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Flights home to Chicago, Rome vs. Naples

Posted by on

Hi all. I'm in the process of finalizing details for an Italy trip (husband and myself) and have started looking at flights. We're starting out with the Rick Stevens 10 day Venice, Florence, Rome tour (already booked) that ends Sept. 23, and are then going on to the Amalfi Coast through another tour provider (less back door type). We will end up in Positano and transport to Naples is included in their quote. I have started checking flights and have found that flying home to Chicago from Naples has far more limited flights than flying out of Rome and that ticket prices are anywhere from $600 to $800 more per ticket out of Naples.

I'm wondering if I should consider having the Amalfi tour provider take us to the Naples train station instead of the airport, taking the train to Rome Termini, spending 1 night near Termini and then flying out of Rome. While not as convenient, I'm thinking it could still be quite a cost savings even with 1 night of hotel near Termini.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and if anyone has done something similar.

Posted by
8359 posts

You're thinking right about being dropped off at the Naples train station. Although it's about 150 miles to Rome, the trains are very fast. At Rome Termini, you can catch the Michelangelo Express train out to FCO airport. Some inexpensive accommodations are available around Termini.
The gateway international airports in Italy are Rome and Milan. And even they don't have mega numbers of flights to North America. Hold out for a mid morning flight. Rome outgoing flights at 6:00 am just take you to another gateway airport where you'll sit around until mid-day before flying home.

Posted by
16179 posts

Ask to be dropped at the Napoli Centrale station and take the train to Rome.
There are several trains per hour from Naples to Rome, many are high speed trains that can get you to Rome in 70 min for very low prices.
I recommend you spend the night in Rome before your flight, therefore you should go to Rome at least the day before your flight home.
From Rome to the Rome Fiumicino airport (FCO) it is a 30-40 min taxi ride (48€ flat fee) or a 32 min train ride with the Leonardo Express train which departs every 30 min (15€ per person).
If you prefer to sleep at the airport I recommend the Hilton Hotel at the airport itself (connected to the terminal by a walkway).
Non stop flights from Rome to ORD are also limited (I think only American has one seasonal flight in summer), so you might need to connect via London LHR or Frankfurt FRA or Paris CDG for better prices.

Posted by
5697 posts

Or ... since you will have to connect on the way home anyway, check to see if there are cheap flights from Naples to a connecting airport and spend the night at Paris, Frankfurt, etc. for a flight to Chicago the next morning.

Posted by
5697 posts

Or ... since you will have to connect on the way home anyway, check to see if there are cheap (Ryan, EasyJet etc.) flights from Naples to a connecting airport and spend the night there for a direct flight to Chicago the next morning.

Posted by
974 posts

Naples is forever off our list as an airport. :) Just say'en. :) its too small to handle what it should handle. And god help you, if you think you can get to the gate on time, since its one big line to get in.

Posted by
11651 posts

We had an excellent experience at Naples airport. However, take the train to Rome and transfer to FCO. Stay overnight at an FCO Airport hotel if you’re dlight leaves early. If your flight to ORD is in the afternoon, stay in Rome.

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