Discover the best ways to get to Capri from Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Positano & Amalfi in this ultimate guide written by an Italian.
Capri is a beautiful island in the Bay of Naples, famous for its stunning natural attractions that include massive rock formations and out-of-this-world grottoes, spectacular viewpoints over the sea, a trendy shopping scene, and vibrant nightlife.
Situated 21 miles off Naples in the Tyrrhenian Sea, the only way to get to Capri is by sea, so taking a ferry or boat is essential. Moreover, vehicles are not allowed in Capri for most of the year, so for getting around the island, you’ll have to rely on your feet, taxis, or public transportation.
Seeing as it’s such a popular destination, it’s easily accessible from various cities and towns in Italy.
However, in Italy, getting from place A to place B isn’t always straightforward. I’m saying it as an Italian native who grew up in Bologna and traveled all over Italy. That’s why I wanted to make things easier for you by listing all the possible ways to get to the island.
Read on to discover how to get to Capri in this very comprehensive guide.
Table of Contents
HOW TO GET TO CAPRI FROM NAPLES
Whether you’re starting your trip in Naples or arrived at the city from Rome, this is the starting point to reach Capri. While the only way to travel to the island is by ferry, you still have 3 ways o make the journey: either by joining a tour, booking a private transfer, or taking the ferry.
Best Tours to Capri from Naples
If you’re planning a day trip, you can check out these awesome tours to Capri from Naples.
▶️ The Island of Capri Tour with Lunch includes a scenic boat ride from Naples, and a very comprehensive visit of the island with a professional guide, along with all the transfers in Capri. You’ll also enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Capri Boat Day Trip with Drinks from Naples is a full-day experience that enables you to explore the island and its attractions without hassle. You’ll also get to swim and snorkel, and enjoy drinks and snacks aboard. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ This Private Day Tour is ideal for big groups. You’ll get to visit the famous Blue Grotto and explore the most iconic areas of Capri with utmost comfort and at your own pace. A local guide will be at your disposal during the jam-packed, fun day. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Private Transfer to Capri
To enjoy a personalized journey with pick-up at Naples airport or train station, and direct transfers to get you to Capri in the most trouble-free way, you should book a private transfer.
This All-Inclusive Private Transfer Service starts with a meet and greet at your point of arrival, be it the Naples train station or airport, and a comfortable trip to the port, where you’ll board a boat to Capri. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Naples to Capri by Public Transport
The boat from Naples to Capri takes 50 minutes to make the journey. The one-way ticket costs around 25€, and with over 15 crossings a day you can plan your trip at any time of day and trust that there will be a ferry departing soon.
There are 2 ports in Naples where ferries to Capri depart: Molo Beverello (high-speed ferries) and Calata Porta di Massa (regular ferries). I recommend taking the fast ferry to save some time.
The first ferry from Molo Beverello departs at 7 AM, followed by one at 8 AM and, after the third ferry at 9.30 there is one every approximately two hours until 7.15 PM. ➥ BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
The regular ferries depart from Calata Porta di Massa every day starting at 5.35 AM. Then there’s one ferry at 9 AM, at 12 PM, at 2.20 PM, at 5.25 PM, and at 7.40 PM.
From Naples Train Station
From Napoli Centrale, you’ll need to take the metro line 1 in the direction of Piscinola. You’ll get off at Piazza Municipio stop to get to the Molo Beverello port, which is only 100 meters away from the station, or at Università stop for Calata Porta di Massa. There’s a free shuttle bus between the two ports so it’s easy to get from one to the other should you need to.
From Naples International Airport (Capodichino Airport)
▶️ If you’re coming from Naples Airport to Capri, you’ll have to take the Alibus at Terminal 1, which departs multiple times a day. There’s one every 20 minutes from 6 AM to 9 AM, and then 5 to 6 times per hour until 9.55 PM. After that, there’s one bus every 20 minutes until 11.20 PM. The trip costs 5€ and you can get the tickets on the bus.
The bus stops at Piazza Garibaldi and at the two ports, in Piazza Municipio for Molo Beverello and in Via Marina for Calata Porta di Massa.
▶️ Otherwise, you can take a taxi from the airport, which will be pricier but more comfortable.
HOW TO GET TO CAPRI FROM SORRENTO
From Sorrento, you can either join a tour to visit Capri or take the ferry. Below you’ll find the details for both alternatives.
Best Tours to Capri from Sorrento
If you’re just visiting the island for the day, these in our opinion are the best Capri boat tours from Sorrento that you can join.
▶️ The Exclusive Capri Boat Tour starts with a cruise around the island, including swimming and snorkeling stops and an optional visit to the Blue Grotto. You’ll then have free time to discover Capri at your own pace. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Day Trip to Capri Island with Boat Ride departs from Sorrento early in the morning, after picking you up from your hotel. You’ll enjoy free time on the island, explore the grottoes, check out the Faraglioni, and visit the marine reserve. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Capri Island and Blue Cave Private Boat Tour from Sorrento is a private full-day tour that allows you to marvel at the island’s most impressive landmarks from the water with a guide’s commentary. You’ll also get to wander around the island for a few hours. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Sorrento to Capri by Public Transport
The ferry from Sorrento to Capri makes the journey in merely 30 minutes. During the high season, there are departures almost every half hour starting at 7.15 AM until noon, and then approximately every hour in the afternoon. The last ferry departs at 7.25 PM, and they all sail from Marina Piccola port. ➥ BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
Get to the port, which is close to the center of Sorrento, with some time to spare and make sure to sit on the left side of the ferry for great views!
On the way back, the journey from the port to Sorrento town is steep, so you can take a bus or an elevator to save you the effort. You could also get a taxi to get directly to your hotel.
HOW TO GET TO CAPRI FROM ROME
There are multiple ways to make the journey from Rome to Capri. You can either DIY with a combination of buses and trains, get a private transfer, or join a tour.
I recommend the DIY option if you are spending at least one night in Capri. If you just want to go on a day trip, you might be better off with a tour, or else you’ll end up wasting half the day getting to the island and back, which is not worth it!
Best Tours to Capri from Rome
If you don’t plan on spending more than one day on the island, it might be more time-effective to book a Capri tour from Rome that includes the transfers. These are the best options in my opinion.
▶️ This Capri Guided Day Trip is a 12-hour excursion that takes you to discover every nook and cranny of the island. You’ll enjoy a guided tour of its main areas and attractions and also discover the celebrated Blue Grotto. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Private Capri Day Trip from Rome offers a fully organized trip to the island for your whole group. You’ll enjoy a 3-hour boat tour to discover the grottoes and enjoy the sights of Capri before spending time discovering the island with your guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Pompeii, Capri and Sorrento Trip is a 2-day tour that takes you to the must-visit locations in Southern Italy. You’ll visit the ruins of Pompeii, stop at Naples, and spend a night in Sorrento. You’ll then spend a full day exploring Capri. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Private Transfer from Rome to Capri
If money is no object, and you want to get to Capri fast and in style, there’s no better way to do so than by private transfer. All the legs of your journey will be taken care of, including the transfers from Rome to the port and a private boat to the island.
This Private Transfer from Rome includes pick-up at your hotel, and a comfortable car ride to the port of Naples, where you’ll board a private boat to visit the beautiful island. Return transfers are also part of the deal. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Rome to Capri by Public Transport
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to get to Capri from Rome, the answer is public transportation.
There are no ferries from Rome to the island, so you’ll first have to get to Naples by train, and then get to Capri by following the instructions in the sections about “How to get to Capri from Naples”.
If you arrive at the train station in Rome, it’s just a matter of taking the train to Naples from there. If you arrive at one of the two Rome airports, you’ll have to first figure out how to get to the train station from there.
From Roma Termini (central train station)
If you’re at the train station, you’ll catch the train to Naples, which departs two to three times an hour and takes a little over an hour to make the journey. Tickets cost around 12€ each way.
From Rome Fiumicino Airport
Flying into Fiumicino Airport? In order to get to Rome train station to take the train to Naples, you’ll have to either pre-book a private transfer or take the train from the airport into Roma Termini.
▶️ Welcome Pickups is a reliable company that offers personalized transfers from Fiumicino Airport to your final destination in the city. A local English-speaking driver will welcome you at the arrival area, and help you with your bags to the modern vehicle where you’ll make the journey. You can also pre-book essentials like a local SIM card or souvenirs.
▶️ Alternatively, you can take the Leonardo Express train to the Roma Termini Train Station. The journey takes 30 minutes, and the tickets are valid for the whole day, so you don’t have to worry about making it on time. ➥ BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
▶️ If you’re on a budget, a good option is the Rome shuttle bus that departs from the airport several times a day to get into central Rome. You can choose your drop-off destination (Roma Termini train station) and opt to buy either a one-way transfer or an open return for when you get back. ➥ BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
From Rome Ciampino Airport
Arriving at Ciampino Airport instead? You’ll also have to make your way to Rome’s train station in order to travel to Naples.
▶️ You can pre-book your private transfer with Welcome Pickups, and enjoy the personalized service and hassle-free journey from the airport’s arrival area to Roma Termini station.
▶️ You can also take the train from the airport, which departs almost 80 times a day and takes around 40 minutes to get from Ciampino Airport to Roma Termini. Tickets cost as little as 3€. ➥ BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
▶️ If you’d rather take the shuttle bus, you’ll enjoy a comfortable ride in an air-conditioned vehicle that travels between the airport and the train station almost every hour from 8.30 AM. The trip takes 45 minutes. ➥ BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
HOW TO GET TO CAPRI FROM POSITANO
If you’re planning to go from the Amalfi Coast to Capri, the best starting point is Positano. The easiest way to get to Capri, Italy from there is by joining a tour. While you could also take the ferry on your own, they only run during the high season, so this option might not be available when you visit.
Best Tours to Capri from Positano
If you’d like to visit the island on a tour, these are the best Capri boat tours from Positano.
▶️ The Boat Excursion to Capri Island: Small Group from Positano guarantees a personalized experience by offering an intimate, small-group tour. You’ll cruise around the island of Capri as your guide points to its landmarks, and disembark for a full day exploring its lovely streets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ This Capri Private Boat Tour takes you and your friends on a sailing trip to Capri that includes stops to swim and snorkel at beautiful coves, visits to the grottoes, and onboard snacks and Prosecco. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Positano to Capri by Public Transport
Rather make the journey on your own? From Positano there are seasonal high-speed ferries and slow ferries that take you to Capri in 30 minutes or a little over an hour.
The ferry departs on a daily basis from April to October. The earliest trip is at 9.15 AM, and there are around 8 departures until 5 PM. The one-way journey costs 25€.
To catch the ferry you’ll have to make your way to the port of Positano, close to Marina Grande Beach. ➥ BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
⚠️ If you’re visiting out of the ferry season and want to go by ferry, you’ll first have to go to Sorrento.
HOW TO GET TO CAPRI FROM AMALFI
Spending your holidays in Amalfi instead? It’s the same case as with Positano. You can choose to join a tour if you’re there out of season, or else take the Amalfi to Capri ferry during the summer months.
Best Tours to Capri from Amalfi
▶️ This Boat and Snorkeling Tour takes you sailing around the Gulf of Naples on a traditional boat. You’ll visit the island of Capri and enjoy swimming and snorkeling stops around it. Drinks and snacks are included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ This Amalfi To Capri Private Boat Tour is ideal for groups wanting to visit the beautiful Capri in a fancy and very convenient way. The tour can be customized to your interests, and it’s designed to show you the island’s major landmarks. Snacks and drinks are provided aboard. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
👉 For additional options, check out the best boat tours to Capri from Amalfi.
Amalfi to Capri by Public Transport
The ferry from Amalfi to Capri is only seasonal, and it departs from La Marina Port from April to October. The ferry companies that operate it are Positano Jet, NLG, and Alilauro, and offer 9 to 10 daily crossings from 8.25 AM to 5.55 PM.
The tickets cost 20-25€ and the trip lasts almost an hour. ➥ BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
⚠️ If you’re in Amalfi while there are no ferries, you can travel to Sorrento and catch the boat from there.
TRAVEL TO CAPRI FAQs
If you travel from Naples by ferry, you’ll be in Capri in 50 minutes.
There’s no airport in Capri, so you’ll have to either fly into Rome Fiumicino Airport, and from there take the train to Naples where you’ll board the ferry to Capri, or fly directly into Naples International Airport.
There are direct ferries to Capri from both Naples and Sorrento, so depending on where you’re starting your journey one city will be easier to get to than the other. If you’re in Rome, it’s better to travel from Naples, whereas Sorrento is closer to the Amalfi Coast. The ferry from Sorrento is also 20 minutes faster than from Naples.
The ferry ride to Capri is usually calm, but if you’re someone who’s prone to getting seasick it might be better to take a Dramamine or similar pill before the journey to be on the safe side.
Yes, you could get a helicopter transfer to Capri.
The way to travel to Capri from Rome is by train. You’ll make the journey to Naples, and from there board the high speed ferry to the island.