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Exploring Naples by Hire Car

Naples, often sung about and immortalized in many films, still holds great appeal for tourists from all over the world.

The picturesque old town in particular is one of Italy’s tourist highlights.

Naples has over one million inhabitants. Conquering the bustling metropolis by hire car certainly requires a certain amount of adventurousness.

Traffic is turbulent and traffic jams often threaten with veritable honking concerts.

But since the surrounding countryside also beckons with a variety of attractions, it’s still a good idea to reach for a hire car. We have put together a few tips for booking and travelling.

Receiving the hire car

Many hire car companies have their stations right in the arrivals hall. Just ask at the information desk. However, there are also providers whose stations are only located near the airport. In this case, you may have to wait a long time for a shuttle and lose valuable vacation time.

Be sure to find out where your rental provider is located before booking. If you want to spend the first few days directly in Naples, it may make sense to pick up the hire car first, when the trip to the surrounding countryside begins. Then you don’t have to venture into the traffic chaos of the city with your car.

Finding the right hire car

Small should be your hire car. Only with a small car you have the chance to get through narrow streets and maneuver the car into the often tiny parking spaces.

Insuring the hire car

Be sure to book a hire car with fully comprehensive insurance without excess. In Naples there are hundreds of small accidents day after day. A fender bender is quickly incurred. Most Italians don’t mind much, but their rental company does. It’s good to know that in such a case the insurance will cover you. If you want to be on the safe side, book additional insurance against glass and tyre damage.

With the liability, you should pay attention to the amount of coverage. It should be at least one million euros. Because if people are injured in an accident or several vehicles are involved, it quickly becomes very expensive. If the sum insured of your rental company seems too low, you can provide additional protection with a so-called Mallorca policy. Talk to your insurance company.

Hire car prices

The prices for a hire car in Naples are in the middle range. Only in the high season can there be shortages of hire cars and therefore higher prices. You can usually get the cheapest deal if you book well in advance of your trip and use our price comparison.

hire car price comparison Naples

age limit

To avoid being stuck without a hire car despite booking, check if your rental company has an age limit. Most providers won’t rent to drivers under 21, and some charge extra if the driver is under 25.

Language barrier

In Naples, it can already happen to you that the employee at the hire car station speaks little English. In this case it is good to have the number of the Italian head office of your rental company at hand. There you can ask for translation help by phone.

Free kilometers

If you want to explore not only the surrounding area but also the wider surroundings of Naples, you should book a hire car with free kilometers. If the kilometers are limited namely from a certain distance for each driven kilometer an additional fee is due. This can drive the price up enormously.

Customer Review Hire Car

Many customers complain that some rental companies try to sell additional insurance or collect other supposed additional fees on the spot. Make sure your hire car is adequately insured at the time of booking and consistently refuse to take out additional insurance on site.

The exterior condition of many vehicles also leaves something to be desired in the eyes of some customers. Always have scratches and dents confirmed in writing in a fault report when you pick up the car. And read the customer reviews on this portal before booking the hire car to avoid getting to a dubious provider.

Safety vehicles

The technical condition of some vehicles also leaves something to be desired, according to customers. If you notice defects that reduce road safety, you should insist on a replacement vehicle. Before your first drive, always test your rental vehicle’s lights and do a brake test. And check all the vehicle’s seatbelts.

Bail

If your rental company does not block the deposit due, but actually charges it to your credit card, it can sometimes take a long time to transfer the money back after you return the vehicle. Find out what the terms are before you book.

Coming to town

You can get into the city from the airport via the A56 motorway tangent. From here you can easily get lost in the maze of streets in Naples. We recommend booking a car with navigation. Then you only need to enter the address of your destination and a friendly voice will guide you there.

If you ever take a wrong turn, it’s no problem. The new route is calculated in seconds. If you have a car with a mobile navigation device, make sure you always take the “navi” with you when you leave the car. Navigation devices are coveted stolen goods. And reserve the sat nav well in advance to ensure it is there on your hire day.

Parking the car properly

If your hotel does not have its own parking lot, you should always park your hire car in a gated parking lot or garage. The crime rate in Naples is very high. The cost of parking fees is low compared to the hassle of having your car stolen.

Find a good hotel

A myriad of hotels vie for the favour of tourists. We recommend the Hotel Excelsior, a grand hotel in a prime old town location that leaves nothing to be desired. From many rooms you can enjoy views of the Mediterranean.

If a stay at the Excelsior is beyond your travel budget, you should visit one of the major hotel comparison portals in advance of your trip. Here, travelers report on their experiences at the hotel. These reports are usually much more honest than the descriptions on the advertising brochures of the houses and tour operators.

Find the special restaurant

Many restaurants in Naples are tourist traps with bad food. Take your time when choosing your restaurant. Wander the alleys and look for a place where diners speak primarily Italian. Here you have the best chance of encountering genuine Neapolitan cuisine. The fresh mozzarella in particular is not to be missed.

Sights in Naples

Museo Archeologico Nazionale: Journey to Antiquity
Perhaps start your first city stroll at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale. There you will find a collection of artefacts from Roman and Greek antiquity that is unparalleled anywhere in the world. The museum is open daily from 09:00 to 19:30. A ticket costs 8 euros.

Via San Biagio dei Librai: Shopping Paradise
If you want to stock up on original souvenirs, you can now head to Via San Biagio dei Librai. There you will find numerous artisan shops. Among other things, they make the famous Neapolitan cribs.

Cathedral
Last stop on a first tour could be the mighty Cathedral of Naples. It was built in the 14th century and inspires with its magnificent facade. In the interior, especially the coffered ceiling with its numerous decorations attracts the eyes of visitors.

Suggestion of a round trip

Salerno: Beautiful view from the Castello
A first round trip with the hire car could lead you first to Salerno. In just under an hour you will be there. In Salerno you can climb the Castello Di Arechi and enjoy a fantastic view over the surroundings. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to enjoy typical local cuisine in one of the typical trattorias in the old town.

Avellino: In the rugged mountainous country
Next stop on the trip could be Avellino. You should allow a good half hour for the drive from Salerno. From Avellino, you can go on wonderful hiking tours in the mountainous surroundings. If you climb Monte Vergine, you can see as far as Naples if you’re lucky with the weather.

Ercolano: In the footsteps of antiquity
Before you head back to Naples now, you might feel like stopping off in Ercolano. For the journey you need about one hour. There you can admire the excavation of an ancient city with the Herculaneum. Some buildings are still quite well preserved. It will be easy for you to imagine how people lived back then, before the city was buried in 79 AD during the eruption of Vesuvius. From Ercolano, you only have about a 15-minute drive ahead of you before you can park your hire car in Naples and relax from your tour.

conclusion

A hire car is certainly not necessary for a stay in Naples. But if you want to explore the charming surrounding countryside with its numerous historic towns, a hire car is the best way to go. And with our price comparison you will always find a good deal and a car that suits you.

Hire car Naples