More about: Day Trips to Naples from Rome
It is 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 will 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 tour from Rome
An organized getaway with everything you need: views of Vesuvius, Neapolitan pizza and a walk through the frozen history of Pompeii.
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 organizing anything. You will leave early by bus from Rome and in no time you will be walking around the center of Naples, visiting 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 will continue on to Pompeii, where you will have time to explore the ruins at your own pace or with a guide, depending on the option you choose. It is 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, but without feeling like you are 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 excursion to Naples from Rome in one day (it takes you to Pompeii as well)?
If you decide to leave Rome for a day, that excursion has to be very worthwhile. And visiting Naples and the incredible Pompeii are a compelling reason that will make you forget for a day the majestic Eternal City. I don't know if it's the same for you, but when I'm on a trip I like to let myself go, enjoy and not have to worry too much about the logistics of transportation, especially if I'm on a tight schedule.
With this all-inclusive day trip to Naples and Pompeii in Spanish, you will leave early from Rome in a private bus and you will be accompanied at all times by a professional guide who will put everything you see in context (something I found essential, especially in Pompeii).
The stop in Naples will allow you to get to know the historic center of the city and its most important points without having to spend too much time moving from one place to another. In addition, you will 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 it may not seem long, I assure you that it is a reasonable time to see the essential sites of the ruins and understand how people 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 up to a whole day or even combine the excursion with an ascent to 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 guide in several languages
- Panoramic tour of the historic center 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 taking the classic tour to Naples and Pompeii, but fancy something different - more personalized, 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 rides. The good thing is that everything is organized and you just have to let yourself go:
- Naples and Pompeii excursion with lunch and wine tasting - from $291: Full day tour with guided visit to Pompeii, lunch at an organic farm and free time in Naples. Perfect if you like the wine + culture plan. It lasts about 12 hours.
- Excursion to Naples and Pompeii with Neapolitan pizza - from $246: Pompeii with guide, lunch with authentic pizza and free walking tour of Naples. Ideal if you like to combine history with gastronomy. It lasts about 12 hours as well.
- Private excursion to Naples and Pompeii by car - from $752: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. It lasts about 12 hours.
- Private tour to Naples by high speed train - from $502: Ideal if you prefer to go fast and comfortable. Includes AV train, breakfast, local guide and walk through the most authentic Naples. It 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 go 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 finding parking, unnecessary detours, or making stops. The disadvantage compared to other methods of transportation can be the price: the fast train ticket, which will take 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. It can be a good option if you are traveling on a tighter budget, and if you take the train early in the morning you will have plenty of time to explore the city in one day. Check all schedules and prices on the official Trenitalia website.
How to get there by bus
Most buses to Naples from the Italian capital are operated by Flixbus, Baltour and BusCenter, and a round-trip 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 that you buy the bus tickets a week in advance, to make sure you have seats available for the day you want to do the tour, and that way you take the hassle out of getting the return ticket as well.
In any case and being very honest with you, I will tell you that you cannot see Naples completely in one day (and even less if we add the waiting times for public transportation). The goal of your excursion from Rome is going to be to enjoy the city and spend a day different from what you would find in the Italian capital. This is the itinerary I did on my visit:
Things to see and do in Naples during your tour
During a day trip from Rome, the time in Naples is not infinite, but it is enough to savor its essence: history, pizza, soulful streets and sights that you will remember for a long time. Here are the highlights you can see (and enjoy) on that day:
Stroll through Piazza del Plebiscito
The Piazza del Plebiscito is a huge square, the core of Naples' public life and one of its main points of interest. It is named after the plebiscite held during the Italian Unification, thanks to which Naples became 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 to head to the Gran Caffè Gambrinus, a stylish Viennese-style coffee shop, with marble walls, sculptures on the shelves and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
It probably sounds familiar, as it has become quite a touristy place, but I being a romantic was not going to miss the opportunity to have an espresso and sfogliatelle for breakfast in one of Oscar Wilde's favorite places in Naples.
Step inside the Royal Palace (if you have time)
The Royal Palace of Naples is right on the same square and, if you have a little time to spare, it's worth going inside. 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 facade. I came away thinking there's nothing like a monarchy on a budget.
Tour the Galleria Umberto I
Right next to the San Carlo theater, 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 and live. 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 very, very decent sfogliatellas here.
Walk along Via Toledo and get lost in the center
Via Toledo is one of the few straight streets in Naples, and that's saying something. As soon as you cross it you'll realize that the rest of the historic center is a delightful maze of narrow streets full of stores, stalls, musicians, parishioners, clothes hanging out and life.
If you want to feel what the soul of Naples is all about, getting lost here is a must. It is also full of churches, small workshops and corners with history. It's a moving postcard.
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 catch a long line, don't think about it 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 are on time and have half an hour left, you can go to the Teatro San Carlo (one of the most beautiful in the world, I promise you) or go up to Castel Sant'Elmo to see the sunset with Vesuvius in the background. I assure you there is no better way to say goodbye to the city.
Move comfortably around Naples
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, a day trip is usually a bit short on time, so to get around Naples I recommend taking the metro.
The Naples Metro has two lines, 1 and 6 (it is a mystery what happened to all the others) and covers almost the entire metropolitan area of the city.
In case you have chosen to go to Naples by car, be careful as there are several areas of historical importance where parking will be expensive, with fines of up to 90€. These areas are called ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) and the best way to avoid them is to park on the outskirts of the city or check a map of these areas before parking your vehicle.
Tips & Tricks for your excursion to Naples from Rome
Beware of pickpockets
Naples is a city with a somewhat tarnished reputation for not being entirely tourist friendly. Don't worry too much, as long as you take special care with pickpockets and avoid leaving the more central areas you won't have any problems.
Wear comfortable shoes
Since you will be walking all day on this excursion, remember to be well prepared: you will appreciate wearing sneakers, a backpack with water, a power bank to charge your cell phone and something warm for the night, in case you are traveling in summer. In winter, the best idea is to wear layers to be more or less warm as the day goes by.
Be prepared with cash
Some stores 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 Spanish or even English. But to travel to Naples, I recommend you to have a translation app installed on your cell phone as it can make your life easier in some occasions.
Is it worth taking a trip to Naples from Rome?
Yes, very much so. Naples is unlike any other city in Italy. If you're in Rome and you're in the mood for a different kind of day, full of history, chaos, sea views and lots and lots of pizza, an organized tour is the best way to experience it hassle-free.
Other tours that may interest you
If you already know Naples or you are not too interested in visiting this city, perhaps Florence is an option that you might be more interested in. Before going from Rome, I recommend reading 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 center of the Italian peninsula, it has a lot of emblematic places to visit in its surroundings. If you feel like discovering them, I leave you a list of what for me, are the best places to visit near Rome.