Naples Airport to the city and beyond: what you actually need to know

Naples International Airport (Capodichino) is just 7 km northeast of the city centre. Getting to Napoli Centrale (main train station) or the city takes 15-30 minutes depending on traffic. The Alibus express bus costs EUR 5 and runs to Napoli Centrale in about 20 minutes. Taxis run on the city's official predetermined fixed fares: EUR 21.00 to Napoli Centrale or the historic centre, EUR 24.00 to the port — per vehicle, night and luggage supplements already included (Naples City Council, Delibera G.C. n.258 of 27 June 2024, in force since 1 September 2024). Pre-booked transfers are quoted per vehicle when you book.

But Naples is also the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Positano, and Pompeii — and for those destinations, a pre-booked transfer is often the only practical option.

Naples Airport is a single terminal. After landing, immigration (non-EU passengers) can take 20-30 minutes if multiple flights have landed together. The baggage claim and arrivals hall are compact and functional rather than impressive. ATMs are available in the arrivals area.

Exiting arrivals, you immediately face taxi touts and shuttle drivers. The official taxi rank is clearly marked — use only official white taxis. The Alibus stop is directly outside the terminal. The airport is small enough that orientation is not difficult.

Note: Naples has a reputation for aggressive taxi touting. Unofficial drivers approach arriving passengers. Decline all unsolicited approaches and use only the official taxi rank outside or a pre-booked service.

Alibus is the express bus from the airport to Piazza Garibaldi (Napoli Centrale train station) and the port. Fare: EUR 5. Journey time: about 20 minutes to Napoli Centrale, longer to the port depending on traffic. Buses run every 30-40 minutes. This is the best budget option for solo travellers heading to the train station or central Naples.

Taxis run on the city's predetermined fixed fares (tariffe predeterminate), set by Naples City Council in Delibera G.C. n.258 of 27 June 2024, in force since 1 September 2024. Two things about this system are widely got wrong:

• The fare is per vehicle and already includes the airport supplement, the night and holiday supplements, luggage, animals and the radio-taxi call. There is no separate night rate. Motorway tolls and a EUR 5.00 minivan supplement (for more than 4 passengers, or if you ask for a 7-9 seat vehicle) are the only things charged on top.
• You must ask for the predetermined fare at the start of the ride. The driver cannot refuse it.

The official fares from the airport:

There is also a collective taxi linking the airport, Napoli Centrale and Molo Beverello at EUR 6 per passenger including luggage (Naples airport).

Tariffs are revised by council resolution, so check the current table before you travel.

These fares are posted in every licensed taxi. Taxis are white. The official rank is outside arrivals. The fixed system works reasonably well for central Naples trips but watch for drivers who try to use the meter instead of the fixed rate — insist on the tariff fisso.

Pre-booked transfers are quoted per vehicle when you book, and the driver meets you inside the terminal. Particularly valuable for trips to the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento and surrounding areas — though note that Naples also publishes predetermined fixed taxi fares for those runs (see below), so you have a real number to compare any quote against.

Circumvesuviana train (for Pompeii, Sorrento): Take the Alibus to Napoli Centrale (EUR 5), then the Circumvesuviana local train run by EAV. Its fare is set by distance band and we could not confirm the current one from EAV directly, so check eavsrl.it or the ticket office rather than trusting a figure from a guide — it is a few euros. The train is slow but very cheap: about 30 minutes to Pompeii and 65 minutes to Sorrento. Note it is notorious for delays, crowding and occasional pickpockets. Keep bags in front of you.

Car hire is available at the airport but driving in Naples itself is not recommended for the uninitiated. The roads around the Amalfi Coast are challenging but manageable if you are experienced. For the coast, a hired car gives flexibility that transfers do not — but the hairpin roads of the Amalfi Drive require confidence.

Naples Airport is the primary gateway for one of Europe's most scenic and challenging coastlines.

To Sorrento (55 km): Naples publishes a predetermined fixed taxi fare of EUR 125.00 for this run, one way, per vehicle, supplements included (motorway tolls and the EUR 5.00 minivan supplement excluded). A pre-booked transfer is quoted per vehicle when you book. About 70 minutes. The Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Centrale takes 65 minutes plus the Alibus connection and is dramatically cheaper but slow and crowded — check EAV for the fare. For groups or families with luggage, a car is practical.

To Positano (65 km): No direct public transport. The predetermined fixed taxi fare is EUR 145.00; a pre-booked transfer is quoted per vehicle. The road involves the SS163 Amalfi Drive — winding, scenic and slow. Allow 90 minutes to 2 hours.

To Amalfi town (70 km): The predetermined fixed taxi fare is EUR 155.00; a pre-booked transfer is quoted per vehicle. Journey time 90 minutes to 2 hours. No direct public transport from the airport.

To Ravello (75 km): The predetermined fixed taxi fare is EUR 160.00; a pre-booked transfer is quoted per vehicle. Buses exist from Amalfi town but require multiple connections from the airport.

To Pompeii (25 km): The predetermined fixed taxi fare to Pompei scavi is EUR 70.00; a pre-booked transfer is quoted per vehicle. About 40 minutes. By train: Alibus to Napoli Centrale (EUR 5) then the Circumvesuviana to Pompei Scavi, about 60 minutes total — check EAV for the train fare.

For the Amalfi Coast specifically, a pre-booked transfer is not a luxury — it is the only practical option for anyone with luggage. The winding coastal roads are no place for public buses with suitcases, and taxis from Naples to the coast are expensive if not pre-arranged.

To Naples city centre / Napoli Centrale:

• Alibus: EUR 5
• Collective taxi (airport - Centrale - Beverello): EUR 6 per passenger
• Taxi (predetermined fixed fare to Napoli Centrale or the historic centre): EUR 21.00, day or night
• Pre-booked transfer: quoted per vehicle when you book

Predetermined fixed taxi fares, one way, per vehicle: To Pompei scavi: EUR 70.00 To Sorrento: EUR 125.00 To Positano: EUR 145.00 To Amalfi: EUR 155.00 To Ravello: EUR 160.00

Pre-booked transfers to these destinations are quoted per vehicle when you book.

The Alibus runs until approximately midnight. After that, taxis operate 24 hours — and the predetermined fixed fare already includes the night supplement, so EUR 21.00 to Napoli Centrale is the same figure at 2 AM as at 2 PM, provided you ask for the tariffa predeterminata at the start of the ride. Pre-booked transfers are available at any hour. For Amalfi Coast destinations, late-night arrivals should still pre-book — finding a willing driver for a 90-minute mountain road journey at 2 AM is difficult.

Italian taxis do not carry child seats. The Alibus has limited luggage space. For families with children and significant luggage, a pre-booked transfer is the cleanest solution. For the Amalfi Coast, a private vehicle is essential — the idea of managing suitcases, children, and connecting buses on the coastal route is genuinely challenging.

Choose the Alibus if you are going to Napoli Centrale or central Naples, travelling light, and want the cheapest option.

Choose the taxi if you are going to a specific Naples address, have manageable luggage, and know the zone-based fixed fare system.

Choose a pre-booked transfer if you are heading to the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Positano, or any destination outside Naples, have children or significant luggage, or want certainty at a fixed price.

Choose the Circumvesuviana if you are on a tight budget going to Pompeii or Sorrento and do not mind the journey time.