More about: Day Trips to Naples from Rome
It's easy to fall in love with Naples for its pizza, for its incessant chaos, for its beautiful views of Vesuvius (if you know how to find them), and for many more things that I'll tell you about if you read on. Fancy a trip to Naples from Rome? The following lines are for you.
Tour to Pompeii and Naples from Rome
Discover the best of Naples on a day trip from Rome
An organised getaway with everything you need: views of Vesuvius, Neapolitan pizza and a walk through Pompeii's frozen history.
Do you have a free day in Rome and want to do something different? This excursion to Naples and Pompeii from Rome is one of those plans that has it all: history, good food, scenery, and best of all... without having to worry about organising anything. You'll leave early by bus from Rome and in no time you'll be strolling through the centre of Naples, seeing places like the Castel dell'Ovo or the Piazza del Plebiscito, and enjoying the atmosphere of its streets.
After the walk (and hopefully a good pizza), you'll continue on to Pompeii, where you'll have time to explore the ruins at your own pace or with a guide, depending on the option you choose. It's a very complete plan and perfect if you want to combine two mythical sites in southern Italy in a single day.
Recommended if... you like to have everything done for you, but without feeling like you're on a "group" excursion. The day is well spent and you will see the best of Naples and Pompeii without rushing or complications.
How is the one-day trip to Naples from Rome (it also takes you to Pompeii)?
If you decide to leave Rome for a day trip, it has to be well worth it. And visiting Naples and the incredible Pompeii are a great reason to forget the majestic Eternal City for a day. I don't know if it's the same for you, but when I'm travelling I like to let myself go, enjoy myself and not have to worry too much about the logistics of transport, especially if I'm on a tight schedule.
With this all-inclusive day trip to Naples and Pompeii in English, you'll leave early from Rome in a private bus and you'll be accompanied at all times by a professional guide who will put everything you see into context (something I found essential, especially in Pompeii).
The stop in Naples will allow you to get to know the historic centre of the city and its most important points without having to spend too much time moving from one place to another. You will also have time to have lunch and taste one of the famous Neapolitan pizzas. What more could you ask for?
About the visit to Pompeii
You will be touring the ruins of Pompeii for about two hours. Although at first glance it may not seem long, I assure you that it is a reasonable time to see the essential parts of the ruins and understand how life was lived in this impressive city that was petrified by the eruption of Vesuvius.
If you prefer to visit Pompeii with more time, you can dedicate a whole day to it or even combine the excursion with an ascent of Vesuvius. If you want to know all the possibilities, I invite you to read this article on how to visit Pompeii from Rome in one day.
What is included in this tour
- Round trip transportation by bus from Rome
- Professional multilingual guide
- Panoramic tour of the historic centre of Naples
- Entrance to Pompeii with choice of audio guide or local guide
- Free time for lunch and tasting the Neapolitan pizza
Other excursions to Naples from Rome
If you've already considered the classic tour to Naples and Pompeii, but fancy something different - more personalised, with gastronomic touches or a more exclusive approach - here are some other options to make the most of your visit to southern Italy. The following excursions add extras such as local food, small groups, private tours or train journeys. The good news is that it's all organised and you just have to let yourself go:
- Excursion to Naples and Pompeii with lunch and wine tasting - from £216: Full day tour with guided visit to Pompeii, lunch at an organic farm and free time in Naples. Perfect if you are into wine + culture. Lasts about 12 hours.
- Excursion to Naples and Pompeii with Neapolitan pizza - from £184: Pompeii with guide, lunch with authentic pizza and free walking tour of Naples. Ideal if you like to combine history with gastronomy. Lasts about 12 hours too.
- Private tour of Naples and Pompeii by car - from £558: Private tour with guide just for you, no rush, local lunch and entrance fees included. A more exclusive plan if you want to avoid large groups. Lasts about 12 hours.
- Private tour of Naples by high-speed train - from £373 Ideal if you prefer to go fast and comfortable. Includes AV train, breakfast, local guide and a tour of the most authentic Naples. Lasts about 8 hours.
Other options to get to Naples from Rome on your own
You have all the information in this post about how to get from Rome to Naples. Even so, I leave you a summary here in case you prefer to make this trip on your own:
How to go by train
The train is a very convenient option for a day trip to Naples from Rome. You won't have to worry about parking, unnecessary detours or stops. The downside compared to other methods of transport can be the price: the fast train ticket, which will get you to Naples in 1 hour 15 minutes, costs between €44 and €60 each way.
There is a slower train, which takes between 2 and 3 hours to get to Naples, which costs between €20 and €27 each way depending on the class. This can be a good option if you're travelling on a tighter budget, and if you catch the train early in the morning you'll have plenty of time to explore the city in a day. Check all timetables and prices on the official Trenitalia website.
Getting there by bus
Most buses to Naples from the Italian capital are operated by Flixbus, Baltour and BusCenter, and a return ticket usually costs around €20. Buses go direct to Naples, departing from Rome's Autostazione Tiburtina and arriving at Naples' Piazza Garibaldi bus station in about 2.5 hours.
My recommendation is to buy your bus tickets a week in advance, to make sure you have seats available for the day you want to do the tour, so you don't have to worry about getting a return ticket as well.
In any case, and to be very honest with you, you can't see the whole of Naples in one day (especially if you add the waiting times for public transport). The aim of your excursion from Rome will be to enjoy the city and spend a day different from what you would find in the Italian capital. This is the itinerary I took on my visit:
Things to see and do in Naples during your trip
On a day trip from Rome, time in Naples isn't infinite, but it's enough to savour its essence: history, pizza, soulful streets and sights you'll remember for a long time. Here are the highlights of what you can see (and enjoy) on that day:
Stroll through the Piazza del Plebiscito
The Piazza del Plebiscito is a huge square, the nucleus of Naples' public life and one of its main points of interest. It is named after the plebiscite held during the Italian Unification, which saw Naples become part of the Kingdom of Italy and the House of Savoy.
As if its historical importance were not enough, the square has that Italian essence of grandeur and spectacle, presided over by the immense colonnade of the church of San Francesco di Paola. It is a neoclassical marvel that impresses by day and captivates by night when it is illuminated.
Start the day with a good coffee
I am not a great coffee lover, but I must admit that Neapolitan coffee is something worthy of the most exquisite palates. The first thing I did when I got off the train in Naples was head for the Gran Caffè Gambrinus, a stylish Viennese-style café with marble walls, sculptures on the shelves and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
It's probably familiar to you as it's become quite a touristy place, but as a romantic I wasn't going to miss the chance to have an espresso and sfogliatelle for breakfast in one of Oscar Wilde's favourite places in Naples.
Enter the Royal Palace (if you have time)
The Royal Palace of Naples is right on the square itself and, if you can spare the time, it's well worth a visit. It was the residence of the Bourbons and later of the Savoy family, and you can see that in its halls, its pink and white marble staircase, and the eight marble statues of former kings that adorn the façade. I came away thinking there's nothing like a monarchy on a budget.
Tour the Galleria Umberto I
Right next to the San Carlo theatre, this shopping arcade is ideal for a quick stop. It's one of those places where you walk in just to look and end up wanting to stay. The coolness of the interior and the zodiacal mosaic on the floor give it a special touch. And if you have a sweet tooth, you'll find some very, very decent sfogliatellas here.
Walk down Via Toledo and get lost in the centre
Via Toledo is one of the few straight streets in Naples, and that's saying something. As soon as you cross it, you'll realise that the rest of the historic centre is a delightful maze of narrow streets full of shops, stalls, musicians, parishioners, clothes hanging out and life.
If you want to feel the soul of Naples, getting lost here is a must. It is also full of churches, small workshops and corners with history. It's a postcard in motion.
Do the right thing: eat pizza
I'm pretty sure that if you're taking the train back to Rome and you tell the conductor that you haven't had a pizza during your visit, he'll tear up your ticket and send you to one of his relatives' restaurants.
I ate at L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele, but I'm also telling you that if you get stuck in a long queue, don't think twice and go to any other good-looking restaurant. Neapolitan pizza is good even in the most humble corners.
If you have some time to spare
If you're on a tight schedule and have half an hour left, you can go to the Teatro San Carlo (one of the most beautiful in the world, I promise) or go up to Castel Sant'Elmo to watch the sunset with Vesuvius in the background. I assure you there is no better way to say goodbye to the city.
Getting around Naples in comfort
The best way to get to know Naples is on foot: this is the only way to find the most authentic streets and breathe the essence of the city. However, on a day trip you're usually on a tight schedule, so to get around Naples I recommend taking the metro.
The Naples Metro has two lines, 1 and 6 (it's a mystery what happened to all the others) and covers almost the entire metropolitan area of the city.
If you've opted to drive to Naples, be careful as there are several areas of historical importance where parking is expensive, with fines of up to €90. These areas are called ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) and it's best to avoid them by parking on the outskirts of the city or checking a map of these areas before you park your car.
Tips & Tricks for your trip to Naples from Rome
Beware of pickpockets
Naples is a city with a somewhat tarnished reputation for being less than tourist-friendly. Don't worry too much, as long as you watch out for pickpockets and avoid leaving the more central areas you shouldn't have any problems.
Wear comfortable shoes
Since you're going to be walking all day on this tour, remember to be well prepared: you'll want to pack trainers, a backpack with water, a power bank to charge your mobile phone and something warm for the evening if you're travelling in summer. In winter, the best idea is to dress in layers so that you'll be warmer and warmer as the day wears on.
Be prepared with cash
Some shops and restaurants only accept cash, so carry some loose change just in case (my recommendation: take just enough).
If you don't speak Italian, don't worry
If you don't speak Italian, you won't have any problems in Rome as they will more or less be able to understand you in English or even Spanish. But for travelling to Naples, I recommend you to have a translation app installed on your mobile phone as it can make your life easier on some occasions.
Is it worth taking a trip to Naples from Rome?
Yes, very much so. Naples is like no other city in Italy. If you're in Rome and fancy a day out full of history, chaos, sea views and lots and lots of pizza, an organised tour is the best way to experience it hassle-free.
Other tours you may be interested in
If you already know Naples or are not too interested in visiting this city, perhaps Florence is a more appealing option for you. Before going from Rome, I recommend you read more about how to prepare for this experience here: Day Trips to Florence from Rome. One of the (so many) good things about Rome is its location on the map: besides being in the centre of the Italian peninsula, it has a lot of emblematic places to visit in its surroundings. If you fancy discovering them, here's a list of what I think are the best places to visit near Rome.