The Campania ArteCard

The Campania region of Southern Italy has a lot to offer tourists-with Naples, or Napoli, as its capitol, the Amalfi Coast, and the archeological site of Pompeii, tourist itineraries are often jam-packed with adventures.

The Campania ArteCard is a little-known, but highly useful and money-saving pass that will get you free admission and free public transportation in the Campania region-that means Naples, Sorrento, Pompeii, Amalfi, and more. If you are planning a trip to Campania, consider the following benefits of the ArteCard.

There are several different Campania ArteCards with various validity periods-in this article I will discuss the most common 3-day ArteCard.

Cost
Adults over 25 years of age can purchase the ArteCard for 25 Euros.
Young adults from 18-15 can purchase the ArteCard for 20 Euros.

Details
The 3-day Campania ArteCard will get you free admission into two museums or archeological sites in the Campania region, and discounts on visits to subsequent museums/sites. Cardholders also get 3 days of public transportation free in the Campania region, which includes usage of the Naples subway and bus system and the Circumvesuviana train system (this train connects Naples to the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii).

Museum Hints

It is quite easy to get your money's worth if you use the Campania ArteCard wisely. If you plan on visiting Pompeii, you should use your ArteCard for free admission to the Pompeii Scavi, or archeological site of Pompeii. Entrance to the Scavi is 11 Euros, so almost half of the price of the ArteCard. The Naples National Archeological Museum entrance fee is 6.50 Euros, and the Naples Museum of Art has another fee.

Public Transportation

Public transportation is really a huge benefit of the Campania ArteCard. If you plan on spending any time in Naples, you will definitely want to take advantage of the public subway and bus system in the city. Naples is quite large and impossible to see purely on foot, but the intricate system of buses, underground subways, and funiculars will get you where you need to go. Rides cost 1.1 Euros.

The Campania ArteCard also covers the Circumvesuviana train system which connects Naples, Sorrento, Pompeii, and other destinations in the Campania region (particularly on the Amalfi Coast). If you plan on visiting Pompeii, a roundtrip train ticket from Naples costs around 4 Euros. A trip to Sorrento on the Circumvesuviana line costs about 8 Euros from Naples. Think of the savings you will get when using the Campania ArteCard instead of paying out of pocket for these tickets!

Other Benefits

There are other benefits to the ArteCard and you will receive a large booklet that outlines these benefits upon purchase of the ArteCard. Other than free museum and archeological site entrances, you will also be eligible for museum and site discounts, as well as some audio guide discounts.

Where to Buy the Campania ArteCard

You can purchase the Campania ArteCard online. It is also offered at many locations across the Campania region, including the Naples Central Train Station, Tourist Offices throughout Naples, and the Circumvesuviana Station.

**This article was written in 2009 and entrance fees may have changed, so be sure to check current prices.