Miki2621

I am planning a trip to Italy that will start in Venice and in either Rome or Naples (Amalfi Coast area).

Does anyone see a reason why I shouldn't just end my trip in Naples and fly home from there versus going to Naples and the going to Rome and returning from there? The cost is not very different and I would likely fly from Naples to Rome and then direct to home from there. I would like to end my vacation with a few relaxing days enjoying the coast.

I appreciate any feedback.

RonZ

This is confusing. Train time between Naples and Rome is a little over an hour.

frencharmoire

It's no problem so long as you don't buy a separate air ticket to get from Naples to Rome the day of your return flight. You need to have all your flights in one package, so in case your flight from Naples to Rome is cancelled by the airline and you thus miss the connection from Rome to your home, whomever sold you the ticket is obliged to get you back home without any extra cost to you.

If you can buy a complete itinerary from some consolidator like Orbitz, or through an airline, fine. But don't buy a RT ticket from your home to Rome and back again from Rome, and then buy a separate ticket from a different source just to get from Naples to Rome (unless you are willing to take a risk of missing that Rome flight and getting stuck with the cost of needing to buy a new one-way ticket from Rome to where you live).

frencharmoire

The train from Naples to Rome only goes to Termini station, and from there you need to go FCO airport on another train, 30 minutes away. One must allow time to change trains at Termini and -- more importantly -- one must allow at least 2 hours to get through airport security in Rome (and 3 hours in peak summer season).

If you begin your journey at Naples airport, you only need to be at the airport one hour in advance. I would highly recommend that if you want to fly from Naples and switch in another Italian airport that you don't check bags and only have carry on (unless you don't care if your bags don't arrive with you at back "home" for some days, or are lost forever).

Miki2621

To clarify I would book a flight directly with an airline from ORD to VCE and then NAP to ORD (or FCO to ORD if I end my stay in Rome).

Alitalia has a flight that leaves NAP at 0645 and then a 2-hour layover in FCO before leaving for ORD. Is this enough time?

While I hate to leave so early, I thought the relaxation gained by ending an 18 day trip with a few days in the coastal area would be worth it.

HappyTrvlr

I would fly out of Naples. It's a nice airport, good food options too.

frencharmoire

A 2-hour layover at FCO is fine.

The airport in Naples doesn't open until 5am earliest, but you'll obviously need a taxi from the coast to take you there, which might be as much as an hour. The taxi drivers along the Amalfi do this nearly every day of their lives, so they will know exactly when you would need to be picked up. (Not sure what food you will find at the airport at 6am. One can hope for sfogliatelle + Neapolitian coffee. Mmmmmmmmmm.)

Reiterating the advice about carry on only.

bvlenci

When I return home, most of my luggage is dirty laundry, and I don't care if it gets to my house a few days later. I've never lost luggage altogether, even back in the days before electronic tagging. I keep medicine, valuables and things I couldn't bear to lose in my carryon bag.

I often transit through Rome when going back and forth between my home in Italy and various places in the US. I've had connections of as little as an hour, and the luggage has always made it on the flight. My daughter last year had some luggage arrive late when she visited me, transiting through Rome, but that went astray in the US.

Just saying that I wouldn't worry about the luggage getting home. I prefer to check nearly everything when I have a connection, especially on the way home, because I prefer to be unencumbered when walking between gates at the airport.

kybourbon

Are you planning to stay in Naples at the end or only staying on the Amalfi Coast? Naples is quite close to the airport, but Amalfi coast is a good distance.

I usually fly home from Rome, but I like Rome (feel no trip to Italy is complete unless I stop there a few days). I'm not a morning person either and I can get later flights out of Rome. AFAIK Naples doesn't have flights to the US without a change somewhere in Europe which means Naples flights have to depart early to make those connections. If I could get non-stop (direct doesn't mean non-stop) ORD/VCE and FCO/ORD, I would book that.

Dukey1

To clarify I would book a flight directly with an airline from ORD to VCE and then NAP to ORD (or FCO to ORD if I end my stay in Rome).

Actually, you aren't because that I know of there is no non-stop service from Naples to Chicago so you are going to have tom CHANGE somewhere. I suggest you think about where it is that you PREFER to change.

Miki2621

Thanks everyone! I was most concerned if the layover time would be enough to make terminal transfers and get through additional security at FCO.

I will most likely enjoy most our last day in the Amalfi area, then head to Naples late afternoon of our last day and spend the last night in a hotel closer to NAP. The 0645 departure time will be hard after our time in Italy.

frencharmoire

My advice regarding checking bags was as much about Naples airport as it was about Rome, and while one person's infrequent experience of one airport with a large system beyond their control -- except whether or not they choose to check bags -- can be instructive, so can the wider data.

http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/20...-why-you-think

your stuff, your choice. I wouldn't check bags going out of Naples airport and switching in Rome, and I like all my things to be there when I land, even if it is "just" my dirty (but valuable) clothes.