A car is the right choice for the Cilento, Irpinia, the Sannio, the Matese and anyone who wants to discover inland villages. In the cities and on the islands, however, it is often more trouble than help. Here is what to know before you get behind the wheel.
Rules and timetables change with the seasons: always check the official websites we point you to before you travel. We explain how things work; they have the up-to-date details.
Naples and the cities
The historic centre of Naples has several limited traffic zones (ZTL) monitored by cameras: if you drive in without a permit, the fine reaches you at home, even with a hire car. Salerno, Caserta, Benevento and many smaller historic centres also have ZTLs and pedestrian areas. Our advice: leave the car in a guarded car park or a park-and-ride and carry on on foot, by metro or by funicular.
Amalfi Coast
The SS163 Amalfitana is one of the most beautiful roads in the world, but also narrow, winding and busy. At peak times ANAS and the local councils introduce alternate number plates for non-residents in the middle of the day, with exemptions for guests with an accommodation booking, taxis and chauffeured cars. Dates and rules change every year: check the ordinances on ANAS and on the councils' websites. Parking in Positano, Amalfi and Ravello is scarce and expensive: it is often better to leave the car in Salerno or Sorrento and carry on by ferry or bus.
Capri, Ischia and Procida
For much of the year, access to the islands by car is restricted for non-residents: on Capri and Procida visitors' cars cannot land during the busiest months, while on Ischia the rules mainly concern cars of Campania residents. Dates are set every year by specific decrees, with exemptions for some categories: check with the ferry company before booking. On the islands you can get around very well by local bus, taxi and hired scooter.
Pompeii, Herculaneum, Royal Palace of Caserta, Paestum
There are public and private pay car parks near the big sites. For Pompeii and Herculaneum the Circumvesuviana train is still the simplest option; for the Royal Palace of Caserta the station is right in front of the entrance; Paestum is also easy to reach by train.
Car hire
The main car hire companies are at Naples and Salerno airports and near Napoli Centrale and Salerno stations. Before collecting the car, ask how ZTL fines are charged and check your insurance cover: the narrow streets of the villages and the coast put mirrors and paintwork to the test.
Our tips
- On the coast and the islands, prefer buses, ferries and scooters.
- For the Cilento, Irpinia and the Sannio a car gives you freedom: distances are short, but mountain roads take time.
- Use our itinerary planner to estimate travel times between stops.