I am trying to help a friend find the best route from Raleigh-Durham to Naples, IT. There doesn't see to be any way around at least two stops. They are used to having difficult routes when they fly internationally, but this one is especially hard.

Anyone have a suggestion?

Yes, Delta has the best options but it is 2 stops each way and $1296 right now.

Theoretically you could do a 1 stop with RDU to London (Heathrow) on AA, then London Gatwick on EasyJet or BA

Not something I'd recommend. AA used to fly to Gatwick but they switched to Heathrow some time ago.

I think your best bet is single carrier (or codeshare) with 2 stops, 1 of which would need to be in Europe.

Bottom line...the choices are limited, and the travel time will be long and hard. I've been working on this for two days, and basically, I've come up with the same info the two of you have suggested.

Thanks.

Is the only choice to fly to Naples? Would a flight to Rome, then train work?

Have you checked booking a flight from Raleigh to JFK and then booking from JFK to Naples?

My local airport is smaller and I always book a separate ticket going to an international hub. I always come out cheaper that way too with more control over my stops/layovers. Check your local airport and look at the smaller airlines which do nonstop to JFK. It is usually a nominal expense. Then search for JFK to Naples.

For instance, Aer Lingus flies from JFK to Naples with only a short layover in Dublin. I randomly chose a March 26th departure date and the one-way fare was $552 tax/fee inclusive.

I don't think you will find a direct flight into Naples from the US. At least, I could not.

Good luck!

It's ironic, given that AA supposedly switched the RDU floght from LGW to LHR to make it easier to connect to BA flights, that the Naples flight leaves from LGW. However, I'd seriously consider that routing, as there's plenty of time for the coach ride between airports, and the mid-week rates don't look too bad. Otherwise I'd take Jet Blue to JFK and fly to Naples from there, but like JenLee I don't see any non-stops.

Meridiana Fly come direct to Naples from JFK, but are usually a little late in announcing their schedule...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop..._Campania.html

Peter

Michael_Paris, I suggested fying into Rome and then taking the Eurostar to Naples where a driver could pick them up and take them to Sorrento. I didn't get a no, but I didn't get a yes either. I've done that itinerary at least four times.

Part of the problem is that this couple has traveled the world, but they always use a travel agent. Also, the military provided transportation for decades. If we were taking the same route with them, none of this would be an issue.

Peter, I checked the online reviews about Meridiana Fly, and don't think they are an option for these people.

Time is awasting...April 19th is not far off. What to do?

If you are their travel agent (and therefore on call if there are issues enroute), then I'd book single airline with 2 stops.

International flights out of RDU are very limited, so let them choose preferred airline or alliance and book 2 stops, direct into Naples.

Delta - Atlanta to Rome to Naples (Skyteam?)
UA/Star Alliance - RDU to IAD to FRA to NAP
Oneworld/AA/BA - RDU to LHR / xfer to LGW to Naples

Personally I'd do star alliance (United + Lufthansa) through IAD and FRA or MUC due to seamless connections, multiple flight options for each leg, etc.

You don't want to deal with the "We can't find the limo driver" or "we missed our train, what to do" or infinite # of mess up possibilities.

J62, I don't know if you intended it to be funny: "You don't want to deal with the "We can't find the limo driver" or "we missed our train, what to do," but I had to laugh.

I also like the United/Lufthansa itineraries, and I do agree bundling the codeshare/alliance airlines on this trip, which I have already suggested.

I did send another email to them suggesting RDU-JFK-FCO, take a taxi cab to Roma Termini and board a Eurostar to Naples. Depending upon which train you book, some take as little as 1:10. A driver could pick them up at the Naples Centrale station and drive them to their hotel in Sorrento.

As so it goes...

I am trying to understand the picture. So, even though they have traveled around, they themselves did not have to go thru the difficult part of going through itinerary trade-offs. Someone else did for them, or they were given free rides and lived with what the military provided. I am presuming that your involvement was needed because they don't know how to use online resources to do their own booking.

The US to Sorrento route involving ground is more logistically intensive trip as evidenced by many other posting asking about the same subject. Both Rome Termini and Napoli Centrale are both huge stations. They can even seem chaotic depending on just where they have been around. From the simplicity point of view, all air route involves no luggage handing all the way to Napoli as well as less chance of getting lost. The signage at airports are usually much better for tourists than the public transits usually meant for the natives.

Two layover trip is not uncommon for many folks here who don't live near major US hub airports.

Good point, Greg about landing in Napoli without the use of ground transportation from Roma. I absolutely agree that the Roma Termini and Napoli Centrale are huge, chaotic train station, which can be intimidating.

These folks are smart people, but unfamiliar with planning a trip like this on their own. Their objective, on this trip, is to mingle with the locals, visit an ancestoral village, be with good friends (as opposed to tour group), relax and do things at their own pace.

I think the 2-stop option is better, easier, and quicker than added trains and driver(s). Unless, of course, they want to add a few days to see Rome on both ends.

Otherwise, the United/Lufthansa RDU-IAD-MUC-NAP outbound and NAP-FRA-IAD-RDU return is their best bet, IMO.

I believe Eurofly has a non stop from JFK to Naples. You have to get to JFK first. From what I understand the Eurofly flight is very pleasant.

That airline disappeared in early 2010, when a merger formed Meridiana Fly - already mentioned above, and dismissed by the OP!

Peter

Thanks to everyone for your input. My friends are now working with a travel agent, who happens to be from southern Italy.

Let hope that they'll not leave it until a third meeting before mentioning their travel date?

For the record, April is almost certainly too early for Meridiana Fly's seasonal routes between JFK and both Naples and Palermo.

This appears to apply to 2012, June onwards...

http://www.meridiana.it/offers/offer...OUP_CALENDAR=0

Peter

ATL ROM direct cheapoair.com then seat61.com/italy
FrecciaRosa fast train to Naples 1 hour leave hourly no need to book 40 euros piece of cake did it last May.

Happy Planning!

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$70 with free parking save a bunch have a nice place to stay
on my return to ATL. Save hundreds on car parking.