Naples has more than one usable train station, and picking the wrong one is a genuine and common mistake. Book Napoli Centrale and you arrive on Piazza Garibaldi, right in the city, with metro connections waiting. Arrive at Napoli Afragola and you are around 12 kilometres from anywhere useful, with no metro and a taxi or separate train fare before your trip has properly started.
Then there is the Circumvesuviana. It runs to Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Sorrento, and it is not Trenitalia. It departs from a separate underground level, run by EAV (Ente Autonomo Volturno), a different company on a different ticketing system. If you have a Eurail or Interrail Pass, it does not cover the Circumvesuviana. Searching the Trenitalia departures board for the Pompeii train will not find it.
This guide covers all four Naples stations: what each one is for, which to book, and what to check before you pay.
Naples train stations at a glance
| Station | Location | Operators | Best for | Avoid if |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napoli Centrale | Piazza Garibaldi, city centre | Trenitalia (Frecce, Intercity, regional), Italo (most services) | Most long-distance, high-speed, and regional arrivals | – |
| Napoli Afragola | ~12 km from city centre, no metro link | Trenitalia Frecce, some Italo | Connections north of Naples; transit passengers | You want the city centre |
| Napoli Garibaldi (underground) | Below Centrale / Piazza Garibaldi | EAV / Circumvesuviana | Day trips to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Sorrento | – |
| Napoli Mergellina | Mergellina, western waterfront | Trenitalia Intercity, suburban | Travellers staying near Chiaia or Posillipo | Long-distance arrivals |
Napoli Centrale, the station to use for almost all visits
Napoli Centrale sits on Piazza Garibaldi, in the middle of the city. This is where Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, most Italo high-speed services, Intercity trains, and the majority of regional trains arrive and depart. Metro Lines 1 and 2 connect here. Line 1 gives you access to Toledo, Dante, and Università, all within walking distance of the historic centre. The Alibus airport shuttle departs from Corso Novara, just off Piazza Garibaldi, in front of the station.
How long does it take to reach Naples by train?
Fast Frecciarossa services from Rome take around 70 minutes. Treat that as orientation, not a guarantee, check the journey time for your specific train when you book. Florence to Naples by Frecce takes around 2 hours 45 minutes to just over 3 hours depending on the train. Milan to Naples on the fastest services runs around 4 hours 30 minutes, with some departures taking longer.
Italo runs the same corridors at broadly similar journey times. Check both Trenitalia and Italo for your date. Prices vary between them, and the cheaper option changes by day and booking window.
Intercity trains serve Bari, Reggio Calabria, Salerno, and Caserta from Centrale, and regional services connect the station to smaller stops across Campania.
Napoli Afragola, the station to avoid unless you know why you are there
Afragola is a high-speed station located around 12 kilometres from the Naples city centre. Some Trenitalia Frecciarossa and Italo services stop there instead of, or in addition to, Centrale. There is no metro link between Afragola and Naples city centre.
To reach the centre from Afragola, you need to take a connecting train back to Napoli Centrale, the fastest services take around 14 minutes, though most take longer, or use a taxi or transfer service. Neither option is quick.
The mistake is easy to make. Booking engines often show only the city name in search results. The station, Napoli Centrale or Napoli Afragola, only appears when you open the full train details. Do that before you pay.
Afragola is useful if you are continuing north to Caserta or Benevento, or if you are a transit passenger with onward transport already arranged. For everyone else, choose a service that terminates at Napoli Centrale.
Napoli Garibaldi, where to catch trains to Pompeii and Sorrento
Below the main concourse of Napoli Centrale is a separate underground station served by the Circumvesuviana network, run by EAV, Ente Autonomo Volturno. These trains do not appear on the Trenitalia departure boards. The ticketing is separate.
This is the station for day trips around the Bay of Naples.
Trains to Ercolano Scavi, the stop for the Herculaneum excavations, take around 20 minutes. Pompeii Scavi (the stop is named Pompeii Villa dei Misteri) takes around 35 to 40 minutes. Sorrento, the end of the line, takes around 55 to 70 minutes. Trains run every 30 minutes or so throughout the day, but they are popular and can get crowded in summer.
Finding the Circumvesuviana platforms
From the main hall of Napoli Centrale, follow signs for Napoli Garibaldi or Circumvesuviana. You descend by escalator or stairs toward the Piazza Garibaldi side of the building. EAV ticket machines are at the underground level. You can also pay by contactless bank card at the gate. Buy before boarding, EAV tickets are not sold at Trenitalia windows.
Your rail pass does not work here
Eurail and Interrail passes do not cover EAV or the Circumvesuviana. The network is outside the Italian national rail system. Buy a separate EAV ticket at Napoli Garibaldi.
Fares are low. As of June 2026, a single journey to Pompeii costs around €3.20 and to Sorrento around €4.50, though fares can be updated. Check the current fare at the EAV machines or at eavsrl.it before you travel.
Napoli Mergellina, a local option on the western waterfront
Mergellina is a smaller station on the western side of Naples, in the Mergellina district. Some Intercity and suburban trains stop here. Long-distance Frecce trains do not.
For most visitors it is not the right arrival point. If you are staying near Chiaia, Posillipo, or the Mergellina seafront, check whether your Intercity service calls here, it can save time compared to arriving at Centrale and backtracking. But for anyone coming from Rome, Milan, or Florence by high-speed train, Centrale is the station to use.
Check your ticket for the stop order on Intercity services. Some southbound trains call at Mergellina before Centrale; others do not. Confirming the order means you do not disembark a stop too early.
Getting to Naples airport by train
There is no train or metro link to Naples Capodichino airport. The practical option is the Alibus shuttle, which runs between the airport and a stop on Corso Novara, near Piazza Garibaldi and Napoli Centrale. The fare is €5 each way. Buses run every 20 to 30 minutes, between approximately 06:30 and midnight.
The journey takes around 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Naples traffic can be heavy, particularly in summer and during weekday mornings. If you have a flight to catch, allow more time than the schedule suggests. A taxi from Centrale to the airport is the alternative, confirm the fare before you leave.
Rail passes and reservations in Naples
Frecciarossa and Italo require a seat reservation, even with a pass
A Eurail or Interrail Pass covers the journey on Trenitalia and Italo high-speed trains, but not the right to board without a reservation. Seat reservations are mandatory on every Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, and Italo service, even with a rail pass. As of June 2026, the pass-holder seat reservation fee on Trenitalia Frecciarossa is €13.
Book your reservation through Trenitalia, the Italo website, or the Eurail/Interrail booking portal. On busy summer evenings and Friday departures from Centrale toward Rome, trains fill quickly, book in advance if you have a fixed departure in mind.
The Circumvesuviana is not included in any rail pass
Eurail and Interrail covers services on the Italian national rail network. EAV and the Circumvesuviana are not part of that network. Buy a separate EAV ticket at Napoli Garibaldi. It is inexpensive, but your pass will not substitute for it.
Which Naples station should you use?
For almost every long-distance arrival, book Napoli Centrale. It is central, metro-connected, and served by all the major operators.
For Pompeii, Herculaneum, or Sorrento, go to the Napoli Garibaldi underground level beneath Centrale. Buy an EAV ticket there, not a Trenitalia ticket, and not your rail pass.
Before paying for any high-speed ticket, confirm the station name in the train details. If it shows Napoli Afragola and you want the city centre, choose a different departure.
And if you are flying in or out of Capodichino, the Alibus from near Piazza Garibaldi is your connection. There is no train to the airport.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main train station in Naples?
Napoli Centrale is the main train station in Naples. It is on Piazza Garibaldi, in the city centre, and is where most long-distance and high-speed trains, including Frecciarossa and Italo services, arrive and depart. Metro Lines 1 and 2 connect to the station, making onward travel across the city straightforward.
Are Napoli Centrale and Napoli Garibaldi the same station?
They share the same location, Piazza Garibaldi, but they are not the same. Napoli Centrale is the mainline station served by Trenitalia and Italo. Napoli Garibaldi is the underground level beneath it, operated by EAV and serving the Circumvesuviana network to Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Sorrento. The two use separate platforms, separate ticketing, and different train operators.
What is the difference between Napoli Centrale and Napoli Afragola?
Napoli Centrale is the city-centre station, on Piazza Garibaldi. Napoli Afragola is a high-speed bypass station around 12 kilometres north of the city, with no metro connection to the centre. Most visitors arriving in Naples should book Napoli Centrale. If your ticket shows Napoli Afragola, you will need a taxi or connecting train to reach the city centre, check the station in your booking before you pay.
How many train stations does Naples have?
Naples has four main train stations for different purposes: Napoli Centrale (the main long-distance and high-speed station, Piazza Garibaldi); Napoli Garibaldi underground (Circumvesuviana/EAV network to Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Sorrento); Napoli Afragola (high-speed bypass, 12 km from city); and Napoli Mergellina (smaller station on the western waterfront, used by some Intercity services).
How do I get to Pompeii by train from Naples?
Take the Circumvesuviana from the Napoli Garibaldi underground level, below Napoli Centrale. This network is run by EAV, not Trenitalia, buy a separate EAV ticket at the underground level, as Eurail and Interrail passes are not valid here. The stop for Pompeii is called Pompeii Villa dei Misteri (also shown as Pompeii Scavi). The journey takes around 35 to 40 minutes. Trains run roughly every 30 minutes.
Does Eurail or Interrail cover the Circumvesuviana?
No. Eurail and Interrail passes do not cover the Circumvesuviana (EAV) network. EAV is a separate regional operator outside the Italian national rail system. You need to buy a separate EAV ticket at Napoli Garibaldi before boarding. Fares are low, around €3.20 to €4.50 for most destinations, but your rail pass is not accepted.
Is there a train from Naples to the airport?
No. There is no rail or metro link to Naples Capodichino airport. The Alibus shuttle bus runs between the airport and a stop on Corso Novara, near Piazza Garibaldi and Napoli Centrale. The fare is €5 and buses run every 20 to 30 minutes. The journey takes around 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Do I need a seat reservation on Frecciarossa with a rail pass?
Yes. Seat reservations are mandatory on all Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, and Italo high-speed trains in Italy, even if you have a Eurail or Interrail Pass. As of June 2026, the pass-holder seat reservation fee on Trenitalia Frecciarossa is €13. Book your reservation through Trenitalia, the Italo website, or the Eurail/Interrail booking portal before you travel.
