Trains - Rome to Naples

Jacqueline, there are about 30 high-speed trains between Rome and Napoli Centrale. Each has 10 cars. 400+ people per train. You are not likely to miss a seat. To answer your question, 1-2 days in advance is just fine. Or, if you are willing to lock into a specific travel date and time, you can go online and get some great discount fares. Depending on the discounted tickets (economy or super economy), the economy tickets can be exchanged before travel but is not refundable. The super economy ticket is neither refundable nor exchangable. The website is www.trenitalia.com. On the website, you will want Roma-Termini to Napoli Centrale. You won't be able to see high-speed trains more than 119 days out from the day of travel. Thus, select a date closer in to see the runs and fares. You'll get a good idea on how they look.

If you buy early (like 120 days in advance), you might have a chance to snatch a discounted ticket (SuperEconomy or Economy). They go fast, so start looking when they open the sale. One caveat for discounted tickets: they are non changeable and non refundable. Therefore you must be sure you are going to take that specific train on that specific day or you lose your money. For advance purchase the website is: www.trenitalia.com If you are unable (or unwilling) to buy a discounted ticket in advance, then you can buy a Base fare ticket (full fare) on the spot when you get to the station in Rome (at the ticket window or automatic machines). There are so many trains to Naples every day that there is zero chance they sell out all seats. In the unlikely event that happens for a train (never happened to me in my all life), you can buy tickets for the next train 30 min. later. First class is about 50% more expensive than 2nd class. Freccia trains (fast trains) now have different categories, no longer 1st and 2nd: Standard, Premium, Business, Business Silence, Salottino (minisuite), Executive Prices Roma-Napoli vary depending on the type of train (based on speed). These are the Base (non discounted) Prices from slow to fast (E=Euro) one way: REGIONALE (commuter): 11.20E 2nd class only (2h+40min) INTERCITY: 23.00E (2nd cl) Euro 30.50E (1st cl) (2h+04min) FRECCIAROSSA: STD: 43E PREM: 50E BUS: 58E SALOT:70E EXEC: 99E (1h+10min) A SuperEconomy ticket is about 60% savings over the above prices
An Economy ticket is about 30% savings over the above prices. All Intercity and Freccia trains have reserved seats. Regionale trains are commuter trains. No seat reservations in those, first come first served.

Thank you! These tips are all very helpful:)

For some reason some posters leave out italotreno.it. We rode Italo in January from Rome to Naples and found it to be clean, fast and very friendly. Give them a try.