Train from Rome to Naples

The Rome to Naples train takes 1 hour so Give yourself 3 hours to meet your driver in Naples.
If your flight to Rome is delayed while you are waiting in Newark or New York where ever, you could if you have internet access just send your driver that information Also when you land in Rome you could send your driver an update there is internet access there

So you are asking if your flight will be on time, how long the line will be at immigration processing, what traffic will be between FCO and Termini, so we can tell you when you will arrive at the Naples train station?

I really am not intending to be rude, but with that many variables I doubt anyone can do anything but give you a SWAG.

It will likely be between 1:30- 4:00. Extraordinary good/bad luck could put it outside that time frame.

Is there a way you can contact the hotel from Termini when you know what train you will be getting on? Would that give them time to arrange for the driver to be there when you get to Naples?

Why not just get a cab at the train station? Wouldn’t that be far easier?

And, in fact, the Circumvesuviana train from Naples Centrale to Sorrento is not that bad -- especially if you can go outside of commute hours. Crowded, yes. Standing, possibly. Pickpockets, maybe. But it runs frequently, no reservations needed. You get a very different look at Italian culture, up close and personal.

Are you flying into Rome Fiumicino airport? In this case the taxi drive to Termini wouldn't be a good idea. Airport trains stop inside the tracks area, cabs in the street facing the station. At the airport station you can buy a through ticket to Naples, thus avoiding the crowds and the confusion at Termini counters and ticket machines.

Since there is free wifi inside FCO, in Termini (app needed) and on Freccia trains, you could just send an email to the driver.

As a side note, I assume that 8/31 is the 31st of August, when the Campania Express train for tourists going to the Amalfi Coast will be running.

Train from fiumicino to Termini -30 minutes. I would do this instead of taking a taxi since you are getting on a train anyway. Getting on the train is much more predictable/easier than Rome traffic.

Fast train from Rome to Naples 1hr and 15 minutes

NOT the fast train from Rome to Naples-???

I have done your itinerary multiple times when going to Sorrento after arriving in Rome from the US. Since I can fly direct to Rome from Chicago, I think it is easier to do that than fly into Naples and worry about a layover. I also think the private driver from Naples to Sorrento is well worth the money. I did the Circumvesuviana once with luggage after just arriving from the US and wasn't a huge fan.

I recommend buying your train ticket from Rome to Naples in advance. I know this is a debated topic on this website but this is what works for me. This way, you can give your driver an exact arrival time and train number (this is what they will want). You can be sure you are getting on a frecciarossa train which is the fast train. And tickets are very cheap when you buy them in advance.

I usually arrive at 850 AM in Rome and I comfortably on the 930 train from FCO to Termino (I carry on). This means I arrive at Termini at 10 and I could comfortable make any trains in the 1030-11 range. But I usually aim for the 12-1 range to give myself some breathing room and just plan to have some lunch in Termini.

IF my plane is late and I miss my train? This has never actually happened BUT I would just buy a ticket for another train. The super economy train tickets (the one you can buy ahead of time) are so cheap that it doesn't hurt my budget to eat the cost of the ticket if I miss the train. And then I would email or send a text through What'sAPP to the driver (you can find Wifi in termini) about my change of plans.

Thanks for all of the great advice! I'll take the train from FCO to Termini instead of a taxi. Wondering how long it typically takes to get through customs at FCO after we arrive. And typically how long to get checked luggage? They're the two main variables I'm trying to figure out with the timing. Thanks!

Customs and luggage can vary. Customs has taken me anywhere from 1-2 minutes to 30 minutes in line depending on how many flights have arrived at that time. Luggage could be an additional 30 minutes. From baggage claim, it is a 10-ish minute walk to where you get the train to Termini. There are automated ticket machines and an actual store selling tickets. You can also buy them from the tabacchi shop if the lines are long.

My geographic compadre Kristen knows her stuff. Train (Leonardo Express?) FCO to Termini--check. Get your bearings, take a breath & have lunch at one of the more interesting train stations in the world--check. Probably buy your Termini-Naples ticket onsite at a machine (don't let anyone 'help' you--they'll want a handout) and you'll have to pay full fare, but so what? It's only you, and if your plane into FCO is late, customs/getting bags takes a long time (took us 90 minutes), you aren't under the gun to catch a train--there will always be a seat, or another train.

Once you get to Napoli Centrale, yes, you can hire a driver in advance (and you can easily by phone or EMail keep him apprised of your progress timewise) and have him waiting for you at the station, but be advised it will cost you upwards of 100 Euro. It still being high season & you'll be at the tail end of a long day plus of international traveling, I'd probably opt for that. If you do want to save 80-90 Euro and take the Circumvesuviana commuter train, it's true--it's not that bad--cheap, relatively clean and a rogue's gallery of characters aboard--not dangerous though, especially during the day.

But, if your lodging at Sorrento is not within walking distance of the train station or down by the marina, you're going to have to take a bus or taxi from there. Also, I know how I am at the end of a long voyage, with my patience short, and those CV 'characters' might be more annoying than cute & endearing!

Enjoy your planning!

You can buy both the Leonardo Express ticket and your Rome Termini-Napoli Centrale ticket at the ticket window at the FCO Train Station.

My B&B in Salerno said they had "airport transfers" and I asked them the cost. Over 50 Euros (I forget the amount).

Look at taking the Circumvesuviana.

Some folks up-line are blowing a little smoke. From my personal experience of flying through the Rome -- 4 international and 2 domestic. Luggage and plane exit is roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Once on a domestic flight from Athens luggage was well over an hour because of equipment failure. Immigration (Passport control) is generally less than hour. Once on a Saturday morning it took closer to three hours. Point is --- nothing is absolutely predictable. You have a number of variable points in your schedule that you cannot control. If it is critical to give an arrival time in Naples and you don't the ability to contact the driver with a schedule after you board the train in Rome, then you must give yourself a very wide schedule. I would give yourself at least two hours, maybe three, to clear immigration and another hour for the train to Termini - Rome. And another hour and half for the ride to Naples including waiting time for the train to Naples. In other words about a five to six hour window.

PS -- Be sure to validate your Leonardo Express ticket prior to boarding at the airport. Very expensive if you don't.