Getting to Capri — every ferry option from Naples, Sorrento, and beyond
From Naples: Capri Day Trip with Ferry & Island Boat Tour
What is the best way to get to Capri?
The most practical route for most visitors is the hydrofoil from Naples Molo Beverello — 45–50 minutes, runs every 30–60 minutes in season, around €22–24 single. From Sorrento the crossing takes only 20–25 minutes and the port is calmer and more manageable. Both are good options depending on where you are based.
Best way to get to Capri? Hydrofoil from Naples Molo Beverello (45–50 min, ~€22–24 single) or from Sorrento (20–25 min, ~€20–22 single). Both are fast and run regularly in season. From Sorrento the port experience is calmer and the crossing shorter, but Naples has more frequent departures.
The basics: three main departure points
Capri is served by ferry and hydrofoil from multiple ports along the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast. The main departure points for most visitors are:
- Naples Molo Beverello — the primary hub, most frequent services, direct from the city centre
- Naples Calata Porta di Massa — slower but cheaper conventional ferries
- Sorrento Marina Piccola — shorter crossing, calmer port, good if you are based on the Sorrentine peninsula
Seasonal services also run from Positano and Amalfi, and from Ischia (useful for island-hopping).
From Naples Molo Beverello
Molo Beverello is a purpose-built ferry terminal on the Naples seafront, immediately west of Castel Nuovo and Piazza Municipio. It is chaotic in peak season — ticket windows, queues, hawkers, luggage — but it is well-signposted and the services are frequent.
Operators: SNAV, Alilauro, NLG (Navigazione Libera del Golfo). All three run hydrofoils to Capri; NLG also runs conventional vessels. Ticket prices are competitive between operators.
Journey time: 45–50 minutes by hydrofoil (aliscafo). The hydrofoil rides above the water on foils and is much faster than a conventional ferry, though rougher in any swell.
Frequency: In peak season (June–September), sailings roughly every 30–60 minutes from early morning (around 7am) until early evening (around 6–7pm). Last sailing from Naples in summer is typically around 6:30–7:30pm — check exact times as they shift seasonally.
Prices: approximately €22–24 single, €42–48 return in high season. Slight reduction in shoulder season. Children (under 4) usually free, ages 4–12 reduced fare.
How to reach Beverello from Naples:
- Metro Line 1 to Municipio station, 5-minute walk to the terminal
- On foot from Piazza del Plebiscito: 15–20 minutes along the waterfront
- Taxi from Napoli Centrale: €10–15, 15 minutes (allow more in traffic)
- Alibus from Capodichino airport: the shuttle stops near Beverello; check current route
Buying tickets: At the ticket windows at the terminal (arrive 30–45 minutes before sailing in peak season), or online in advance via operator websites or aggregators. Online booking is strongly recommended for July–August morning crossings. Keep your confirmation on your phone; print copies are not always required but can help with queuing.
Capri ferry and guided day trip from NaplesFrom Naples Calata Porta di Massa
About 700 metres east of Beverello, Calata Porta di Massa serves the slower conventional car-and-passenger ferries (traghetti). These are operated primarily by Caremar.
Journey time: 80–90 minutes.
Prices: approximately €12–14 single — about half the hydrofoil fare.
Who this suits: travellers with large luggage, bikes, or pushchairs (the ferry has open deck and cargo space that hydrofoils lack); those with no time pressure; budget travellers happy to spend an extra 40 minutes each way. Also good if you are prone to motion sickness — the conventional ferry is significantly more stable in swell than the hydrofoil.
Not recommended: for tight day trips (you lose 80 minutes compared to the hydrofoil round-trip, which is most of a day’s morning window), or in peak season when ferry departure queues can be long.
From Sorrento
The Sorrento crossing is the most popular alternative to Naples, and for many visitors it is simply better.
The port — Sorrento’s Marina Piccola is a calm, sheltered harbour with a fraction of the chaos of Beverello. Ticket windows are at the port entrance, queues are shorter, and the overall experience of boarding is less stressful.
Journey time: 20–25 minutes. This is the shortest crossing to Capri and the most comfortable.
Prices: approximately €20–22 single in season. Slightly cheaper than the Naples hydrofoil.
Operators: NLG, Alilauro, SNAV, GoCar.
Who this suits: Anyone staying in Sorrento, on the Amalfi Coast (with a bus connection to Sorrento), or using Sorrento as a base. Even if you are staying in Naples, it can make sense to take the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento (45 minutes, €3.30) and then the short ferry — the combined journey time is similar to the Naples hydrofoil and the Sorrento port experience is noticeably more pleasant.
Sorrento to Capri ferry ticketFor a full comparison of the Naples vs Sorrento routes, see capri-from-naples-vs-sorrento.
From the Amalfi Coast (Positano, Amalfi)
Seasonal hydrofoil services connect Positano and Amalfi directly to Capri in summer (typically April–October, reduced November–March). These are operated by smaller companies including Alicost and Gescal.
From Positano: approximately 40–50 minutes. Ticket around €18–22 single.
From Amalfi: approximately 60–70 minutes. Ticket around €20–25 single.
Important caveat: these services are more weather-dependent than the main Naples and Sorrento routes. Small swell that has no effect on a Naples hydrofoil can cancel an Amalfi–Capri service because the departure harbours are less sheltered. Check conditions and have a backup plan.
Timetables and booking: practical notes
Where to check timetables: each operator publishes schedules on their own website, which change seasonally. The most complete aggregator for checking all options is Traghetti.net. Cross-reference with the operator directly for current prices.
When to buy: book online for July–August and Italian national holiday weekends (Ferragosto, Pasqua). Out of peak season, same-day purchase at the dock is standard — arrive 30 minutes before sailing.
Arriving at Capri: all ferries dock at Marina Grande. From there, the funicular or bus takes you up to Capri town. See capri-day-trip-guide for what to do once you arrive.
Return journeys and last ferries
Missing the last ferry home is a genuine risk in July–August if you are not paying attention to times. The last hydrofoil from Capri to Naples in summer is typically around 7:00–8:00pm. Check the specific return schedule on your outbound ticket.
If you do miss the last boat:
- Sorrento last ferry to Capri is typically later than Naples — but same risk applies
- Overnight on Capri: accommodation is expensive but available. A simple guesthouse room in Capri costs €150–300+ per night in high season
- Water taxis: private water taxis can theoretically take you back to Naples or Sorrento outside ferry hours but at very high cost (€200–400+ for a private boat)
The safest approach: note the return ferry time in your phone, and start heading back to Marina Grande 45–60 minutes before the last sailing.
Ferries as part of an organised day trip
If you would rather have the transport handled:
Combined Capri ferry and island boat tour from NaplesFrequently asked questions about getting to Capri
Is the hydrofoil uncomfortable in rough weather?
Yes. The hydrofoil rides on foils above the water surface, which means any swell creates a pronounced bouncing motion. In moderate swell (1–1.5 metres), this can cause significant motion sickness. The conventional ferry from Porta di Massa is more stable. If you are prone to sea sickness, take medication before boarding or choose the conventional ferry.
Can I bring a large suitcase on the hydrofoil to Capri?
Technically yes, but it is impractical. Hydrofoils have limited luggage storage areas and the aisles are narrow. Most day-trippers carry only a day bag. If you are staying overnight on Capri, contact your accommodation about luggage storage or transfer options — many hotels have arrangements with the port.
Is there a ferry to Capri from Pompeii?
No direct ferry. Pompeii is inland and does not have a port. The nearest ferry point is Castellammare di Stabia (on the coast near Sorrento), which has occasional summer services to Capri via Massa Lubrense. Practically speaking, most people travelling from the Pompeii area go via Sorrento.
How do I get to Molo Beverello if my flight arrives late?
If your flight arrives after the last morning ferry (typically after 9–10am for a comfortable Capri day), you would need to go the next day. There is no practical late-morning departure that gives a full Capri day. For airport transfer logistics, see naples-airport-to-city-alibus.
Are ferry tickets refundable if the service is cancelled?
Yes — if the operator cancels a service due to weather or technical issues, you are entitled to a full refund or rebooking. Keep your ticket documentation. If you choose not to travel on an open day (when the service is running), standard cancellation policies apply and vary by operator.
What happens if the ferry is cancelled due to weather?
Weather cancellations are more common in spring and autumn when the sirocco or tramontana winds pick up. If your service is cancelled, you will typically be rerouted to the next available sailing or refunded. In July and August, outright cancellations are uncommon but delays happen. Build in flexibility — an early morning departure has more backup options than the last ferry of the day.
Practical tips for the day of travel
Arrive early at Beverello — in peak season, the Molo Beverello area gets chaotic from 8am onwards. Arrive 30–40 minutes before your sailing to buy tickets (if not booked online) and locate your boarding gate. The different operators use different sections of the quay — look for the company name on the boarding boards.
Validate your ticket — some operators issue paper tickets that need to be stamped at a machine before boarding. Others use QR codes. Check the format of your ticket before arrival so you know what to expect.
The return journey matters as much as the outbound — on busy days, the queues at Capri Marina Grande for the return ferries (particularly the 4–6pm slot) can stretch 30–40 minutes. This is not a reason to leave earlier than you want, but it is a reason to allow buffer time and not cut it close to the last sailing of the day.
Operators are broadly equivalent — SNAV, Alilauro, and NLG all run the Naples-Capri route with similar journey times and equivalent vessels. There is no compelling reason to favour one over another on price or quality grounds; choose the one with the timing that suits your plans.
From the Amalfi Coast — if you are staying in Positano or Amalfi and want to go to Capri directly, seasonal hydrofoils connect these towns to Capri from approximately April–October. Check Alicost and Gescal schedules directly. This is convenient but services are more weather-dependent than the main Naples and Sorrento routes, and schedule gaps mean you need to plan the return carefully.
First-timers: the funicular queue — upon arriving at Marina Grande, the funicular queue can be 20–30 minutes in peak season. An alternative is the walking path (Scala Fenicia, about 550 steps) from near the port up to Capri town — energetic but free and takes about 20–25 minutes. Or take the bus, which is faster than queuing but equally crowded.
Where to get accurate up-to-date ferry times — the aggregator Traghetti.net compiles all operators’ schedules in one place and is the most reliable reference for current timetables and prices. Operator websites are authoritative but require checking each one separately. Google results often show outdated schedules, so verify directly with Traghetti.net or the specific operator before your trip.
Ferry costs compared across all routes to Capri
Understanding the full cost comparison helps you plan across your whole Campania trip.
| Route | Operator type | Time | Single fare (est. 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naples Beverello (hydrofoil) | SNAV / Alilauro / NLG | 45–50 min | €22–24 |
| Naples Porta di Massa (ferry) | Caremar | 80–90 min | €12–14 |
| Sorrento (hydrofoil) | NLG / Alilauro | 20–25 min | €20–22 |
| Positano (hydrofoil, seasonal) | Alicost | 40–50 min | €18–22 |
| Amalfi (hydrofoil, seasonal) | Alicost / Gescal | 60–70 min | €20–25 |
The most frequent and reliable routes are Naples Beverello and Sorrento. For visitors based in Naples, the Beverello route is standard. For visitors based on the Sorrentine peninsula or Amalfi Coast, the shorter Sorrento or Positano crossings save time and are slightly cheaper.
When each route is the best choice
Naples Beverello: best for visitors based in Naples, for early morning departures (earliest ferries depart here), for travellers who want maximum frequency and flexibility.
Naples Porta di Massa: best for budget travellers happy to spend 45 minutes longer on the crossing; for those with bikes or large luggage; for visitors prone to motion sickness (the larger conventional ferry is more stable).
Sorrento: best for visitors based on the Sorrentine peninsula; the shortest and calmest crossing; good if you want to combine Sorrento with Capri in one day.
Positano / Amalfi: best for visitors already on the Amalfi Coast who want a direct connection without returning to Sorrento; only available April–October; more weather-dependent.
What happens on the hydrofoil
For first-time visitors, a brief description of the hydrofoil experience helps set expectations.
The aliscafo (hydrofoil) is a twin-hulled vessel that rides on foil wings at speeds of 30–40 knots. Below a certain speed it sits in the water like a normal boat; above the threshold, the hull lifts clear of the surface and only the foil tips touch the water. The effect is a noticeable change in noise level (higher, mechanical) and ride quality (smoother than a planing boat but slightly bouncy in any swell).
Seating is in airline-style rows. In summer, the air conditioning can be aggressive — bring a light layer. Windows are sealed; there is no external deck on most hydrofoil models used on this route. The crossing passes near the Sorrentine peninsula with views of the coast visible through windows.
Disembarking at Marina Grande on Capri involves stepping from the gangway onto the dock, usually over a small step. In rough weather this requires a moment of attention. Deck crew assist passengers as needed.
Frequently asked questions about Getting to Capri — every ferry option from Naples, Sorrento, and beyond
Which Naples port do ferries to Capri leave from?
How much does the ferry to Capri cost?
Do I need to book ferry tickets to Capri in advance?
Can I take my car to Capri?
Is there a ferry to Capri from Positano or Amalfi?
How early is the first ferry to Capri from Naples?
How do I get from Naples train station to Molo Beverello for the ferry?
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