Pompeii & Amalfi Coast Day Trip from Rome: Private Driver

Summary

Pompeii ruins and Amalfi Coast towns by private car from Rome

You’ll ride from Rome to Pompeii with a private driver who knows all the shortcuts (and stories). Walk ancient streets at your own pace, eat real southern food in a local trattoria, then wind along the Amalfi Coast with stops for photos and time in Sorrento or Positano. Expect laughter, lemon scents, maybe a few surprises—and plenty to remember after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I’d always wanted to see Pompeii, but somehow the idea of getting there from Rome seemed… complicated? But this private day trip made it feel easy. Our driver, Marco, picked us up right outside our apartment—he had that Roman friendliness that’s both relaxed and sharp. The drive south was longer than I expected (three hours), but he kept telling stories about Naples and the old Roman roads, so time slipped by. When we finally got to Pompeii, the air was thick with that volcanic dust smell—almost metallic—and you could hear cicadas buzzing even in October. We wandered through the ruins on our own (I probably should’ve brushed up on my history), but honestly just standing where everything froze mid-life was enough for me. You can ask for a guide if you want more details—I think next time I would.

Lunch was at this trattoria Marco recommended—not fancy, just real southern food. The pasta tasted like someone’s grandma made it; I still think about those tomatoes, so sweet they almost didn’t need salt. After lunch, we headed out along the Amalfi Coast highway. That drive is wild—cliffs dropping straight into blue water, villages clinging to the rocks. Marco slowed down at a couple spots so we could take photos (and let’s be honest, catch our breath—the road is twisty). There was this moment when the sun hit Positano just right and everything looked kind of unreal… or maybe I was just full of pasta.

You get to pick your last stop—Sorrento or Positano. We chose Sorrento because someone told me about their limoncello (I tried to order it in Italian; Marco laughed at my accent). The town smells like lemons everywhere you go, sharp and sweet at the same time. We wandered the narrow streets for a while before heading back toward Rome, tired but in that good way where your brain is still half on vacation. Not everything went perfectly—I forgot sunscreen and have a weird tan line now—but honestly, that’s part of why I remember it so clearly.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Pompeii and Amalfi Coast private tour

• Driver picks you up in Rome
• Drive approximately 3 hours to Pompeii
• Visit Pompeii site on your own
• Lunch at a local Trattoria (not included)
• Drive to Amalfi Coast in luxury vehicle
• Stop for photos along Amalfi Coast
• Visit Sorrento or Positano for a stroll

Top questions

How long is the drive from Rome to Pompeii?

About three hours each way by private car.

Is lunch included in this Pompeii & Amalfi Coast day trip?

No, meals are not included in the price.

Can I request a guide for Pompeii?

Yes, a private licensed guide can be requested in advance for an extra cost.

Are tickets to Pompeii included?

No, entry tickets are not included in the tour price.

Do I get to choose between Sorrento or Positano?

Yes, you can choose your final stop before returning to Rome.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup from your accommodation in Rome is included.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

The transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver who picks you up directly from your hotel or apartment in Rome; all driving between Rome, Pompeii, and along the Amalfi Coast; plus flexibility to choose Sorrento or Positano as your final coastal stop before heading back. Meals and entry tickets aren’t included but recommendations are happily given along the way.