Connecting flight to Naples vs. Non-Stop to Rome and Train to Naples

There are only going to be one or two direct trains from FCO to Naples. However there are 40+ trains per day from Roma Termini to Naples if you combine Trenitalia and Italo. So install both apps on your phone. When you arrive use the Trenitalia app to buy a ticket on the Leonardo Express to Roma Termini and while on that train use the apps to buy a ticket for the train you want to take to Naples. Note you'll need cell service to do this. It may actually be faster to go by train than flying depending on what the connection time is for the thru tickets, and you don't need to worry about a delayed incoming flight since there will always be another train.

I would fly non stop ORD to FCO, then the train from FCO station to Napoli Centrale (change at Roma Termini).
There will be no issues buying the tickets at the FCO station upon arrival, actually that is the preferable option, as prepurchase carries risks if your plane is canceled or delayed. Seats don’t sell out on that route. At most the standard class is booked for the very next train when you arrive, but you will be able to find seats in higher classes or just wait for the next train, since there are so many during the day.
On the way back you will need to spend the night before the flight in Rome, since flights to ORD depart in the morning. If you want to visit Rome, spend more than one night before returning home.

Hi, Giangilberto from Milan, so a couple of clarifications from Fiumicino there are trains that go directly to Naples without passing through Roma Termini, so you go directly Fiumicino - Naples, as Roberto rightly said the most important thing in my opinion is to buy the tickets when you have already landed and above all you have passed the biometric controls because the EES system is causing problems and creating strong queues in all airports so buy it when you have passed the controls if you buy the regional ticket It self-validates at the scheduled departure time for the chosen train, if you miss that train there you can take the following train on the same route, in the same class and category at no additional cost.
One last thing If you arrive at the airport and you do not already have an italian SIM or in any case European functioning that gives you the possibility of having data and therefore internet use at the airport it is a problem, you have to buy the ticket necessarily at the machines or at the ticket office on site, this could cause additional queues.

I may be wrong, but I'm not aware of any trains going directly from Fiumicino airport to Naples, without having to change trains at Roma Termini or Roma Ostiense.

I did this route in reverse this spring. High speed train Naples to Rome Termini (1 hour 10 min) then walk a few platforms over to the LeonardoExpress out to the airport. It was very smooth and probably took less total time than your connection would between flights.

American Airlines has a nonstop flighg Ord to Naples atleay through early October.
In the past, we have taken the direct bus from FCO to Naples, near the train station. It was extremely reasonable and very comfortable. We bought our ticket the day of at a kiosk just to the right of the exitof T3.

Hi, Giangilberto from Milan, I made a mistake if you want to go to FCO to Napoli you cannot go directly, you've got to change train in Roma Termini, while there are only two or three Intercity trains a day directly from Roma Ostiense to Naples, otherwise you always to change train in Termini,
My bad, my fault, sorry about that.

You have made it clear that this is not about fear of train connections. The Frecciarossa service from Termini to Naples is so fast (about 1 hour) versus ordinary trains (more like 3 hours) that the choice is clear. And the dedicated airport to downtown (i.e. Termini station) is so frequent, and without reservations, that it makes sense. Frecciarossa is noticeably more expensive, especially the walk-up fare.

We have such annoying public transit to the three NYC airports that I wonder if you are spoiled by the Chicago subway train to the airport?!

Just did FCO to Naples last week. We flew into FCO non-stop. Not a fan of connections on the front end of a vacation to avoid dominoes. Arrived at FCO around noon. Was concerned about EES delays, but there were none. We were at baggage claim in 15 minutes. Took over 20 minutes for bags to arrive. Took the Leonardo Express to Rome Termini. Bought tickets before boarding. Not sure there is any reason to buy in advance. Train was pretty full, but not uncomfortable. 30 minute ride to Termini. We've been to Termini before, but it's still busy, loud, chaotic. I booked tickets in advance directly w/ Italo. They offered a non-refundable, non-changeable "senior" fare at a low price, but I chose a flexible business fare in case of flight or EES delays. We paid for access to the ITALO lounge. Not worth it for food, but worth it for the peace and quiet. At the lounge entrance they mentioned an earlier ITALO train to Naples was available, so we switched. Easy and no charge. Plenty of open seats in our business class coach. Uneventful, on-time trip to Naples. Took a taxi from Naples Central to our hotel. 20 minutes of white-knuckle, rollercoaster, near miss excitement. we asked for the fixed rate with credit card to avoid any arguments later. Naples is gritty to say the least...

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Even though I wanted to buy a ticket on UA to use my travel credits, in the end I took up Becky's suggestion and bought a non-stop ticket on AA between ORD and NAP. It was cheaper than most of the UA options (even after accounting for my travel credit) and a LOT more convenient. I guess I'll have to go someplace else on UA before January in order to use up my credit, which I intend to do. Thanks again!

If it was ME, I'd just take the connection. My personal preference would be to make the connection in North America, then you can settle in for the long leg of the journey and arrive directly at your destination.

You can certainly take a train from Rome to Naples, which I've done (however, I haven't done it from FCO, so somebody else could tell you about that.). But either way, consider that you're coming off a long flight, and jetlagged, and the last thing you're gonna want to do is navigate the train system to Naples.

Naples is a very cool city, I went last year as the first stop of my southern Italy tour, and liked it much more than I expected!

It appears OP has already purchased the non stop flight from ORD.

Our preference is always to get over the pond first- and not chance getting stuck overnight in the US. The wait for next flight to Europe would usually be 24 hours later. Easier for us as we fly from various airports on East Coast and we willingly drive to whichever airport gets you there.
We have sat on a plane in Philly waiting for some connecting fliers from Baltimore- waited close to an hour then the pilot decided that was long enough- there were storms in the area so we took off- leaving all those people stranded in Philly til the overnight flight to Europe the next day. Lots of empty seats that flight which was very nice for us ;)
We were very glad we drove to Philly instead of taking that short hop from Baltimore (a much easier airport for us to get to)

Our preference is always to get over the pond first- and not chance
getting stuck overnight in the US.

There are advantages for each, I guess. I know that when I arrive in Europe after a long flight, I don't want to do anything but get to the hotel. I'd rather fool with connections at the beginning of the journey while I'm still fresh and get it over with.

But having said that, it is theoretical for me anyway because I live in Atlanta and always fly non-stop!

Taking the train from FCO to Naples is quite straightforward. There is no need to book the train too far in advance if you are worried about your flight being delayed. Tickets can be bought at the airport or station after you arrive, although the price may be a little higher.

Just allow some extra time after landing for immigration, baggage and getting to the train station. The high-speed train from Rome to Naples is comfortable and much easier than dealing with another flight connection.