Travel Information for your trip
If you are planning to visit Naples in this section ( Travel Information ) you’ll find some useful travel information that you may need during your amazing stay here. Whatever the length of your stay you’ll find useful a few tips.
ADDRESSES
The Italian address is formed by the word “Via”, “Viale” or “Piazza” followed by the name and the number. The postcode, “CAP”, is written before the name of the city. The word “int” is indicative of the apartment number and the words “scala” and “piano” of the staircase and floor number.
AGE RESTRICTIONS
It’s forbidden to sell and serve alcoholic and tobacco products to minors under 18. All buildings and public places, including bars, restaurants, cinemas and theatres are no smoking areas. The minimum age for driving a car is 18.
AIRPORT
Capodichino is Naples international airport and is 7 kms away from the city centre. You may catch a taxi or the Alibus service to reach the centre or, if you prefer, rent a car. For more travel information you can visit the website www.gesac.it
BANKS
Bank opening hours depend on the banks. Generally they are open from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 1.30pm and from 2.45pm to 4.30pm. Possible variations according to single banks. Very few banks are also open on Saturday mornings. The opening hours are shown at the entrance. In Italy ATMS are known as bancomat. They can be found everywhere in the area and are an easy and efficient way to get cash for the travelers.
CLIMATE
In Naples you will find the typical and pleasant Mediterranean climate with dry and hot summers, refreshed by the sea breeze, and mild winters. July and August are the hottest months and January and February the coldest ones. Between June and October the seawater temperature keeps on 22 degrees. The ideal time to visit the city is during spring and autumn.
COUNTRY CODE
Italy’s country code is 0039 (+ 39 from mobile phones). The area code for Naples is 081 and must always be dialled even calling within the area. So, if you are calling Naples from abroad or even when in Naples from your mobile phone, you must dial 0039081 plus the individual number. Neapolitan local numbers generally contain 7 digits. Numbers beginning with 800 are toll-free lines. Public telephones accept only magnetic cards, “schede telefoniche”, that can be bought at tabacchi, post office and news-stands.
CREDIT CARDS
In many shops, supermarket, restaurants, hotels and museums the major credit cards are accepted. In case of loss or theft of your card, don’t worry, you can block its use calling the special toll free numbers: VISA 800819014, MASTERCARD 800870866, AMERICAN EXPRESS 0672900347, DINERS CLUB 800864064.
CURRENCY
In Italy the official currency is the EURO (€). There are banknotes of different sizes and colors depending on the value and coins. Banknotes: 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 Coins: 2, 1 euros, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, 1 Cents.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity in Italy is 220 volts. You may need a two-pin adapter sold at airport or electrical shops.
PHARMACIES
They are recognizable by a large green cross outside the shop. The pharmacies are open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 1.30pm, 4.30pm to 8pm. There are duty chemists on Saturdays, Sundays and at night. All pharmacies have a list of these shown at the entrance.
POSTAL SERVICES
The post offices are open Monday-Friday generally 8am-1,30pm, Saturday mornings until 12,30pm but some offices are open until 6,30pm. Stamps may be bought here and at tobacconists. In Italy at the post office you can mainly pay bills, collect a pension and send parcels.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Important travel information. In Italy there are some public holidays. On these days banks, tourist offices, shops will be closed and the museums may be open for shorter time. They are: New Year’s day (1 January), Epiphany (6 January), Easter Monday, Liberation Day (25 April), Labor day (1 May), Republic Day (2 June), Assumption (15 August), All Saints’ Day (1 November), Immaculate Conception (8 December), Christmas Day (25 December), St. Stephen’s Day (26 December). On 19 September Naples celebrates its local patron saint, San Gennaro.
SHOPS
The shops are open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 1.30pm, 4.30pm to 8pm. A few of them are open also on Sunday mornings, as the supermarkets. The shops in the malls are open no stop every day.
TABACCHI
The shops selling tobacco products have got a sign outside showing a large white T on a blue or black background. They have the opening times of a normal shop and have vending machines for cigarettes outside the entrance when closed.
TIME
Italy is 1 hour ahead of Great Britain or Greenwich Mean Time, 6 hours ahead of New York state and 9 hours behind Sydney. In spring and summer Italians move the clocks forward 1 hour (ora legale) and go back to the ora solare in autumn.
TOURIST OFFICES
We recommend you to visit these tourist points to collect all the information and paper maps to visit the city. Here you can ask for the events planned in your period in the area and efficient and kind people will help you:
EPT-Ente provinciale del turismo at Piazza dei Martiri, phone number 0814107211 and at Central Station phone number 081b268779
APT-Aziende Autonome di soggiorno cura e turismo Napoli at Via San Carlo 9, phone number 081402394 and Piazza Del Gesù, phone number 0815512701
WATER
The tap water is drinkable almost everywhere in Italy.
VISA
Italy is one of the countries that signed the Schengen convention so belonging to the border-free travel zone, known as Schengen area. EU citizens don’t need a VISA to enter Italy but a permit to stay or “permesso di soggiorno” if they want to stay longer than 90 days. Nationals of other countries may need a VISA from the beginning of their stay, like South Africa citizens or for stays longer than 90 days like Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zeland, Switzerland and the USA.