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Napoli May 2025--ideas, places to stay, transportation

Posted by (Southeast USA) on

Family of 5 adults going to Napoli area for one week, before we head out to Rome for the second week of our vacation.
Group is my wife and I, and our young adult (20s) daughters. We are Spanish speakers, and know a few Italian words.
We want to explore Napoli itself, of course, but want to do Pompeii, Vesuvius, Amalfi, Capri, perhaps Positano and Sorrento, maybe Ischia and Herculineum, it all depends on how we ultimately plan the itinerary.

  1. Where to stay (whether Arbnb or B&B or Hotel) and in which area that would be centrally located and safe so we can walk and also have access to transportation to the areas we want to see. We have seen online Chiaia, Vomero, Centro Storico, Piazza Plesb. Posillipo, Port and Central Station area. Yet, not quite sure which would make our experience more convenient/memorable.

    1. Cabs vs. public transportation
    2. Winery tours
    3. Culinary excursions.
    4. How best to make it from Rome airport day #1 and back to Rome on day #7, after which we will be staying in Rome.

Thanks for whatever you may suggest.

Posted by
1176 posts

To get this started - Take the Leonardo Express train from the airport at FCO to Roma Termini train station (32 min) and then the next fast train to Naples (1:15). Then just reverse the fast train Naples to Rome to go back.

The train companies are state run Trenitalia or the privately run .Italo/TrenoItalo that both run fast trains on this route.
https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html (Use Roma and Napoli as city names)
https://www.italotreno.com/en

Cabs can only be taken from established taxi stands or have them called to your location. There are a number of Taxi apps - check to see which ones are best in Naples. Never take an offered taxi anywhere but from the established stand.

Naples is quite a city - enjoy!
=Tod

Posted by
14 posts

Must I make those fast train reservations in advance from the US or is it just as easy to get the trains on the very same day? Do these companies have apps? Should I use apps for these trips at all?

Posted by
7270 posts

Both have apps that are handy and easy to use.

You don't want to book the tix from Rome to Naples in advance- unless you are willing to risk losing the money if you miss the train.
Fights can be delayed, you have no idea how long passport control will take, etc...

You can book the Napoli to Roma tix in advance if you'd like to save some money and are firm on your dates.

This topic comes up a lot- do some forum searches and lots of advice will come up.

It's great that you speak Spanish but the people in Italy speak Italian. Learn a few words and phrases and you will be fine.

Posted by
4649 posts

Must I make those fast train reservations in advance from the US or is
it just as easy to get the trains on the very same day?

There are plenty of daily trains to Naples so no need. Plus you need to consider that your flight may be delayed or you're stuck in Passport Control. We booked out ticket to Naples at the airport at the same time we booked the Leonardo train into Rome. From Naples back to Rome we did book a few days in advance.

Once you get to Naples and depending on where your hotel is you may want to take a taxi. Be warned that you'll probably get ripped off by your driver as it's an Olympic sport there. The subway is beautiful and modern and can be caught from the train station if your hotel is near a route. Naples is a city like no other though and after a sleepless night in a flight, you may be overwhelmed at first by us craziness. The cab ride will keep you awake though.

Posted by
4 posts

We were in Naples in May 2024 and stayed in the central city area (just off Centro Storico) about a 15 min walk from the Napoli Centrale train station. There are a number of "center city/Rick Steves" type hotels well within walking distance of the station - check out Booking.com. While we didn't use it (we walked a lot) the metro/subway seemed to service the central city area pretty well. We also took the fast train to/from Rome and agree with the comments above.

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