Is Naples or Rome better for Positano car rental? Do I need an International Driving Permit in Italy? Is it hard to drive from Naples to Positano? What insurance should I choose for Positano? Can I pick up in Rome and drop off in Naples? If you are renting a car for Positano, the fastest and simplest arrival is usually Naples Capodichino (NAP), while Rome Fiumicino (FCO) only makes sense for longer Italy itineraries or cheaper fares. The main drive from Naples uses the A3 Napoli–Salerno motorway, then the SS145 Sorrento Peninsula road, and finally the SS163 Amalfitana into Positano; from Rome, the route is much longer and typically adds tolls, fuel, and fatigue before you reach the coast. Naples Capodichino (NAP): For most tourists, NAP is the best airport for Positano because it is about 61 km away and usually takes 60–80 minutes by car in normal traffic. The airport is also the main base for local suppliers such as Hire Car Positano Positano Rent Rental Car Positano Positano Car Service, and larger brands like Rome Fiumicino (FCO): Rome is about 280 km from Positano, so the drive is typically 3.5–4 hours and better suited to travelers combining Rome with the Amalfi Coast. The route often runs via the A1 Roma–Napoli, then the A3 Napoli–Salerno motorway, which means more fuel, more tolls, and more time behind the wheel. Salerno Costa d'Amalfi: This airport can work for some summer itineraries because it shortens the final coastal drive, but availability is smaller than at NAP or FCO. For travelers comparing flights, the Curreri airport shuttle from Naples to Sorrento can sometimes be a lower-stress alternative to immediate self-driving. If you land at NAP, book a compact automatic such as a Fiat 500 Fiat Panda Lancia Ypsilon Smart Fortwo, or Fiat 500L because narrow parking spaces in Positano and garages like Parcheggio Mandara (Via Pasitea 82) Parcheggio Di Gennaro (Via Pasitea 1) are easier with small cars. Naples Capodichino (NAP), rental desks for, and local operators such as Positano Vintage, and King Rent are typically arranged for airport pickup, then the vehicle is collected from a nearby car park with shuttle access. The airport transfer from terminal to car lot is usually about 700 m, and the ride itself can add 10–15 minutes depending on queue times. The typical pickup sequence is passport control, baggage reclaim, rental desk paperwork, on the credit card, and a vehicle inspection before departure. For many bookings, the security block can range from €200 to €2,500, depending on vehicle class and whether the rate includes CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) SCDW (Super CDW), or a full coverage package with zero excess Naples airport pickup timing: 60–90 minutes from landing to departure if you have baggage and a standard rental agreement. That window can stretch during peak summer, especially when tourists arrive on the same bank of flights from, or connecting routes. If your reservation excludes CDW or still leaves a large excess / deductible, ask the counter for the exact amount before signing. A cheap daily rate can become expensive after a minor stone-chip claim on the SS163 Amalfitana or a wheel scrape in Positano. Phase 1 — A3 Napoli–Salerno motorway: From Naples Capodichino, follow the signs to the A3 Napoli–Salerno motorway. The road is fast, multi-lane, and usually the easiest part of the drive before you exit toward the coast. The motorway is the same strategic corridor managed under the wider network, and tolls are often around for the Naples-to-Sorrento side of the trip. Phase 2 — SS145 Sorrento Peninsula road: After the motorway exit, the route moves onto the SS145 Sorrento Peninsula road, which passes toward Castellammare di Stabia Meta di Sorrento Piano di Sorrento, and the coastal access points toward Massa Lubrense. This section is slower than the motorway but still manageable in daylight if you stay alert for scooters, buses, and sudden lane changes. Phase 3 — SS163 Amalfitana: West of Sorrento, the route becomes the SS163 Amalfitana, where the road narrows, curves sharply, and runs between cliffs and stone walls through Conca dei Marini, and Vietri sul Mare. The road can be as narrow as 7 metres in places, and large coaches often force smaller cars to reverse or stop completely. If you are driving beyond Positano, the inland alternatives include SR 366 Agerolina Provincial Road Valico di Chiunzi, which can help with detours when the coast road is congested.