Expert: Andrew Smith - 7/30/2009

Question
Hi Andrew
I am flying into Rome on Monday August 3. From there I am going straight to Sorrento for 4 nights. I was going to take the trains to Sorrento and when I was done there, I was going to rent a car to drive to Siena. Looking at the train prices, I was planning on spending $110-$180 dollars for two people depending on which train/class I take. For only $40 dollars more I can rent a car from Rome ,drive to Sorrento, and pay to park for the four nights. This way I am not carrying luggage from train to train and we would be on our own schedule. The only thing that concerns me is the driving in Italy. Most of what I've read tends to dicourage this. I am from the Northeast U.S. so I am used to driving in busy conditions. Do you think there will be any problem for me doing this drive? Thanks for any advice.
Dan

Answer
Hi Dan

I am quite in favor of renting a car, I really reckon it is one of the best ways to see Italy, there are a lot of other reasons too which I explain my site ( http://www.venice-italy-veneto.com/car-hire-in-venice-italy.html ).

Driving is a little bit more difficult in the south but on the highways and in the centre/north - outside of the cities - it is not bad.  Naples and the area around there is quite horrendous for driving but if you just get to Sorrento and park you should be fine. It is not so much the busy traffic conditions but more the absence of anyone following the rules of the road - the best thing to do is just copy the local style and go with the flow. In all the seeming madness there is a system somewhere and I have now got quite used to driving in Italy.