📍 Explore Campania:
If you’re wanting to explore beyond Naples you’ll need to understand how to use Campania’s ferry network. Let us tell you everything you need to know about Naples ferries including finding ferry schedules, purchasing ferry tickets and more!
What type of ferry should you take? What ferry operators are there in this part of Italy? How do you book tickets? We’ll answer all of this and more!
Our complete guide to using the ferries from Naples
Look out at the gulf of Naples and you’ll almost always see ferries crossing back and forth between the islands and the mainland. Ferries are such a fundamental method of transport in this part of Italy that understanding how to book and travel on these boats is key to having a stress-free visit.
In this guide we’ll be covering:
By following the tips and recommendations on this page we’ll guide you through the process of booking your ferry, using your tickets, and much more
Booking and using your ferry tickets
We’d recommend booking ferry tickets in advance if you know when you will travel.
This means that you can avoid the long lines at the ticket offices (which are almost guaranteed during the popular warmer months) and secures your spot on the boat.
We once made the error of not booking in advance during a busy period for a trip to Sorrento and there wasn’t space for us, meaning we had to stay overnight in Naples waiting until the next morning to travel!
This crowd might not look too bad, but this photo was taken off-season first thing in the morning. Believe us when we say it will be much busier during peak season!
How to book your ticket
We would recommend using this website to book your tickets online as they offer an overview of the majority of the popular Naples ferries routes.
Once you’ve found your preferred journey (using the round trip search option if appropriate), proceed to purchase your ticket and add any relevant extras such as baggage, car transport etc.
You will receive a confirmation email which will include your receipt and booking details of your ferry trip.
If you end up with a paper ticket be sure to keep it as a fun souvenir from your trip!
Using your ticket
You should read the confirmation email you receive from your operator for specific instructions about using your ticket. Some routes and operators will allow you to simply display your downloaded ticket via your smartphone to the attendant as you board, whereas others insist that you collect a physical ticket from their offices at the departure location.
Unfortunately this approach isn’t consistent (yet) so it’s really important to read all the messages you receive following your booking.
Physical ticket offices at key arrival/departure ports can be found here:
Naples – All operator offices are grouped together in Molo Beverello along with the taxi rank and are close to the cruise ship terminal.
Molo Beverello’s new waiting area is an experience in itself; sit among the remains of Naples’ ancient Greek and Roman harbor as you wait for your ferry
Sorrento – All operator offices are grouped together in the Marina Piccola, in a dedicated area close to the taxi rank and main car park.
Capri – All major operator offices can be found in the Porto Turistico di Capri, the main arrival and departure point for the island. Facing the water, look to the left of the main dock where you’ll see the ticket counters.
The Capri ticket counters (left) are conveniently located next to the bus and funicular ticket desks (right) making your visit to the island a little easier
Ischia – The ferry offices in Ischia Porto are a little spread out but thankfully as the port is small, you won’t have to walk far to reach the office you need. All offices are clearly signposted from the docks. For Ischia Casamicciola you’ll find the information points close to the docks – as in Ischia Porto, follow the signs!
Procida – All ticket offices can be found in the main port area of Procida. Facing the water, walk left along Via Roma where they are grouped in a single building.
Amalfi town – The ferry company offices for Amalfi town are all grouped together close to the dock and bus stops (below).
We’ve said it a few times already, but try to book your tickets in advance to avoid any queuing at the ferry ticket desks
Positano – All offices and information points can be found around the main dock.
At your departure point pay close attention to the signs and information available, and don’t be afraid to request assistance from a staff member – all speak good English in our experience.
See all the key ports and ticket office locations here:
Curious to know more, or want to share your own recommendation? Leave a comment!
All aboard!
Once your ferry is ready you can embark and take a seat anywhere that is free. Generally speaking it is not mandatory to remain seated during your ferry trip, but is recommended during rough seas or if you suffer from motion sickness.
You are also free to step outside if the weather and boat style permits (some of the high speed ferries do not have publicly available outside areas) to enjoy some fresh air and the unique views that ferry travel offers.
On board you’ll typically find a small bar offering drinks and snacks, as well as sometimes merchandise and souvenirs, and of course bathrooms which are always free to use.
The regular ferries between the popular locations are always spacious, comfortable and clean
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Essential information and common ferry questions
Let us share with you the answers to some of the most frequently asked ferry questions, as well as key recommendations based on our years of experience traveling in the Campania region:
Do the ferries operate all year round?
Yes, but with a caveat.
Ferry companies run services from Naples to key locations like Capri, Ischia, Procida, Sorrento and Salerno year round, but not all ferry schedules run all year. Ferry crossing between smaller towns on the Amalfi coast for example do not run in the winter as the demand is much lower than in the summer.
Also, consider that all ferry crossings are weather reliant, so when the conditions are not right (particularly when there are rough seas), services may be restricted or suspended all together.
If you have booked ferry tickets and the service is not available because of poor conditions, the ferry companies will arrange either a change of ticket to another time or a refund.
Always double check your ticket information with the departure boards at the ports to (1) confirm the time you’ll leave, and (2) find the pier/dock your ferry is leaving from
What is the difference between a hydrofoil and a high speed ferry?
When looking at the different ticket options you will see references to a hydrofoil and a high speed ferry in the description of the route. These are essentially the same thing, referring to a boat that is suitable for short to medium distances and can go faster in the water. Ferries are larger and generally have the capability to take on vehicles.
Most of the options for a ferry from Naples are actually a high speed ferry. These are the fastest ferry option available and there are a lot more departures using the high speed ferries.
You can opt for the larger, slower ferries which are a little cheaper, but generally you’ll be on a high speed ferry.
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Can I take a pet on board a ferry?
The short answer is ‘yes’, but the longer answer is that each operator has different rules. Almost all operators allow dogs onboard providing they are on a leash and most require that you purchase a pet ticket. Other small animals are generally permitted if they are inside carry cases.
Be sure to check with your operator if you are travelling with pets to be sure that they can come with you.
How does luggage on a ferry work?
All of the major ferry operators will allow you to bring luggage onboard.
When booking your ticket online you will see an option to add your luggage – you will need to do this in advance as you cannot amend an existing booking on the day of travel to include luggage (as you may with a plane ticket for example).
Look for racks like this inside the ferry passenger area.
Once on board you will be directed to a specific area to store your luggage, or you will find luggage racks in the passenger areas. This depends on the boat design and is hard to predict in advance, so always make sure you have padlocks or a lock on your suitcase in case you have to leave it somewhere out of sight.
Are there refreshments on board?
None of the ferry operators in Bay of Naples or Campania area include refreshments as standard with bookings, but most boats feature a small cafe/bar offering simple drinks and snacks at reasonable prices.
Can I bring a car on a ferry?
There are specific car ferries that allow you to move your vehicle between locations. However, at certain times of the year, non residents (of the specific destination where you are headed) are not able to move cars between locations.
If you are travelling with a car we’d recommend planning ahead thoroughly to avoid the inconvenience of being told you cannot embark or disembark with your vehicle!
Is seating allocated/Can I reserve specific seats?
Unfortunately not. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis meaning if you want a particular seat you’ll need to be at the front of the queue at departure.
There will be enough seats however for everyone who is booked, even in high season; for safety, none of the ferry companies oversell tickets.
The most popular ferry routes
In our many years of exploring Campania we have found that there are some ferry routes that we most commonly use. In some cases it might be quicker to travel by land (train or car) but we always recommend taking a boat as we find the ferry timetables more reliable and the experience far more enjoyable!
Ferries and hydrofoils in Campania come in various shapes and sizes which depend on the popularity of the route, harbor access and more. Planning ahead is key to a stress-free experience!
The majority of ferries from Naples operate out of Molo Beverello in the port area of the city. This can be easily reached by taxi from the airport or main train station, or from the city center via metro line 1 (alighting at Municipio and walking the short distance to the ferry piers).
At Molo Beverello you’ll find ticket offices for all major operators and routes if you haven’t booked in advance, a handful of bars offering simple food and drink, a busy taxi rank and a tourist information office.
Here are some of the most common ferry routes from Naples:
Naples <> Capri
Frequency:
While running frequently with lots of ferries throughout the day, consider that the ferries for Capri fill up fast from Naples in our experience. Another important note is that cancellations on this route are more frequent than most other routes during the winter due to adverse conditions further out in the bay.
Duration:
50 minutes on average
Be sure to step outside if conditions are good and soak up the special view of Mount Vesuvius that you’ll get when traveling on Naples ferries
Naples <> Ischia and/or Procida
Frequency:
There are regular daily departures for these islands on Naples ferries where visitors and locals alike are travelling back and forth. This continues through the quieter months, providing the conditions are right.
Duration:
55 minutes on average
Naples <> Sorrento
Frequency:
There are daily departures to and from Sorrento and Naples by high speed ferry and is by far our favorite way to visit this part of Campania either for a day trip or longer stay.
Duration:
40 minutes on average
Did we mention the views?
Naples <> Amalfi Coast (Amalfi town, Positano etc)
Frequency:
There are regular ferries between Naples and the towns of the Amalfi Coast, with several options available during the popular summer months. During the cooler points of the year, this frequency drops but continues providing weather conditions are favorable.
Duration:
2-2.5 hours on average
Beyond Naples you’ll also find multiple routes departing from Sorrento, including:
Sorrento <> Ischia and/or Procida
Frequency:
This route operates typically just one return journey per day in the busy season. If the timing works out for you this can be a convenient way of getting from one side of the Bay of Naples to the other, bypassing the ferry from Naples.
Duration:
1 hour on average
Sorrento <> Capri
Frequency:
This is possibly one of the busiest ferry routes in Campania with frequent departures owing to Sorrento and Capri’s popularity with visitors. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to operators and timetables!
Duration:
20 minutes on average
Sorrento <> Amalfi Coast
Frequency:
Ferries between these iconic locations run frequently enough to make visiting one from the other for a day trip extremely easy.
Duration:
1.5 hours on average
You’ll also find local ferries and hydrofoils operating out of other locations in Campania such as the ports at Castellammare di Stabia and Salerno. If are staying near either of these locations, or planning to visit these cities, be sure to look up the most convenient options for you.
From Napoli and Salerno it is also possible to take longer-distance ferries to the islands of Sardinia, Sicily and other locations.
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The main ferry companies in Naples and Campania
There are a handful of major ferry service operators in Campania – here is an overview:
SNAV operates ferries between Naples and Ischia, Procida and Capri, as well as longer-distance routes such as to Sicily and Sardinia from Naples.
GESCAB offers routes between locations in the Bay of Naples such as Castellammare di Stabia and Capri, as well as from towns along the Amalfi Coast and Salerno to and from Capri.
NLG (Navigazione Libera del Golfo) is one the biggest ferry operators in Campania offering routes to and from most key locations including Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, as well as other locations such as the Pontine Islands.
ALILAURO and its subsidiaries operate a large range of routes between major locations such as Capri and the Amalfi Coast, as well as offering connections to other towns such as Forio and Castellammare di Stabia.
Alicost (a subsidiary of Alilauro) has a large fleet of smaller boats offering transfers between less well-known locations that have smaller ports
CAREMAR is another ferry company with routes between Naples, Sorrento, Ischia and Procida being some of the most popular, as well as other locations in Campania such as Pozzuoli.
Siremar doesn’t operate any local routes within Campania but is a good option if you are considering travelling from Naples to Sicily.
We don’t have a preferred Naples ferries operator as we have found all of them to offer great service – our decision of who to book with is generally based on the timetables for departures and arrivals. We suggest double checking your options to find the right journey for you!
Ferry alternatives
If you want to visit locations such as the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento or Capri without taking a ferry you do have some alternative options to the ferry from Naples.
Amalfi Coast – Opt for a private car transfer or guided tour. You should be prepared to travel for around 2-3 hours from Naples depending on traffic.
Sorrento – Like the Amalfi Coast, you could opt for a private car transfer or guided tour to visit Sorrento with travel time taking around 1.5-2 hours on average. Another option is to use the Circumvesuviana/Campania Express train which takes around 75 minutes to get to Sorrento from Napoli Centrale train station.
Capri – Being an island off the coast of the mainland, alternatives are more limited but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist! Take a look at these exclusive boat excursions or even this unique helicopter tour from our friends at LivTours.
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To sum up…
Using Naples ferries to explore Campania is straightforward once you know what to expect. Our top recommendation is to book in advance to ensure you can travel on the ferries that work for you, as even at quieter times of year the popular routes fill up fast!
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