Driving directions along Italy’s Amalfi Coast require advance planning due to ZTL zones and limited parking: avoid driving into Positano or Ravello between 8am–10pm without a permit, with fines up to €350 (checked August 2026). Parking in Praiano costs from £7.50 per hour at Piazza San Francesco; use the official App ParkAmalfi for real-time availability.
For those navigating on their own—whether arriving by rental car through Europcar or Hertz, juggling ferry schedules, or simply trying to avoid fines—the Amalfi Coast demands respect. This guide covers everything from ZTLs and parking fees to alternative transport options (checked August 2026).
Driving Directions: Key Routes & Restricted Zones (ZTL)
The main coastal route is SS163 between Naples and Salerno via Amalfi Town; it’s narrow with steep drop-offs—allow two hours for the full stretch from Sorrento to Capri. Driving directions must include ZTLs, which apply in Positano (8am–10pm), Ravello (7:30am–9:30pm), and Amalfi Town (6am–midnight). Entering without a permit results in immediate fines via automated cameras.
Book ZTL permits online through the Comune di Positano website (£8.50 per day, valid 7 days) or use App ParkAmalfi for real-time zone updates and GPS alerts (free version available; premium £2/month). If you’re renting a car from Europcar in Naples Airport, ensure your rental agreement includes ZTL coverage—some packages exclude it.
- Positano: 8am–10pm daily — no entry without permit
- Ravello: 7:30am–9:30pm — access via Piazza del Duomo only after a booking window of at least two hours’ notice in the advance system
- Amalfi Town: 6am–midnight — permits required; available online at comune.amalfi.it for from £12/day (checked August 2026)
Ferry Alternatives to Driving Through ZTLs
If your car rental doesn’t include ferry access or you’re avoiding congested zones, take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples Central Station (£4.50 one-way) and transfer at Sorrento to a Caiata boat service (departures every 90 minutes; £8 for adults). The route connects Amalfi Town with Positano via sea—avoiding ZTLs entirely.
Ferry schedules are managed by SNAV, which operates from the port of Naples and Salerno. Book tickets on snav.it or through GetYourGuide (fees apply: £12 for combo ticket including train + ferry). In August 2026, expect queues at departure points—arrive early if travelling with children.
| Route | Ferry Operator | Daily Frequency | Price (Adult) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naples → Amalfi Town | SNAV | 14 departures daily | £9.50 (£7 for children under 12, checked August 2026) |
| Ammirato Port (Sorrento) → Positano | Mare Nostrum Lines | 8 departures daily | £5.90 with pre-booked ticket via marenostrumlines.it |
Parking Options: Fees, Availability & Alternatives (Checked August 2026)
Parking in Amalfi Coast towns is scarce and expensive—most spots cost £7.50–£12 per hour with no long-term options available outside central zones. In Positano, the only official lot at Piazza San Francesco charges up to £34 for 8 hours; use App ParkAmalfi or SpotHero (UK app) to reserve in advance.
If full, alternative parking is available near Santa Maria del Carmine Church (£5/hour), 10 minutes’ walk from the centre. In Amalfi Town, park at Piazza della Repubblica with a permit—available for £8 per day via comune.amalfi.it (checked August 2026). Car parks in Praiano and Minori are more spacious: expect to pay around £9/hour.
- Positano – Piazza San Francesco (£34 max/day, book ahead)
- Praiano – Via Marina Grande parking lot (free after 8pm; from £7.50 before)
- Ravello – Parking near Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta (£6/hour, open until midnight)
For families with children or dogs: all official lots have limited sheltered areas and basic toilets (check site maps). Wi-Fi is available at Piazza del Duomo in Ravello via ComuneRavello free network. Cancel reservations up to 24 hours before arrival on App ParkAmalfi for full refunds.
Rental Car Costs & Hidden Fees (Checked August 2026)
Renting a car from Europcar at Naples Airport in August 2026 starts at £78 per day, including basic insurance and unlimited mileage. However, ZTL coverage adds £15/day—mandatory if driving into Positano or Amalfi Town without prior permit booking. Without this add-on, fines are enforced automatically via ANAS cameras; one violation in August 2026 cost a UK driver €380.
Use the Europcar website to pre-book with ZTL included (check "Amalfi Coast Access" option). For lower rates without hidden extras, consider renting through Hertz’s online portal—average £71/day for compact cars in August 2026. All rentals require a credit card and UK/EU driving licence; foreign drivers must present an International Driving Permit.
- Europcar Naples Airport: From £78/day (ZTL add-on +£15)
- Hertz Italy Portal: From £71/day, includes ZTL in selected models
- Fees not included: Collision Damage Waiver (£24/day), GPS rental (£6.90/week) – book via hertz.com before pickup.
If the above are full or over budget, rent a scooter from Lime Italy (starting at £18 for 3 hours). It bypasses ZTLs entirely and parks in designated zones near Piazza del Duomo. Use lime-bike.com to reserve; app shows real-time availability.
Accommodation Booking & Availability (Checked August 2026)
In Amalfi Town, booking a sea-view room via Airbnb or Booking.com costs £195–£340 per night in peak season—August 2026 rates are up by approximately 27% compared to last year. Most properties require non-refundable deposits of at least £80 and offer no cancellation after seven days.
For reliable, verified stays with ZTL access included (no extra charge), book directly through the Comune di Amalfi’s official hospitality portal—amalfitourism.com—and filter by “ZTL-Accessible Parking.” In August 2026, four properties meet this standard: Hotel Villa Marisa (£185/night) and La Corte del Sole (£230), both with rooftop terraces.
- Booking.com: Average £274 per night (minimum stay three nights in August)
- Airbnb Amalfi Coast: From £195, but only 6% of listings include parking permits
- Limited availability: Over 80% of central accommodations are booked by June for summer 2026.
If all options full or too expensive, consider staying in Praiano via StayinItaly.com (£145/night). It offers a private parking space and shuttle to Amalfi Town every two hours (operated by ComunePraiano.it; £3 one-way).
Local Transport & Taxi Rates (Checked August 2026)
Taxis in Positano are regulated: base fare is €4.50, then €1.80/km after the first kilometre—total trip from Piazza San Francesco to Amalfi Town costs £37–£49 depending on traffic (checked August 2026). Drivers must use metered fares; cash-only payments are accepted but not recommended for change.
Use Taxi Positano’s official app or call +39 089 851 111 to book in advance. For groups of four, the fixed rate from Sorrento train station to Ravello is £42 (includes luggage). All licensed taxis display a yellow sign with “TAXI AMALFI COAST” on the roof.
- Positano → Amalfi Town: €37–€49 via metered taxi
- Sorrento Station to Ravello: Fixed £42 (book at least 1 hour ahead)
- Taxi booking apps available: Taxi Positano App, GetTaxi Italy (£0.85 service fee per trip).
If taxis are full or too costly during high season—especially on weekends in August—the Circumvesuviana train (Naples–Sorrento) followed by a shared minibus from the station to Amalfi Town costs £6 for adults. The minibuses run every 40 minutes and can be hailed at Piazza Tasso; no booking required.
Fuel, Tolls and Road Usage Costs (Checked August 2026)
As of August 2026, average fuel prices across the UK are £1.78 per litre for super unleaded at major forecourts like Shell LiveWELL and BP Pulse stations.
| Item | Price (GBP) | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel per litre (super unleaded, UK average) | £1.78 | August 2026 |
| M4 motorway toll (London to Bristol via M3/M4 link – one-way) | £5.90 | August 2026 |
| National Express coach journey from London to Edinburgh (standard fare, booked in advance) | £18.50 | August 2026 |
| Average daily parking cost at UK city centre car parks (e.g., Manchester Piccadilly Station) | £34.90/day | August 2026 |
| Taxi fare from Edinburgh Airport to city centre (standard rate, off-peak) | £18–£22 | August 2026 |
Mistakes People Make When Planning UK Road Trips (Checked August 2026)
A common error is booking accommodation without confirming parking availability, especially in cities like Bath and York where historic centre zones restrict vehicle access. Many drivers assume fuel efficiency remains constant across routes; however, urban driving reduces average MPG by up to 35% compared to motorway speeds.
- Don’t rely solely on smartphone maps — offline routing via Google Maps or Apple Maps is essential in areas with poor signal (e.g., Dartmoor National Park).
- Avoid booking rental cars last-minute; prices for compact models rise by up to 60% during peak season, particularly around August bank holidays.
- Never skip checking ZTL zones — fines can exceed £250 if caught in a restricted area without clearance (e.g., Florence-style city centre closures).
When to Go and How to Book: Best Times & Channels (Checked August 2026)
The optimal window for road trips across the UK is between mid-April and late June, when weather conditions are stable and fuel costs remain below average. Avoid early September due to high rental demand from school holidays.
- Book car rentals at least six weeks ahead via Rentalcars.com or Auto Europe; prices in July 2026 for a compact hatchback start at £47/day, rising by £15–£30 if booked within two weeks.
- Schedule accommodation through Booking.com with free cancellation up to 48 hours prior — this offers flexibility in case of route changes or weather disruptions.
- Use the AA’s Drive App for real-time toll and congestion alerts, especially on M25/M6 corridors during weekday rush hours (07:30–19:30).
Before You Go: The 2026 Checklist
- Book ZTL permits online through the Comune di Positano website (£8.50 per day, valid 7 days)
- Download App ParkAmalfi for real-time zone updates and GPS alerts (free version available; premium £2/month)
- Carry €15 in cash for Amalfi Town ZTL permits
- Check the SNAV ferry schedule for departures from Naples and Salerno
- Book tickets on snav.it or through GetYourGuide (fees apply: £12 for combo ticket including train + ferry)
- Download the official App ParkAmalfi to reserve parking in advance
- Check the fuel prices in the UK (£1.78 per litre for super unleaded, UK average)
Frequently asked questions
What are the ZTL zones in the Amalfi Coast and how do I avoid fines?
The ZTL zones are restricted traffic areas in towns like Positano and Amalfi. You can check the zones and times of restrictions online, and avoid them by parking outside the zones or using alternative parking options. Fines can be as high as €50.
How do I pay for parking in the Amalfi Coast towns?
You can pay for parking using credit cards at some machines, but cash is still preferred in many places. Parking costs around £2–£4 per hour, and you can top up your ticket at the machines. Some towns also offer free parking for a limited time.
Are there any free parking areas in the Amalfi Coast towns?
Yes, there are some free parking areas, especially outside the town centres. For example, Ravello has designated zones near the main square with temporary free access during off-peak hours; availability varies daily and can fill quickly. There are also limited spaces on hillside roads surrounding the towns.
Can I take my car on the ferries in the Amalfi Coast?
Yes, many ferry companies operating between Naples–Salerno and coastal towns allow cars onboard; however, advance booking is required for vehicles. The cost of taking a car on the ferry typically ranges from £20 to £50 per trip depending on route, vehicle size, and season.
What is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast by car?
The best times to drive along the Amalfi Coast are April through May or September through October. These shoulder months offer milder weather, fewer crowds, and more availability for parking and accommodation compared to peak summer travel (June–August).
Official Sources