Naples Transport

As a big, well developed city Naples offers numerous options for getting around including bus, tram, metro, train, taxi and ferry. The traffic can be rather congested, making journeys arduous, and driving your own vehicle here is not recommended unless you have some experience with local drivers.

By car

Driving in Naples itself might be a nightmare, with the crazy drivers seemingly oblivious to road rules, darting vespas and narrow lanes.  But parking is also a problem. Getting around central Naples in your own car isn’t advisable, but if you have to, be wary of impatient and pressuring drivers and remember to drive on the right hand side of the road.

By bus

Travelling by bus is a popular way to get around Naples, especially as a tourist, for you see so much more than on the Metro. The main bus station is located near the train station (Stazione Centrale) on Piazza Garibaldi. From here you can access all areas of the city and reach the waterfront using the Naples Public Transport Board and other services operated by SITA or Curreri operators.

Tickets are sold at newsagents, convenience stores and even at coffee shops, and need to be bought in advance then validated once you get on the bus to avoid a fine. They are then good for 90 minutes of unlimited travel. Maps of the bus routes are widely available locally. Useful buses include the 14R (airport), R1 (Piazza Dante), R3 (Mergellina) and 110 (Piazza Garibaldi to Piazza Cavour). There are also tram services in place of buses in some parts, with T1 running between the Central Station and the city centre, and the R2 travelling to the ferry terminal.

By Metro

Although rather limited, the first metro line runs east-west to Pozzuoli-Solfatara. A second new line has recently come into operation, offering more scope. The Ferrovia Cumana travels along the coastline and the Circumflegrea takes you as far as Torregaveta.

By train

Often used by tourists to get about suburban Naples, the Ferrivie dello Stato (FS) is a highly efficient and well developed rail service with several classes of trains.  Locally, you have the choice of regional services (R), which are slow and stop at every station but don’t travel long distances, and inter-regional services (iR), which run between towns at a faster speed. Inland, train systems link to Benevento Capua and Caserta and there are also regular services throughout the day southbound to Salerno and Paestum. For other coastal destinations, the Circumvesuviana travels around the Bay of Naples twice an hour until late and is the best option for getting to Pompeii, Herculaneum and Sorrento. Tickets should be purchased in advance and validated upon boarding.

Taxis

Taxis are numerous and can be caught at designated pick-up points or by hailing one which might be passing by. They can be expensive and often over-charge, so ensure they use the meter or else negotiate the rate in advance. Remember, they will be entitled to charge you for extras such as luggage.

By ferry

Boat is another option for getting about greater Naples, especially for crossing the bay. The busy local ferry terminal of Molo Beverello near Nuovo Castle is the launch point to get to various off-shore islands. Boats and hydrofoils leave frequently for Capri and Ischia as well as Sorrento and the smaller islands of Procida and Forio.

From the airport

A frequent bus service leaves the airport every 15 minutes, offered by ANM buses, and travels to Central Station, but tickets need to be bought in advance. The Alibus shuttle is quicker but leaves every 30 minutes, and tickets can be bought on board.