How to Get the Ferry to Capri: Ports, Prices, and When to Book

There is nothing quite like arriving into Capri's Marina Grande on a clear day. Monte Solaro rises sharply above the port, terracotta and white buildings stack up the hillside, and the water is a shade of blue that takes a moment to accept as real. That arrival alone is worth the trip. But getting there requires a little more planning than most people expect.

Taking the ferry from the Amalfi Coast to Capri sounds like it should take five minutes to organize. It rarely does. There are multiple departure ports, four or five operators running overlapping routes, luggage rules that vary by company, and an afternoon return ferry from Capri in August that sells out days in advance if you leave it too late. This guide covers all of it: which port makes sense for your trip, which operators to look at, what the tickets cost, and how far ahead you need to book. You can use our complete Capri travel guide once the logistics are sorted.

Which Port Should You Leave From?

This is the question most travelers do not think to ask until they are standing at the wrong pier. The answer depends entirely on where you are staying.

Sorrento is the right port if you are already basing yourself there. The crossing to Capri takes around 25 minutes, departures are frequent, and Marina Piccola is easy to reach from the town center via the pedestrian stairs down from Piazza Tasso or the elevator from Villa Comunale. It is also a natural add-on if you are doing a day trip from Sorrento as part of longer Amalfi Coast stay. If you are coming from Naples or flying into Naples airport, take the direct ferry from Naples rather than adding the Sorrento leg.

Amalfi is the right choice if you are already based along the coast. Ferries leave from Molo Cassone at the eastern end of the waterfront, about ten minutes on foot from the Duomo. The journey to Capri takes 50 to 60 minutes, with most services stopping at Positano on the way. The port is well-sheltered, which matters: it handles moderate seas far better than the small pier in Positano.

Positano works if you are staying there or in nearby Praiano. Note that the pier at Spiaggia Grande is exposed to the elements and lines can be long. Also, Positano departures are the first to be canceled when conditions turn rough. If you are set on getting to Capri on a specific day from Positano, check the weather forecast the evening before and have a backup plan ready.

If you are still building the structure of your trip, our Amalfi Coast itinerary guide covers how to make the most of a few days on the coast and which towns are worth using as a base.

Ferry Operators and How to Compare Them

Five main operators run the Amalfi Coast to Capri routes: NLG (Navigazione Libera del Golfo), Alicost, Caremar, Positano Jet, and Alilauro Gruson. Each has slightly different schedules, luggage allowances, and pricing. Comparing them on their own websites is possible but slow, and most default to Italian.

The more practical option is to book through transport booking hub Omio, which brings all the operators together in one place, lets you compare departure times and prices side by side, and handles the booking in English with standard payment options including credit card and PayPal. Omio is also the only official third-party seller for Positano Jet tickets on certain routes, which matters if that operator has the departure time you need. You will pay a booking fee however it is worth it because of the convenience and reasons mentioned

Booking directly with an operator is fine. But if you want to compare before committing, or if you are flexible on timing, the aggregator approach saves time.

One thing worth checking when you receive your booking confirmation: some platforms issue a direct e-ticket that you scan to board, while others issue a voucher that you need to exchange at the operator's ticket window at the port before you can board. If your confirmation says “voucher,” go to the ticket office first, not the boarding gate. In high season, those windows get busy. Build in at least 30 minutes before departure, and more like 45 if you are traveling in July or August. Arriving to find a queue at the ticket window when your ferry is about to leave is a very avoidable way to lose a day trip.

What Do Capri Ferry Tickets Cost?

One-way tickets from Amalfi or Positano to Capri start at around €23 to €28 depending on the operator and the season. From Sorrento the pricing is similar.

All tickets already include the Capri landing fee: €5 per person from April through October, and €2.50 from November through March. There is nothing extra to pay on arrival. It is built into the ticket.

Most operators include one small bag in the fare. Luggage policies differ by company. NLG allows a bag up to 50x30x15 cm and 5 kg at no charge. Alicost and Alilauro Gruson allow up to 9 kg. Oversized or additional bags attract a surcharge of around €2 to €3, paid at the port rather than online. If you are traveling with a pet, most operators allow small animals in carriers and larger dogs on deck with a leash and muzzle. Add the pet to the booking when you reserve and bring the relevant vet documentation.

How Far in Advance Should You Book?

Outside peak season, buying at the port on the day is fine for most routes. The ticket offices are at the waterfront in Amalfi and at the port in Sorrento, and you can walk up and purchase for the next departure.

From June to August, that approach fails. The afternoon return ferries from Capri are the first to fill. People going for the day tend to book the outbound ticket and figure out the return when they get to the island, which means that by mid-afternoon in high summer, the later departures are sold out. Book your return at the same time as your outbound. Do not leave it to chance on the day.

For travel in June, July, or August, booking one to two months ahead is sensible, particularly for weekend dates and Italian public holidays. In April, May, September, and October, a week or two ahead is usually sufficient.

A Word on Day Tripping to Capri

It is worth being honest about this, because a lot of people come away from Capri disappointed and it is usually not the island's fault.

Capri in summer is very busy. The day-tripper boats from Naples and Sorrento bring thousands of visitors to Marina Grande every morning, and by late morning the funicular queue to reach Capri town can stretch back along the port. The boats for the Blue Grotto fill up fast, and the narrow lanes around the Piazzetta can feel less like an elegant Italian island and more like a very scenic traffic jam.

None of that is a reason to skip Capri. It is a reason to reconsider how you visit.

If you can spend two or three nights on the island, the experience is completely different. By early evening, the day-trippers leave on the afternoon ferries and the island quietly returns to itself. The restaurants fill with guests rather than crowds. Wander through the streets of Anacapri and enjoy shopping at local boutiques or take a hike down Monte Solaro.

You get to see what Capri is, not what it looks like at 11am in August. Our Capri travel guide goes into the detail on where to stay and what to do once you are there.

What to Expect on the Ferry

Most services on the Amalfi Coast to Capri route are high-speed catamarans or hydrofoils. The journey is short enough that there are no cabins, though bar service is available on board for drinks and snacks. There is a bathroom onboard however as with most ferry services around the world, ferries in Italy are not exactly glamorous. If you want a seat on the outdoor deck, board early. Those spots go fast in summer. The indoor lounges are air-conditioned, which matters in August.

On seasickness: if you are prone to it, choose a single-hull hydrofoil rather than a catamaran. A catamaran sits on two parallel hulls with a gap between them, which creates noticeably more movement in choppy water. It is a real difference and worth knowing before you book.

Which Side of the Boat Has the Best Views?

It depends on direction. Heading from Sorrento or the Amalfi Coast toward Capri, sit on the right side to keep the coastline in view. On the return, move to the left. The crossing gives you a perspective on the coast that you cannot get from the road, so it is worth a moment's thought before you board.

 

Ferry Season and What to Know About Weather Cancelations

The Amalfi Coast ferry season runs from late March or April through October. Sorrento to Capri operates year-round, weather permitting. Amalfi and Positano departures do not run through winter.

When conditions turn rough, hydrofoil and catamaran routes are suspended first. Conventional ferries handle more swell and are the last to be canceled. It is rare for all services to be suspended between April and the end of October, but it does happen, particularly in early spring and autumn. If rough weather is forecast, check with the operator or at the port ticket office the morning of travel.

For anyone building their southern Italy trip from Naples as a starting point, our guide on getting from Naples to the Amalfi Coast covers all the transport options.

Private Experiences on Capri

If you want to see Capri differently, including the Blue Grotto without the queue, a private boat around the Faraglioni, or access to experiences that do not involve lining up with day-tripper crowds, our Italy trip planning team can arrange that. Private arrangements on Capri are one of the areas where expert local connections make a real difference to what your time on the island looks like.

If you are considering a small group tour to southern Italy that includes time on the coast, you can also browse our Untold Italy Tours options.

And for curated recommendations on where to eat and what to do once you arrive on the island, the Untold Italy app has everything you need in one place, from where to eat to what the Blue Grotto actually costs and how to time your visit. Italy is more than a checklist. Capri, done well, is proof of that.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the ferry from Sorrento to Capri?

The crossing from Sorrento takes approximately 25 minutes on a high-speed service. It is the shortest crossing of any departure port in the region and has the most frequent daily departures.

Do Amalfi to Capri ferries stop in Positano?

Most of them do. Many Amalfi to Capri services make an intermediate stop in Positano, which adds around 20 to 30 minutes to the journey. Direct services without the Positano stop are available in high season. Check the timetable when you book if timing matters for your day.

Can I bring luggage on the Capri ferry?

Yes, though each operator has a size and weight limit for the free allowance. Most allow one bag up to around 5 to 9 kg at no charge. Additional or oversized bags attract a small surcharge of €2 to €3, payable at the port.

What happens if my Capri ferry is canceled due to bad weather?

If you purchased through a booking platform, contact customer support with your booking reference. Refunds are generally provided when services are cancelled due to weather. If you bought at the port ticket office, speak to the operator directly and keep your ticket as proof of purchase.

Is there a ferry from Naples to Capri?

Yes, and it runs year-round. High-speed hydrofoils and catamarans depart from Molo Beverello, while conventional ferries leave from Calata Porta di Massa, about a 15-minute walk or short shuttle ride away. The hydrofoil crossing takes around 45 to 50 minutes. If you are starting your trip from Naples or flying into Naples Capodichino Airport, this is the most direct route to the island and there is no need to travel to Sorrento first.

Italy City Guides

Latest Italy Travel Podcasts and Articles

Disclosure: Untold Italy assists our readers with carefully chosen product and services recommendations that help make travel easier and more fun. If you click through and make a purchase on many of these items we may earn a commission. All opinions are our own – please visit our disclosure page for more information.

Please share if you found this article useful