Italy domestic flight v. Train

The only nonstops I can find in the region are from Genoa, and then only 3 days a week (Ryanair). It is 2 1/2 hours from Monterosso to Genoa airport by train. 2 hours from arrival at the airport, check in, security, be at the gate well before flight departure. 1 1/2 hours in the air to Naples, 1 hour from wheels down until you are in central Naples. That is 7 hours.

There are several train itineraries every day that will get you from Monterosso to central Naples (Napoli Centrale) in 6 hours. Requires 2 train changes.

Where are you planning to fly from; Genoa, Florence , Pisa ...?

By the time you get to the airport 90 minutes prior to flight time then have to get from NAP to Naples, I am not sure you can beat the 6 hrs it takes by train from Monterosso to Naples Centrale, by any meaningful amount of time.

Do not forget to add the cost of getting to/from the airports to the flight cost to get a valid cost comparison

( You trying to work both CT and Positano into your trip?)

Michael,

I would definitely suggest taking the train, as it will be a much more pleasant and probably shorter trip. You also won't have to put up with the annoying airport "dog & pony show", or face restrictive or expensive baggage charges.

On the current schedules, there's a departure from Monterosso to Napoli Centrale at 09:07, arriving 15:03 (time 5H:56M, 2 changes in Pisa and Florence). Except for the changes, it should be a very relaxing trip, especially the last segment via high speed train which travels at up to 300 km/H. Buy a Panino or whatever for the trip and have a relaxing lunch on the train and perhaps a relaxing nap.

With the flight option, you'll have to get from Monterosso to Pisa / Genova, get to the airport from the station, check-in, go through security, walk to your gate, wait for departure, and then possibly have to take a shuttle bus out to the plane and finally make the flight. It likely won't be the most comfortable or pleasant experience and may not be much (if any) shorter than the train. When you arrive in Naples, you'll have to deplane, collect baggage and then get a bus into town. After that trip you'll probably be exhausted!

and lower cost

Where are you getting the train fares?

I'd fly if I wanted to visit Pisa or Genoa on the way to the airport, not to save much time.

and even if the times were identical all things considered, the environmental cost of flying is so much worse for the world versus the clean electric train. Train wins. And so much more comfortable.

Yes, train wins!
Thank you to all of you.

Departing from Genoa (GOA) would be the only option (Pisa has no flights to Naples).
But it would take longer than the train, as you correctly figured out.