5 really easy and fun day trips from Naples by public transport

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Day trips are a great way to explore the surroundings of a city. There are endless possibilities if you plan to make some day trips from Naples. Should you wish to visit islands, castles, ruins, mountains, small towns or even an active volcano? No problem. It can all be done on a Naples day trip. This post gives you 5 easy and fun day trips from Naples, all of which can be made by public transport. Read on to make the most of your visit to Naples.

If you are looking for day trips from Naples, that probably means that you are already visiting, or plan to, visit Naples soon. Naples is definitely worth visiting, but it’s also a large and busy city, so leaving the city behind for the day can be a nice break from the hectic big-city life.

Depending on what you like, this post will give you everything you need to know on how to make a day trip from Naples by public transport to Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii, Reggia di Caserta, Sorrento and Positano. These day trips from Naples are all super easy to make on your own, so you don’t have to book any of these trips via some overpriced travel agent or tour company. This blog post will give you the option of making day trips from Naples by train, boat and bus or a combination of them.

TIP: Don’t miss out on a Portofino Day Trip if you are visiting the Italian Riviera as well

Some of the day trips from Naples in this article can be combined, e.g the day trips to Pompeii and Vesuvius. It is possible to visit both places on the same day, but to get the most out of your time we do recommend visiting them on different days without having to stress to see it all, or maybe have to leave before you have seen it all.

Why go on a day trip from Naples?

Naples has the perfect location by the Gulf of Naples, in the Italian region of Campania. It is a city that can keep you occupied for days on end. There are so many things to see and do in the city itself, and then there is of course the food, the pizza and the coffee. On the other hand, Naples is big, noisy and busy, and to leave the city behind for some hours can be such a relief.

TIP: Read our post on a Milan City Break in case plan to visit more big Italian cities

Also, let’s not forget the surroundings of Naples. Near the city, you will find endless opportunities for a day out. There are so much to see and do in Campania, that to see it all would take weeks and maybe months.

The benefit of doing a day trip from Naples is that you get to see a lot within a short time. You can be based in Naples over several days and have a combined holiday of big city life and day trips out of town. This way you can save some time (if time matters) and you don’t have to change accommodation so often.

TIP: Visiting Berlin soon? Berlin also has lots of great options for day trips. Our post on day trips from Berlin will give you more information

Map of day trips from Naples by public transport

1. Day trip from Naples to the Royal Palace of Caserta

A visit to the mind-blowing Caserta Royal Palace, the Italian Versailles, is truly one of our favourite day trips from Naples. The Royal Palace of Caserta, or Reggia di Caserta, is the largest royal palace in the world. And what can we say? The Caserta palace is just amazing. It is hard to find words to describe the grandness of Reggia di Caserta. We can only say that it has to be experienced. Then you can judge yourself what you think of it.

The Royal Palace of Caserta, in the town of Caserta, 40km (25 mi) north of Naples, was constructed as a royal residence by the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies as their main residence as the kings of Naples. It’s not only the largest royal residence in the world, but it is also the largest palace erected in Europe in the 18th century. Today, Reggia di Caserta represents the most important masterpiece of Baroque art in Italy.

TIP: Visit Germany if you are a fan of castles. Germany is said to have around 25.000 (!) castles and palaces. Our post on Castles in Berlin will give you a taste of what to expect

The Caserta Royal Palace is huge. The facade is 247 metres long, and the palace has 5 floors, 1.200 rooms, 1742 windows, 34 staircases, 1026 fireplaces, a theatre and a large library. But don’t feel frightened by the dimensions of this monument building. Today, only parts of the palace are open to visitors, so you don’t have to visit all 1200 rooms and walk all 34 stairs. Anyway, be prepared for sprawling interiors, lavishly decorated rooms, art, furniture and crystal.

Don’t miss out on the huge, 3 km-long palace park after you’ve seen Reggia di Caserta. The park is enormous but definitely worth some of your time. If you walk to the end of the park, you will come to the waterfalls and the fountain of Diana. The entrance to the English Garden is also found at this end of the park.

Fun fact: Reggia di Caserta has been a filming location in movies such as Mission Impossible 3 and Star Wars

So, is it with to visit Reggia di Caserta? Both the park and the Royal Palace of Caserta are open year-round, and visiting this unique place is worth the time it takes. After all, it is one of the most magnificent palaces in Europe.

TIP: After visiting the palace and the park, head to the town of Caserta for lunch. The town itself is pretty unremarkable, but there’s some pretty good food to be found there. We had our lunch at Ristorante Trattoria Chichibio, located very close to the palace. Try the Pappardelle with wild boar. It’s mouth-watering!

Plan your trip – How to visit the Royal Palace of Caserta:

• Opening hours Raggia di Caserta: 08.30 am – 07.30 pm
  • Closed Tuesdays
• General admission: €18
  • Free for children under 18
• Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office
• Possible to purchase tickets online for 1€ extra
• Getting from Naples to Caserta palace:
  • Direct train from Napoli Centrale to Caserta
  • Several departures per hour
  • The journey takes around 40-55 minutes
  • Train tickets cost € 3,70 (Aug 2022)
  • Caserta train station is opposite the palace grounds
  • For timetable and tickets, check Trenitalia

2. Naples to Sorrento – a favourite of day trips from Naples

If you are looking to make an easy day trip from Naples, then maybe this beautiful Italian coastal town can be your best choice. Sorrento is located around 50 kilometres south of Naples.

This romantic town has a long history of tourism and has been a popular resort town since the 19th century, and even names such as Goethe, Dickens and Tolstoy were visiting Sorrento in their heydays. And no wonder they did. Sorrento is really a charming and romantic town. Yes, there are lots of visitors and yes, it gets busy. But even so, we think a day trip to Sorrento is something you won’t regret.

So, what to do in Sorrento you might wonder? Well, for us, the best thing to do in Sorrento is simply just walking around the charming streets in Centro Storico – the historic centre. The architecture is classic southern Italian, and in Sorrento, you will find several cosy piazzas, churches and palatial buildings. Ever heard the Italian expression l dolce far niente? It means – the sweetness of doing nothing – and for that, Sorrento is the perfect place.

The harbour and the beaches are just below the centre of Sorrento and are reached via several stairs from the above town. The views from Sorrento over the beaches, the coast and the Gulf of Naples in nothing but spectacular. Even if you don’t plan to have a swim in the sea, a walk along the waterfront is also one of the best things to do in Sorrento.

Sorrento is famous for its lemons, something you will see everywhere around the town. Never before have we seen so munch lemons. Not only can you buy the fruit itself, but there’s also no limit to what kind of nice and also very tacky souvenirs you can buy with the motif of lemons. In this way, Sorrento shows off its most touristy side. Limoncello, the delicious Italian lemon liquor, is our recommendation if you want to buy something home from Sorrento.

What more to do in Sorrento? Day trips from Naples to Sorrento can be as short or long as you want them to be, but you need to plan at least one meal while you’re there. The food is delicious, and you don’t need a fancy place to get great food. Also simple restaurants with excellent Campanian food such as Gnocchi alla Sorrentina. Start your meal with a refreshing Limoncello Spritz (it’s like an Aperol Spitz only with limoncello), or end it with a shot of cooled pure limoncello.

TIP: Sorrento is popular year-round. Stay clear of July and August if you want to avoid the biggest crowds and the highest temperatures.

Plan your trip – How to get from Naples to Sorrento

It is very easy to get from Naples to Sorrento by public transport. The most common way is to take the local commuter train, Circumvesuviana, but if you want to add a boat tour to one of your day trips from Naples, this might be the one you are looking for. You can also do a combination by taking the train one way and the boat the other way.

Naples to Sorrento by train

The local commuter train Circumvesuviana departs from Napoli Garibaldi downstairs at Napoli Centrale (Naples Central Station).

• No lift or escalator to reach the platform!
• The journey from Naples to Sorrento takes around 1h 10 minutes
• Sorrento is the last stop at the line
• It’s a commuter train and can get very crowded. Be early!
• Purchase your ticket at the station in Naples or with the GoEav App
  • The ticket office is downstairs, at the entrance to the platform
  • A ticket from Naples to Sorrento costs € 3,60 (Aug 2022)
• Several departures per hour
  • Check the timetable for the exact times
• Walking distance from the train station in Sorrento to the centre
• Be aware of pickpockets on crowded stations and trains

Naples to Sorrento by boat

Taking the ferry from Naples to Sorrento is a beautiful and scenic journey. The boat departs from Molo Bevarello Pier in Naples. The closest metro station to the pier is Municipio.

• The route is operated all year round
• Up to six daily departures in each direction
  • Check the timetable for the exact times
  • No departure on weekends from November through March
• A high-speed ferry from Naples to Sorrento takes 40 minutes
• Ticket fares one way: Adult € 14/ children 2-12 € 9,80
  • Recommended to purchase the ticket online in advance
  • You can also purchase in advance at the pier
• You need to climb 100 steep steps from the harbour in Sorrento to the centre
  • Buses and taxis are available if needed

3. Day trip from Naples to Positano

Looking for glam, glitz and the good life? Then posh Positano is the right place for you. Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful, dramatic and scenic coastlines in the entire world. And the crown? Positano of course.

The village of Positano is such a stunning mix of terracotta-and pastel-coloured houses going from high up in the hills, and steep down to the little beach below the village. People come here to see and be seen, enjoy the glamour, and indulge in the La Dolce Vita. To stay in Positano doesn’t come cheap, especially not in high season when prices are skyrocketing. Because of that, a Naples to Positano day trip might be the better option. If you prefer to spend some more time along the coast, here are some tips on how to travel the Amalfi Coast on a budget.

What to do in Positano, you might ask, or is it worth visiting Positano on a day trip from Naples? Well, if you don’t plan to stay in Positano or another village along the Amalfi Coast, then definitely add this incredible place to your list of possible day trips from Naples.

The best thing to do in Positano is simply just walking around the village. It’s hilly, steep and full of stairs. There are stairs everywhere, and sometimes it seems like they go on and on forever. But even so, we can totally recommend it. From above the village, you will get amazing views, especially along the main road at both ends of the village. Also, the view from the beach and upwards to the village is nothing but jaw-dropping. A visit to the church, Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, is also something we recommend. The view of the church in front of the beach is truly nice.

In the narrow streets of Positano, you will find several good restaurants, shops, small galleries and a wine bar. Shopping is a popular thing to do in Positano. As with everything else, this also doesn’t come especially cheap. It can get really crowded in the high season but take your time and you’ll be fine. For lunch, check out some of the beachfront restaurants (make a reservation in advance if you travel in high season), or head to Ohima Positano. The food here is excellent, and so are the cocktails. This is one of the best restaurants we visited in Positano. Reservation recommended.

Plan your trip – How to get from Naples to Positano

There are two ways how you can make this day trip from Naples to Positano by public transport. You can either make a combination of train and bus, or you can travel to Positano by sea. A third option can actually be to take a ferry from Naples to Positano, and the combination of train and bus back to Naples.

Naples to Positano by train and bus

There’s no train all the way from Naples to Positano, but you can take the train to Sorrento, and a bus from there. The total travel time is around 2-3 hours one way, depending on how your train corresponds with the bus.

You need to take the Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Garibaldi downstairs at Napoli Centrale and then change to the Sita Sud bus from Sorrento to Positano.

• No lift or escalator to reach the platform in Naples!
• The journey from Naples to Sorrento takes around 1h 10 minutes
• Sorrento is the last stop at the line
• It’s a commuter train and can get very crowded. Be early!
• Purchase your ticket at the station in Naples or with the GoEav App
  • The ticket office is downstairs, at the entrance to the platform
  • A ticket from Naples to Sorrento costs € 3,60 (Aug 2022)
• Several departures per hour
  • Check the timetable for the exact times
• Be aware of pickpockets on crowded stations and trains
• The Sita Sud Bus leaves directly outside the train station in Sorrento
  • Go down the stairs and across the street to the bus stop
• The bus takes 40 to 50 minutes from Sorrento to Positano
• Get off at Positano Sponda. It’s closest to the village
• Check the timetable for the exact departure times
• The bus fare is € 2,90 one way
• Sit on the right side of the bus when going to Positano for the view

Naples to Positano by boat

For a more scenic route from Naples to Positano, why not take the boat? There are currently two ferry companies offering this trip, and the journey takes from 1h 15 min to 2 hours. The ferries depart from Molo Bevarello Pier in Naples. The closest metro station to the pier is Municipio.

• Alilauro operates the route with two weekly sailings. Travel time is 1h 15 min
  • Fare (one way): Adult € 25/ children 2-12 € 12
  • Purchase your ticket online in advance (recommended) or at the pier
• NLG has up to 14 weekly departures. Travel time is 2h
  • Fare (one way): Adult €28,50/ children 2-12: € 14
  • Purchase ticket online in advance (recommended) or at the pier

4. Day trip from Naples to Mount Vesuvius

Have you ever dreamed of visiting an active volcano? Well, here’s your chance! From far away, the characteristic silhouette of Mt. Vesuvius is visible, and this is how you can visit the mountain as one of your day trips from Naples.

TIP: For this day trip from Naples, we recommend that you wear good and comfortable shoes. A part of the trip is hiking uphill and around the volcano crater. The terrain is slightly hilly and it can be a bit slippery.

Before erupting into history in AD 79 and destroying Pompeii on its way, Vesuvius is believed to have been as high as 3000 metres above sea level. Today, Vesuvius’ highest peak is 1281m, and is part of Vesuvius National Park (Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio).

Visiting Vesuvius is on the list of many travellers to Naples, and it can get busy in the high season. It is super easy to visit Mount Vesuvius on your own. With a combination of train, bus and a short hike, this is an easy trip that suits almost everyone. In the beginning, the hike goes uphill on a gravel path for around 850 metres before reaching the crater where it gets more flat. If you consider going on an organised tour instead, you will anyway have to hike the same distance as described here, so going on your own is no problem, and also; you will save quite much by doing it on your own.

Please note: There’s no bus in January and February. At this time of the year, you will need to organise your visit with a tour company!

Plan your trip – How to visit Vesuvius on a day trip from Naples

• For this trip, you need to take the train from Naples to Pompeii and then a bus up to Vesuvius
• Take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Pompeii ScaviVilla Dei Misteri
  • The train departs from Napoli Garibaldi downstairs at Napoli Centrale
  • The train journey takes around 36 minutes – approx € 3
  • Check the timetable for the train for the exact times
• The bus stop is across the street outside Pompeii Scavi Villa Dei Misteri station
  • Check the timetable for bus times
  • The journey takes around 50 minutes – approx € 3,50
  • No buses in January and February
• Purchase your Vesuvius ticket (€10) when you leave the bus

5. Pompeii day trip from Naples

Visiting Pompeii from Naples is probably the most popular of all possible day trips from Naples, and rightfully so. After all, it is one of Europe’s most compelling and interesting archaeological sites. One of the main reasons that this is such a popular site is the fact that Pompeii wasn’t wiped out during the volcano eruption in AD 79, but was buried under a thick layer of burning fragments of pumice stone – lapilli. Because of this, Pompeii is surprisingly well preserved. Here you will get a glimpse into an ancient Roman city, with enough architectural gems to keep you busy for hours.

Organised Pompeii tours from Naples can sell out days and weeks in advance, but by following these few steps you can visit Pompeii independently and don’t need to go with an expensive tour. You can visit the ruins of Pompeii without a guide, but for the full experience, a guided tour is recommended. Guided tours can be requested at Piazza Esedra and Porta Marina guide stations once you are there.

TIP: This is one of the most popular day trips from Naples. It will get crowded! Go as early as possible, preferably before the gates open at 09.00

Plan your trip – How to visit Pompeii from Naples

• Take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Pompeii ScaviVilla Dei Misteri
  • The train departs from Napoli Garibaldi downstairs at Napoli Centrale
  • The train journey takes around 36 minutes – approx € 3
  • Check the timetable for the train for the exact times
  • Purchase your ticket at the station in Naples or with the GoEav App
  • The ticket office is downstairs, at the entrance to the platform
• Opening hours Pompeii ruins:
  • 1 April to 30 October: 09.00 am -7.00 pm (last entry at 5.30 pm)
  • 1 November to 31 March: 09.00 am – 5.00 pm (last entry at 3.30 pm)
• General admission Pompeii: € 16
  • € 2 for EU citizens between the age of 18 and 25
  • Purchase ticket onsite or online (highly recommended)
• Guided tours can be requested between 09.00 am – 2.00 pm
  • Price and durations are agreed upon directly with the guide
  • Expect to pay from € 100
• Audio guides can be rented at the Porta Marina entrance (€ 6,50)