Practical Information for visiting Campania

Naples International Airport (Capodichino) is the region's main air gateway, roughly 20 minutes from the historic center by bus or taxi; it does not connect directly to the region's rail or Circumvesuviana network, so onward travel typically means a bus, taxi, or transfer through Napoli Centrale or Garibaldi station.

Naples itself sits on Italy's high-speed rail spine, with frequent Frecciarossa and Italo services to Rome (about an hour), Florence, and Milan -- a level of connectivity that most of southern Italy's regional capitals lack. Within the region, the Circumvesuviana commuter line runs from Naples through Ercolano (for Herculaneum) and Pompei Scavi (for Pompeii) to Sorrento, though the line is often crowded and its trains and stations are noticeably older and less maintained than the national rail network.

Reaching the Amalfi Coast and Capri generally means combining rail with road or sea: SITA buses run the coast road from Sorrento or Salerno, and ferries and hydrofoils connect Naples, Sorrento, and Salerno to Capri, Amalfi, and Positano, often faster and less congested than the coast road in peak season. A car is unnecessary and often a liability in central Naples, on the Amalfi Coast's narrow, traffic-heavy SS163, and on Capri, where private cars are restricted; a car becomes more useful only for exploring the inland Cilento, Irpinia, or Sannio areas at one's own pace.

Coverage for mobile networks is generally strong across Naples, the coast, and Capri, with 4G and growing 5G availability from the major Italian carriers (TIM, Vodafone, WindTre); coverage thins somewhat in the more mountainous interior of Irpinia, Sannio, and parts of the Cilento National Park. Wi-Fi is standard in hotels and many cafes in tourist areas, though speeds and reliability vary more in smaller Amalfi Coast towns than in Naples itself. EU roaming rules mean visitors from other EU countries generally use their home data plans at no extra charge; travelers from elsewhere typically find a local prepaid SIM, available at the airport and in Naples, the most economical option for an extended stay.

Italian is the official language, but the Neapolitan dialect (napulitano) -- classified as a vulnerable language in UNESCO's Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger rather than treated as a mere accent of Italian -- remains widely spoken in daily life across Naples and much of the region, especially in informal settings, markets, and among older residents. Visitors are not expected to understand it, and standard Italian is universally understood.

English is common in central Naples, on the Amalfi Coast, and on Capri, where tourism supports it, but noticeably less reliable away from major sites and in smaller inland towns. A handful of Italian phrases go further in Campania than in more internationally accustomed parts of Italy, and are generally well received.

• Petty theft: pickpocketing and bag-snatching (including from scooters) occur in Naples' historic center, on crowded Circumvesuviana trains, and around major tourist sites; keep bags closed and in front of you on public transport.
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• Traffic: Naples has some of Italy's densest and least predictable traffic, including scooters on sidewalks; pedestrians should stay alert even at marked crossings.
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• Counterfeit goods and street vendors: buying counterfeit goods from street sellers is illegal in Italy and can carry an on-the-spot fine for the buyer, not only the seller.
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• Coast road conditions: the Amalfi Coast's SS163 is narrow, congested, and subject to landslide-related closures after heavy rain; check local conditions before driving it.
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• Volcanic monitoring: Mount Vesuvius and the Campi Flegrei caldera are both active and continuously monitored; current alert levels are published by Italy's Civil Protection Department and are worth checking before a visit involving the summit trail.
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• Emergency number: 112, standard across Italy and the EU.

Naples and the wider region have well-equipped hospitals, including Cardarelli Hospital in Naples, the largest hospital in Campania and in southern Italy, with an emergency department (pronto soccorso) accustomed to tourists. EU citizens should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for reduced-cost or free public healthcare; visitors from outside the EU should carry private travel insurance, since public healthcare access without EU coverage can be costly.

Tap water is safe to drink throughout the region unless a tap is specifically marked «acqua non potabile». Physical accessibility is uneven: much of Naples' historic center and many Amalfi Coast towns involve steep streets, staircases, and few ramps, a consequence of terrain rather than policy, and travelers with mobility limitations should research specific sites and accommodations in advance rather than assume standard accessibility.

Sitting on the steps of monuments or historic doorways to eat is discouraged and, at some sites in central Naples, has been subject to local fines aimed at protecting the stonework; eating is generally expected to happen at a table or standing at a bar counter rather than on landmarks. Ordering a cappuccino after a meal, rather than with or after dinner, marks a visitor as unfamiliar with local habit rather than being illegal, though no one will stop you.

Modest dress -- shoulders and knees covered -- is expected for entry to churches, including major sites like the Naples Cathedral (Duomo). On the Amalfi Coast and in Capri, swimwear is generally expected to stay on the beach or boat rather than in town centers and restaurants.

112 is the general emergency number across Italy and the European Union, reachable free from any phone and typically staffed with English-speaking operators in tourist areas; it routes to police, medical, and fire services as needed. Cardarelli Hospital, in Naples, is the region's largest hospital and its emergency department is the most consistently equipped for serious cases; Ospedale del Mare, also in Naples, is a newer major public hospital serving the eastern part of the city. Pharmacies (farmacia, marked with a green cross) operate a rotating night and holiday schedule, posted in each pharmacy's window, and can handle many minor medical needs without a hospital visit.