I will be traveling for a same day trip from Rome to Naples and back again by train. Should I buy round trip tickets in Rome and if so, is the return trip time specific or can I take any train back from Naples that I want? I'm used to traveling with a trian pass so I never worried about times, etc. Thanks!

I would buy the round-trip tickets in Rome; your return date and time can remain open. Remember to date-stamp your ticket at the station when you are about to board -- otherwise the conductors will suspect that you have been riding multiple times on an uncancelled ticket and charge you a fine.

I would also get the round trip ticket. The ticket agents in Rome are much easier to deal with than the ones in Naples. I waited to buy tickets in Naples once (I was born not far from Naples and live in the US now. I speak Italian)and will never do it again.

A round trip ticket will cost exactly twice as much as a one-way ticket, but you will save time if you buy a round trip ticket. Seat reservations are compulsory on Eurostar trains, but there are plenty of Intercity trains between Roma and Napoli on which reservations are optional, though you must pay a higher fare which used to be called a "Supplemento rapido"; if a ticket inspector finds you on an Intercity train without the supplementary ticket, the supplement costs more. Normally at station ticket offices nowadays, the staff check to see what type of train is leaving next and will probably sell you a ticket with an intercity supplement. There are also hourly stopping trains on which you can use any ticket so they are cheaper, but they take nearer three hours. The tickets are valid two months from purchase, but must be stamped in a machine at the station before boarding the train; the ticket must then be used within a specified number of hours (probably six hours for a journey the length of Roma-Napoli). You can return at any time within two months but must stamp the ticket again before starting the journey back.

Hi jr,

Keep in mind that ES* trains are reserved seat only. If you decide to take a different train you must be ticketed in advance.

For IC trains you get an open ticket. The IC is less expensive, but not as reliable. Last month, the ES* from Naples to Rome left on time. The IC left 15 min late and arrived 40 min late.

The reason I voted to buy the round trip ticket in Rome is because the ticket agents in Rome are much easier to deal with than in Naples. Believe me.