How to Get to Capri from Naples

Capri is an island with a strong historical and cultural tradition and a place of exceptional beauty. A favourite residence of many Roman emperors due to its scenic charm, it is an enclave that sums up the essence of the Mediterranean in its barely 10.5 square kilometres.

Moreover, only 37 kilometres separate it from Naples. If you visit this Italian city, you have probably been tempted to take a trip to Capri. Especially if you've already taken a tour of all the things to see and do in Naples. Here's how to get there to make your experience as comfortable and optimal as possible.

The easiest way to get to Capri from Naples is by one of the many excursions available. You always have the option of travelling on your own, although these tours offer you the possibility of not having to worry about timetables, prices and, of course, getting rid of waiting and queues.

Here are the different excursions available to you.

Excursion to Capri from Naples and guided tour of the island: the basics

Many excursions offer a boat trip and bus exploration of Capri, but services may vary. For example, some include lunch and some don't, which is something to consider when booking. However, I advise you to opt for the ones that include an English-speaking guide, which are the vast majority.

The boat trip from Naples to the island takes between 60 and 80 minutes and the tour of the island usually includes such landmarks as the Blue Grotto and the Villa de Sant Michelle. The duration usually varies between 8 and 10 hours.

Booking an excursion to Capri from Naples is an excellent option if you want to opt for comfort. It is also a very varied experience, as you can enjoy the views of the coast and also get to know the island of Capri on foot and on the ground.

• Price: From €87.
• Journeytime: Between 60 and 80 minutes.
• Pros: You'll see the essentials in comfort.
• Disadvantages: If you are looking for something else to visit in addition to Capri, you will have to opt for another type of excursion.

Combined tour to Capri and Pompeii from Naples for archaeology lovers

For art and archaeology enthusiasts, there are excursions that give you the chance to do a good triplet: a boat trip to Capri, an exploration of Capri and a visit to Pompeii, the famous city with the best-preserved Roman ruins that have survived to this day. This type of excursion includes two different methods of transport:

• A bus or minibus from Naples to Pompeii.
• A hydrofoil to take you from the archaeological site to Capri.

Booking an excursion to Capri from Naples that includes a visit to Pompeii is an option that combines convenience and savings, as both Pompeii and hydrofoil tickets are usually included in the price. If you want to know more, I recommend you check out this article on tips for visiting Pompeii.

• Price: From €175.
• Journeytime: Bus, 25 minutes; hydrofoil, 45 minutes.
• Pros: You'll be able to enjoy the ruins of Pompeii.
• Disadvantages: Seeing Pompeii will mean you'll have less time to explore Capri.

By the way, if you love archaeology, the great news is that there is much, much more to Pompeii. Check out everything you need to know about visiting the Naples Archaeological Museum here. Or if you don't want to miss out on another of the world's great archaeological sites, go for a full day with tours to Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Ferry crossings from Naples to Capri are not seasonal, so you have the option of doing so all year round. Frequencies are also excellent, averaging around 16 crossings a day. So you'll be spoilt for choice. The companies that offer trips from Naples to Capri are:

• Positano Jet: From €24 each way.
• Alilauro: From €23 each way.
• NLG Jet: From €25 each way.

Most of these companies are very focused on nearby tourist destinations, such as the Gulf of Naples or the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento, two destinations to visit also from Naples. This makes them interesting options to consider if you want to move around other places or make more complex connections between different enclaves, Naples and Capri.

To take this type of boat you will have to travel to Calata Porta di Mossa. You can get there from Avenida Garibaldi by bus line 151. Tickets start at €1,50.

• Price: From €23.
• Journeytime: Between 60 and 80 minutes.
• Advantages: Comfortable journey with enough space for a family.
• Disadvantages: It is somewhat slower than options such as the hydrofoil.

The hydrofoil is another option available to you. Its advantage is that, being a lighter boat, it is also faster. However, given its small size, it is not possible to take a car on board and it is not very feasible to bring even a bicycle. The companies that will offer you their services are:

• SNAV: From €20 each way.
• NLG: From €25 each way.

You can take it at Molo Beverello. To get to this enclave, as well as to Calata Porta di Mossa, just take bus 151 from Avenida Garibaldi.

• Price: From €20.
• Journeytime: Approximately 50 minutes.
• Advantages: Faster than the ferry.
• Disadvantages: Not suitable for large groups or for taking cars or bikes on board.

My advice is that if you plan to spend a day in Capri, you should do it with an excursion. After all, you don't have that much time and going on your own is always subject to inconvenience or loose ends in your planning.

Also, it may be more expensive to do it on your own, since once you get to Capri, you'll have to get around. So, in addition to the cost of the transport you have decided to take to get to the island, you will have to add the ones you take once you are there. In this sense, the excursions offer you a competitive price that includes transport. You won't have to worry about frequency or timetables, nor will you have to deal with unforeseen circumstances.

Finally, if you're going with your family and large groups, an excursion is also the best option. Going on your own can give you more freedom, but if you travel with more people, this freedom can turn into the opposite. Above all, because it forces you to be even more careful to make sure that everything goes perfectly. However, if you already know that Capri interests you enough to spend several days there, then the option of going on your own gains points. For several days, it may even be the most economical alternative.

As you can see, the options for excursions are basically the ferry and the seaplane. Without going into comparisons, I would like to point out that the seaplane can be a mode of transport more subject to inconveniences, because air transports (especially small ones, as it is the case) depend a lot on weather conditions. Therefore, there is always the risk of being frustrated by a storm or stormy weather.

Something to bear in mind especially if you are travelling to Naples in winter. Ferries are a more reliable method of transport. These are heavy vessels which, although slower than others, are less dependent on weather conditions and high frequencies are also present in winter.

However, only the last piece of advice if you are travelling in summer. If you want to get cheap fares, then we advise you to travel relatively early. Demand for these trips can be very high in summer, so the earlier you book, the cheaper it will be.

If you opt for an excursion, it's worth paying attention to the following tips, especially if your chosen tour includes a visit to Pompeii, although they also apply to those that focus on Capri.

• Summer temperatures can be scorching hot, so it is always a good idea to take a hat or sunglasses with you. Remember that shade is not always available in Pompeii.
• Accessibility in Pompeii is not the best, so people in wheelchairs or with reduced mobility may have some difficulty.
• Ferries and seaplanes are available all year round, but outside the summer season there are fewer excursions from Naples to Capri.