Rome/Naples: How to Save Money on the Trains

Posted by GAC (Los Angeles) on 09/30/09 07:05 PM

Readers should know that, in Italy, not all trains are created equally, and there are significant fare differences between the various categories of trains, from the fastest, sleekest and most expensive Alta Velocita' ("AV") trains, to the slowest and cheapest regionale ("R") trains, which don't take seat reservations and stop at many smaller stations. With some advance planning, it is possible to save quite a bit of money by understanding the differences in fares and travel times when there are several train categories to choose from.

A good example of where there are lots of opportunities to save money is found on the Rome/Naples route, which is covered by SEVEN different categories of trains: AV, ES-Fast, ES, IC, ICN, EXP and R (in descending order of cost).

Many travellers choose to visit Naples as a daytrip out of Rome. Leaving in the early morning, and returning in the late afternoon or early evening, travellers have many different trains to choose from. Here are HINTS of how to save lots of money by not selecting the fastest and most expensive trains:

Take Intercity (IC) trains when available, rather than AV , ES-Fast or ES trains, which cost considerably more.

Currently, there are Intercity (IC) trains from Roma Termini to Naples at 6:27 a.m. and at 7:37 a.m.

On the return, there are Intercity (IC) trains from Naples to Roma Termini at 17:24 and 18:24.

Even without the "AMICA" fare (which is often difficult to secure unless booked many days in advance), you save 40 Euros per person round-trip (!!!) by taking the IC trains compared to the AV trains. That's a savings of 80 Euros for two travellers. (The savings is somewhat less when compared to the cost of the ES-Fast or the "regular" ES trains). As for the differences between first and second class, on a short trip such as Rome/Naples, second class is fine for just about everybody, even more so without luggage.

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Posted by GAC OP

Los Angeles

09/30/09 07:06 PM

425 posts

The IC trains make three short en-route stops between Rome and Naples, but otherwise are quite acceptable as a cost-saving alternative to the faster AV , ES-Fast and ES trains. Travel time is a bit longer, but not by much.

There are also promotional fares for the faster trains (AV, ES-Fast and ES), but these require a minimum of 7 days advance purchase, so it is much less likely that a tourist on a limited time schedule will qualify for these fares.

On a round-trip daytrip, I do not recommend taking the slowest and cheapest trains, the "regionale" ("R"), because there is a "time value" of money, and time is better spent touring in Naples than sitting on a train. However, on a one-way trip, taking the "R" train (which has only second class railcars) saves nearly 50% of the cost of the IC train, and saves nearly 30 Euros compared to the cost of the AV train. The "R" trains don't have reserved seats, but this is usually not a problem, as they originate in Rome and terminate in Naples (and vice-versa), so travellers can almost always find a seat simply by boarding a little early.

As for the other trains (AV, ES-Fast, ES, IC, ICN, EXP), they all have reserved seating automatic with ticket purchase, so again, there is no seating problem. (You won't likely be travelling on an ICN or EXP, which are night trains)

Look carefully at the train schedules and find the train which best suits your schedule and budget.

Remember: the range of fares (one-way, second class, "standard" ticket) between Rome and Naples goes from 10.50 Euros for the "R" trains to 39.90 Euros for the "AV" trains, nearly a four-fold spread. Travel time ranges from 81 minutes on the "AV" to 2.5 hours (or more) on the "R".