Naples’s Aeroporto Capodichino (www.gesac.it; [tel] 081-7896259 and 081-7896255), is only 7km (4 miles) from the city center. It receives flights from Italian and European cities, plus a few intercontinental flights. From the airport, you can take a taxi into town (make sure it is an official white taxi with the Naples municipal logo); the flat rate for the 15-minute trip to the station is 16€ and to Molo Beverello for ferries to the islands 19€. There is a convenient bus service to Piazza Municipio and Piazza Garibaldi, called the Alibus, run by the ANM bus company (www.anm.it; [tel] 800-639-525; 3€ one-way). The bus runs every 30 minutes from the airport (6:30am–11:50pm) and from Piazza Municipio (6am–midnight).
Naples is on the main southern rail corridor and is served by frequent and fast train service from most Italian and European cities and towns. EuroStar trains (ES) make very limited stops, InterCity trains (IC) make limited stops, and AltaVelocità (AV) trains are high-speed express trains. Regular trains take between 2 and 2 1/2 hours between Rome and Naples, while the AV train takes only 87 minutes, making it by far the best method of transport between the two cities. The fare is 44€ one-way, but varies, and specials are often available, as are lower rates for advance booking. The same journey on an InterCity train will cost about 22€. Unfortunately for travelers trying to save money, InterCity trains run with less frequency than AV trains do, making cheaper transport quite inconvenient at times. Rail Europe and Eurail pass holders should note that AV trains require a reservation and an extra fee (10€). Contact Trenitalia (www.trenitalia.it; [tel] 892-021) for information, reservations, and fares.
The city has two main rail terminals: Stazione Centrale, at Piazza Garibaldi, and Stazione Mergellina, at Piazza Piedigrotta. Most travelers will arrive at Stazione Central. Nearby, on Corso Garibaldi, is Stazione Circumvesuviana Napoli-Porta Nolana (www.vesuviana.it; [tel] 800-053939), the starting point for commuter lines serving the Vesuvian and coastal area south of Naples, including Sorrento, Pompeii, and Ercolano.
Although driving in Naples is a nightmare, driving to Naples is easy. The Rome-Naples autostrada (A2) passes Caserta 29km (18 miles) north of Naples. The Naples–Reggio di Calabria autostrada (A3) runs by Salerno, 53km (33 miles) north of Naples.
From Palermo you can take a ferry to Naples that’s run by Tirrenia Lines (www.tirrenia.it; [tel] 892-123), Via Pontile Vittorio Veneto 1, in Palermo’s port area. A one-way ticket costs 35€ to 55€ per person for an armchair in first class and 50€ to 70€ per person for a first-class cabin for the 11-hour trip.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
