We’ve just finished a 10-day trip across Florence, Rome, and Naples and wanted to share some observations and lessons learned.
Public transportation was somewhat confusing, especially with different systems and payment methods in each city. The Naples subway was the easiest to use with a tap-on/tap-off system. The Italo app worked well for intercity train tickets, though prices tended to increase slightly (around $10–15) as travel dates approached.
We took the Naples Underground tour, but the booking process did not clearly indicate the language selection. We ended up with an Italian-language tour and were told we could wait an additional hour for an English one, though availability wasn’t guaranteed. This is something to double-check when booking.
Timings for attractions were somewhat flexible. Arriving 15–30 minutes early often resulted in being allowed entry ahead of the scheduled time.
For local transport, tap-and-pay on buses was inconsistent. Payments sometimes didn’t process correctly or appeared declined later due to processing location issues. On one occasion, a broken card reader led to being fined after boarding without a valid ticket. Carrying a physical ticket from a tobacco shop is advisable as a backup.
Renting a Vespa was considered but ultimately avoided due to heavy traffic and challenging driving conditions.
There were no major safety concerns during the trip, and no noticeable pickpocketing incidents.
Card payments were widely accepted, reducing the need for cash. Overall, the trip was positive, and the country offered a strong mix of culture, food, and experiences.
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