South England to Naples

[butlj016]

I need some advice on the best way to get from the south of England to Naples. i have to go to Naples to carry out scientific research on Mount Vesuvius in June and I'm torn as to the best way to do it.

I need a car while in Naples and only being 21 at the time, flying there and hiring a car for a month is going to cost a bomb - about £600-700 with all the extra costs like young driver excess (plus then having to leave a huge deposit as insurance). Does anyone know if it would be cheaper for me to spend a day or two driving there (i'm a pretty confident driver so should be ok driving on the wrong side of the road) or just fly and fork out to hire a car?? I have my own Ford KA at home which i think is pretty economical. Even if it is a little bit more to drive i imagine the drive is amazing.

If you think driving is the best way, don't suppose people would be able to help with a breakdown of how much it would likely be to do the trip there and back.

Thanks in advance for your help much appreciated

Edited by butlj016 on Tuesday 13th January 16:52

[CTO]

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[thelawnet]

How many Ford Kas are in your collection?

[billzeebub]

I definitely think you should drive it. Make the trip an event you will remember. Please let us know on this thread (with photos) when you have decided which ford KA you decide to take?

[funkyrobot]

[996TT02]

Check the mileage, calculate the fuel. You should get to the South of France in one day (long one, including early ferry) and you may make it to Naples rather late on day 2. But it won't be much fun so I'd allow 2 nights accommodation and 3 days. Formule 1 hotels are basic and very cheap if you are on a budget. Just off the motorways, plenty of inexpensive hotels in Italy too.

Calculate toll roads too. Not exactly cheap either. You can avoid a fair bit by travelling via Belgium and Germany, if you enter Switzerland make sure you enter off the motorways there and stay off them or you will have to pay a 40Eur (last time I did this) flat fee. Or do Austria, the motorway toll there is lower and I crossed Austria (Germany - Italy) entirely without using motorways so it did not apply.

In Italy if you choose the Strade Statale (SS) many of these are very good sometimes almost motorways but you don't pay anything.

You could make a bit of an adventure of it and also save money so what's not to like?

Edited by 996TT02 on Tuesday 13th January 16:55

[Gruber]

If you drive, make sure you check the small print of your car insurance to understand what length of cover it gives you in Europe.

But yes - drive.

And taking your own car also avoids the inevitable Italian hire car wheeze of stinging you for damage when you drop it off that already existed when you picked it up.

[AC43]

I first drove from Scotland to the South of France and on to Italy when I was 21 in a Alfa Sprint with 95bhp. Seemed fine at the time, although the lack of aircon was a bit of pain.

Went back the next year at any rate.

[996TT02]

Gruber said:

If you drive, make sure you check the small print of your car insurance to understand what length of cover it gives you in Europe.

But yes - drive.

And taking your own car also avoids the inevitable Italian hire car wheeze of stinging you for damage when you drop it off that already existed when you picked it up.

Aye, this, too. Or just wing it. By which I mean that you will still have third party insurance but not fully comp when the "overseas" period runs out.

Another tip, driving in ANY Italian city is hell. You need "palle" (balls) the size of an elephant's if you are to make any forward progress. No-one gives an inch even if they shaft themselves by so doing. And Naples is among the worst, with high crime to boot, so hopefully you have some form of parking sorted or will be staying in a half decent area.

[bishbosh66]

Drove the other way, from Naples to Uk, in 1993 in a 1972 Lancia Fulvia, on completion of a NATO tour in the city. I would say definately do it, it is an absolute blast. Naples is a truly wonderful place, totally crazy, poluted, corrupt and all the better for it.
Parking in Naples can be interesting, if you are directed to a parking spot by some "yoofs", then pay them whatever the going rate is, or find an empty space when you come back (and the going rate is not expensive, or at least wasn't in my experience).
Make sure you have some small change for the toll roads.
If you can fit an actual spare wheel into your car (or KA), then do so, the roads can be bad, and foam might not be enough to repair the damage.
Locals taking short cuts by driving the wrong way down/up one way streets is an eye opener.
Obey all traffic police, they do not take kindly to being ignored.
Fuel station attendants smoking whilst refueling your car would usually mean I kept the engine running whilst they did it.
I am sure there are many others that I have forgot. Take the trip, if the worst comes to the worst, burn the broken down car and fly home.