Naples is a city whose inhabitants mostly move by car: for this reason, it is often chaotic and busy. However, the brand new underground network and the very enclosed historic center that includes almost all the main attractions to see, allow you to visit the city without too many problems, moving easily even during peak times.
Let’s see together the advice and a guide on how to get around Naples .
A guided walking tour through the renowned streets of Naples is recommended, in order to enjoy the wonderful panorama and experience the colors, smells and details of this wonderful city to the fullest.
Useful tips
Naples is rather chaotic. Traffic, tourists and locals crowd the streets practically at all hours. In addition, some districts of the historic center are a maze of narrow streets, so the feeling can be quite disorienting , especially if you visit it for the first time.
For this reason, the advice is to take a welcome guided tour accompanied by a local, for a first approach to the city, in order to identify places, points of reference, and get advice on which and where to buy typical products.
In addition to walking, the best way to get around is by metro, funicular and tram . In particular, the metro network has recently been modernized with numerous stops right near the main attractions. The only advice is toavoid peak hours for students and workers.
Absolutely not recommended is the bicycle , as there are no cycle paths and the traffic of cars is very intense.
To avoid problems with tickets due to the different companies that manage the transport, you can buy the Unico-Campania online. It is an integrated ticket that combines all transport in a single ticket . There are different types that even allow you to move throughout Campania. As for Naples, the day ticket costs € 4.50 and the weekly ticket € 16.00 .
- Recommended solutions and means : on foot, subway, funicular, tram
- Solutions and means not recommended : cars, buses, bike-sharing
- City card and recommended passes : Campania ArteCard includes both transport and discounts for tourist attractions (starting from € 21.00 – see details); UNICOCAMPANIA ticket, provides free circulation on the means of transport of all companies (starting from € 4.50 with daily validity – see details)
How to get from the airport to the center of Naples
Naples can be reached easily from many Italian cities and not thanks to many flights, even low cost ones, which land in its only airport better known as Naples-Capodichino International Airport , which is located not far from the center of the city and has a shuttle that will take you directly to the center. Of course, the shuttle is the cheapest and most efficient means of transport but, alternatively, you can opt for a taxi at a fixed rate or for a private transfer to your hotel.
From Naples Capodichino to the center
- Distance from the center : 6 km / average travel time: 20 min
- By taxi : fixed fare € 18.00 / travel time 20 min
- By bus : Alibus ticket cost € 5.00 / travel time 20 min
- Private transfer: transfer for up to 3 people to the hotel or the center from € 35.00 – see offer
Getting around on foot
The historic center is not very big and the main points of interest can also be reached on foot. However, Naples is quite chaotic , and can be quite confusing , especially if you are visiting it for the first time.
For this reason, for a first approach the advice is to walk around it with a guided tour accompanied by a local, in order to identify places and landmarks.
Different speech, however, to move between the various districts of the city, for which public transport is useful: once you reach the point of interest, however, we recommend continuing on foot to enjoy the majesty of the panorama of Naples, which overlooks always on the sea, with different angles.
If you also want to visit the underground city (highly recommended), do not miss the guided tour in the Underground Naples where you can discover the fascinating underground of the city and the mysterious and disturbing history.
By public transport
This large city has various means of transport and countless lines. If this is the first time you go to Naples, the transport network may seem very confusing, but we are here to clarify! Let’s start by saying that public transport is entrusted to different companies , so you have to pay attention to the ticket to buy.
The main transport company, which manages most of it, is ANM to which 2 metro lines, the funicular lines and the entire bus service, including trams and trolley buses belong. The other two companies are Trenitalia and EAV. The first manages one of the metropolitan lines, which is a continuation of the regional railway line, the second all the others. Finally, in Naples you will find four public lifts , usable from 7:00 to 21:30, with which you can reach the elevated streets. The elevators are called Chiaia, Acton, Sanita and Ventaglieri.
If you want a global view of the most beautiful places in the city, you can take part in a very comfortable panoramic tour that will take you to discover the attractions of Naples by car or minivan.
Buses, trams and trolleybuses
Buses, trams and trolleybuses are managed by the ANM company, which has 130 lines, 8 of which at night, connecting the main areas, such as Porto and Central Station, with the suburbs. These vehicles constitute the most widely used transport network, especially for travel in the center, as it is really widespread and, therefore, is also often overcrowded: so, for some years, the Infostop system has been implemented, which allows you to know in time real the next incoming lines and the actual waiting minutes.
- Hours: 24 hours a day (average waiting time during the day 10 minutes – during the night 20 minutes)
- Ticket cost / single journey: € 1.10 urban – € 1.30 suburban (plus € 0.40 if purchased on board).
- Cost of ticket booklet / season ticket : € 3.50 daily – € 12.50 weekly – € 35.00 monthly
Funicular
In Naples there is the funicular , also managed by ANM so the ticket you will need is the same as the one for the buses. The service is divided into 16 stations and includes 4 lines that travel until late evening with an average waiting time of 10/15 minutes . The funicular mainly connects the heart of the city with the most “in” districts of Naples, which are located on the outskirts. The lines are called Chiaia, Centrale, Montesano and Mergellina.
- Hours: 6:30 – 00:30
- Ticket cost / single journey: € 1.10
- Cost of ticket booklet / season ticket : € 3.50 daily – € 12.50 weekly – € 35.00 monthly
Underground
The underground is managed by ANM, EAV and Trenitalia. Line 1 (also called Metro dell’Arte) and Line 6 belong to the ANM, which make internal routes to the city and also connect the nearest suburbs.
Line 2, on the other hand, constitutes the Trenitalia Passante Ferroviario and leaves from the center to get to Pozzuoli.
Finally, there are 4 other lines that belong to EAV, and that connect Naples with the surrounding hilly areas, such as the Arcobaleno line, or with the Flegrea area (Circumflegrea and Cumana). Lastly, the Circumvesuviana, which has recently entered the circuit, which is not used for internal movements, but to reach the center of all the other tourist resorts in Campania, such as Pompeii or the Sorrento Peninsula.
- Downloadable map: Naples metro map
- Hours: 6:00 – 23:00
- Ticket / single journey cost : € 1.10 ANM ticket – € 1.30 EAV ticket – € 2.20 Trenitalia ticket
- Cost of ticket booklet / season ticket : € 3.50 daily – € 12.50 weekly with both ANM and EAV
Taxi
It is the valid alternative to public transport , if you are not fond of waiting at the stops and of the days between one vehicle and another; moreover, at night it is the safest and most reliable way to get around. The service is active day, night and holidays, and is managed by several companies that follow standard rates. For the most popular routes, fixed rates have been established including any supplement.
- Hours: 24 hours a day
- Ticket / single ride cost : € 3.50 at the start of the race, then € 0.05 every 48 meters and every 8 seconds of rest
By car
Unfortunately, Naples is known as the most chaotic city in Italy , especially with regard to driving by car. If in some ways it may seem true, it must also be pointed out that Neapolitans drive with great dexterity and are very tolerant. However, especially in the surroundings of the historic center or in the most frequented areas, traffic can really be a problem, as well as parking. In this case, in fact, it is advisable to park your car in authorized garages , as it is very difficult to find a space along the blue lines. Finally, particular attention must be paid to unauthorized parking attendants, which are a well-known phenomenon in Naples and which you could see coming out from every corner.
ZTL
The ZTL is a Limited Traffic Zone which inhibits the circulation of certain categories of vehicles, in certain time slots. Circulation is almost always forbidden to non-residents and there are no temporary tickets to access it. In Naples, there are 6 macro-areas distinguished by the ZTL , namely: Tarsia-Pignasecca-Dante area; area of ​​the Ancient Center; Belledonne, Martiri, Poerio area; Morelli, Filangieri, Mille area; Chiaia area; Marechiaro area. Each zone is regulated by specific times and days and marked with coupons of various colors. Before going to Naples with your car, we advise you to carefully read the dedicated page on the website of the Municipality of Naples.
Pedestrian area
In Naples there are 7 pedestrian areas, in which only residents, domiciled persons or particular authorized persons such as, for example, law enforcement agencies or doctors visiting patients residing there have the right to access with their vehicles. Specifically, the pedestrian areas are: via dei Tribunali; via Caracciolo and via Partenope; via Tito Angelini; Borgo Marinari; via Luca Giordano; avenues of the Business Center; via Francesco de Santis.
Stops and car parks
Close to the main tourist attractions there are numerous authorized garageswhich allow parking for a fee even 24 hours a day. The cost starts from € 2.50 per hour / fraction and is the fastest way to park your car. It is, in fact, quite difficult to find a place on the blue lines, due to the traffic and the large number of cars. In any case, the cost of parking within a blue stripe is from € 2.00. If you are lucky to find a free blue stripe, it is also possible to pay for parking with various Apps, among which the most used are EasyPark, TelepassPay and Tap & Park, an App designed by the ANM company, which manages some parking areas. Always be wary of unauthorized parking attendants, who can be found in every corner of the city, sometimes even near the blue lines, during free parking hours.
