By Boat to Sorrento in Amalfi Coast and Capri

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By Boat to Sorrento

Headquartered in Naples, the Metro del Mare is an extension of urban public transport -- by sea. Operating since 2002, it connects the northern ports of Bacoli and Pozzuoli to Naples and from there goes to Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi. The service runs from May through October, with three boats a day between Naples and Sorrento. Check the local papers (Il Mattino or La Repubblica) for timetables or go to www.metrodelmare.com. A one-way ticket costs, for example, EUR 4.50 from Naples to Sorrento and EUR 6 from Sorrento to Positano, making it the cheapest way to get around by sea. In addition to this public transport service, many commercial ferries and hydrofoils run year-round, but offer the most trips in high season. To get to smaller towns or to take private boats, you can make arrangements with private boat companies or independent fishermen. Seek out people who are recommended by the tourist office or your hotel.

Ferries and hydrofoils to Sorrento are operated by Alilauro-Gruson, Caremar, and Linee Marittime Partenopee; services -- and fares -- have been stepped up to Capri and there are frequent sailings of a variety of fast and slow craft (hydrofoil EUR 12, ferry EUR 9). Sorrento to Naples costs EUR 9 and to Ischia Porto EUR 16.50, with Salerno, Amalfi, and Positano served in summer.

Fares & Schedules

Boat & Ferry Information

Alilauro-Gruson (081/8781430. www.alilaurogruson.it). Caremar (081/8073077. www.caremar.it). Linee Maritime Partenopee (081/8073024. www.consorziolmp.it).

By Boat & Ferry

Capri is well connected with the mainland in all seasons, though there tend to be more sailings between April and October. However, you can't return to Naples after about 10:20 PM in high season (earlier in low season, sometimes as early as 8 PM, or even earlier -- check when you disembark), so if you want to see an evening concert, you'll have to arrange for hotel accommodations. Ferries, hydrofoils, Seacats, and similar vessels leave from Molo Beverello (below Piazza Municipio) in Naples and from Sorrento's Marina Piccola, while aliscafi (hydrofoils) also sail from the small marina of Mergellina, a short distance west of the Villa Comunale in Naples. For locals in Naples there are restrictions on taking cars onto the island, while non-Neapolitans can move relatively freely. Bear in mind that much of Capri Town is pedestrianized, and a car on the island may well be more of a hindrance than a help.

There are a wide array of ferry and hydrofoil companies plying the waters of the Bay of Naples. So many that you are often insured of finding hourly departures from Naples for top destinations, such as Capri. Schedules do change from season to season, year to year, so it is best to double-check with the ferry/hydrofoil schedules printed in the Naples daily newspapers.

Caremar offers four hydrofoil departures from Molo Beverello (EUR 12.20, with a travel time of 50 minutes) and three ferry departures per day (EUR 7.30 high season, with a travel time of 1 hour, 20 minutes). Four ferries leave daily from Sorrento (EUR 7.20, travel time 25 minutes).

Linee Marittime Partenopee offers one to three hydrofoil departures every hour from Sorrento (EUR 12, travel time 20 minutes), one morning ferry per day from Sorrento (EUR 9.50, 50 minutes), and one hydrofoil per day from Ischia (in the morning, EUR 7.50, one hour).

From Naples, Navigazione Libera Del Golfo has roughly one hydrofoil departure per hour (EUR 12, travel time 40 minutes). From Easter to October, the company also offers one jetfoil from Positano and Amalfi (approximately EUR 12.50, travel time 50 minutes), and one ferry from Positano and Amalfi (EUR 10, travel time 1 hour, 20 minutes).

SNAV offers one hydrofoil every hour from Mergellina or Molo Beverello (EUR 12, travel time 40 minutes).

Fares & Schedules

Departure schedules are listed every day in the local newspaper Il Mattino. If you're planning to move on from Capri to Ischia or the Amalfi Coast, there's regular service from May to October. As for ferry costs, there's little to be gained -- sometimes nothing -- from buying a round-trip ticket, which will just tie you down to the return schedule of one line. Book in advance in spring and summer for a Sunday return to the mainland.

Boat & Ferry Information

Alilauro (081/5513882 or 081/8376995. www.alilaurogruson.it). Caremar (081/5513882 or 081/8370700. www.caremar.it). Linee Marittime Partenopee (081/8781430 or 081/8071812. www.consorziolmp.it). Metro del Mare (199600700. www.metrodelmare.com). Navigazione Libera Del Golfo (081/5527209 hydrofoils from Naples; 089/875092 ferry and hydrofoils from Positano. www.navlib.it/index.asp). SNAV (081/7612348 or 081/8377577. www.snav.it).