Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
trians no matter where they appear from; approach all junctions and traffic lights with ex-
treme caution; and keep cool.
For more-detailed information, check the website
www.comune.napoli.it
(in Italian).
Away from the city, a car becomes more practical. However, be aware that driving
along the Amalfi Coast can be quite a hair-raising experience as buses careen around im-
possibly tight hairpin bends and locals brazenly overtake anything in their path. On the
bay islands - Capri, Ischia and Procida - hiring a scooter is an excellent way of getting
around.
Naples is on the north-south Autostrada del Sole, the A1 (north to Rome and Milan)
and the A3 (south to Salerno and Reggio di Calabria). The A30 skirts Naples to the north-
east, while the A16 heads across to Bari.
When approaching the city, the motorways meet the Tangenziale di Napoli
,
a major
ring road. The ring road hugs the city's northern fringe, meeting the A1 for Rome and the
A2 to Capodichino airport in the east, and continuing towards Campi Flegrei and Pozzuoli
in the west.
Automobile Associations
Italy's automobile association, the
Automobile Club d'Italia
(ACI;
www.aci.it
, in Itali-
an; Piazzale Tecchio 49/d)
, is the best source of motoring information. It also operates a
24-hour
recovery service
(
from landline 803 116, from mobile phone 800 116800)
.
Bringing Your Own Car
If you are determined to bring your own car to Naples, ensure that all the paperwork is in
order and that you carry a hazard triangle and a reflective jacket in your car - and don't
forget that Italians drive on the right-hand side! Arriving in Naples, you should be pre-
pared for heavy traffic jams at commuter times and at lunchtime. Familiarise yourself with
important road signs like
uscita
(exit) and
raccordo
(ring road surrounding a city).
Driving Licence & Documentation
An EU driving licence is valid for driving in Italy. However, if you've got an old-style
green UK licence or a licence issued by a non-EU country, you'll need an International
Driving Permit (IDP). Valid for 12 months, these are inexpensive (about US$21 or
UK£5.50) and are easily available from your national automobile association - take along
a passport photo and your driving licence. When driving you should always carry the IDP
with your home licence, as it's not valid on its own.
