We’ve Worked (and Eaten) Our Way Across Naples Airport – Here’s the Only Real Guide You’ll Need

We’ve clocked more hours in Naples Airport than we can count—sometimes as hopeful vacationers, sometimes dragging our luggage on work trips, and today, writing this from the surprisingly peaceful lounge downstairs in the international departures.

There’s a babba still on our coffee table, espresso in hand, and the familiar thrum of Neapolitan travel chaos all around us. This is the only Naples Airport Guide you’ll need to be prepared.

If you’re heading to or transiting through Napoli, here’s an airport experience as raw, real, and current as it gets. With tips about shops, how to get to and from Naples Airport, wi-fi, car rental and more.

Where is Naples airport?

Naples Airport is one of the few airports in the world located right in the centre of the city. Forget long transfers to get to the airport. The flight terminal of Naples airport is barely twenty minutes from the heart of Naples. Even if you’re flying in from the Amalfi Coast or nearby Campania towns, it couldn’t be easier: just exit the motorway and you’re right here.

Yet, for all that, Naples Airport is oddly under-served by public transportation—no metro, no train connection, just a handful of options, and, frankly, a bit of frustration. Following local news, there are plans for improved transportation, with eta 2026. ]

How to get to Naples Airport

We’ve tried every way, and we’ll be honest: nothing works perfectly, but some options are better, especially once you know the quirks. There are five options to get to and from Naples Airport:

• Taxi
• Public bus
• Shared Taxi
• Rent a Car
• Pickup/Drop-off Service

Regular Taxi

Naples taxi drivers have a reputation, but for speed, straight to your hotel or apartment, they can’t be beat. The fixed price for the city centre (€18ish) is fair, but we recommend you always use the official taxi rank outside arrivals. Anyone offering “taxi, taxi” inside? Keep walking. Right outside the arrival hall, keep walking to the outside. There you’ll find a sign for the taxi stand. Bear in mind there is always a queue, but it is usually fast.

If you book your taxi in advance, there is a coffee shop on your right when exiting the arrival hall. Wait for the call from your taxi; chill, you’re in Naples.

Alibus

The Alibus is the main airport shuttle—it’s cheap (€5), reasonably frequent, and takes you to Piazza Garibaldi or the ferry terminal. Except, every time we land, the queue for tickets or the bus itself rivals a Champions League match. Book your ticket online to skip the ticket line (this works!), but if there are not enough spaces, you might still queue for boarding. Book your Alibus ticket in advance here.

Transfer to the Amalfi Coast

If you are just passing through Naples Airport and your final destination is one of the towns on the Amalfi Coast, we suggest booking the transfer in advance. It takes approximately 1 hour to reach Sorrento, 2 hours to reach Positano, and and a little more for Amalfi.

The Van transfer is the most reliable and fastest way to get to the Amalfi Coast from Naples Airport. The alternative is to take the Alibus to Naples’ main train station, and from there, a Vesuviana train (which can be unreliable). This option will only take you to Sorrento, so you’ll need to get another bus to Positano and over.

If the transfer sounds like the best option to you, check this one, which we highly recommend (€25 – one way).

Private & Shared Transfers

This is our new comfort hack: hop on a shared transfer van. The price is basically the same as Alibus, you’re one of max eight people, and you’re taken direct to either Piazza Garibaldi (the train station) or the Cruise Ship Harbour (Molo Beverello). No elbows, no standing with your suitcase pinching your toes for 30 minutes.

To hop on a shared white Taxi van, pass the Taxi stand, and cross the road toward the Alibus. On your right, next to the parking lot, you’ll find people offering you the service. Please note that they accept only cash. However, you can pay your equivalent share in currencies other than euros. We saw a couple of tourists, bargaining for USD exchange.

Car Rentals

Driving in Naples is crazy, but sometimes it’s the wisest idea. Renting a car at Naples Airport is perfect if you’re headed for the Amalfi Coast. Car rental offices are right at the exit of the arrival hall. Some (and the cheapest) are offering a taxi service to the nearby office. This is the option we used a couple of times, and found the best deals through Discover Cars.

Terminal Walkthrough: One Terminal, Two Halls

Naples Airport is straightforward—just one main terminal. No need to get lost, no need for a terminal shuttle. Domestic and EU flights tend to leave from the upper floor; most international (non-Schengen) gates and passport control are on ground level. Our routine trip to London always leaves from Gates A8-A12, nearly always downstairs. This is everything you should know about Naples Airport:

• Security at Naples Airport
• Facilities
• Shops, Eateries and more
• Airport Lounge
• Wi-fi, Charging
• Boarding and Passport Control
• Arrivals Hall
• Lost and Found

Security

Modern enough—queues build up at popular hours, but they move fast thanks to friendly staff waving people to whichever counter opens next (it’s Napoli, there are always a few shortcuts). No fancy electronics policy: laptops and tablets have to come out, and liquids are standard 100 ml or less. We dream of the day Naples upgrades to smart scanners, but for now, old-fashioned reality rules.

Facilities: Our Daily Work and Snack Routine

We test all the seating, lounges, and work corners (as this article is being written from one!). Both floors are lined with rows of chairs—updated, mostly clean, fairly comfortable by airport standards. We like the upstairs first floor most: the sofas are comfy, and nearly every seat has an outlet nearby for charging. If you’re working, it’s easy—and blissfully quiet compared to the gates.

Downstairs, by international departures, there’s a smaller open lounge/coworking area. In theory, it’s ideal for digital nomads. In reality, the sofas aren’t the most comfortable, and they quickly fill up with travelling families. Today, as we type, it’s a symphony of iPad games and parents corralling toddlers. Not bad for a quick email, less so for focused sessions.

Bathrooms are easy to find and rarely too busy; they’re not boutique-hotel standard but serve their purpose, with plenty of cubicles. There’s a filtered water fountain here—single, overused, but you’ll always find a line of travellers filling their bottles (tip: bring your own and fill up early, as the queue gets ridiculous in busy times).

Eating and Drinking: Real Neapolitan Flavours, Not Just Airport Fodder

One thing we love: Naples Airport eats are a level above your standard sad sandwich.

• Bellavia Bakery: Personal favourite here, and our absolute must-stop. We celebrate every departure with espresso and a babba or sfogliatella from Bellavia—one of the legends of Naples pastry. It’s bright, efficient, and the pistachio treats are almost too good.
• Coffee: Before leaving Naples, you must get a coffee. There are many coffee shops in the airport’s departure area, as well as one in the arrival hall. No one is a failure, and if you are happy with Lavazza, there is an official shop before departures.
• Toastissimo (before security): For a hot, quick, cheap sandwich. Rely on it for the last-minute takeaway meals.
• McDonald’s: On the first floor, above the check-in desks, reliable and quick for families or picky eaters. There are also a few seats available to wait for your turn to access the security area.
• Ice Cream at Venchi: There is a gelato you can’t miss at Naples Airport. Venchi is a well-known ice cream shop brand and is unmissable if you fancy it.
• Eccellenze Costiera: Think about an Amalfi Coast-themed restaurant/cafe in the middle of a chaotic airport. A slice of paradise where the taste is delightful sorbetto, sweet treats and more.

Duty-free shopping is cheerful and well-curated. Limoncello, Neapolitan-themed souvenirs, and a selection of local artisanal brands line the shelves. Beyond, you’ll find premium shops, a “tabacchi” for last-minute items, and a cluster of small restaurants and bars specialising in local fare.

Airport Lounge

Naples Airport has only one lounge, located on the upper floor of the departure hall. Pearl Lounge is a spacious and well-designed area located directly in front of Gate C19. The lounge offers all the best amenities, including hot and cold food, alcoholic beverages, a private Wi-Fi network, shower facilities, and facilitated access. // GRAB YOUR PASS HERE!

Wi-Fi, Charging, and seating areas

Wi-Fi is stable and free—nothing fancy, but good enough for loading documents, streaming short videos, or hammering out a blog post like this. There are outlets available almost everywhere on the first floor, and some are also accessible in the ground-floor coworking lounge (please note that chargers tend to fill up quickly).

Boarding, Passport Control, and Standing Room Only

Passport control for international (non-Schengen) flights takes place on the ground floor, and if you’re flying to London, as we’re, you’ll get to know it well. Staff are usually efficient, prone to the occasional joke, but lines can snake out into the main hall at busy times. Patience is required, but you’ll move through.

Boarding announcements are made in both Italian and English, but the gates are close together, and the few available seats fill up quickly. Getting a flight from the ground floor means you need a bus transfer to your plane, so expect to queue after boarding checks.

Arrivals: The Napoli Welcome

We always know we’re back when we see the mass of passengers hustling for luggage (and usually, spontaneous clapping as wheels hit the tarmac). Once we stood in the sun, as it was peak time (usually around midday), before passport checks.

The queue for EU passports moves quick, while other passports are slower. Be careful and listen to announcements, as EU passports will allow you to skip ahead in the queue. The luggage pickup is located next to the passport control, and in the same room, you’ll also find the baggage claim and complaints.

Once outside, ignore anyone who tries to direct you to “special” taxis or luggage services—stick to official stands.

Final Thoughts: Always a Little Adventure

Naples Airport is what Naples itself is: vibrant, slightly chaotic, always full of character. We’ve found our rhythm—shared van to the city, Bellavia pastry, working upstairs, and a little patience at every step.

Our Naples Airport Ritual

• Buy the shared van ticket in advance (always worth it).
• Coffee and babba from Bellavia—never skip this.
• Work upstairs when we can, refuel at the single water fountain, and enjoy the people-watching.

We’ve landed, eaten, worked, and written from every corner here. Naples Airport might not win awards for polish, but give it the right expectations, a little curiosity, and maybe a sweet treat or two, and it’ll become part of your Naples story, too.