There are around 25 funicular railways in Italy. Four scenic and very interesting funicular railways are located in Naples. Funiculars in Naples are part of the integrated urban transport system.
Funicular Centrale
The most important funicular railway in Naples was inaugurated in 1928. It connects two of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods and is also known as the “shopping funicular” due to the nearby shopping streets. It operates between Piazza Fuga and Piazzetta Augusteo, with stops at Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Petraio.
There are two trains running on the line, each composed of three cars, with a capacity of 450 passengers per train. It is one of the busiest funiculars in the world and also one of the longest, with a track length of approximately 1200 meters and a rail gauge of 1200 mm. The journey takes 7 minutes.
The funicular operates daily, from 06:30 to 22:00 on Mondays and Tuesdays, and from 06:30 to 00:30 on other days. Trains run every 10 minutes, except from 06:30 to 07:00 and after 21:00 when they run every 15 minutes.
Funicolare di Chiaia
One of the oldest funicular railways in Italy, inaugurated in 1889. The lower station, Cimarosa, is located near the Piazza Fuga station of the Funicular Centrale.
This funicular connects residential neighborhoods and is also very popular among tourists. It transports approximately 15,000 passengers daily (8,000 on holidays).
Each train consists of two cars accommodating 300 people. The track length is 500 meters, the journey takes 5 minutes, and the track gradient is 29%.
The funicular operates daily. Timetable is similar to that of the Funicular Centrale.
Funicolare di Montesanto
Built in 1891, this funicular connects the Pignasecca district with the higher residential district of Vomero.
Two trains run on the line, each consisting of two large cars capable of carrying 300 passengers.
The trains cover 824 meters with an average gradient of 20.84%. The journey takes about 6 minutes.
The funicular operates daily from 07:00 to 22:00.
Funicolare di Mergellina
The youngest of the Neapolitan funicular railways. Construction began in the late 1920s, and it was opened in 1931.
Initially, it operated as a private railway but was municipalized after a long period. In 1985, it was closed for nine months due to renovation.
This line is very popular among tourists for its beautiful views from the cars and the upper station surroundings.
The track length is 550 meters, and the journey takes about 7 minutes. Single-car trains operate, accommodating 60 passengers. The average gradient is 19.87%, but it increases to 46% before the Mergellina station.
The funicular operates daily from 07:00 to 22:00.
Napoli Mergellina is a beautiful railway station.
Related articles:
Train travel in Italy
Narrow-gauge railways in Italy
Rack railways in Italy
Railway museums in Italy
