Train from Rome to Naples

Most first trips to Italy stay in the north, but if you're in Rome for more than a few days, Naples is close enough to add on. It's the natural base for Pompeii and Herculaneum, the gateway to Capri and the Amalfi Coast, and the city where pizza was invented. The fast train gets you there in about an hour, which makes even a day trip from Rome realistic.

Don't drive this one. Both cities are congested, Naples traffic is famous for good reason, and if you want a car for the Amalfi Coast you can pick one up after you've seen Naples on foot.

Rome to Naples by train at a glance

Figures are from Italo's route page, checked in September 2026.

Which train to take

Take a high-speed train: Trenitalia's Frecciarossa ("red arrow") or one run by Italo, the private company that has competed with Trenitalia since 2012. They leave Roma Termini from early morning until late evening, and the quickest do the trip in under an hour. Compare trenitalia.com and italotreno.com for your time slot; with this many trains, the fare is usually what decides it.

Intercity trains take around two hours and regional trains closer to three. They run along the older coastal and inland lines, with fixed fares and, on the regionals, no reserved seats, so you may stand at busy times. The only good reason to take one is a very tight budget with no advance booking.

How much the train costs

High-speed fares go up as the train fills, much like airfares. Italo's cheapest advance fares on this route were about 15 euros in 2026, and Trenitalia's Economy and Super Economy fares are similar. On the day it can be several times that. The cheapest fares limit changes and refunds, so if you're doing a day trip and might want a later train home, a flexible fare can be worth the extra.

If you're covering a lot of Italy by fast train, compare the advance fares against the Interrail Italy Pass or the Trenitalia Pass (from about 139 euros in 2026, not valid on Italo). For this route alone, a pass won't pay off.

When you arrive at Napoli Centrale

• Into the city: Metro Line 1 leaves from Garibaldi station, under the main station, for the old town (Duomo, Università), the port (Municipio) and the archaeology museum (Museo).
• Pompeii, Herculaneum and Sorrento: the Circumvesuviana railway stops at Napoli Garibaldi, one level below the main station. It's a separate company with separate tickets, and the trains get crowded, so hold on to your bags. More in our guides to visiting Pompeii and getting from Naples to Sorrento.
• Capri and the islands: the boats leave from Molo Beverello at the port; see our page on the Naples port for how to get there from the station.
• Taxis: use the official rank in front of the station and ask for the city's flat fare (tariffa predeterminata) before you set off. The area around Piazza Garibaldi is rough around the edges, so keep your wits about you.

>> More information on how to get from Rome to Naples, and our guide to train travel in Italy

photo by Erik Pitti