one more checklist stop.

Skip if rushed

Planning a major attraction on the same day as an international departure.

Splurge here

A final lunch before leaving Campania.

Save money

Use train connections rather than keeping the rental car longer than necessary.

Amalfi Coast reality

Three things the postcard does not show you

Parking

Book it before you arrive

The coast has limited flat land and huge visitor demand. Accommodation with guaranteed parking can be worth paying more for because it removes one of the trip's biggest daily frustrations.

Ferries

Sometimes the better road-trip tool

Seasonal ferries connect several major coastal towns. They can turn a frustrating driving day into one of the most scenic journeys of the trip.

Prices

Positano is not the only base

Campania's tourism information openly notes that Amalfi, Sorrento and Positano are high-spend destinations. Praiano, Minori, Maiori and Salerno can offer better value while keeping the coast accessible.

Shorter option

Only have 5 days?

Five days works if you accept that Sorrento becomes a one-night base and you keep the coast moving. Do not try to add Capri and Vesuvius as well.

Day 1

Naples

Explore the city without a car.

Day 2

Naples → Pompeii → Sorrento

Give Pompeii several hours.

Day 3

Sorrento → Positano

Leave early and park once.

Day 4

Positano → Amalfi → Ravello

Use ferry/bus where practical.

Day 5

Ravello → Vietri → Salerno / Naples

Finish east rather than retracing the entire coast.

What we would not do

We would not add Capri, Vesuvius, Pompeii, Naples, Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Ravello to a five-day trip. That creates a holiday made almost entirely of transfers.

Trip budget

How much does an Amalfi Coast road trip cost?

These are broad planning ranges for a seven-day trip for two people sharing the car and room. Accommodation location and parking can completely change the total.

Cost	Budget	Comfort	Higher-end
Car rental	€250–€400	€400–€600	€600–€900+
Fuel	€80–€130	€90–€140	€100–€160
Accommodation	€650–€1,050	€1,200–€2,000	€2,500–€5,000+
Food & drink	€300–€500	€600–€900	€1,100–€2,000+
Parking & local transport	€120–€220	€180–€300	€250–€450
Activities	€100–€220	€250–€500	€550–€1,100+

Budget trip

~€1,500–€2,520

Approximate total for two, excluding flights.

Comfort trip

~€2,720–€4,440

Approximate total for two, excluding flights.

Higher-end

~€5,100–€9,610+

Approximate total for two, excluding flights.

These are planning estimates, not live booking prices. Positano, Sorrento and Amalfi can become substantially more expensive during peak summer dates.

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Driving

What should you actually rent?

Smaller is better. This is one of the road trips where choosing a huge car can make the route harder rather than more comfortable.

Choose compact over impressive

A compact automatic with enough luggage space is often the ideal compromise. Narrow roads and tight parking make width far more noticeable here than on a motorway trip.

Check whether your accommodation has parking before you book the vehicle, not afterwards.

If you are not comfortable with narrow cliff roads, there is nothing wrong with basing yourself in Sorrento or Salerno and using ferries and buses for more of the coast.

Do not trust the ETA

A navigation app can show a short journey that becomes much longer once buses, delivery vehicles, road works and peak-season congestion are added.

Build margin around check-in times and restaurant reservations.

Never stop unsafely for a photograph. There will be another viewpoint.

When to go

The best time for an Amalfi Coast road trip

April–May

Excellent

Pleasant weather, greener hillsides and generally less intense traffic than peak summer.

June–August

Beautiful but busy

Warm sea, lively towns and strong ferry options, but also the highest accommodation prices and most difficult traffic.

September–October

Our favourite

Warm conditions can continue while peak summer demand begins to ease.

Winter

Quiet but different

Lower crowds and prices, but reduced ferry services and a quieter resort atmosphere mean the itinerary works differently.

Avoid these

Six Amalfi Coast mistakes we would avoid

Mistake 01

Assuming the car is useful every day

The car is excellent for linking Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento and the wider coast. Inside Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, it can become the most inconvenient part of the trip.

Mistake 02

Underestimating parking

Parking on the Amalfi Coast is limited and often expensive. Book accommodation with parking or know exactly where you intend to leave the car before arriving.

Mistake 03

Planning by distance rather than time

Positano to Amalfi is a short distance on a map. Traffic, buses, road width and parking can make it feel much longer.

Mistake 04

Visiting Pompeii for only an hour

Pompeii is huge. If you are not prepared to give it several hours, consider whether the stop belongs in your itinerary at all.

Mistake 05

Staying only in Positano

Positano is beautiful, but Amalfi, Ravello, Minori, Maiori and Vietri give the coast more variety and usually a wider range of prices.

Mistake 06

Ignoring ferries

When seasonal ferry services are operating, they can be one of the most enjoyable ways to move between coastal towns without dealing with road traffic.

Packing

What we would actually bring

This route involves steep streets, steps, heat and a lot more walking than the phrase road trip suggests.

✓ Comfortable walking shoes

✓ Light layers

✓ Sunglasses & sunscreen

✓ Refillable water bottle

✓ Small day bag

✓ Swimwear

✓ Car phone charger

✓ Offline maps

FAQ

Amalfi Coast road trip questions

Should you drive the Amalfi Coast?

Yes, but selectively. A car is useful for the broader southern Italy route, while ferries, buses and walking are often more convenient once you are based in the busiest Amalfi Coast towns.

How many days do you need for Naples, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast?

Five days is enough for a fast highlights trip. Seven is much better because it gives Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento and the coast enough time without changing hotels every morning.

How much is Pompeii in 2026?

The official Archaeological Park currently lists Pompeii Express at €20 and Pompeii+ at €25. Tickets are nominative and the park has a daily admission limit of 20,000 visitors.

Where should you stay on the Amalfi Coast?

Positano is the famous choice, but Sorrento, Praiano, Amalfi, Ravello, Minori and Salerno can all make sense depending on budget and how much you want to drive.

Is Amalfi Coast parking expensive?

It can be. The combination of limited land, high demand and narrow towns means private parking is often a meaningful daily cost. Always compare parking before choosing a hotel.

What is the best time to go?

Late spring and early autumn are our preferred periods for a road trip. Summer has the liveliest atmosphere and strongest ferry schedules, but also the heaviest traffic, highest prices and biggest crowds.

Final verdict

The car gets you to the Amalfi Coast. Knowing when to leave it parked makes the trip better.

Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello and Salerno create an extraordinary week, but the route works best when you stop treating every movement as a driving day. Use the car for the wider journey, local transport for the busiest coast and your own feet for the towns themselves.

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