Naples Funiculars
The things you need to know
- The funicular timetables are not always the same. In summer, summer time applies, while in winter, winter time applies
- The funicular lines are almost always punctual.
- The ticket must be purchased before entering the station when passing the turnstiles
- The ticket must be stamped or activated at the turnstiles
- Tickets cannot be purchased on board
- Sometimes the service is suspended even for a long time
- You can enter with the contactless ticket via TapIn and TapOut (Bancomat, Mastercard, Visa)
- You can buy a digital ticket through the Unico App
- Sometimes closures are brought forward for maintenance
- The Chiaia funicular is closed for works
Naples funicular timetables
| Funicolare | Opening Hours | Closing time |
|---|---|---|
| Montesanto | 7:00 | 22:00 |
| Chiaia | 7:00 | 22:00 |
| Mergellina | 7:00 (7:05 on Saturdays) | 20:00 |
| Central | 7:00 | 22:00 |
How Contactless tickets work and why you need to pay attention to TapIn and TapOut
Unlike many other European metropolises, in Naples the differentiation of routes and companies has complicated the creation of contactless payment via credit and debit cards, as the cost of the trip varies according to the distance traveled (divided into bands).
To overcome this problem, TAPin and TAPout have been introduced, i.e. the payment card must be swiped at the reader both at the entrance both at the exit, often the exit one is usually present near the turnstiles before leaving.
The system will thus automatically calculate the appropriate figure based on the exit band, while in case of missed TAPout will charge the highest amount for the entire route.
The lines of the Naples Funiculars
Montesanto Funicular
The line counts 4 stations, 4 the minutes needed to travel the entire route Via Morghen – Piazza Montesanto.
Chiaia funicular
The line counts 4 stations, 3 the minutes needed to travel the entire route Margherita Park - Cimarosa.
Funicular of Mergellina
The line counts 5 stations, 7 the minutes needed to travel the entire route Mergellina - Manzoni.
Central Funicular
The line counts 4 stations, 5 the minutes needed to travel the entire route Augusteo - Piazza Fuga.
The history of the funiculars in Naples
During the 19 century the city of Naples experienced a period of growth in the construction sector, with the development of what will then be the neighborhoods Vomero e Arenella. It was at this juncture that the need arose to connect the upper districts with the other districts of the city, so in 1880 the hypothesis began to arise for "the funicular of Naples". It was the two engineers Cigliano and Ferraro who studied the mechanical systems for the construction of the funiculars of Chiaia e Montesanto. A few years later the project was presented to the Municipality which, with the support of Banca Tiberina, started construction work.
Only towards the 20 years did the construction of the other funicular plants be seen, that is: that Central, which was built so as to create a link between the high neighborhoods and the city center, and that of Mergellina, which was built, as well as the first two plants, to enhance the surrounding land at the time building.
For the operations two companies were founded, the SAFUCE, in 1926, which took care of the construction of the plant Central, and SPEME, who instead worked on that of Mergellina.
Updates and latest news on the Funiculars
