prbyers

We are trying to go to Ponza from Sept 15-18. I have searched all Ponza threads on this site and checked the websites for vetor, caremar and snav. I've also called each line (no English spoken) and spoken with the hotel we will be staying all. All this and I'm still confused.
I know there is a hydrofoiil from Anzio to Ponza, however the website seems to say it does not go out on Tuesdays (our desired departure day). The person at the hotel said they go every day through Sept, but she is not 100% and I'd need to check with vetor. The vetor site is not clear and they do not speak English when I call.
It seems like it can be tough to get to Ponza. Does anyone know if there is any type of transit from Anzio to Ponza through September on weekdays?
Thank you SO much!!!!

GeoffHamer

Vetor's website shows daily services from Anzio until 27 September:
http://www.vetor.it/news/ANZIO-PONZA...embre_2009.pdf
However, these are hydrofoils which will be cancelled if the weather isn't right.
The year-round car ferry to Ponza goes from Formia (www.caremar.it) and there is also a car ferry from Terracina (www.snapnavigazione.it).

StCirq

We tried for three straight days to get to Ponza from Anzio, and never made it. The posted schedule at the ferry docking seemed to change from moment to moment. There should be service when you want to go, as the ferries are running daily, supposedly, at that time of year, but it's all very capricious in that maddening Italian sort of way. Good luck with that.

Gina817

Thank you so much for your input (I'm the OP's wife). The schedule says daily services, but when I call both Ponza and Anzio hotels, the people tell me that is not for sure. Our plan was to stay in Anzio and leave from there to go to Ponza. I'm wondering if it's too risky to reserve hotels in Anzio and Ponza and pay deposits if this is so up in the air. We really want to go though.

StCirq

I'd reserve a hotel in Anzio (or nearby) anyway, as it's a great town. s for booking a hotel in Ponza, I'd call them and make it contingent upon your actual ability to get there. Really, it was maddening for us not to be able to get there, and it was early August, when there was no question of boats not being able to run because of weather.

Gina817

That is frustrating, I can understand. Is there any other way back and forth? Seaplane, private chartered boat (we are on a budget though)? I am just so curious about this. If you live on Ponza, are you "stuck" there from Sept-May? I know, I know, it's Italy and a very small island, but I'm trying to understand why it is so difficult to get there. How can these hotels and b&b's survive if people cannot get there.
That is a very good idea...make the reservation contingent upon being able to get there.

StCirq

I think if you live on Ponza you have your own boat. At least that's what Italian friends of mine who have a house there have.

romatravel

I have tried to get to Ponza twice - once from Formia and once from Anzio. The problem I had at Formia was that I had no reservation and it was a holiday so I couldnot get on the hydrofoil but I could take the ferry (but decided not to go) In Anzio the seas were a little rough (in June) so they would not go to Ponza with the hydrofoil - it all depends on the seas with the hydrofoil but again you could take the ferry and both office were close to each other. Maybe I will make it next year

Gina817

Thank you SO much, you are all so very helpful! I wonder how the seas are in September. We really want to go, but are weighing the risk of not being able to get there. Also trying to decide if Anzio is the best place to stay to try to get to Ponza or if we should go with Formia.

GeoffHamer

Formia is the main port for Ponza with a year-round state-subsidised car ferry. There are two sailings daily by ship, plus a hydrofoil service.
http://www.caremar.it/pages_it/orari...a&Porto2=Ponza
Formia is a pleasant town with trains to Roma and Napoli.

Madoco

My family is from Ponza and I have been there numerous times. Actually my aunt in there this week because Saturady is the Feast of San Silverio (patron saint of Ponza). In my opinion you can not trust any of the websites. Things do not work in Italy, especially the South, as they do in the US. So my first rule is even if you have a confirmation of a schedule things can and do change. Therefore you may want a backup plan. Second as between Anzio and Formia always choose Formia. Again in my opinion Formia is a much nicer city to be stuck in, and the boat service is more frequent and more importantly consistent. As between alifscafo (hydrofoil) and traghetto (ferry) alwasys choose ferry, unless you absolutely have time constraints. The ferry is much nicer boat, the ride is nicer i.e. more stable and you can really enjoy the water and view (and that should be consideration if you are on vacation) and I think it is also safer. Regarding September it is after the high season, so schedules change and there are fewer boats than in August. Also remember that once you are on Ponza it may be hard to get off due to the weather. In fact just last week they suspend the boats on Sunday (if I am not mistaken) due to inclement weather. So please don't plan on leaving Ponza on a Monday morning expecting to take a flight later that day. This is risky, in my opinon. Also, the day before you leave Ponza make sure you purchase your tickets. Ponza is a truly special place, and that is not just hyperbole; however, if you do not plan properly you could ruin what should otherwise be a wonderful trip.

Gina817

Thank you all so much. You have offered priceless help!! It is so greatly appreciated.

wakjerhe

I am planning to go to Ponza soon as well in end of August (on a Wednesday) and am coming from Rome. I am curious to know if you decided to go from Anzio via the hydrofoil or if you chose a different route. Any guidance is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

prbyers

Hi Wakjerhe - We decided against reserving our rooms for Ponza. Every place we were interested in wanted a deposit now and I was not clear on whether we'd be refunded if the transportation was not in service.

We have a reservation for one night in Formia. We are going to play it by ear and see whether or not the boats (ferry/hydrofoil) are running or not at that point. If so, we will try to reserve a room in Ponza. We have the names and contact info for several hotels so we'll call until we get one.

If they are not running, we have 3 back-up itineraries and will try to get a hotel in one of those areas.

We have friends who spend June, July and Aug each year in Italy and arrive without an itinerary or hotels booked. They play it by ear and book hotels along the way the entire time. This made us feel better about taking the risk of having 4 days without a hotel booked.

We just did not trust the reliability of the transportation system enough to book a hotel in Ponza. However we really do want to go, so this was our best option.

All of the information from the posters above was enough to make us decide to do it this way. We also have a friend from Italy who helped us to decide this too.

So, we'll see what happens! Good luck to you!

JJDHY

hello prbyers

I too will be heading to Ponza but find information to get there very confusing. Since you have already been there by now, how was the journey getting there? I am not sure which port is best to get to Ponza from e.g., Naples, Terracina, Formia??? reliability of transportation, backup plan. I have tried several times via e-mail and even fax to the hotel in Ponza - they keep telling me no problem to get there and they would make arrangements for hubby and I to get to Rome at the end of our stay. However, after several e-mails, they have still not confirmed reservations with us - hope I don't get there and find we don't have a room there - which is the one we want, right by the marina and overlooking the waters. Also we plan to have a car on the mainland and not sure which port is more ideal to drop off the car to connect to either the ferry or hydrofoil. Any insight, recommendations, etc. would be most helpful. Thanks