Naples Airport

NAP is a mixed experience: confusing for arrivals but pleasant for departures. There aren't any jetbridges so you'll be bussed to or from the terminal even if the aircraft is parked only ten meters away! Arrival is quick but it is a little confusing to find the right bus stop. Two lines go to the city: Line 3S which costs 1€ but never came and the Alibus bus which costs 3€ and tends to leave whenever it wants and not according to a fixed schedule. It is a short drive to the city though. On departure check-in for Alitalia was quick although unfriendly but I noticed long queues for Easyjet and HLX flights. The departure lounge is crowded so it is better to wait landside and go to the restaurants and waiting area on the 1st floor. Security control is quick and efficient. And the whole airport including the lavatories is very clean which is a complete difference to the city centre!

Check-in at NAP was a nightmare -- at least for EasyJet. The counter opened 20 minutes after it was scheduled to. At first only one counter was open. When a second opened there was a mad rush from the line at the first one into the line for the second. Security was not particularly tight. The rental car return area is a fair distance from the terminal with frequent shuttles that negotiate the notorious Naples traffic very well.

Arriving in Capodichino is a quick and easy matter. Just a couple of steps and you're outside the building and basically in the middle of the town. There's a selection of car rentals in the arrival hall but it takes ages to actually get the keys and papers if there are more than two people in the queue. Getting to the car eventually is another interesting experience as the AVIS/SIxt/Hertz etc parking area is located far away from the airport and there are no directions whatsoever where to go. It turned out there's a small shuttle van (also without any discernable signs or labels) commuting between arrival hall and the various parking lots. The drivers don't speak English (or any other language but Italian for that matter) and cannot tell you where you're supposed to find your car. On departure you may find the checkin quite crowded but once through it leads to a light and open lounge area with a number of shops and some fast food restaurants (Burgerking Autogrill). There's also a restaurant/cafe upstairs with nice view across the airport. It seems to be common practice to transport passengers by bus to their designated planes even if it's just 10 meters away.

NAP offers the traveller two experiences different for arriving and departing passengers. It is perhaps a little disturbing that it is more pleasant to depart. On arrival there are no air bridges and the arrivals hall is dim and busy. It reminded me of ALC 20 years ago; ALC has moved on. I would not like to have seen the busy baggage claim busier. There was also some pretty insane crowding towards a single exit from the terminal building itself - not strictly necessary as there were other exits available such as the one to which we followed our driver. Departing NAP 22 April I experienced a swift check-in open early and was offered (didn't have to request) an exit row. Airside the departure lounge was light and airy with an excellent cafe/lounge which has a great view. Crowding at the B gates of the departure area is caused as much as anything by the continuing refusal of our government to sign the Schengen agreement - Schengen departures enjoyed more of the light airy circulating area.

We have recently flown in and out of Naples for a weekend break to Sorrento and found the airport to be easy to use and a pleasant experience all round. Planes disembark on the tarmac away from the terminal and you are bussed all of 50 feet to the arrivals terminal. There is insufficient space to allow all passengers to wait inside the arrivals terminal so the queue extends outside ok if the weather is fine. We only had hand luggage but as we went through arrivals there were passengers from our flight collecting baggage from the conveyors. Plenty of taxis outside to take you to the city centre and i believe there is a limit of 12.50 euros for the fare. There is a bus terminal outside which is good for travel to the City port and along the Amalfi coast to Sorrento. The bar outside is expensive but no more than you would expect. Check-in on our return Sunday evening was easy with no queue although the BA flight to Gatwick was quite full. The restaurant/eating area upstairs was incredibly good value with a reasonable range of foods from a Pizza/pasta place to BurgerKing and paninis of course. If you are going to Sorrento it is probably a good idea to go to the port and take the ferry. The journey by bus or train is through some pretty grotty areas and does not really set you up for the pleasure of central Sorrento.

This airport is actually quite fun to use. A lot of improvements lately as it is under new management. Very close ride to Plaza Garibaldi. You can almost walk to it from there

Small regional airport not very well connected to Europe especially after Sabena Swissair and Olympic withdrew their services. The only main international links are with LGW CDG MUC and NCE. Clean very well connected to the city wide choice of food and pleasant atmosphere... The biggest feature of Capodichino though is the stunning view of the bay you get with Mt. Vesuvius and the islands after take off

The airport has two nice and modern terminals with nice shops. The ground staff is efficient and polite and the airport is very well served by public transportations and taxis to the city.