Ferries from Naples: islands, schedules, ports, and tickets
Naples: Ferry Journey Between Naples & Ischia
How do I get the ferry from Naples to Capri, Ischia, or Procida?
Ferries and hydrofoils depart from Molo Beverello (for all three islands, main port for high-speed services) and Calata Porta di Massa (mainly slower car ferries). For Capri: hydrofoil ~45 min, €24–26. For Ischia: hydrofoil ~50 min, €20–22. For Procida: hydrofoil ~35–40 min, €15–18. Operators include Caremar, Medmar, SNAV, Alilauro, and NLG. More services April–October; reduced in winter.
The ferry network from Naples
Naples is the main departure point for the three islands in the Bay of Naples: Capri, Ischia, and Procida. The port area has two adjacent terminals — Molo Beverello for most passenger services, Calata Porta di Massa for car ferries — and the logistics of navigating these correctly matter for a smooth trip.
This guide covers routes, operators, journey times, ticket pricing, seasonal patterns, and practical tips for each island.
| Main port | Molo Beverello (passenger hydrofoils) |
| Capri | ~45 min, €24–26 single |
| Ischia | ~50 min, €20–22 single |
| Procida | ~35–40 min, €15–18 single |
| Book ahead | Recommended for Capri mornings, July–August |
The two Naples ferry ports
Molo Beverello is the primary passenger terminal and the right starting point for most visitors. It sits on the waterfront near Piazza del Municipio, at the base of Castel Nuovo. The Alibus shuttle from the airport stops at Beverello — if you are going directly from the airport to an island, this is a convenient connection (allow 30 minutes buffer at minimum, 45 minutes in summer traffic).
Calata Porta di Massa is a short walk east of Beverello (10–12 minutes on foot, or a 2-minute drive). It handles car ferries to all three islands. Passengers without vehicles can use these services for a slightly lower fare, but the journey time is longer and the schedule is sparser.
See Beverello vs Porta di Massa for the full comparison and which port to use for each purpose.
How to get to Beverello from central Naples:
- From Toledo or Piazza del Municipio: 10–15 minute walk along the waterfront
- Metro Line 1 to Municipio station: 5-minute walk to the port
- Alibus (airport bus) stops directly at Molo Beverello
- Taxi from Piazza Garibaldi: ~15 minutes, fixed rate applies
Ferries to Capri
Hydrofoil (aliscafo) from Beverello:
- Journey time: ~45–50 minutes
- Fare: €24–26 single, ~€45–50 return
- Frequency: 8–12 departures per day in summer, 3–5 in winter
- Operators: Caremar, SNAV, Alilauro, NLG
Car ferry from Porta di Massa:
- Journey time: ~75–80 minutes
- Fare: ~€17–20 single for foot passengers
- Frequency: 2–4 per day
- Operators: Caremar, Medmar
Key Capri ferry notes:
- Morning departures (07:30–09:30) sell out weeks in advance in July and August — book online early
- Cars are not permitted on Capri without a special permit; take the hydrofoil as a foot passenger
- Return ferries from Capri: buy a return in Naples or buy at the Marina Grande ferry office on arrival (office opens from ~08:00)
- Last hydrofoil back to Naples typically departs Capri around 18:30–19:30 in summer; check times when you buy your ticket
Alternative departure from Sorrento: Sorrento to Capri is only 25 minutes by hydrofoil, and the journey from Naples to Sorrento adds ~70 minutes. If you are staying in the Sorrento area, departing from Sorrento port is almost always more practical. See Capri from Naples vs Sorrento for the full decision.
Ferries to Ischia
Hydrofoil from Beverello:
- Journey time: ~50 minutes
- Fare: €20–22 single
- Frequency: 6–10 per day in summer, fewer in winter
- Operators: Medmar, SNAV, Alilauro, Caremar
Car ferry from Porta di Massa:
- Journey time: ~80–90 minutes
- Fare: foot passenger ~€15–18 single; additional car fee applies
- Operators: Medmar, Caremar
Key Ischia notes:
- Ischia is the largest of the three bay islands; ferries arrive at Porto d’Ischia (the main town) or Casamicciola. Most hydrofoils go to Porto d’Ischia.
- Ischia has more to do than a short day trip allows — thermal gardens, Monte Epomeo, Forio’s beaches, and Aragonese Castle. If visiting as a day trip, plan what you want to see in advance.
- Taking a car to Ischia is possible and makes sense for longer stays, but summer road congestion on the island is significant. For a day trip, go as a foot passenger.
Ferries to Procida
Hydrofoil from Beverello:
- Journey time: ~35–40 minutes
- Fare: €15–18 single
- Frequency: 4–8 per day (more in summer)
- Operators: Caremar, SNAV
Key Procida notes:
- Procida is the smallest and least touristed of the three islands, which is much of its appeal. The island became Italy’s Capital of Culture in 2022, which raised its profile; it remains far less crowded than Capri.
- The main landing at Marina Grande di Sancio Cattolico gives immediate access to the colourful fishing village that characterises the island. Marina Corricella is a 10-minute walk and the most photographed harbour on the island.
- Day trips are very feasible — the island is walkable in a day (circumference ~17 km). Bikes and scooters are available to hire.
Ferry companies and booking
Main operators:
- Caremar: State-owned, most comprehensive network, Beverello and Porta di Massa
- Medmar: Strong on the Ischia route from both Beverello and Pozzuoli
- SNAV: Hydrofoils to Capri and Ischia from Beverello
- Alilauro: Hydrofoils to Ischia from Beverello
- NLG (Navigazione Libera del Golfo): Capri and Ischia routes
Where to buy tickets:
- At port ticket offices (multiple booths at Beverello, open from early morning)
- On company websites: caremar.it, medmar.it, snav.it, alilauro.it, nlg.it
- On aggregator sites: directferries.co.uk, ferriesineurope.com
- At the port on the day (possible in shoulder season and on less popular routes)
Practical tip: Each company has a separate ticket window at Beverello. Look for the specific company name above the window. Prices are broadly similar across operators on the same route — check a few if you want to compare.
The seasonal pattern
April–October (high season): Full schedules, 8–12 Capri departures per day, multiple operators competing. Walk-up purchase possible for most routes except peak summer Capri mornings.
November–March (low season): Reduced schedules, 2–4 departures per day per island. Rough weather cancellations increase significantly — the Bay of Naples is exposed to winter storms and a strong libeccio (south-west wind) or tramontana (north wind) can cancel services with little notice. If visiting in winter, plan for the possibility of a weather-cancelled ferry.
Bad weather: Hydrofoils (faster, smaller) cancel more readily in rough weather than car ferries (larger, slower, more stable). The car ferry may still run when the hydrofoil is cancelled. Check current conditions on the day.
Comparing the three islands by ferry
If you haven’t decided which island to visit, the ferry logistics themselves are a useful tiebreaker:
| Island | Fastest crossing | Cost (hydrofoil) | Best for a first visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Procida | ~35–40 min | €15–18 | Easiest, least crowded, good for a relaxed half-day |
| Ischia | ~50 min | €20–22 | Needs a full day; thermal parks and beaches |
| Capri | ~45–50 min | €24–26 | Most dramatic scenery, most crowded and expensive |
For the fuller picture beyond ferry logistics — what to actually do once you arrive — see Capri vs Ischia vs Procida and best island near Naples. The individual island guides (Capri, Ischia, Procida) cover on-the-ground logistics once you’ve picked a destination.
Naples to Ischia ferry ticket, booked in advance Guided Procida day tour from Naples, including ferryCombining a ferry day trip with the Amalfi Coast
Ferries aren’t limited to the three bay islands. Seasonal boat services also run along the Amalfi Coast from Naples and Sorrento, and some operators combine an island stop (typically Capri) with an Amalfi Coast town in a single long day. This works best in good weather and with realistic expectations — a combined Capri-plus-Amalfi-Coast day means less time at each stop than a dedicated single-destination trip. For visitors arriving by air, the Naples airport to city guide covers the Alibus connection to Molo Beverello if you’re heading straight to a ferry from landing.
What to expect on board
Hydrofoils are enclosed, air-conditioned cabins with airline-style seating — there is no open deck for most services, and photography of the departure or arrival is best done from the pier rather than mid-crossing. Car ferries are larger and slower, with some outdoor deck space, making them a more comfortable option in calm weather if you’d rather feel the sea air, though the trade-off is a longer journey. Seasickness is uncommon on the short bay crossings in normal conditions, but the Capri and Ischia routes can get choppy in wind — if you’re prone to motion sickness, sit toward the middle of the vessel and take medication in advance rather than after symptoms start.
Planning the rest of your trip around the ferry
A ferry day works best when the rest of your stay is arranged around it. If you have not yet settled your base, where to stay in Naples and Naples vs Sorrento as a base will help you decide which port is closest to your hotel. For the wider picture of how the islands fit with other excursions, best day trips from Naples and Naples day trips compared show how an island day sits next to Pompeii, Vesuvius or the coast.
If you are weighing a single island in more detail, the Capri day trip and getting to Capri pages go deeper on the Capri side, while Ischia thermal gardens is a useful read before you commit to a full day on Ischia. For getting around the city before and after the crossing, getting around Naples covers the metro and taxis, and Naples travel tips collects the small practical habits that make a port morning easier.
Keep some flexibility in your plans. Sea conditions decide whether a crossing runs, so avoid pinning an unmovable commitment, such as a flight or a timed ticket, to the evening of an island day. Our best time to visit Naples guide explains how the seasons shape the schedule you will be working with.
Getting to the port
From Napoli Centrale / Piazza Garibaldi:
- Metro Line 1 to Municipio station (~10 min), then walk 5 min to Beverello
- Taxi: 10–15 min, fixed rate ~€15–20
- Walking: 25–30 minutes via Via Marina / Lungomare
From Naples airport:
- Alibus to Molo Beverello: ~35–45 min, €5
- Private transfer: ~40–50 min, €35–50
Arrive at the port at least 20–30 minutes before departure to buy tickets and board. In peak summer, 45 minutes is safer — the queue for Capri morning services can be substantial.
Frequently asked questions about ferries from Naples
Can I buy a round-trip ticket at the Naples port?
Yes. Round-trip tickets are available from the ticket windows at Beverello and from online booking. The return portion is usually open (valid for any service on the same day or within a set period). Confirm the return validity when buying — some operators require you to specify a return time.
How much luggage can I take on a ferry?
Ferries and hydrofoils accommodate normal travel luggage. There is no formal weight limit for foot passengers on most services. Large cases fit in the hold area of car ferries; hydrofoils have limited luggage space and a bulky suitcase can be awkward. Travel light for island day trips.
Are there ferries from Sorrento or Positano to Capri?
Yes — Sorrento has a well-connected hydrofoil service to Capri (25 min). There are also seasonal services from Positano and Amalfi to Capri. If you are based on the Amalfi Coast, these services may be more convenient than returning to Naples port.
Is it possible to do Capri and an island on the same day?
Technically possible but exhausting — Capri alone rewards a full day. Combining two islands in one day means rushing both. The exception is if you are doing a boat tour that includes multiple island stops — these are designed for exactly this kind of combination.
Do I need to validate a ferry ticket before boarding?
Ferry tickets typically don’t require separate validation — the ticket agent checks them at boarding. Follow the instructions of the port staff at the boarding gate.
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