Getting around Naples: metro, funiculars, buses, and trams

Getting around Naples is easier than you think: the city has a dense and integrated public transportation network, with the subway, funiculars, buses, trams, and trolleybuses all operated under the same fare system. With a single ticket, you can travel through the historic center, up to Vomero, reach the airport, and even reach Pompeii, Herculaneum, and the Amalfi Coast.

In this complete guide you will find everything you need: the lines to use, tickets and passes, timetables, connections to the airport and practical advice for getting around without a hitch.

The metro network: three lines to cross the city

The Naples metro currently has three operating lines connecting the main areas of the city.

Line 1: the art metro

Line 1 (operated by ANM, yellow) crosses Naples from north to southeast, connecting Vomero, the historic center, Piazza Garibaldi, and the Centro Direzionale. The most iconic stations are Toledo , named the most beautiful in Europe, Dante , Università , and Museo . It is the line of the Stazioni dell'Arte project : almost every stop is a contemporary art museum featuring works by international artists, from Toledo with Robert Wilson's light mosaics to Karim Rashid's Cilea.

Line 2: the oldest in Italy

Line 2 (operated by Trenitalia, gray/blue) is the oldest metro line in Italy, inaugurated in 1925 : it runs on the surface and in tunnels, connecting Piazza Garibaldi , Cavalleggeri d'Aosta , and the Naples Campi Flegrei station . It's the perfect line for walking from Montesanto and Mergellina.

Line 6: the most recent

Line 6 (orange) connects Mostra d'Oltremare to Piazza Municipio , passing through Fuorigrotta and Mergellina: useful for reaching the seafront and the exhibition center. The metro operates from approximately 6:00 AM to 23:00 PM, with frequencies varying from 5 to 12 minutes during rush hour.

Funiculars: the most popular way to get to Vomero

Naples boasts a unique system in Italy of four urban funiculars managed by ANM:

• Central Funicular: from Piazza Augusteo to Piazza Fuga, the busiest, it connects the centre to Vomero in about 4 minutes
• Chiaia Funicular: from Via del Parco Margherita to Via Cimarosa, serves the Chiaia and Vomero districts
• Montesanto Funicular: from Piazza Montesanto to Via Raffaello Morghen, used by commuters to the university area
• Funicular of Mergellina: from Via Mergellina to Via Manzoni, it connects the seafront to Posillipo Alto

All funiculars accept the same tickets as the metro and run every 5 to 12 minutes. They are the fastest and most scenic way to reach Vomero, avoiding the steep climbs in the historic center.

Buses, trams and trolley buses

ANM buses reach every corner of the city with over 90 urban lines. The most useful lines for tourists are:

• R1: circular route from the center to Vomero
• 151Piazza Garibaldi – Piazza Vittoria – Mergellina, the waterfront line
• C63Cavour Square – Cardarelli Hospital
• 140: Business Center – Barra
• Product lines ALIBUS: from the airport to the center

Night buses (N lines) provide connections even after the subway closes. A three-line tram system runs along Corso San Giovanni a Teduccio, connecting the eastern suburbs to the city center. The trolleybus network (four lines) serves neighborhoods such as Ponticelli, Barra, and Secondigliano.

From Capodichino Airport to the city center

Naples Capodichino Airport is well connected to the city center. The most convenient option is the Alibus , the ANM shuttle bus that takes you to Piazza Garibaldi (the central station) and Piazza Municipio (the port and historic center) in about 30-40 minutes. Tickets can be purchased on board or at ticket booths. Alternatively, there are fixed-rate taxis to the city center and chauffeur-driven car rentals available outside the airport.

Trains to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast

For trips out of town, the EAV network is your best ally:

• Circumvesuviana: from Naples (Porta Nolana and Garibaldi) to Pompei in about 30-40 minutes, Herculaneum in 20 minutes, to Sorrento in just over an hour
• Cumana and Circumflegrea: they connect the western area, the Phlegraean Fields, Pozzuoli and Baia
• Trenitalia: with Line 2 and regional trains you can also reach Pompeii and the coastal stations

EAV trains accept UnicoCampania tickets: you can use the same ticket for both the metro and trains, seamlessly integrating the city and provincial networks. For complete itineraries, read our guide to day trips to the Amalfi Coast and our guides to Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Tickets and passes: all the options

The tariff system is unified by the UnicoCampania consortium :

• Single urban ticket (A.1): 1,50 €, valid for 100 minutes on the metro, buses, funiculars, trams and trolleybuses, with a single entry into the metro or funicular
• Daily ticket (A.5): 5 €, valid for 24 hours
• 3-day integrated ticket (A.6): 12 €
• 10-ride carnet: 13 €
• Monthly subscription: 35 €

Tickets can be purchased at station ticket offices , participating tobacconists, vending machines, and authorized newsstands. You can also pay with contactless cards and smartphones at metro and funicular validators, without needing to purchase a paper ticket.

UnicoCampania and integrated pricing

The UnicoCampania consortium manages integrated fares throughout the region. Urban and intercity tickets and passes are valid on all means of transport operated by affiliated operators: ANM , EAV (Circumvesuviana, Cumana, Circumflegrea), and Trenitalia (urban routes only). For those arriving from outside Naples, integrated tickets also cover connecting routes to the metropolitan area, allowing travel on multiple operators with a single ticket. The UnicoCampania app (available for iOS and Android) allows digital purchases and real-time timetable verification.

Taxis and NCC

Taxis in Naples are white and licensed by the city: they can be hailed at taxi ranks, by phone, or with dedicated apps. Fares are regulated, and there's a fixed rate from the airport to the city center. NCC (chauffeur-driven car rental) services are a more convenient option for groups and transfers, and should be booked in advance. Tip: For short distances in the historic center, it's often better to walk, as traffic and narrow streets make driving impractical.

Schedules and frequencies: what you need to know to get around without a hitch

The metro operates from 6:00 AM to 23:00 PM (Line 1 runs until 23:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays). The funiculars operate on the same schedule, closing around 22:30 PM. Buses have a reduced service after 21:00 PM, with night lines (N) operating until approximately 1:00 AM. On Sundays , frequencies are reduced on all lines.

For updated timetables, check the ANM app or the official website. It's recommended to avoid the 8:00-9:30 and 17:00-19:00 (peak hours) if you're traveling with luggage or during busy times.

Practical advice

• Ticket always validStamp your travel ticket at the entry validators, fines for those travelling without a ticket are steep.
• Contactless: use your card or smartphone directly at the turnstiles of the metro and funiculars, faster than using a paper ticket
• Closures and worksBefore leaving, check for any closures due to work on the lines (notices on the ANM and EAV apps): metro construction sites may change the stops even for just a few days.
• Stairs and alleysThe historic center can be explored on foot, but be prepared for climbs and steps: comfortable shoes are a must.
• Stations of the Art: take the time to admire the stations of Line 1, they are among the most beautiful in the world
• NightAfter 1:00am only taxis and NCCs remain, it's best to plan your return.

By car: parking and limited traffic zones

Arriving in Naples by car is possible, but much of the historic center is a limited traffic zone (ZTL) , and traffic can be heavy during rush hour. The best options are the park-and-ride lots near the metro stations: leave your car there and continue by public transport. The most convenient for tourists are the one in Piazza Garibaldi (Central Station), the Centro Direzionale parking lot , and those near Campania (Line 1, hospital area), from which the metro takes you to the city center in just a few minutes.

Secure parking in the city center (Chiaia, Santa Lucia, and Piazza Municipio areas) is available but expensive. During high season, it's best to book online. Beware of illegal parking : blue lines are paid for using apps or parking meters. Fines are common, and cars parked illegally are towed away.

On foot: the historic center can be explored on foot

The most beautiful part of Naples, the UNESCO historic center , can be visited on foot: Spaccanapoli, Via dei Tribunali, Via San Gregorio Armeno, and the Spanish Quarters are connected by alleys and stairways that public transportation can't reach. Distances are short: from Piazza del Gesù to the Duomo it takes about 20 minutes to walk, from Piazza Municipio to Piazza Dante in 15.

Our advice is to combine: the metro for long journeys (Vomero, Posillipo, the airport, and the surrounding area) and walking around the city center . Comfortable shoes are a must, but the tour is worth it: it's the best way to truly discover the city.

FAQ

How much does a metro ticket cost in Naples?

A single urban ticket costs €1,50 and is valid for 100 minutes on the metro, buses, funiculars, trams, and trolleybuses. A day ticket costs €5, and a three-day ticket costs €12.

How do you pay for the Naples metro?

With a paper ticket to be validated, with a contactless card or smartphone directly at the turnstiles, or with the UnicoCampania app.

Which metro line goes to Pompeii?

The Circumvesuviana (EAV) train from Naples Porta Nolana or Garibaldi reaches Pompeii in about 30-40 minutes. The station is called Pompei Santuario and is just a few minutes' walk from the ruins.

Are the Naples funiculars included in the metro ticket?

Yes, the UnicoCampania urban ticket is also valid on the four funiculars (Centrale, Chiaia, Montesanto, Mergellina), with a single entry.

How do you get from the airport to the center of Naples?

By Alibus (ANM shuttle) to Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza Municipio, in about 30-40 minutes, or by fixed-rate taxi.

What time does the Naples metro run until?

Generally from 6:00 AM to 23:00 PM; Line 1 extends its service until 23:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. After closing, night buses remain until around 1:00 AM, followed by taxis and chauffeur-driven cars.