Car hire at Naples Capodichino Airport
Part city, part museum, breathtaking Naples is bursting with Renaissance architecture, engaging inhabitants and some of the world's tastiest cuisine.When you land at Naples Capodichino Airport, drive off in your Avis car rental and explore this fascinating city and the wider region... including the Pompeii site, a short drive away on the A3 motorway.
Plan your journey from Capodichino Airport
After picking up your Avis car rental, drive from Capodichino Airport to Naples on the A56 – it’ll only take 25 minutes – and start your sightseeing in the historic city centre. Naples was founded by Greek settlers in 470 BC,and since then has been home to many cultures. You’ll pass a host of impressive monuments like Santa Chiara (made up of a monastery, tombs and an archeological museum) and the imposing Nuovo castle.Visit the National Archaeological Museum for a deeper understanding of Pompeii and Herculaneum, or head to star-shaped Sant’Elmo castle for a 360-degree view of the city and the bay. The Royal Palace, which took two centuries to complete, is well worth a visit, particularly for the tour of its royal apartments. For even more culture, grab tickets to the opera at San Carlo Theater – the season runs between January and May.
Don't leave Naples without gorging on some Neapolitan pizza, followed up with sfogliatella, the shell-shaped pastry stuffed with sweet ricotta cheese. The only thing left to do is hit the shops. At Christmas, Via San Gregorio Armeno is famous for its nativity scene crafts but the artisan workshops and markets here are open all year round.
Plan your trip from Naples
With its ancient ruins and classic coastal towns, the region around Naples has a little something for everybody.Pompeii
Visiting Pompeii is definitely a must-do while in Italy and it’s just a 25-minute drive from Naples on the A3. When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, Pompeii, a Roman settlement of 20,000 people, was buried. The ensuing volcanic debris preserved the town, and visitors can get a glimpse of what life was like during that period. There are even haunting plaster casts of people in their final moments.
Sorrento
Sorrento is an hour’s drive from Naples on the A3 and SS145 and its coastline makes for a stunning expedition. Once there, stroll around the Marina Grande fishing village, where life has its own lazy rhythm, gaze at collections of fine art at the timeless Correale di Terranova Museum, or snack at one of the several gelato shops around town.
Herculaneum
Another Roman-era settlement in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius devastated by its eruption, Herculaneum is even better preserved than Pompeii. A favoured resort spot for the wealthy, touring the area will give you some idea of their opulent lifestyle. At the Ruins of Herculaneum you can visit the male and female baths, a gymnasium, as well as the remains of once-glorious villas and courtyards. To drive to Herculaneum, take the E45 from Naples.
Italian driving rules
Which side of the road?In Italy, please drive on the right side of the road.
Country driving laws
- Mobile phones may only be used with a hands-free device
- Dipped headlights must be used in poor daylight visibility when driving on motorways, dual carriageways and rural roads
- Use the outside lane to overtake on motorways and dual carriageways
- Do not use the horn in a built up area unless in danger
- There are historical areas in which you cannot drive. Look out for “Zona traffico limitato”
Speed limits
All speed signs will be in km/h. For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:
- Urban roads: 50 km/h (31 mph)
- Urban highways: 70 km/h (44 mph)
- Secondary extra-urban roads: 90 km/h (56 mph)
- Main extra-urban roads (Expressways): 110 km/h (68 mph)
- Motorways: 130 km/h (80mph)
Unless indicated by road signs.
Be aware of changes to speed limits displayed on road signs due to adverse weather conditions.
Child safety / Seatbelt laws
- It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
- Children aged under 12 and less than 150cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size
- Children weighing up to 9kg must travel in a rear-facing child restraint, in the back of the car only
Please note - it is the child’s parent/guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.
This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.