Practical answers on IDP rules, CDW and SCDW insurance, ZTL fines, parking garages, fuel prices, and ferry connections for drivers visiting the Amalfi Coast and the Sorrento Peninsula. car rental price comparison Sorrento to Amalfi Coast guide Naples Airport to Sorrento guide Compare Car Rental Deals 1. Do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent a car in Sorrento? Yes, many non-EU drivers need an International Driving Permit (IDP) and a valid domestic licence to drive in Italy, including Sorrento and the Metropolitan City of Naples. Italian police can fine drivers who do not meet Codice della Strada rules, and rental desks at Europcar Sorrento, Hertz Sorrento, Avis Sorrento, Budget, Sixt, and National often check documents before handing over the keys. An IDP matters even more if you are collecting a car for routes such as Corso Italia, Piazza Tasso, Via Correale, or the A3 autostrada toward Naples Capodichino (NAP). A rental company may also place a preauthorisation on your credit card before release, so the same booking can require both valid documents and available card funds. The main exception is that EU and EEA licence holders are usually exempt from the IDP requirement, but the rental company can still request a passport, credit card, and booking voucher. If your trip includes Naples, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast, always verify the rule with your own embassy and the rental counter before travelling. 2. How much does car rental cost in Sorrento? Sorrento car rental prices usually start from about €27 per day in low season, while summer demand on the Sorrento Peninsula can lift economy-car rates to €150-€200 per day. In practical terms, an economy model such as a Fiat Panda or Renault Clio is usually cheaper than an Audi A3, and long weekend rentals through Auto Europe, DiscoverCars, noleggiare.it, or Sorrento Car Rent can differ by insurance package and pickup location. Most rental quotes include CDW, but the excess/deductible or franchise can still be €500-€2000 unless you add SCDW, FDW, zero excess, or full coverage. A transparent comparison site such as car rental price comparison helps you see whether the preauthorisation is fixed or whether the rental company applies a larger security hold. The caveat is that a lower headline price can still become more expensive once extras are added, especially for young-driver fees, extra-driver fees, ferry restrictions, or airport surcharges. Always read the insurance section before confirming a booking, because the cheapest daily rate is not always the cheapest total cost. 3. Should I rent a car at Naples Airport or in Sorrento town? Naples Capodichino (NAP) often offers the widest choice of cars and the best availability, while Sorrento town pickups can be easier if you want to avoid Naples traffic and the A3 autostrada on arrival day. Travelers who arrive by train at Napoli Centrale can often continue by Circumvesuviana to Sorrento station, then pick up a car from a nearby desk such as Europcar Sorrento, Hertz Sorrento, or Avis Sorrento. A town pickup can make sense if your accommodation is near Piazza Tasso, Corso Italia, or Via Correale, because local collection avoids an immediate drive through central Naples. For some travelers, the smoother option is to rent after a first night in Sorrento, especially if the itinerary focuses on the Amalfi Coast, Positano, Ravello, Amalfi, Praiano, Agerola, or Tramonti. The exception is that airport desks can sometimes be cheaper on paper, but the total trip cost may rise if you pay for parking, shuttle time, or a one-way fee. If you plan to take a Caremar ferry to Capri, Ischia, or Procida, compare whether car hire is needed at all for the island portion of your itinerary. 4. Can I take a rental car to Capri? No, you generally cannot use a rental car on Capri during the main tourist season because local vehicle restrictions limit non-resident access. Most visitors park on the mainland and take the ferry instead, then continue on foot, by bus, or by taxi once on the island. Marina Piccola is one of the main parking references for Sorrento departures, and ferry operators such as Caremar connect the mainland with Capri, Ischia, and Procida. If your holiday includes a coast-hopping plan, a rental car can be useful for the Sorrento Peninsula and Campania mainland, but not for unrestricted island driving. The caveat is that rules can change by season and by local decree, so you should confirm the current access policy before you travel. If you want a scenic island-and-coast trip, it is often better to drive the Amalfi Coast, then park and sail.