What You Need to Know: Useful Information
The ReggiaExpress is a tourist train that takes visitors to the Royal Palace of Caserta, a key cultural heritage site in Italy. This special train offers a quick and convenient connection from Naples to the Royal Palace of Caserta, beautifully blending transportation with a cultural experience. The journey takes about 40 minutes, making it a great choice for a day trip or afternoon visit without traffic or parking issues. Far more than a simple regional train, the ReggiaExpress is a service that promotes the artistic and cultural heritage of Campania. Passengers can easily access information about the history of the Royal Palace of Caserta and local attractions through brochures, audio guides, or staff assistance. To add to the journey's appeal, the train features decorations inspired by the palace and local history. The service operates mainly on weekends and during busy tourist seasons to provide access to one of Italy's most popular monuments, making it easy to visit for those without a car or who prefer sustainable travel.
Getting There
By train
To embark on this specific cultural rail journey, you can board the ReggiaExpress directly at Naples Central Station. The train travels directly to Caserta Station, which is situated just a short, convenient walk away from the main gates of the Royal Palace.
By car
If you choose to drive to the departure point in Naples from the north or south, take the A1 highway (Autostrada del Sole) and follow the signs for Napoli Centro, parking your vehicle in one of the secure garages surrounding Naples Central Station. If you prefer to bypass the train and drive directly to the monument, take the A1 highway, exit at Caserta Nord or Caserta Sud, and follow the local city signs straight to the underground parking areas near the palace.
By bus
For regional public transit travelers looking for an alternative connection, ANM and EAV operate frequent daily intercity bus routes that link the central squares of Naples directly to the main bus terminal located right outside the Caserta train station.
Below you'll find the location marked on Google Maps. Click on it to open the location directly on your device's maps.
Useful Contacts
- Fondazione FS Italiane (ReggiaExpress Operations & Historic Rail Booking):
- Website: fondazionefs.it
- Reggia di Caserta – Biglietteria e Informazioni (Royal Palace Official Ticket Desk):
- Website: reggiadicaserta.cultura.gov.it
- Ufficio Informazioni Turistiche Caserta (Caserta Local Tourist Hub):
- Website: campaniacresce.it
What to Bring & Pro Tips
- Because the ReggiaExpress operates mainly on weekends and during busy tourist seasons to provide seamless access to this highly popular monument, it is incredibly important to book both your train tickets and your Royal Palace entrance slots online well in advance.
- Since the journey is completely free of traffic or parking issues, you can travel light, but make sure to pack a smartphone and a pair of headphones so you can comfortably enjoy the digital audio guides available during the trip.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes or sneakers, as exploring the palace's endless grand apartments and the massive, miles-long royal English gardens requires a significant amount of walking.
- Bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated while exploring the outdoor fountains, and keep an eye out for the helpful on-board staff assistance or brochures to help you map out your itinerary before the train pulls into the station.
The “Hidden Gem”
Once you have finished marveling at the monumental grand staircase and the fountains of the Royal Palace, take a short local transit trip up the hillside to discover the medieval village of Casertavecchia.
Instead of staying entirely down in the modern city basin, travel 10 kilometers uphill to find this spectacularly preserved 9th-century mountain hamlet perched high on the slopes of Mount Virgo. Originally built by the Lombards, this silent, pedestrian-only village features narrow, winding labyrinthine alleys made of dark volcanic stone, completely surrounded by ancient pine forests. At its heart sits the magnificent Cathedral of San Michele Arcangelo, a stunning architectural masterpiece that blends Sicilian-Norman, Romanesque, and Byzantine styles, complete with a towering, intricate bell tower. Walking through these cool, quiet stone corridors—where wild wildflowers grow out of the medieval masonry walls—offers a wonderfully peaceful, panoramic break from the crowded palace rooms below, rewarding travelers with sweeping views that stretch across the entire Campanian plain all the way to Mount Vesuvius.
