Car Hire In And Around Sorrento, Italy

Bring the right documents: Carry your driving licence, passport/ID, and a credit card in the main driver’s name. If your licence is non-EU, check whether an International Driving Permit is required by your rental company.

Expect narrow roads and confident local driving: Coastal roads can be tight with buses and scooters. Drive defensively, keep to your lane on bends, and use lay-bys to let faster vehicles pass rather than feeling pressured.

Watch for ZTL zones and camera enforcement: Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL) are common in towns like Sorrento and Naples. Entering without authorisation can trigger automatic fines—follow signage carefully and avoid ‘centre’ shortcuts.

Plan parking before you arrive: Parking in Positano/Amalfi can fill early and be expensive. Aim for staffed car parks, keep the ticket safe, and consider reserving a space where reservations are offered.

Fuel up outside the busiest hotspots: Stations are less convenient along the tightest coastal stretches. Refuel around Sorrento, Sant’Agnello, or on the A3 corridor before heading into the Amalfi Coast to avoid last-minute stress.

Time your drives to avoid peak congestion: For the Amalfi Coast, early morning departures often mean smoother driving and better parking. Late afternoon can bring heavy inbound traffic back towards Sorrento.

Choose insurance with local conditions in mind: Scrapes and minor bumps are more likely on narrow streets. Consider a policy that reduces your excess and document the car thoroughly with photos before leaving the lot.

Use offline maps and save key locations: Mobile signal can dip in valleys and tunnels. Download offline maps, pin your car park location, and save a backup route in case traffic forces a detour.