Naples to Stromboli: Ferry or Hydrofoil
Sep 2nd, 2004, 11:48 AM
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Naples to Stromboli: Ferry or Hydrofoil
So you want to get from Naples to Stromboli, the northermost and perhaps most intimidating of the Aeolian Islands, and can't decide whether to entrust yourself to the hydrofoil or the overnight car ferry. Here are some tips to help you make up your mind:
HYDROFOIL:
1. It runs daily, but only from the beginning of June through the end of September, and is subject to cancellation at any time for bad weather.
2. Two companies compete on the route: SNAV and Ustica Lines. SNAV charges between 58 and 64 Euros (one way), depending upon the week and day of travel. Some seats on SNAV (VIP class) cost more. Ustica Lines charges 56.80 Euros.
3. Naples/Mergellina departures at 8:30 (Ustica Lines) and 14:30 (SNAV). Return from Stromboli at 9:05 (SNAV) and 16:05 (Ustica Lines). Ustica Lines run from June 26 through September 30. SNAV runs from June 1 through September 11 (dates can slip by a few days owing to weather and lack of passengers).
4. Travel time 4 hours in each direction.
5. Hydrofoil subject to lots of rocking and rolling. Can definitely cause sea sickness. Carry dramamine and a plastic bag with you.
6. Must keep your seat, nowhere to walk around, vessle fully enclosed, not feasible to take photos or videos. Very little to no views of water or coastline. Windows (not much above the water line) often fogged up, marred, or just plain dirty. A little bit like being on an airplane or bus. No on-board refreshments.
CAR FERRY:
1. Operator SIREMAR is a subsidiary of State-owned Tirrenia Lines. Departures twice weekly from November through March; thrice weekly in April, May, June and October; five times a week in September and six times a week in July and August.
2. One way basic fare is 29.43 Euros from October through May, 32.26 Euros in June and September, and 34.83 Euros in July and August. Additional 5 Euros for a reclining seat and about 20 Euros for a sleeping berth in a very small twin cabin. TIP: at a minimum, go for a (reserved) reclining seat; otherwise, in high season, you may end up sitting on the dirty deck or on a very uncomfortable cocktail lounge chair.
3. Departs Naples/Beverello at 21:00, arrives Stromboli 5:00. Departs Stromboli at 22:00, arrives Naples 7:00. Departures can be delayed due to embarcation of heavy commercial vehicles; ferry usually makes up lost time en route.
4. There is a cafeteria, bar and lounge on the ship, and plenty of open-air deck for taking beautiful photos and videos at daybreak. Most lights are turned off at night, so you can gaze at the stars on the open sea (or think of something romantic with your travelling companion).
5. Ferry has much better seaworthiness than the hydrofoil. On a placid night, you won't even feel the ship moving on the water (apart from the vibration of the engine).
6. Ship "Vittore Carpaccio" displaces 4700 tons and accommodates 648 passengers and 148 autos. From July through September, a second, smaller ship "Piero della Francesca" is added on some departure days. This smaller vessel does NOT have reclining seats.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT: take the ferry. You'll save a bunch of money, experience the magnificent sunrise over the water, gaze upon Stromboli from afar (and sometimes even catch a glimpse of its eruptions), and see the City of Naples, in all its splendor, from the water. If you can't stand being on a ship, take the hydrofoil; in 4 hours, you'll be out of your misery.
www.snav.it
www.usticalines.it
www.siremar.it
www.tirrenia.it
BTW, the hydrofoil continues southbound to Panarea, Salina, Lipari and Vulcano (but you must check the schedule, as not all stops are made. The ferry goes all the way to Milazzo, stopping along the way at the other islands in geographic line of travel.
HYDROFOIL:
1. It runs daily, but only from the beginning of June through the end of September, and is subject to cancellation at any time for bad weather.
2. Two companies compete on the route: SNAV and Ustica Lines. SNAV charges between 58 and 64 Euros (one way), depending upon the week and day of travel. Some seats on SNAV (VIP class) cost more. Ustica Lines charges 56.80 Euros.
3. Naples/Mergellina departures at 8:30 (Ustica Lines) and 14:30 (SNAV). Return from Stromboli at 9:05 (SNAV) and 16:05 (Ustica Lines). Ustica Lines run from June 26 through September 30. SNAV runs from June 1 through September 11 (dates can slip by a few days owing to weather and lack of passengers).
4. Travel time 4 hours in each direction.
5. Hydrofoil subject to lots of rocking and rolling. Can definitely cause sea sickness. Carry dramamine and a plastic bag with you.
6. Must keep your seat, nowhere to walk around, vessle fully enclosed, not feasible to take photos or videos. Very little to no views of water or coastline. Windows (not much above the water line) often fogged up, marred, or just plain dirty. A little bit like being on an airplane or bus. No on-board refreshments.
CAR FERRY:
1. Operator SIREMAR is a subsidiary of State-owned Tirrenia Lines. Departures twice weekly from November through March; thrice weekly in April, May, June and October; five times a week in September and six times a week in July and August.
2. One way basic fare is 29.43 Euros from October through May, 32.26 Euros in June and September, and 34.83 Euros in July and August. Additional 5 Euros for a reclining seat and about 20 Euros for a sleeping berth in a very small twin cabin. TIP: at a minimum, go for a (reserved) reclining seat; otherwise, in high season, you may end up sitting on the dirty deck or on a very uncomfortable cocktail lounge chair.
3. Departs Naples/Beverello at 21:00, arrives Stromboli 5:00. Departs Stromboli at 22:00, arrives Naples 7:00. Departures can be delayed due to embarcation of heavy commercial vehicles; ferry usually makes up lost time en route.
4. There is a cafeteria, bar and lounge on the ship, and plenty of open-air deck for taking beautiful photos and videos at daybreak. Most lights are turned off at night, so you can gaze at the stars on the open sea (or think of something romantic with your travelling companion).
5. Ferry has much better seaworthiness than the hydrofoil. On a placid night, you won't even feel the ship moving on the water (apart from the vibration of the engine).
6. Ship "Vittore Carpaccio" displaces 4700 tons and accommodates 648 passengers and 148 autos. From July through September, a second, smaller ship "Piero della Francesca" is added on some departure days. This smaller vessel does NOT have reclining seats.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT: take the ferry. You'll save a bunch of money, experience the magnificent sunrise over the water, gaze upon Stromboli from afar (and sometimes even catch a glimpse of its eruptions), and see the City of Naples, in all its splendor, from the water. If you can't stand being on a ship, take the hydrofoil; in 4 hours, you'll be out of your misery.
www.snav.it
www.usticalines.it
www.siremar.it
www.tirrenia.it
BTW, the hydrofoil continues southbound to Panarea, Salina, Lipari and Vulcano (but you must check the schedule, as not all stops are made. The ferry goes all the way to Milazzo, stopping along the way at the other islands in geographic line of travel.
Jul 15th, 2009, 07:59 AM
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My posting above is badly out of date.
Currently, there are only two hydrofoil operators on this route (summer only):
www.snav.it; and
www.alilauro.it
The Siremar overnight car ferry continues to operate twice weekly in either direction for most of the year.
Siremar has replaced its older ships with larger and better equipped vessels from its Adriatica fleet.
Schedules and fares can be checked at
www.siremar.it
For a thorough description of the ship and its sleeping facilities, read:
http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a...843#4271085843
under the heading:
Naples to Aeolian Islands Ferry: the complete details
Currently, there are only two hydrofoil operators on this route (summer only):
www.snav.it; and
www.alilauro.it
The Siremar overnight car ferry continues to operate twice weekly in either direction for most of the year.
Siremar has replaced its older ships with larger and better equipped vessels from its Adriatica fleet.
Schedules and fares can be checked at
www.siremar.it
For a thorough description of the ship and its sleeping facilities, read:
http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a...843#4271085843
under the heading:
Naples to Aeolian Islands Ferry: the complete details
