How To Get From Rome To Naples in 2026: All Routes Explained

Rome and Naples are often paired on the same Italy itinerary, and for good reason. It’s easy to spend a few days exploring Rome’s landmarks and food scene before heading south to Naples for pizza, volcano views, and the gateway to the Amalfi Coast.

Because the distance between them is short, the route itself is simple — but choosing the right way to travel can save you both time and money.

We’ve done this journey ourselves, and in this guide, we break down the most practical ways to get from Rome to Naples, including trains, buses, driving, and guided transfers.

You’ll see what each option is really like, who it works best for, and what to watch out for, based on real experience rather than just schedules and prices.

If you’re still shaping your plans, it usually helps to first pin down what you want to see in each city and where you’ll base yourself.

Our guides on best things to do in Rome and best things to do in Naples, as well as where to stay in Rome and where to stay in Naples, can help with that — and once that’s sorted, getting between them becomes the fun part.

Quick Overview

For most travellers, the train is the easiest and fastest way to get from Rome to Naples, with frequent departures and a journey time of just over an hour.

The bus is the cheapest option and works well if you’re travelling on a budget and don’t mind spending a bit longer on the road.

Renting a car only really makes sense if Naples isn’t your final stop and you’re planning to continue toward the Amalfi Coast or smaller towns along the way.

We booked our bus tickets through Omio, which made it easy to compare schedules and prices in one place and avoid jumping between different transport websites.

Our Experience (Bus)

We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus, mainly because it was the cheapest option available at the time and the departure fit our schedule well. The ride took longer than the train (slightly above 2 hours), but it was straightforward and surprisingly comfortable, with assigned seats and space for our luggage underneath.

The journey itself was easy — no changes, no stress, just a direct ride into Naples. That said, traffic around Naples can easily add extra time, so it’s not the best choice if you’re in a rush or arriving on a tight schedule.

We’d recommend the bus if you’re travelling on a budget or have flexible timing. If you value speed or want to maximise sightseeing time, the train is still the better option.

Option 1: Train (Best Overall Choice)

High-Speed Trains (Frecciarossa & Italo)

High-speed trains are the fastest and most comfortable way to travel from Rome to Naples. The journey takes just over an hour, with frequent departures throughout the day, making it easy to fit into almost any itinerary.

Trains run from Roma Termini and Roma Tiburtina to Napoli Centrale, so you arrive right in the city centre without dealing with traffic. Seats are reserved, there’s space for luggage, and the ride is smooth enough to relax or get some work done on the way.

Prices change based on demand and seat availability rather than a fixed timetable. In practice, cheaper fares are usually released first and sell out as the train fills up, so booking earlier often gives you more choice and a better chance of getting a lower price — but it’s not guaranteed.

Regional Trains (Cheaper but Slower)

Regional trains are cheaper than high-speed services, but the journey takes much longer and is less predictable. They can be crowded, don’t have assigned seats, and make more stops along the way.

This option only really makes sense if high-speed trains are sold out or if you’re travelling on a very tight budget and don’t mind spending several hours on the train. For most trips, the high-speed train is the better balance of price, speed, and comfort.

We usually book trains through Omio.com because it lets you compare departure times and prices in one place without jumping between different rail websites. We’ve used it several times and found it especially practical on busy routes like Rome to Naples.

Option 2: Bus (Cheapest Way)

We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus because it was the cheapest option at the time, and the departure worked well with our schedule. It took longer than the train, but the journey itself was straightforward and more comfortable than we expected.

Buses leave from different points around Rome depending on the company, so when you book your ticket, it’s important to double-check the exact departure location. In Naples, most buses arrive near Napoli Centrale or at a main bus terminal, which makes it easy to continue by metro, taxi, or on foot.

Inside, the bus is simple but perfectly fine for a few hours. You’ll have an assigned seat, and your larger luggage goes underneath. The main downside is traffic, especially when entering Naples, which can add extra time to the journey.

If you’re travelling on a tight budget or don’t mind arriving a bit later, the bus is a solid option. If you want a faster and more predictable trip, the train is still the better choice.

We used Omio.com to book our bus tickets for this route. It was the easiest way to see which departures were available, how long the trip would take, and what the cheapest option was without dealing with individual bus company sites.

Option 3: Car (Most Flexible)

Driving from Rome to Naples gives you the most freedom, especially if Naples isn’t your final stop and you’re continuing toward the Amalfi Coast or smaller towns.

The drive is mostly on motorways, but traffic builds up near Naples. Parking can be tricky, and ZTL zones (restricted traffic areas) are common, so it’s easy to get fined if you’re not careful.

If you don’t return the car to Rome, most rental companies charge a one-way drop-off fee, which can noticeably increase the total price and is worth checking before you book.

We rent cars through DiscoverCars whenever we need one and have always been satisfied. We also recommend adding full coverage insurance, which is usually cheaper than rental-company insurance and gives much better peace of mind while driving.

A car is a good choice if you’re continuing your trip beyond Naples. If Naples is your final stop, the train is usually simpler.

Option 4: Guided Day Trip

If you want to avoid organising transport yourself and turn the journey into a sightseeing day, a guided tour from Rome to Naples can be a convenient option. These usually combine transport with guided visits, so you don’t need to worry about tickets, navigation, or timing.

One option is the Rome → Pompeii & Naples full-day tour by bus. This tour travels by coach, which makes it more affordable, but also means a longer travel time on the road. It includes a guided visit to Pompeii and time in Naples, so it’s a good fit if you want to see both places in one day and don’t mind spending more time in transit.

A faster but more expensive alternative is the Rome → Pompeii & Naples day trip by high-speed train with lunch. This version uses Italy’s high-speed trains, which significantly cut down travel time compared to the bus. It also includes a guided Pompeii visit, time in Naples, and a Neapolitan pizza lunch, making it a more comfortable choice if you prefer speed and less time on the road.

Compared to travelling independently, these tours cost more, but everything is handled for you — transport, guides, and often entry tickets and lunch.

They make sense if you’re short on time, want to combine Pompeii and Naples in one day, or simply prefer having the logistics taken care of.

Best Time of Day to Travel

Early morning is usually the best time to travel from Rome to Naples if you want to make the most of your day. Trains are less crowded, delays are less likely to affect your plans, and you arrive with a full day ahead of you in Naples.

Midday departures are often the busiest, especially in peak season, and tend to sell out first on high-speed trains. If you’re travelling during summer or on a weekend, this is when crowds are usually highest.

Evening travel can work well if you’re checking into a hotel straight away and don’t mind arriving later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mixing up Rome’s stations. Trains to Naples usually leave from Roma Termini or Roma Tiburtina, so always double-check your departure station before heading out.
• Underestimating traffic when travelling by bus or car. Delays are common when approaching Naples, which can easily add extra time to your journey.
• Driving into a ZTL zone in Naples by accident. These restricted traffic areas are closely monitored and fines are common, especially for visitors who don’t realise they’ve entered one.
• Choosing transport based only on price and not on timing. Saving a few euros on a bus ticket isn’t worth it if it cuts your sightseeing time in half.

Final Thoughts

For most travelers, the high-speed train is the easiest and fastest way to get from Rome to Naples, especially if you want to maximize your time exploring.

The bus works well if you’re travelling on a budget and don’t mind a longer journey, while a car only really makes sense if Naples isn’t your final stop and you’re continuing south.

Whichever option you choose, planning this transfer properly makes a big difference to how smooth your trip feels.

Once you’ve sorted transport, you can focus on what really matters — exploring Naples, eating great pizza, and getting ready for the next part of your Italy itinerary.